The Port of Montreal (Canada) officially commenced its 2025 cruise season with the arrival of Victory I, operated by Victory Cruise Lines (now part of AQV-American Queen Voyages).
This inaugural call marks the beginning of a scheduled 42 cruise berthings throughout 2025, encompassing 21 vessels representing 13 international cruise lines. The port anticipates nearly 60,000 combined passenger and crew visits over the course of the year.
Among vessels making their maiden call to Montreal in 2025 are Seven Seas Splendor (Regent Seven Seas Cruises), Silver Shadow (Silversea Cruises), and Allura (Oceania Cruises). These additions underscore the port’s growing profile as a turnaround and transit destination within the North American and St. Lawrence Seaway cruise markets.
In 2024, cruise operations contributed an estimated CA$25 million to the local economy, exclusive of river-based excursion traffic which attracted nearly 120,000 additional passengers. Cruise ship arrivals continue to provide direct economic benefit through increased patronage of the city’s commercial, hospitality, and tourism sectors, while supporting a range of associated local employment.
Victory I, formerly known as Saint-Laurent, maintains a longstanding relationship with Montreal, having first called at the port in 2016. To commemorate the vessel’s 2025 inaugural call, a presentation was made to Victory Cruise Lines’ owner John Waggoner, in recognition of the line’s continued investment in Montreal as a port of call.
The commencement of the cruise season also coincides with the return of summer programming at the Grand Quai. Public events scheduled include C2 Montréal, the Climate Summit, Startupfest, and Martinique Gourmande. In addition, the port’s public spaces—such as the green roof, Commencement Square, and the Port of Montreal Tower—continue to serve as key attractions, offering panoramic views of the city and waterfront.