Canadian Port Opens Cruise Season, Predicts Record-Breaking Year
The 2025 cruise season has opened at the Port of Montreal, and all signs point to a banner year, with cruise passenger arrivals expected to surpass the previous year.
Port officials launched the season with a celebratory event as the first ship of the year, Victory Cruise Lines’ Victory I, arrived on April 25, 2025. The 200-guest ship sails the Great Lakes and will make four calls at Montreal this season.
During the initial visit, the port presented a commemorative plaque to John Waggoner, owner of Victory Cruise Lines, at a ceremony attended by Julie Gascon, president and CEO of the Montreal Port Authority, and Victory I Captain Geir Lilleeng.
Cruise watchers might recall that Victory I formerly operated as Ocean Voyager for American Queen Voyages, and was sold to Waggoner in 2023. Victory Cruise Line ships ply the Great Lakes and the Canadian Maritimes.
Montreal, in the Province of Quebec, is a featured port on Eastern Canada voyages, and in 2025 will welcome 21 ships from 13 cruise lines, bringing a predicted 58,000 cruise guests to the city.
Several luxury and up-market ships will make their maiden calls to the Port of Montreal, including Regent Seven Seas Cruises’ Seven Seas Splendor; Silversea Cruises’ Silver Shadow; and Oceania Cruises’ Allura.
Some cruise lines deploy multiple ships on the popular Canada/New England itineraries offered in summer and fall. Among them is Holland America Line, which deploys Zuiderdam and Volendam on Eastern Canadian voyages.
Canada/New England voyages typically feature Montreal and/or Quebec City, Prince Edward Island, Nova Scotia, and US ports such as Portland, Maine, and Boston.
Other cruise lines that will regularly call at Montreal include Windstar Cruises’ Star Pride, Seabourn’s Seabourn Sojourn and Seabourn Ovation, Viking Cruises’ Viking Mars, Azamara’s Azamara Journey, and Crystal’s Crystal Symphony.
The Port of Montreal has been growing in cruise tourism in recent years. Both 2023 and 2024 proved to be robust cruise seasons for Montreal. In 2024, cruise arrivals topped 50,000 passengers, and generated some $25 million in economic benefits.
“The Port of Montreal is proud to launch a new cruise season that manifests the vitality of our city and its appeal to cruise lines and travellers from around the world,” said Julie Gascon, President and CEO of the Port of Montreal.
“Beyond the tourism aspect, cruises generate significant economic benefits for the local and regional community. It’s also a great opportunity to showcase our river, our expertise and our hospitality,” added Gascon.
Growing Port Embraces Sustainable Policies
The Port of Montreal has taken steps to boost its environmental protection policies, and in 2023 revealed a five-year investment plan that will provide about $335 million in sustainable infrastructure development.
With the goal of becoming a net-zero carbon facility by 2050, the port operates a shoreside power system that cruise ships can hook into. In 2024, 12 cruise ships connected to the local power grid, enabling them to turn off engines while docked.
Read Also: I Cruised Eastern Canada on Holland America: Here’s What I Loved Best
Using shoreside power prevented about 580 tons of greenhouse gases from being emitted into the air.
The port’s cruise terminal is located inside the Grand Quay, a building that, since early 2024, has been 100% powered by renewable energy. The Grand Quay also houses the Port of Montreal Tower, the Port Centre, and the Pavilion, a public entertainment space.
Canadian Port Opens Cruise Season, Predicts Record-Breaking Year