The Sarnia seniors cruise has returned to the waters of the St. Clair River following a three-year hiatus.
On Monday, hundreds of area seniors boarded the Duc d'Orleans II for a free 45-minute cruise along Sarnia's waterfront. The first of six cruises set sail from the Front Street dock in Centennial Park at around 9 a.m.
Lambton Elderly Outreach Volunteer Coordinator Della Croxford said they've had upwards of 2,000 people attend the event in the past.
"We're hoping for the 2,000 but 1,500 [would be] a really good turnout I think," said Croxford.
The long-running tradition, started by CHOK Hotline host Peter Henderson in 1978, hasn't been held since 2019.
Croxford said they're excited to bring it back and to bring it forward for many years to come.
"So it's been around for a long time and we were very fortunate that the new owners of the Duc were willing to bring it back," she said. "A lot of clients are so excited to have it again."
Judy and John Wilson were among the first to board the Duc this year. John said it was their fourth or fifth time on the cruise.
"It was the best cruise we've ever had," he said. "It was a perfect day."
Judy said the trip was both wonderful and excellent.
"We need stuff to do and that was a good way to start off," said Judy.
Ellen Dodds and Joan Wilson were waiting to board the second cruise, scheduled for 10:30 a.m., when they spoke with Sarnia News Today.
Dodds, who's been on the cruise several times before, said it was nice listening to the live music at the event and seeing some familiar faces.
"And my mother used to come when I was younger," she said. "She was on the cruise rain, shine or anything, she was there."
Both Dodds and Wilson said if it started to rain, they didn't care about getting wet.
"We've got our umbrellas," said Dodds.
Departure times were scheduled for 9 a.m., 10:30 a.m., Noon, 1:30 p.m., 3 p.m. and 4:30 p.m.
