Montreal Expects Record Cruise Season
by Richard D'Ambrosio /
When Holland America’s 1,266-passenger MS Veendam docked in Montreal this weekend, Canada celebrated the opening of its 2017 cruise season, expected to be the busiest yet in the city’s history.
When the MS Seven Seas Mariner departs October 27, the Port of Montreal is expected to welcome 25% more passengers and crew than 2016, on 52 international and 16 domestic cruise ships, including three luxury cruise ships making their first-ever stop in Montréal. The luxury ships include the MS Silver Muse, a 596-passenger vessel from Silversea Cruises, the MS Viking Sea and the MS Viking Sky, both 930-passenger ships from Viking Ocean Cruises.
Montreal will gain a significant traveler advantage this month when it opens a new $78 million cruise terminal at Alexandra Pier. The terminal will be able to dock two ships simultaneously and will have a 300-foot observation tower.
Also, the Port of Montreal has its own rail network directly dockside. It is connected to the two national rail networks and a highway system. Port activity supports 16,000 jobs and generates $2.1 billion in economic benefits annually.