From October 1 to 5, four ships will pass through the Montréal Cruise Terminal in the Old Port during a week that marks the start of peak cruise season in the city.

This high season begins with the arrival of the AIDAbella on October 1, the largest ship to call in Montréal with over 2,500 passengers. Shortly thereafter arrive the Seven Seas Navigator, the Europa, and the Maasdam.

In total, more than 9,300 passengers will transit through Montréal during this period.

The cruise season to Montréal along the St. Lawrence River stretches from May to November, and is in full swing in October. Travellers come for a variety of reasons, among which are the fall colours of the city and the natural and cultural attractions of the province. After the season, which ends on November 11 with the departure of the Hamburg, over 56,000 domestic and international passengers will have passed through Montréal.

“The cruise market is one of great potential and central to our strategic planning for the coming years. We have set ambitious goals, and we are working with various stakeholders to reach them,” said Yves Lalumière, President and Chief Executive Officer of Tourisme Montréal. “We not only want to attract cruise passengers worldwide to Montréal, but we also want to make Montrealers aware of this unique way of travelling.”

“I want to commend the excellent work of the Montréal Cruise Committee, whose efforts are paying off. According to the forecast we have in our possession, the 2015 season will see the number of passengers cross a new threshold, a sign that Montréal has considerable appeal when it comes to the cruise industry,” added Sylvie Vachon, President and CEO of the Port of Montréal.

Supported by Tourisme Québec, the Montréal Cruise Committee comprises the Montréal Port Authority and Tourisme Montréal, as well as six other local associations and organizations: Aéroports de Montréal (Montréal airports), the Old Port of Montréal Corporation, the Casino de Montréal, the Société de développement commercial du Vieux-Montréal (Old Montréal Business Development Corporation), the Hotel Association of Greater Montréal and the City of Montréal.