By
Rebecca Gibson |
Oceania Cruises’ Regatta is to close Montréal’s 2016 cruise season on 25 October.
Since the season officially began on 7 May, the Canadian cruise port has handled 38 calls from 16 international ships at both its temporary cruise terminal located in Eastern Montréal and at the McKay pier in Old Montréal. Four of the vessels made inaugural visits, including Azamara Club Cruises’ Azamara Quest, Regent Seven Seas Cruises’ Seven Seas Mariner, Hapag-Lloyd Cruises’ Europa 2 and Viking Ocean Cruises’ Viking Star.
This year, the port has welcomed 90,000 passengers and crew members, representing around CAD$23 million in tourist spending at local businesses, attractions and hotels.
According to data collected by the Montréal Cruise Committee, the passengers were primarily American (72%), Australian (8.5%), Canadian (7.5%) and English (4.5%).
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Montréal already has 50 cruise calls scheduled for 2017 – a record for the port. The ships will berth at the new Alexandra Pier facilities in the Old Port.
“The rehabilitation work being done on the new maritime terminal is going according to schedule and we will be ready to open its doors on 6 May, just in time to welcome the first ship of the season,” said Sylvie Vachon, president and CEO of the Montréal Port Authority. “In addition, to meet the increased number of cruise ships coming to the Port of Montréal in the coming years, we have decided to permanently add piers 34 and 35, as well as our tent, to our reception infrastructure.”
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