Cruise Critic Editors Name Québec City as the Best Port in the U.S. & Canada

12/14/2017

Cruise Critic Editors Name Québec City as the
Best Port in the U.S. & Canada

Québec (Québec), December 12, 2017 – The Port of Québec is proud to announce that it has won the 2017 Cruise Critic Editors’ Picks Award for Best North American Homeport. 

"Québec City has a world-class terminal that offers high-tech amenities, like Wi-Fi, but is also within walking distance of the charming center of Old Québec. And while Canadians pride themselves on their friendly welcome, Québec City has taken it further, transforming what was once a giant parking lot into an attractive park that greets cruise passengers with much lovelier views,” according to the Cruise Critic editorial team.
Cruise Critic is the world’s largest online cruise resource with more than five million cruisers visiting the site each month, worldwide. Held for the tenth consecutive year, the Annual Cruise Critic Editors’ Picks Awards are determined by the editorial team. 

With multi-year infrastructure and port developments underway, the port is poised to be a year-round cruise destination for the world’s top cruise brands. Located at the confluence of the St. Charles and St. Lawrence Rivers, Québec is known as the most European city in North America, a designated UNESCO Heritage site and a highlight of Canada/New England cruises. 

 
“The Port of Québec is extremely honored to be recognized by the editorial team at Cruise Critic. It’s very exciting to see the port’s development plans come to life and be recognized by this important community,” said Mario Girard, President and CEO, Port of Québec.
André Roy, Directeur, Québec Region Tourism added, “Being recognized by the influential editorial team at Cruise Critic is a testament that Québec City is on course to be a top international cruise destination.” 

This season saw the inauguration of Place des Canotiers in May, a $39 million signature park for cruise passengers at Pier 22, beside the Ross Gaudreault Cruise Terminal. Other developments include additional berthing options with the agreement to operate Quai Paquet. Located within port territory and run by the Québec Port Authority, the Quai Paquet is a short ferry ride away on the opposite side of the St. Lawrence River, boasting spectacular views of the iconic Chateau Frontenac.

The total cruise passengers calling in Québec City in 2017 has exceeded projections and reached an all-time high of 201,000, an increase of over 30% from 2016. The port welcomed a total of 132 ships from all the major cruise lines that made 118 port calls and 14 turn arounds. Five maiden calls were made from Ponant, Norwegian Cruise Line, Silversea, and Viking.

Québec was also recently named the top cruise destination by Cruise Critic readers earlier this year. In addition, the destination won as top city in Canada in Travel + Leisure’s 2017 World’s Best Awards, winning for the second year in a row. Since 1995, readers of Travel + Leisure have voted on their favorite destinations, hotels, resorts, spas, airlines, cruise lines and more in its World’s Best Awards survey.

For more information about the Port of Québec, visit www.portquec.ca/en and for information about what to do in Québec while in port, visit www.quebecregion.com

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About the Port of Québec:
A UNESCO World Heritage site, Québec is an award-winning city and one of the highest-rated destinations in the world. The Port of Québec is a highlight of the Canada New England cruise itinerary. As one of the largest cruise ports in Canada, it welcomes many of the most renowned cruise lines in the world. The strategically located terminal in the center of Old-Québec can accommodate both transit calls and embarkation and disembarkation operations. The Québec Cruise Committee, comprised of port, government and tourism representatives, coordinates all cruise tourism promotion with the goal of increasing Québec City’s cruise business.

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Media Contacts:
Marie-Andrée Blanchet
Québec Port Authority
[email protected]
T 418.905.0808

Maria Andriano
MGA Media Group
[email protected]
T 212.251.1015