The 29 international vessels scheduled for arrival are docking at the temporary cruise terminal located in eastern Montréal and at the McKay pier in Old Montréal. The busiest day will be Oct. 1, when three ships carrying a total of 7,000 cruise passengers and crew will turn around.
Cruise season began May 7.
Over the next two months, four upscale ships will make maiden calls. New to the region, Azamara Club Cruises’ Azamara Quest visits Sept. 23 as part of a charter by an Australian group that will travel from Montréal to New Orleans. Regent Seven Seas Cruises’ Seven Seas Mariner will make two stops, Oct. 1 and 21. On Sept. 17, Hapag-Lloyd Cruises' Europa 2 is due. On Oct. 2 and 3, the city will welcome Viking Cruises' Viking Star as the company operates its first Americas season.
According to the Montréal Cruise Committee, the cruise sector has a very promising future and already generates significant economic spinoffs for the city. A survey by the Committee found passengers who started or ended a cruise at Montréal or Québec City in 2015 spent $23m during their visits.
'Cruises account for a major economic sector in the tourism industry. That’s why we have developed promotional campaigns to position Montréal as an essential stop for cruise lines,' said Yves Lalumière, president and ceo, Tourisme Montréal.
The Montréal Cruise Committee will continue its promotional efforts to encourage tourists to stay in Montréal before or after their cruises. The goal, Lalumière said, is to exceed tourism projections for 2017.
Montréal has enjoyed a very strong tourist season since the beginning of the year, and the influx of cruisers has bolstered business in shops, restaurants and attractions in the city, including in Old Montréal.
'We are really noticing the financial impact from these passengers, which has been significant since last year. As soon as a cruise ship docks in Montréal, local businesses benefit with increased sales. It’s very positive for our economy,' said Mario Lafrance, gm, Vieux-Montréal SDC and member of the Montréal Cruise Committee.
Due to restoration work on the Alexandra Pier and Iberville Passenger Terminal, most cruise operations are taking place on piers 34 to 37, located approximately seven kilometres east of Old Montréal. Two temporary structures featuring all the amenities of a marine terminal have been set up to receive ships throughout the season.
'Everyone at the Montréal Port Authority and the Montréal Cruise Committee has made a major effort to ensure that cruise lines and passengers receive outstanding quality service and the warm welcome that Montréal is known for,' said Sylvie Vachon, president and ceo, Port of Montréal.
'We are very pleased with the positive feedback we received during the first half of the season and we are ready for the large volumes of passengers expected during the high season.'
Alexandra Pier and Iberville Passenger Terminal are being modernized in a $78m project targeted for completion in 2017 when Montréal celebrates its 375th anniversary and the 150th anniversary of Canada. In addition, the city will host the 2017 Cruise Canada/New England Symposium, June 13-15.
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