MONTREAL – Montreal is gearing up for an exceptionally busy cruise season, with an expected 27 ships, 19 cruise lines and 130,000 passengers and crew members making a total of 90 stops on its shores.

As such, in 2018 Port of Montréal will see a 12% increase in visitation over last season, increasingly standing out as a starting or ending point for cruises. Four different companies are offering Montreal-to-Montreal itineraries via Saint-Pierre-et-Miquelon or the Great Lakes. The city will also be the departure port for 20 cruises headed to Boston, 16 cruises to New York, 16 cruises to the Magdalen Islands and six cruises to Florida, as well as cruises to the Great Lakes, Europe (U.K. and Germany) and Cuba.

“For several years, we have been actively working to develop the cruise sector, which is growing dramatically around the world. Quebeckers will increasingly find it easier to book cruises leaving from Montréal and enjoy the city’s various attractions, including its fine food establishments and hotels for every taste,” said Yves Lalumière, President and CEO of Tourisme Montréal.

The season will continue right through to November 2, when Oceania Cruises’ Insignia departs. Between now and then, Montréal will welcome six new ships, including the M/S Jacques Cartier (Croisières Jacques-Cartier, a Québec firm), the Victory II (Victory Cruise Lines), the AIDAvita (AIDA Cruises), the Star Pride (Windstar Cruises), the Silver Spirit and the Silver Wind (Silversea Cruises).

Last year, Port of Montréal inaugurated a new cruise terminal and this year will open three public areas on the port’s Grand Quai, which will shape the new identity for the Alexandra Pier.

To see all scheduled arrivals and departures for 2018, go to http://cruises.alamontreal.com/cruises-in-montreal/.