As Montreal says goodbye to the Regent Seven Seas Cruises’ SS Navigator, the city’s cruise season is coming to a close after a record season. The season got started on May 12 and lasted until today. In all, Montreal received 73 cruise ships this year, 29 more than in 2014. According to preliminary numbers, more than 92,000 passengers and crew members transited through the cruise terminal this season, representing a nearly 30 per cent increase over the 2014 season and a 94 per cent hike since the Montreal Cruise Committee was created in 2011.
Cruise season on the portion of the St. Lawrence River that leads to Montreal is from May to November. The busiest months are September and October, when travellers come to see the fall colours and discover Quebec’s natural and cultural offerings. According to data collected by the Montreal Cruise Committee, clients are primarily from the U.S.(72 per cent), Australia (8.5per cent), Canada (7.5 per cent) and the U.K. (4.5 per cent). The 2016 cruise season promises to be another excellent year, with confirmations indicating that visitor counts could be just as strong as this year.
“Once again, the numbers prove that Montreal’s cruise market is growing rapidly, and generating significant economic spinoffs for the entire city. I’d like to thank the Montreal Cruise Committee, as these results are in large part thanks to their efforts. At Montreal Port Authority, we continue to work on the restoration of the Alexandra Pier and the maritime terminal, which will position Montreal as an international port of call that offers outstanding quality to cruise lines and travellers,” said Sylvie Vachon, President and CEO of Montreal Port Authority.