THE 2023 cruise season is officially under way at the Port of Montreal, with new ships, more passenger visits, and a record amount of shorepower usage on the schedule. The season will feature 38 turnarounds and 13 stopovers, generating CAD$25 million in economic impact. Nineteen of Montreal’s scheduled calls, from...
THE 2023 cruise season is officially under way at the Port of Montreal, with new ships, more passenger visits, and a record amount of shorepower usage on the schedule.
The season will feature 38 turnarounds and 13 stopovers, generating CAD$25 million in economic impact.
Nineteen of Montreal’s scheduled calls, from Holland America Line, Regent Seven Seas Cruises, Hapag-Lloyd Cruises, and Viking, are equipped to use the Port’s shorepower supply facilities.
The first of 51 visits took place on the weekend, with the arrival of Holland America’s Zaandam (pictured) one of the largest cruise ships which visits Montreal.
To mark the occasion and honour the 150th anniversary of Holland America, a plaque was presented to Zaandam’s captain Ane Smit.
The season will run until 30 Oct, and the number of international passengers is expected to exceed 45,000, up nearly 20% on last year.
Montreal Port Authority President and Chief Executive Officer Martin Imbleau believes the city’s cruise sector is proving its attractiveness and dynamism.
“Not only is the number of passengers up from last year, gradually returning to a level of traffic comparable to our pre-pandemic levels, but more and more of the cruise ships that stop at the port are using our shorepower supply system,” he said.
“The Port of Montreal is one of only 25 in the world to provide this service to cruise ships.”
