For the third year in a row, cruise ships called at the Port of Québec more than 100 times between April and November 2026, bringing with them no fewer than 126,000 passengers from around the world. Nearly 50% of these passengers began or ended their journeys in the Capitale-Nationale, confirming Québec City’s role as a major port of embarkation and disembarkation in Canada.
“Québec City is increasingly establishing itself as a destination of choice for ocean-going and expedition cruise ships from major international markets,” said Olga Farman, President & CEO of the Port of Québec
The 2026 season was marked by the arrival of the 3 millionth cruise passenger in Québec City, an historic milestone that speaks to the industry’s sustained growth over the past few decades. Québec City also earned its fourth Readers’ Choice Award in a row, being named the Best Canada/New England Cruise Destination by readers of trade magazine Porthole.
The next season will begin as early as next February, with the return of winter cruises. This includes a call by Ponant’s Le Commandant Charcot, the first hybrid electric polar exploration vessel powered by liquefied natural gas.
Shore power: a major milestone
The Québec government’s July announcement of up to $4 million in financial assistance for the electrification of Wharf 30 was another highlight of the past season. This support, in addition to the funding already confirmed by the Government of Canada, will allow work to officially begin, with commissioning anticipated for 2029. The new infrastructure will reduce the greenhouse gasses associated with cruise calls in Port waters by around 90%—or nearly 70,000 tonnes—over 10 years.
This will allow the Port of Québec to enhance its market positioning by becoming part of an increasingly green corridor along the Canada–New England route. It will be joining the cohort of ports that have been or will be electrified by 2030—a cohort that includes the ports of Montréal, Charlottetown, Halifax, Boston, and New York, among others.
(Photo from Port of Quebec)