Saguenay residents
The history of international cruises in Saguenay
Since 2006, international cruises have profoundly transformed the face of the La Baie district. That year, the arrival of the very first international ship in the majestic Baie des Ha! Ha! marked a historic turning point: Saguenay was officially on the map as a cruise destination.
The inauguration of the cruise terminal in 2009 is the culmination of this ambitious vision. Equipped with modern facilities suited to large-scale vessels, the destination is becoming more structured and raising its level of hospitality. Professionalism, human warmth and community involvement are rapidly becoming the hallmarks of Saguenay, and a source of collective pride.
In 2016, the visit of the legendary Queen Mary 2 adds a spectacular chapter to this ascent. Her iconic silhouette gliding through the fjord creates a landmark moment, attracting thousands of curious onlookers to the port village, and vividly confirming Saguenay's strategic positioning on the international cruise itinerary.
Today, cruises are an integral part of Saguenay's tourism identity. They breathe life into the port sector, generate tangible benefits for the community, and reinforce the destination's international reputation year after year.
Sustainable development
Ongoing projects for a sustainable destination
A project recognized by UNESCO
The Enviro-Actions project of theINRESTwhich monitors 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 Sciences. This innovative program, supported by a $625,000 investment over 5 years from Promotion Saguenay, is based on a five-step model for detecting environmental anomalies, enabling proactive management and preservation of ecosystems and community health.
Meeting UN standards
Saguenay's international cruise terminal receives certification Biospherea first for a port of call in Eastern Canada. This recognition underscores 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 optimization of the economic spin-offs generated by international cruise ships.
Reducing our footprint
Through the Défi Saint-Laurentsaguenay aims to become a plastic-free destination. We are also committed to cleaning up the shoreline once a year with our team, and to educating visitors about the impact of microplastics on our waterways. We collected more than 2,000 lbs of garbage during our last shoreline clean-up and avoided thousands of water bottles.
Getting involved in our community
Our team manages a regenerative fund, derived from our tourist shuttle service for cruise passengers, which helps partners achieve their sustainable development objectives and encourages projects that have a positive impact on our environment. With this project, we hope to involve passengers and partners in local causes and projects with a positive impact. Nearly $50,000 already invested in community projects.
Supporting projects with a positive impact
The scientific expedition Blue Expedition mixes riverbank clean-ups, microplastic research, data collection and artistic creation!
FAQ
On average, each passenger spends around $421 per day while in Saguenay. Most of this is spent on excursions, restaurants, transportation, local shops and artisans. These spinoffs directly support local businesses and help maintain and create jobs in several sectors of the regional economy.
No. Thanks to the organized excursions and complementary services offered at the Cruise Pavilion, the vast majority of passengers visit our destination. Among the most popular, they discover the fjord, villages, cultural attractions, museums and outdoor activities. The economic spin-offs are thus spread across several sectors of the region.
Several factors influence this decision: the size of the ship, the planning of ports of call and port logistics. Depending on these factors, the ship may dock directly at the quay or anchor in the bay, with a shuttle service to take passengers ashore.
Cruise ships are privately owned and subject to strict international maritime safety regulations. To ensure the safety of passengers, crew and port facilities, access is limited to authorized persons. Public visits are therefore not permitted.
The official schedule of arrivals and departures is available online here. It is updated regularly and includes information on ships and their capacity.
The port sector complies with strict international safety standards. Specialized teams manage access, traffic and coordinate operations to ensure a safe and well-organized cohabitation for all.
Cruises evolve in a maritime environment where weather, navigation conditions and operational unforeseen events can influence the schedule. These adjustments are made first and foremost to ensure the safety of the ship and its passengers.
No. Cruise ships and other large vessels are subject to strict Canadian and international environmental regulations. The discharge of untreated wastewater is prohibited in Canadian waters, including the Saguenay Fjord. Ships must treat their wastewater on board to rigorous standards, or store it until it can be discharged at appropriate port facilities. Inspections and controls are carried out by the competent authorities to ensure compliance with these rules.
Saguenay is primarily a port of call, not a regular port of embarkation. This means that ships stop here to allow passengers to discover the region, but that cruises generally begin and end in major ports such as Quebec City, Montreal, Boston and New York. That said, some one-off initiatives may be offered by local travel agencies, allowing local travelers to join a cruise from Saguenay, to embark in a particular context. Contact your preferred travel agency.
Cruise ships visiting Saguenay come mainly from itineraries on the St. Lawrence River and the East Coast of North America. They arrive from ports such as Quebec City, Montreal, Halifax, Boston and New York, depending on the itinerary. Saguenay is one of the destination's most popular ports of call Canada New England.
Contact
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