A 57-call 2017 cruise season for the port of Saguenay will repeat itself in 2018, with the additions of Disney Cruise Line and AIDA Cruises.

“Disney is a really important mark for us,” said Priscilla Nemey, executive vice president of Promotion Saguenay. “It’s important, it’s the family market. And with AIDA, we have a summer product. We are working with both lines now on their shore excursion products.

“We believe in the summer season for Canada/New England and AIDA is showing us they believe in us … it’s really good news for the region.”

Among the highlights was a Queen Mary 2 call in 2016, when some 40,000 people showed up to see the ship arrive and depart – leading to fully booked hotels and restaurants.

A number of new shore excursions have been added for the 2017 cruise season, highlighted by a visit to a local microbrewery. Among other news, the iconic Saguenay fjord is now a candidate for UNESCO status.