A record eight calls for Havre-Saint-Pierre in 2017, and will turn into 13 in 2018.

“That will be our most important year so far,” said Meggie Richard, international cruise development officer. “We are expecting a big year and want to do something special around our 10th anniversary as a port of call in the cruise industry.”

The AIDAvita is on the schedule twice next summer, while before that, the port will welcome the Artania this October, which will make it the largest ship ever to visit Havre-Saint-Pierre.

“Hurtigruten is also coming and at the beginning of May,” Richard explained. “For the first time we are going to have Holland America, we have been going after them for 10 years. It took time to convince the cruise lines. We are the smallest and most northern port on the Saint Lawrence.”

Now, the destination’s focus has turned to 2019 and working on creating additional shore excursions.