Saguenay Residents
The History of International Cruises in Saguenay
Since 2006, international cruises have profoundly transformed the face of the borough of La Baie. That year, the arrival of the very first international ship in the majestic Baie des Ha! Ha! marked a historic turning point: Saguenay officially placed itself on the map of cruise destinations.
The inauguration of the cruise terminal in 2009 brought this ambitious vision to life. Equipped with modern facilities adapted to large-scale vessels, the destination took shape and raised its standard of hospitality. Professionalism, human warmth, and civic engagement quickly became the hallmark of Saguenay, and a source of genuine collective pride.
In 2016, the visit of the legendary Queen Mary 2 added a spectacular chapter to this rise. Its iconic silhouette gliding through the fjord created a memorable moment, attracting thousands of curious onlookers to the port village and brilliantly confirming Saguenay’s strategic positioning on the international cruise itinerary.
Today, cruises are fully part of Saguenay’s tourism identity. They bring life to the port district, generate tangible benefits for the community, and strengthen, year after year, the destination’s international reach.
Sustainable development
Ongoing projects for a sustainable destination
A UNESCO-Recognized project
INREST‘s Enviro-Actions project, aimed at monitoring air and water quality in industrial port areas in near real time, has been recognized by UNESCO as part of the United Nations Decade of Ocean Science. This innovative program, supported in part by a $625,000 investment over 5 years from Promotion Saguenay, is based on a five-step model to detect environmental anomalies, enabling proactive management and the preservation of ecosystems and community health.
Meeting UN Standards
Saguenay’s international cruise port of call has obtained Biosphère certification, a first for a port of call in Eastern Canada. This recognition highlights Saguenay’s commitment to sustainable development in line with the UN’s 17 Sustainable Development Goals, by integrating environmental protection, respect for the local community, and the optimization of economic benefits generated by international cruise ships.
Reducing our footprint
Through the Défi Saint-Laurent (St. Lawrence Challenge), Saguenay aims to become a plastic-free destination. We are also committed to cleaning the riverbanks once a year with our team and to raising visitors’ awareness of the impact of microplastics on our waterways. We have collected more than 2,000 lbs of waste during recent riverbank cleanup activities and have prevented thousands of water bottles from being used.
Getting involved in our community
Our team manages a regenerative fund, generated from our tourist shuttle service for cruise passengers, which helps partners achieve their sustainable development goals and encourages projects with a positive impact on our environment. With this project, we aim to involve passengers and port of call partners in local causes and positive-impact projects. Nearly $50,000 has already been invested in community projects.
Supporting positive-impact projects
The Expédition Bleue (Blue Expedition) scientific expedition combines shoreline cleanups, microplastics research, data collection, and artistic creation!
FAQ
On average, each passenger spends approximately $421 per day during their visit to Saguenay. These expenditures are made primarily on excursions, dining, transportation, local shops, and local artisans. These economic benefits directly support local businesses and contribute to the maintenance and creation of jobs across several sectors of the regional economy.
No. Thanks to organized excursions and the complementary services offered at the Cruise Terminal, the vast majority of passengers explore our destination. Among the most popular activities, they discover the fjord, the villages, cultural attractions, museums, and outdoor activities. The economic benefits are therefore spread across several sectors of the region.
Several factors influence this decision: the size of the ship, port call planning, and port logistics. Depending on these elements, the ship may dock directly at the pier or anchor in the bay, with a water shuttle service to transport passengers ashore.
Cruise ships are private property and are subject to very strict international maritime security regulations. To ensure the safety of passengers, crew, and port facilities, access is restricted to authorized personnel only. Public visits are therefore not permitted.
The official arrivals and departures schedule is available online here. It is regularly updated and includes information on the ships and their capacity.
The port area complies with strict international security standards. Specialized teams manage access control, traffic flow, and operational coordination to ensure a safe and well-organized environment for everyone.
Cruises operate in a maritime environment where weather, navigation conditions, and operational unforeseen events can influence the schedule. These adjustments are made with the priority of ensuring the safety of the ship and its passengers.
No. Cruise ships and other large vessels are subject to strict environmental regulations, both Canadian and international. The discharge of untreated wastewater is prohibited in Canadian waters, including the Saguenay Fjord. Ships must treat their wastewater on board according to rigorous standards or retain it until it can be discharged at appropriate port facilities. Inspections and checks are carried out by the relevant authorities to ensure compliance with these regulations.
Saguenay is primarily a port of call, not a regular embarkation port. This means that ships stop there to allow passengers to discover the region, but cruises generally begin and end in major ports such as Quebec City, Montreal, Boston, and New York. That said, some occasional opportunities may be offered by local travel agencies, allowing travelers from the region to join a cruise departing from Saguenay or to board in a specific context. Contact your preferred travel agency.
The cruise ships that visit Saguenay come primarily from itineraries along the St. Lawrence River and the east coast of North America. They arrive notably from ports such as Quebec City, Montreal, Halifax, Boston, and New York, depending on the itineraries. Saguenay is one of the popular ports of call on the Canada and New England destination route.
Contact
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