Rimouski, January 6, 2025 — Cruise the Saint Lawrence (CSL) closed out 2025 with significant advances toward more responsible cruise tourism. In a changing global context, CSL completed its first four-season year of cruises, totaling more than 350,000 passenger-days, 269 calls, 55 embarkations/disembarkations, and 6 inaugural calls. The association’s 25th anniversary was marked by tangible benefits for the nine ports of call and for the province as a whole.
Concrete actions for sustainability
Thanks to the engagement of the ports of call, along with support from the Fonds d’action québécois en développement durable and the Ministry of Tourism, the destination reached important milestones: installation of water stations, sorting islands, and awareness panels. A network of screens now raises guest awareness about the river through a partnership with the Fonds d’Action Saint-Laurent, and shares information about the Indigenous Nations of the territory in collaboration with Tourisme Autochtone Québec. Consultation forums also strengthened local coordination at our ports of call.
Highlights — 2025 Season
- Cruises from January to November
- 353,180 passenger-days
- 269 calls
- 55 embarkations and disembarkations
- 6 inaugural calls: Le Commandant Charcot, Brilliant Lady, Celebrity Silhouette, Seven Seas Splendor, Majestic Princess, and Allura
- 1 new company: Virgin Voyages
- 1 new cruise pavilion in Sept-Îles
- Results of our 2024 economic impact study released: CAD $329.3 million in spending with CAD $192.2 million in value added
- CAD $6 million in spending generated by winter cruises in 2025, with CAD $4.2 million in value added
Strong leadership in sustainable tourism
CSL launched a monthly strategic watch for its members to analyze leading international practices and established the “Saint Lawrence Sustainable Currents” initiative — a monthly knowledge-sharing forum on sustainability in the cruise sector. A system to measure the social acceptability of cruises was implemented, including a survey of 500 Quebecers and ongoing citizen consultations across the nine ports of call. In addition, since spring, CSL has been actively participating in the Ministry of Tourism’s Climate Transition Resource Network.
Looking ahead
“Our ambition is clear: to make the Saint Lawrence an exemplary destination in sustainable tourism, where traveler experience goes hand in hand with environmental and social responsibility,” says René Trépanier, CSL’s Executive Director, who also celebrated 20 years at the helm of the association last fall.
Every action counts to preserve the richness of the river and offer future generations tourism that inspires, respects, and brings people together, while generating considerable benefits for Quebec and its regions.
About Cruise the Saint Lawrence
Cruise the Saint Lawrence (CSL) is a sectoral association bringing together nine ports of call along the Saint Lawrence River: Montreal, Trois-Rivières, Québec, Saguenay, Baie-Comeau, Sept-Îles, Havre-Saint-Pierre, Gaspé, and Îles-de-la-Madeleine. Its mission is to contribute to the growth of the cruise market in Quebec and the Canada–New England destination by providing marketing and development services to its members. CSL is supported by its partners Tourisme Québec, the Alliance de l’industrie touristique du Québec, and Canada Economic Development.