This Ontario cruise transports you back in time on a 138-year-old steamship
Lately, I've been daydreaming about getting out of the city and trading the endless noise of Toronto for something a bit more serene.
And one thing that's shot to the top of my summer bucket list? A cruise on one of Muskoka's historic steamships.
I've always been fascinated by Ontario's hidden gems, and there's just something about these old steamships that captures my imagination. The RMS Segwun has been around since 1887 — laying claim to the title of the oldest operating steam-powered vessel on the continent!
Still proudly chugging across Lake Muskoka after almost 140 years, the Segwun is just one of the cruise options. There's also the Wenonah II, a classic-style beauty that keeps the vintage vibes alive while offering a few modern perks (air conditioning on a steamy summer day sounds like the dream, right?).
I haven't made it up there yet, but I've been deep in the TripAdvisor rabbit hole reading all the glowing reviews. People are always talking about how stepping aboard feels like stepping back in time.
I can picture it now: the gentle chug of the ship's engine, the captain's stories about Muskoka's early days, and the endless views of classic boathouses and lush forested islands drifting by. Everyone says it's the perfect mix of peaceful vibes and a little Ontario history lesson.
What really sold me, though, was how it sounds like a totally different pace of life. It's hard to imagine, sitting in downtown traffic or trying to snag a spot on a crowded patio, that there's a world just two hours away where life slows down to the speed of a paddlewheel.
It's the kind of break I think we're all craving this summer. Apparently, these cruises run from late spring right through the fall, and there's everything from short sightseeing trips to full-on dinner cruises. I'm already plotting which one to book.
A sunny afternoon trip sounds dreamy, but there's also something super romantic about a sunset dinner cruise. I'm picturing a glass of wine in hand, gentle breeze on my face, and the sun setting behind the iconic Muskoka pines. Pure cottage country magic.
I also read that the Muskoka Wharf, where the cruises depart, is a destination in itself. There are shops, restaurants, and even a farmers' market on weekends. It sounds like the perfect place to wander before or after the cruise, maybe grab a coffee or a scoop of local ice cream. It's basically a mini-vacation packed into one day.
Of course, I'm already picturing how this trip would go. A morning coffee to-go, a playlist of mellow summer tunes for the drive up, and that feeling of total freedom when you swap your city shoes for something more boat-appropriate.
I can't wait to finally make it happen—this summer, for sure. If you're also itching for a low-key adventure that's a million miles from city life, it sounds like Muskoka's steamships are the way to go.
You can scope out their schedules and book your tickets online. Here's hoping we're both out on that deck soon, with nothing on the agenda but watching the world go by.
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