The cruise season starts in Montreal, more than 50,000 passengers are expected

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

This is the first time the ship has visited Montreal and, according to tradition, a gift was presented to Captain Laurentius Oscar van Eerten.

Volendam is also one of the few ships to use shore power technology, which allows moored ships to switch off their engines, which in turn reduces greenhouse gas emissions.

In the 2024 cruise season, approximately 50,000 passengers are expected between May 4 and Oct. 28, over the course of 41 operations, including nine calls and 32 embarkations and disembarkations, the port said in a news release.

In terms of capacity, the ships vary from the Le Bellot with 180 passengers to the Volendam with 1,440 passengers.

“This new cruise season reflects Montreal’s appeal as a world-class tourist destination. We are very proud to offer an excellent reception area featuring the Grand Quay and the Port of Montreal Tower, which have become iconic symbols of tourism in our city. also a great opportunity to highlight our commitment to innovation and sustainability in our port, as evidenced by our shore power system,” said the spokesperson Julie Gasconpresident 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 arrive 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. Montreal is the gateway to America and is a must-see destination on the St. Lawrence River. Tourisme Montréal is proud to partner with this sector, creating significant economic benefits for the restaurant owners and merchants of Old Montreal,” added Yves LalumièreChairman and CEO, Tourism 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, accommodate 180 and 264 passengers respectively, offering an intimate, luxury cruise experience
• From Villa Vie Residences, Villa Vie Odyssey with 924 passengers
• Van Rivages du Monde, World Explorer with a capacity of 200 passengers, focused on the adventurous 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, marks the cruise line’s return to Montreal after an eight-year absence.

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

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

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

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