The Port of Toronto Cruise Ship Terminal witnessed an unprecedented cruise season, welcoming 45 ships and hosting 18,000 guests in the Canadian city, as reported by PortsToronto. Cruise lines such as Viking, Hapag-Lloyd, Ponant, Plantours, and Pearl Seas contributed to this milestone, with notable maiden calls by Viking Polaris and Hapag-Lloyd’s Hanseatic Inspiration in 2023.
RJ Steenstra, the president and CEO of PortsToronto, expressed satisfaction, stating he is "thrilled to cap off another record season at the Port of Toronto Cruise Ship Terminal, welcoming thousands of visitors to Toronto through the harbor’s scenic Eastern Gap."
"We are proud to be connecting visitors to Toronto through our city’s remarkable waterfront and to operate a transportation network that brings connectivity, tourism and investment to our city."
According to Cruise the Great Lakes, a project led by the Conference of Great Lakes Governors and Premiers, the economic impact of cruising in the Great Lakes reached over $120 million for the region’s ports and communities in 2022.
Andrew Weir, the executive vice president of Destination Toronto, emphasized the positive influence of the growing Great Lakes cruise market on Toronto, stating that "the growing Great Lakes cruise market brings international visitors to Toronto who often extend their trip, making their way into the city’s many diverse neighborhoods for food, culture, entertainment, and more."
"We look forward to the continued growth of the cruise market that helps support a thriving visitor economy."