The upcoming international cruise season on the Saint Lawrence appears especially promising and provides proof positive that post–pandemic recovery in the sector is well under way, according to Cruise the St. Lawrence.
Heartened by the speed of the industry’s comeback, René Trépanier, executive director of Cruise the Saint Lawrence (CSL), commented as follows: “Last year, we set our sights on a return to 2019 levels of performance by 2025. We are now confident that we will achieve this goal earlier than initially anticipated.”
More than 300 stopovers are planned for the nine Saint Lawrence ports of call in 2023. The season will also be the longest in CSL history, extending from April 23rd when the Viking Octantis calls at the Magdalen Islands to November 5th when the Silver Shadow departs from the Port of Québec.
“In total, 43 different ships will visit our shores, including a dozen or so set to navigate the waters of the Saint Lawrence for the first time,” CSL stated.
Last year marked the relaunch of cruise operations after a two-year hiatus owing to the COVID-19 pandemic. Public health restrictions then in effect required that onboard capacity be reduced to prevent any new outbreaks of the virus. Albeit all proceeded according to plan. Passenger numbers for last year’s 248 stopovers at nine ports of call plateaued at just 266 601, a figure which pales in comparison to the over 460 000 passengers expected in 2023.
Over the years, Destination Canada New England, which includes the ports of the Saint Lawrence, has secured a position of choice in the rapidly growing international cruise industry. Given the breadth of destination offerings, Cruise the Saint Lawrence is well poised to cater to the needs of a diversity of traveller profiles.
(Louis Rhéaume photo of cruise activity at Port of Quebec)
