The Bella Desgagnés offers transportation and cruise for local residents and visitors, but primary purpose is to bring mail and supplies to many of Québec’s picturesque villages located along the 900-km-long coast from Rimouski to Blanc-Sablon.
Sailings are weekly from Rimouski on Monday at 10 PM, arriving back the following Monday morning. The best way to get there from a far away place is by air to Quebec City a day earlier, then by bus to Rimouski on Monday. Port calls vary from a couple of hours to half a day. Sightseeing tours are available in some places. The fare varies from CAD 1,799 per person in a standard twin-bedded cabin in low season to CAD 2,693 per person for a Panoramic twin-bedded cabin in high season, plus 20% for tax and fees. Seniors above 65, get approx 13% discount.
We offered this cruise back in the 1990s, when Bella's forerunner Nordik Express was providing an attractive service, and we'd book several of our customers per month.
This new, 1,000-ton, vessel was built in Croatia in 2013. She has an Ice Class, flies Canadian flag, and extends the good tradition - early reservations are recommended.
The image on the left is of a standard twin-bedded cabin with a porthole. Superior twin-bedded cabins have larger beds and square picture windows. Top deck Select- and Select-Plus-cabin occupants get a free pass to the Fitness Room and exclusive rights to a VIP Lounge. All 63 cabins have a bathroom with private facilities. Accommodations also include a Dining Room, Cafeteria, Bistro, Wi-Fi connection.
To make a reservation, please print, complete, scan or picture and email back the Registration Form (link below), indicating your preferences. When we confirm holding a cabin in your name, full fare payment is required, by a bank transfer or check payable to Maris USA Ltd. in CAD/USD.
Thanks to the support received from our customers, as well as from the steamship lines and media, including the following comments, today's Maris is one of the leading independent freighter cruise specialists:
"Maris is sailing with fair winds and following seas under your command."
John Carrick
Editorial writer
Sydney, Australia
Sep/99
"Q: It has always been my dream to take a long voyage on a cargo ship. Can you tell me if this is possible any more? - A: Maris in New York offers such voyages on a daily basis."
Sunday Times
London
July 1/01
"Maris Freighter Cruises website, as well as the newsletter which illustrates itineraries, ships, prices etc., is a good place to learn about this type of cruise and travel."
New York Times
May 18/03
"We are very appreciative of the work you have undertaken on our behalf for many years and the effort you have put into making our passenger service a success ... Our sincere and grateful thanks."
Richard Mellor
P&O Nedlloyd
London
Jan/05
"As a faithful reader of your Seaworthy News publication, I wish to compliment you and your staff on the informativeness and thoroughness, setting forth in honest and detailed manner descriptions of this means of travel."
Martin Ems
Retired Manager Passenger Services,
American President Lines - Feb/07
"I just wanted to send you my thanks for the beautiful news publication you produce all these years. I hope you'll keep freighter travel as your primary focus always, as it sets you apart."
Alison Senter
(Member since '95)
New Lisbon, NJ
Jan/10
"Since 1971, when my three young children and I travelled up the West Coast of Africa, I have had the pleasure of occasional freighter voyage. A wonderful way to see, and enjoy the peace of the watery parts of, our world. Thank you so much and your family for choosing to run your freighter cruise agency."
Jean Washington
San Diego, CA
Apr/2016
"Hopefully, when the dust (and Covid) has settled, we'll be able to envisage a new adventure. With renewed gratitude for your unfailing support and guidance, kindest regards."
Jacques Carrio
Vienna, Austria
Oct/2020
Become a member of Maris Freighter Travel Club Int'l -
or give a gift membership
Take advantage of the knowledgeable advice that comes from our vast experience. Find the freighter voyage that's right for you and you'll get an automatic discount, up to $800, depending on the steamship line and length of voyage. Please see the Special Discounts page.
To subscribe simply pay the fee by credit card.
You'll also receive our online newsletter called Seaworthy News, featuring passenger firsthand stories and news, issued periodically as it happens. It's a well-illustrated e-mail publication often being the only one available anywhere for many of these voyages.
$59
Lifetime
Membership
The same low price (in USD) is valid internationally.
By placing your order, you agree with our Terms
