Holland America’s Veendam Kicks Off 2017 Port of Quebec Cruise Season
Québec, May 4, 2017 – The Port of Quebec’s international cruise season officially begins today, May 4, with the arrival of Holland America Line’s MS Veendam at the Ross Gaudreault Cruise Terminal. This marks the MS Veendam’s 66th call to the Port of Québec since its first visit in 1996. For the 2017 season, the 1,627-passenger ship will make 18 calls.
In a continued show of confidence for the destination, Holland America Line—still the most active cruise line in Québec—will send four of its vessels to the city in 2017: the MS Zuiderdam, the MS Veendam, the MS Rotterdam and the MS Maasdam. Holland America Line ships will make a total of 42 calls to the Port of Québec this year. For several years, Québec has stood out as the most popular destination among the 400 offered by the cruise line.
An exceptional 131 dockings at the Port of Québec
The 2017 cruise season promises to be the best in the Port of Québec’s history, with a record 131 calls by 34 separate cruise ships from 25 different lines—five more ships than in 2015, the city’s best year on record.
Five ships will be visiting the Port of Québec for the first time: Le Soléal operated by Ponant, the Viking Sky and Viking Sea operated by Viking Cruises, the Silver Muse operated by Silversea Cruises, and the Norwegian Jade operated by Norwegian Cruise Line.
A record 200,000 visitors
The Port of Quebec expects a substantial increase in passengers this year, boosting cruise visitor numbers to new highs. The Port of Québec forecasts a nearly 30% increase over the 2016 season, an upsurge that could bring the port to a record-breaking 200,000 visitors.
An increasingly popular attraction
Business development efforts and the festivities planned for Canada’s 150th anniversary have proven to be an appealing combination for cruise lines.
“We’re working very hard with several partners to make the Canada–New England circuit an international attraction,” said Mario Girard, President and CEO of the Québec Port Authority. “Our 2017 figures show that investment in business development is paying off, and that the mobilization of stakeholders is key to the development of this sector, which plays a strategic role in the city of Québec’s influence.”
