Cap-aux-Meules, April 15, 2020 – With the evolution of the COVID-19 pandemic, CTMA cancels its 19th cruise season which was scheduled from June 12 to September 25, 2020.

Due to the new measures put in place last week by Transport Canada concerning the non-essential transportation of passengers, cruises scheduled June 12, 19 and 26 had already been cancelled. Considering that elders are more at risk in the present pandemic and that 62% of our clients are older than 65, it would be impossible for CTMA to ensure a safe experience to its clients and meet their expectations.

The prospects for prompt relaunching of the cruise industry are unlikely, since a cruise season requires preparation. CTMA is taking a difficult decision, but a responsible one, considering the pandemic context. « It’s sad news for CTMA, its employees as well as for all communities of the Islands, this scenario is far from the one we had planned, but our first obligation is to protect our employees’ and clients’ health », says Emmanuel Aucoin, General Manager of CTMA.

All clients who have made a reservation will have the full refund of their cruise. Customer Service employees will communicate with all clients in the next few days in order to proceed with the refund.

We should recall that cruises on CTMA Vacancier began in 2002. Around 100 crew members work for the client services on the cruise ship. For 15 weeks, from mid-June to the end of September, cruise passengers spend three days on the Islands, which represent direct spin-offs of approximately $3 million a year in the archipelago.

Photo of the CTMA Vancansier at Québec: Pierre Terrien