Cartier's first voyage employed two ships, details about their size and specific type are scant but they were likely small, sturdy vessels suitable for coastal exploration. They carried a crew of 61 men.

For his second voyage, Cartier sailed with three ships. "La Grande Hermine" (The Great Ermine) was the flagship and likely the largest. "La Petite Hermine" (The Small Ermine) and "L'Émerillon" (The Merlin) were smaller support vessels. "La Petite Hermine" was abandoned in Canada during this expedition.

Cartier's third voyage involved five ships. The details of their names and characteristics are not well documented, but their size would have needed to be sufficient to carry colonists, supplies, and equipment for establishing a settlement.