The Port of Québec has officially kicked off what will be its longest cruise season to date with the arrival of Viking Cruises’ Viking Octantis.
Port of Québec President and CEO Mario Girard awarded Captain Jorgen Cardestig a medal to honor the first cruise ship to dock at the port.
“We are very pleased to inaugurate this cruise season with the arrival of the Viking Octantis. We are expecting close to a hundred ship stopovers again this year, which confirms that Québec City is a choice destination for cruises on the Saint Lawrence. With industry partners, we have prioritized sustainably developing the cruise industry in harmony with the community. The Port of Québec is bearer for a vast plan for sustainable development and destination management, and also contributes to the Cruise the Saint Lawrence Association Development Plan,” said Mario Girard.
During this cruise season which began April 26 and continues through November 5, the port will welcome forty-one cruise ships from multiple cruise lines and will mark a record breaking 30 embarkation and disembarkation operations. Princess Cruises, Holland America Line, Celebrity Cruises, Oceania Cruises, Regent Seven Seas Cruises are just some of the cruise lines the port expects to welcome this year.
The Port of Québec is looking toward the future and becoming more sustainable going forward. Part of that is the electrification of the main operating docks and providing large-scale shore power. This allows ships to shut down their engines while in port which reduces emissions significantly.
Not only is the port looking to have a record breaking year but the influx of passengers promises to bring economic benefits to the Canadian region as well. The eastern Canadian itinerary is well known for its fall foliage along the Canadian and New England ports of call and is among the more popular cruises during the season.