Cruise season kicks off in Montreal, 50,000+ passengers expected

The Port of Montreal has launched its 2024 cruise season with the arrival of Holland America's Volendam, which served as a refuge for 1,500 Ukrainian citizens in April 2022.

This is the ship's first call to Montreal, and in keeping with tradition, a gift was presented to Captain Laurentius Oscar van Eerten.

Volendam is also one of a number of ships to use shore power technology, which makes it possible for docked vessels to turn off their engines, which in turn reduces GHG emissions.

The 2024 cruise season will see some 50,000 passengers expected between May 4 and October 28, over the course of 41 operations that include nine calls and 32 boardings/disembarkations, the port said in a press release.

In terms of capacity, ships range from the 180-passenger Le Bellot to the 1,440-passenger Volendam.

"This new cruise season reflects Montreal's appeal as a world-class tourist destination. We are so very proud to offer an outstanding reception area with the Grand Quay and the Port of Montreal Tower, which have become iconic symbols for our city's tourism. This is also a great occasion to spotlight our commitment to innovation and sustainability at our port, as demonstrated by our shore power system," said Julie Gascon, president and CEO of the Port of Montreal, in a statement.

"Every spring, we can't wait to see the first cruise ship of the season get here. It marks the start of an exciting time for tourism in Montreal. Cruise passengers are warmly greeted by our impressive Bonjour structure overlooking the green roof of the Port of Montreal's Grand Quay. As the gateway to the Americas, Montréal is a must-see destination on the St. Lawrence River. Tourisme Montréal is proud to collaborate with this sector, creating significant economic benefits for the restaurant owners and merchants of Old Montréal," added Yves Lalumière, president and CEO, Tourisme Montreal.

From Ponant to Oceania to Regent to Azamara

Nine cruise ships will visit Montreal for the very first time:

• Holland America's Volendam, the first and largest ship of the season
• Two Ponant ships, Champlain and Lyrial, accommodating 180 and 264 passengers espectively, providing an intimate, luxury cruising experience
• From Villa Vie Residences, Villa Vie Odyssey with 924 passengers
• From Rivages du Monde, World Explorer with a 200-passenger capacity, focused on the adventure experience
• Regent's Seven Seas Grandeur with 750 passengers
• Oceania Cruises' Nautica, with 684 passengers
• Fred Olsen Cruise Lines' Borealis, with 1,320 passengers, and
• Azamara Cruises' Azamara Journey, with 718 passengers, marking the return of the cruise line to Montreal after an eight-year absence.

Three milestones will also be celebrated, further illustrating the loyalty of major cruise lines to Montreal:

• Regent's 25,000th passenger aboard the Seven Seas Grandeur on September 19
• Viking Cruises' 30,000th passenger aboard the Viking Neptune on September 27
• Oceania's 40,000th passenger aboard the Nautica on October 6

Click here for the full schedule of cruise ship arrivals and departures at the Port of Montreal. 

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