QUÉBEC CITY REAFFIRMS ITS STRATEGIC ROLE IN CANADA’S CRUISE INDUSTRY
Québec City, November 12, 2026 — For the third year in a row, cruise ships called at the Port of Québec more than 100 times between April and November 2026, bringing with them no fewer than 126,000 passengers from around the world. Nearly 50% of these passengers began or ended their journeys in the Capitale-Nationale, confirming Québec City’s role as a major port of embarkation and disembarkation in Canada.
Québec City is increasingly establishing itself as a destination of choice for ocean-going and expedition cruise ships from major international markets. We are delighted to see so many people beginning or ending their journeys here. It helps maximize the economic spin-offs of international cruises—more people enjoy our tourism activities, stay in our hotels, eat in our restaurants, and use our transportation services. Our entire tourism industry benefits.
The 2026 season was marked by the arrival of the 3 millionth cruise passenger in Québec City, an historic milestone that speaks to the industry’s sustained growth over the past few decades. Québec City also earned its fourth Readers’ Choice Award in a row, being named the Best Canada/New England Cruise Destination by readers of trade magazine Porthole.
The next season will begin as early as next February, with the return of winter cruises. This includes a call by Ponant’s Le Commandant Charcot, the first hybrid electric polar exploration vessel powered by liquefied natural gas.
The St. Lawrence River is an integral part of the Québec City experience. For many visitors, arriving by sea offers a spectacular first encounter with our destination and is often a defining moment of their stay. Each port call is therefore a unique opportunity to showcase the richness, history and distinctive character of our region. The fact that nearly 60% of cruise passengers return for a longer stay is a testament to the appeal of this first introduction to Québec City. We are proud to partner with the Port of Québec to showcase this exceptional gateway to the world
Shore power: a major milestone reached
The Québec government’s July announcement of up to $4 million in financial assistance for the electrification of Wharf 30 was another highlight of the past season. This support, in addition to the funding already confirmed by the Government of Canada, will allow work to officially begin, with commissioning anticipated for 2029. The new infrastructure will reduce the greenhouse gasses associated with cruise calls in Port waters by around 90%—or nearly 70,000 tonnes—over 10 years.
This will allow the Port of Québec to enhance its market positioning by becoming part of an increasingly green corridor along the Canada–New England route. It will be joining the cohort of ports that have been or will be electrified by 2030—a cohort that includes the ports of Montréal, Charlottetown, Halifax, Boston, and New York, among others.
Highlights of the 2026 season
- 100 calls
- 126 513 cruise passengers
- 29 different ships from 23 different cruise lines
- 4 new ships visiting Québec City for the first time
About the Port of Québec
The Port of Québec has a 15-metre water depth and is strategically located in the heart of the Great Lakes market, allowing Canadian businesses to maximize their economies of scale for their imports and exports.
It has links to more than 40 countries and supports nearly 12,000 jobs nationwide. It also handles over 26 million tonnes of goods annually, representing more than $15 billion in commercial value. It ranks 4th among Canada’s 17 port authorities in terms of revenue and is recognized as a leading cruise port on the St. Lawrence.
The Port of Québec also has a solid reputation for community support and proudly makes 26% of its property available to the public at exceptional sites like the Agora, the Oasis, La Cale, and the Baie de Beauport.
About Destination Québec cité
Destination Québec cité is the regional tourism association for the Québec City region and a municipal department of the City of Québec. With more than 850 members, it coordinates the destination’s tourism promotion, development and visitor services. By mobilizing local stakeholders, it helps strengthen the region’s appeal and generate lasting economic benefits for communities.
– 30 –
Source and information
Frédéric Lagacé
Communications Director
418-929-5031