The 2025 cruise season concluded on November 1 with the departure of the Seabourn Sojourn bound for Miami. Over the course of the season, the Montreal Port Authority (MPA) recorded 61,727 passenger-days, representing a modest 2% increase compared to 2024. In addition, 14,569 crew members had the opportunity to explore the many attractions of the metropolis.
Among the season’s highlights were the arrival of three new ships — the Silver Shadow, Allura, and Seven Seas Splendor — the inaugural Montréal Cruise Forum, and the announcement of winter cruises departing from Montréal beginning in February 2027.
Kicking off on April 9 with the arrival of the Polaris from Viking Cruises, the 2025 season included 42 operations by 21 ships operated by 13 cruise lines.
Responding to growing demand across the industry, 10 ships used shore power connections, resulting in a reduction of 508 tonnes of GHG emissions. Since 2017, the Port of Montréal has offered cruise ships the ability to connect to shore power at its Grand Quay terminals. It remains the only port on the St. Lawrence and one of just 35 ports worldwide to provide this service.
Another distinctive feature of the Grand Quay is its direct dockside connection for wastewater collection and treatment, which was used 36 times by 18 ships this season.
Additionally, AML cruises welcomed 121,018 passengers aboard, marking a strong year that also saw an increase in evening dinner cruises, particularly the premium Red Carpet and Signature packages.
Organized by Cruises Montréal, an entity created in 2011 by the Port of Montréal and Tourisme Montréal, the first Montréal Cruise Forum brought together more than 50 representatives from the tourism, port, and economic sectors. During the event, Tourisme Montréal and the Port of Montréal announced the signing of a three-year collaboration agreement aimed at supporting the strategic development of the cruise sector and reinforcing Montréal’s positioning as a sustainable and structured maritime destination.
A new tourism offering departing from Montreal
The Forum also saw the announcement that PONANT EXPLORATIONS will add Montreal to its winter cruise itinerary on the St. Lawrence starting in winter 2027 — a first for the city.
The Commandant Charcot, a hybrid-electric polar exploration vessel powered by liquefied natural gas, will arrive from Bergen, Norway. Two Montréal roundtrip cruises are scheduled for February 13 and 27, 2027, before the ship departs the river for Nuuk, the capital of Greenland.
The two itineraries will include stops in Québec City, Saguenay, Gaspé, Saint-Pierre-et-Miquelon, Corner Brook, the Strait of Belle Isle, and Sept-Îles.
This announcement marks an important milestone in the development of winter tourism and strengthens Montréal’s role as a four-season home port on the St. Lawrence.
Looking ahead to 2026
The 2026 season will begin on April 24 with the arrival of the Victory I from Victory Cruise Lines and conclude on October 31 with the departure of the Seabourn Ovation from Seabourn Cruises. This will mark the first Montréal visits for both the Seabourn Ovation and the Scenic Eclipse from Scenic Cruises.
Meanwhile, Crystal Cruises will make a welcome return to Montréal with the Crystal Symphony, whose last visit dates back to 2018.
In total, 17 ships operated by 13 cruise lines are expected throughout the 2026 season, for a total of 40 operations.
(Photo of Port of Montreal)