Muskoka Steamships
Thank you for a great 2024 sailing season! Cruises will begin again in May 2025. Stay tuned for schedules, rates, and updates.
Muskoka’s steamship heritage is older than Canada. The first ship steamed Lake Muskoka in 1866. In 2017, we marked the amazing RMS Segwun’s 130 year history. She is North America’s oldest operating mail steamship. Wenonah II, a modern interpretation of a traditional steamship, is named in honour of Wenonah, the first steamship to sail Lake Muskoka. We look forward to welcoming you aboard in 2023.
Before or after sailing, visit the Discovery Centre. Discounted admission is available with the purchase of a steamship cruise ticket.
Our Fleet
ROYAL MAIL SHIP SEGWUN
| Built | 1887 |
|---|---|
| Capacity | 97, plus crew |
| Port Of Registry | Toronto |
| Length | 125 Feet |
| Beam | 21.8 feet |
| Draft | 6 feet |
| Gross Tonnage | 271 |
| Hull Construction | Iron |
| Speed | 6 knots |
| Crew | Captain, Mate, Engineer, Stoker-Oiler, Purser, Deck Hand, Catering Staff |
| Power | Coal for Segwun comes from Seward, Pennsylvania |
| Requirements | Segwun requires over 250 tons of coal for her 4.5 month sailing season. |
“Muskoka’s steamship heritage is older than Canada. The first ship steamed Lake Muskoka in 1866.”
In 1887, long before the era of modern highways, the R.M.S. Segwun was built in Glasgow, Scotland, and assembled at Gravenhurst. The ship was originally a side paddlewheel steamer named “Nipissing II” and served as a connection – transporting passengers, mail, and freight from Muskoka Wharf in Gravenhurst to cottages, resorts and homes that were beginning to populate the Muskoka Lakes. By 1914, Nipissing was withdrawn from service. 10 years later in 1924, following the first world-war, work began to rebuild the superstructure of the vessel and new engines arrived from Goderich, Ontario. In 1925, the ship was given her new name, an Ojibwa word: segwun, meaning “springtime”.
Her maiden voyage took place on July 9, 1925. The photograph above was taken that day as she steamed to Bracebridge. The new steamer proved to be the fastest of the ships on the lakes, continuing her service to Canada Post and the many visitors to the area. By 1958, with mail delivery taking more land routes, Segwun made her last trip and was decommissioned. In 1962 she was converted into a floating maritime museum at Gravenhurst Wharf and thus escaped deconstruction.
Work began in 1973 with help from steamship enthusiasts of the Muskoka Steamship & Historical Society and the Ontario Road Builders, and the RMS Segwun was officially re-launched in 1974 by Pierre Elliott Trudeau. After further restoration, Segwun began her new career in 1981 as a cruise ship on the Muskoka Lakes. As the sole survivor of the fleet, she continues to hold status with Canada Post as an official “Royal Mail Ship”. Each summer she attracts thousands of tourists to Muskoka enabling passengers to see the beauty of Muskoka as it should be seen, by water, as she proudly plies the Muskoka Lakes representing the elegance, style and heritage of Muskoka’s past.
Her ability to adapt to 130 years of changes is a model to us all, as North America’s oldest operating hand-fired steamship, the RMS Segwun is the recognized symbol of Muskoka with many believing that her haunting whistle sounds out as the official “heartbeat” which awakens the region each Spring. With a sailing season of just 145 days, present day Segwun welcomes passengers on board from around the world. Photographs of the Segwun continue to outweigh any other in the region, proving that she is the recognized symbol of Muskoka. Passengers can bask in the gleaming woodwork and panoramic views of the her two dining rooms, the Royal Muskoka Salon – seats up to 34 guests, and the exquisite Islander Dining Room – seating up to 18 guests. Both can be reserved privately during public cruises for dining or celebrations like you’ve never experienced. Currently the RMS Segwun can also be privately chartered for special events of a nature ranging from corporate events, birthdays, and celebrations to even Wedding ceremonies and receptions.
WENONAH II
| Built | 2002 |
|---|---|
| Capacity | 216, plus crew |
| Port Of Registry | Toronto |
| Length | 118.76 Feet |
| Beam | 27.98 feet |
| Draft | 6 feet |
| Gross Tonnage | 271 |
| Hull Construction | Iron |
| Speed | 7 knots |
| Crew | Captain, Mate, Engineer, Purser, Deck Hand, Catering Staff |
“Wenonah II, a modern interpretation of a traditional steamship, is named in honour of Wenonah, the first steamship to sail Lake Muskoka.”
Built in the style of a 1907 Muskoka vessel, Wenonah II complements the RMS Segwun. Both ships offer a variety of cruises on all three of the Muskoka lakes. Accommodating up to 216 passengers, Wenonah II combines turn-of-the-century charm with modern conveniences including air-conditioning and an on-board elevator. Passengers can enjoy three dining rooms and three decks offering the ultimate lakeview experience.
Providing unequalled luxury and pampering, the exclusive Commodore’s Dining Room boasts a private and fully licensed outside patio and doting service staff – sure to impress any gathering of up to 10 guests. For social and corporate entertaining, the private Cherokee Dining Room provides an ideal opportunity to “wine and dine” up to 24 guests. For larger groups, the Sagamo Dining Room accommodates up to 100 guests.
OUR SHIPS
