MONTREAL - QUEBEC - CANADA
PORT INFORMATION
photo : Port of Montreal courtesy Tourism Montreal
With its unique mix of historical, natural and cultural attractions including Old Montreal with its cobblestone streets, 95-acre repository of buildings, museums and monuments dating back to the 17th century, the Port of Montreal welcomes thousands of cruise ship passengers every year.
Apart from the usual souveniers, the most prized memento to be taken away - for the cruise lines - is the Gold-Headed Cane which Montreal presents to the captain of the first ocean liner of the year to reach port without a stopover. The tradition dates back to sometime around 1840.
Cruise Terminals in Montreal
Welcoming more than 47,000 cruise ship passengers each year, the Iberville Passenger Terminal is located on De la Commune Street in Old Montreal, the historical district located between the St Lawrence River and nearby downtown Montreal.
With the good reputation of the terminal and passenger handling building and services, Montreal was one of nine world ports to be awarded a Best Turnaround Port Operations award from Dream World Cruise Destinations Magazine for the second year in a row.
Both the Montreal Dorval International Airport and the Montréal-Pierre Elliott Trudeau International Airport are only about 20 minutes from the Iberville Passenger Terminal and taxis are plentiful.
National and cross-border trains like Via Rial and Amtrak arrive at and depart from Central Station (Bonaventure metro station) from where you can reach the Iberville cruise terminal in only a few stops along the orange metro line.
Similarly, Montreal’s central bus terminus also connects easily with the metro line to the historic district.
Cruise Lines using Montreal Cruise Terminals as an Embarkation / Disembarking Port
Cruise lines using the Port of Montreal to start and end their cruises include Crystal Cruises, Holland America Line, Regent Seven Seas Cruises, and Silversea Cruises.
Highlights of the coming year include the arrival of the Aida Luna, one of Aida Cruises vessels, and the largest cruise ship ever welcomed at the Port of Montreal
Must See Attractions in Montreal, Quebec
Old Quebec: With the cruise terminal right at the heart of Quebec City’s historical district, cruise passengers are on the spot to enjoy one of UNESCO’s World Heritage treasures. It boasts the continent's largest collection of 17th- and 18th-century buildings. Boutiques and quaint cafés line the cobblestone streets. Whatever the time of year your cruise leaves or arrives, you'll find horse-drawn carriages, street entertainers, singers, and artists there.
The Fortifications of Quebec City: Recognized as a World Heritage Site, Quebec is the only fortified city with extant city walls in North America. The Fortifications of Quebec bear witness to the evolution of Quebec's defence system from the 17th to the 19th century and there are close to 4.6 km of walls and imposing gates to explore. Cannons, loopholes, the Esplanade Powder Magazine, a star-shaped Citadel, Artillery Park, and fortresses are all part of this attraction.
Place Royale: With its narrow and picturesque streets of old stone buildings, Place Royale is the oldest neighbourhood in North America, dating back over 400 years to the founding of the city by French explorer Samuel de Champlain. One of the most lovingly restored buildings on the Place Royale is the little church of Notre-Dame des Victoires (1688), a name which evokes so much in the city's history. Enjoy the period buildings and cobblestone streets in the the nearby Petit-Champlain District with its boutiques, art galleries, and restaurants.
Musée de la Civilisation: The Place-Royale is also home to Musée de la civilisation, a bridge between the past and future with its modern design and fascinating exhibitions. Three museums and the free-admission Maison Chevalier (Chevalier House) are part of the Musée de la Civilisation complex. They are Musée de la Civilisation; the Centre d'Interprétation Place-Royale (Place-Royale Interpretation Centre) which focuses on the history of Quebec City; and Musée de l'Amérique Francaise (Museum of French America).
