Cruises from Montreal and Quebec City

Sailing from the port of Montreal or Quebec City means boarding without a flight: you park the car, drop the bags and the river does the rest. The season runs from late May to early November, peaking in September and October when the maples along the St. Lawrence turn red.

Why sail from Quebec rather than Florida?

Three reasons come up every time. There is no flight to book, so no missed connection and no bag lost the day before embarkation. There is no jet lag. And the cost of getting to the ship drops to zero, which changes the arithmetic entirely for a family of four.

The trade-off is real. The season is short, five months against twelve in the Caribbean, and departures are far fewer. You book early, often a year ahead for balcony cabins on autumn sailings.

Where do these cruises go?

The dominant itinerary runs down the St. Lawrence toward the Maritimes and New England, disembarking in Boston or New York. The reverse also exists, and many Quebecers prefer it: fly or take the train to Boston, then come home by river.

Transatlantic crossings from Quebec City appear in autumn, when ships reposition to Europe. These are long cruises, twelve to sixteen days, with many sea days.

Which ports do you call at on the St. Lawrence?

From Montreal, the route runs down to Quebec City, then Saguenay, Gaspé and the Maritimes: Charlottetown, Sydney, Halifax and Saint John. On the American side come Bar Harbor, Portland and Boston.

Saguenay deserves a mention. The ship works its way up the fjord at first light, between two six-hundred-metre walls, and it is often the morning passengers remember most.

Which lines sail from Quebec?

The list shifts from year to year with deployments. Regulars include Holland America Line, Princess Cruises, Norwegian Cruise Line, Royal Caribbean, Celebrity Cruises and Oceania Cruises. Expedition lines such as Ponant also run itineraries in the Gulf and toward Newfoundland on smaller ships.

When is the best time to go?

September and October carry the demand, for the colours. Days stay mild on deck, nights turn cold and the Gulf can be rough between Gaspé and the Maritimes. A first sailing is better in September than in late October, when the weather grows unpredictable.

June and July bring long days, whales in the estuary and softer fares, but the landscape is green rather than blazing. That is the better window for travellers coming for the nature more than the postcard.

How long is a cruise from Quebec?

Seven to eleven days for a Montreal-Boston or Quebec-New York run. Short four- or five-day loops exist, mostly from Quebec City toward the Saguenay and Gaspé. Autumn transatlantics need twelve to sixteen days.

What you are not always told

The river is not the sea, except in the Gulf

Between Montreal and Quebec City the water is flat and both shores stay in sight. Past Pointe-au-Père you enter the estuary and then the Gulf, and there the ship moves. Anyone worried about seasickness should factor that into the cabin choice, midship and on a low deck.

Canadian port calls are short

Six to eight hours as a rule, which leaves time for one excursion, not two. In Halifax as in Charlottetown, choosing between the city and the countryside happens before you leave, not on the pier.

It is colder than the date suggests

An October day in Saguenay can sit below five degrees with wind on deck. Passengers who usually sail the Caribbean almost always underpack.

How do you get to the terminal?

Montreal's cruise terminal sits in the Old Port at the Grand Quay, with long-stay parking on site. In Quebec City, the Pointe-à-Carcy terminal is minutes from the Château Frontenac. For a Boston or New York return, book the flight home for late afternoon rather than morning: disembarkation often runs to eleven o'clock.

To compare available departures, reach an advisor at 1 866 628-6241, and see our cruise lines and ships and port guides.

Frequently Asked Questions

Yes. The Old Port terminal in Montreal and the Pointe-à-Carcy terminal in Quebec City receive ships from late May to early November. You drive there, with long-stay parking on site, or take a taxi. It is the only embarkation port in Canada within an hour's drive for most Quebecers.
September and the first half of October for autumn colours, June and July for whales in the estuary and longer days. The season closes in early November. A first sailing books better in September: late October brings unpredictable weather in the Gulf.
Seven to eleven days for a run to Boston or New York by way of the Maritimes. Four- and five-day loops leave mostly from Quebec City toward the Saguenay and Gaspé. Autumn transatlantic crossings need twelve to sixteen days.
Holland America Line, Princess Cruises, Norwegian Cruise Line, Royal Caribbean, Celebrity Cruises and Oceania Cruises deploy ships here depending on the year. Ponant also runs expedition itineraries in the Gulf and toward Newfoundland.
Yes, since the cruise calls at American ports. A valid Canadian passport is required and must cover the whole trip. Plan for the electronic authorisation as well if you fly home from the United States.
Rarely between Montreal and Quebec City, where the water is flat and both shores stay in sight. Past Pointe-au-Père you enter the estuary and then the Gulf, and the ship moves more. A midship cabin on a low deck cuts the sensation noticeably.
Saguenay comes up most often. The ship works up the fjord at first light between two six-hundred-metre walls, and the arrival happens on deck with a coffee in hand. Halifax and Charlottetown appeal more to travellers who like walking a city.