High cruise season is in full swing! - Over 9,300 passengers expected between October 1 and 5

MONTRÉAL, Oct. 1, 2014 /CNW Telbec/ - We've hit cruising speed! From October 1 to 5, four ships will pass through the Montréal Cruise Terminal in the Old Port during a week that marks the start of peak cruise season in the city.

This high season begins with the arrival of the AIDAbella on October 1, the largest ship to anchor in Montréal with over 2,500 passengers. Shortly thereafter arrive the Seven Seas Navigator, the Europa, and the Maasdam. In total, more than 9,300 passengers will transit through Montréal during this period. The Europa, in particular, one of the most upscale ships, returns to Montréal after a 10-year absence. Ship enthusiasts and the curious can admire the vessels from the Old Port.

The cruise season to Montréal along the St. Lawrence River stretches from May to November, and is in full swing in October. Travellers come for a variety of reasons, among which are the fall colours of the city and the natural and cultural attractions of the province. After the season, which ends on November 11 with the departure of the Hamburg, over 56,000 domestic and international passengers will have passed through Montréal.

"The cruise market is one of great potential and central to our strategic planning for the coming years. We have set ambitious goals, and we are working with various stakeholders to reach them," states Mr. Yves Lalumière, President and Chief Executive Officer of Tourisme Montréal. "We not only want to attract cruise passengers worldwide to Montréal, but we also want to make Montrealers aware of this unique way of travelling."

"I want to commend the excellent work of the Montréal Cruise Committee, whose efforts are paying off. According to the forecast we have in our possession, the 2015 season will see the number of passengers cross a new threshold, a sign that Montréal has considerable appeal when it comes to the cruise industry," says Ms. Sylvie Vachon, President and CEO of the Port of Montréal.

Supported by Tourisme Québec, the Montréal Cruise Committee comprises the Montréal Port Authority and Tourisme Montréal, as well as six other local associations and organizations: Aéroports de Montréal (Montréal airports), the Old Port of Montréal Corporation, the Casino de Montréal, the Société de développement commercial du Vieux-Montréal (Old Montréal Business Development Corporation), the Hotel Association of Greater Montréal and the City of Montréal.

For more information on cruises to Montréal, visit www.cruises.alamontreal.com.

About the Port of Montréal
Operated by the Montréal Port Authority (MPA), the Port of Montréal is a major diversified transshipment centre that handles all types of goods: containerized and non-containerized cargo as well as liquid bulk and dry bulk goods. It is a leading container port served by the largest container shipping lines in the world. The Port of Montréal has its own rail network directly dockside. It is connected to the two national rail networks and a highway system. The Port operates a passenger terminal that welcomed 69,966 passengers and crew members in 2013. All other terminals are run by private stevedoring firms. For more information, go to www.port-Montréal.com.

About Tourisme Montréal
Tourisme Montréal is responsible for providing leadership in the concerted efforts of hospitality and promotion in order to position the "Montréal" destination on leisure and business travel markets. It is also responsible for developing Montréal's tourism product in accordance with the ever-changing conditions of the market. For more information, visit www.tourisme-Montréal.org.

SOURCE: Comité croisières Montréal

Source: Montréal Cruise Committee; Media contacts: Pascale Gagnon, Tourisme Montréal, 514 346-3376, [email protected]; Sophie Roux, Director of Communications, Montréal Port Authority, 514 283-7050, [email protected]