Departure port · Port of Montreal · Quebec, Canada
Cruises from Montreal
Cruises from Montreal sail from late April to October, mostly in the fall, on one-way Canada and New England voyages down the St. Lawrence to Quebec City, the Maritimes and Boston or New York, plus a few round trips. Ships are small to mid-size, from lines such as Holland America, Seabourn, Oceania, Viking, Ponant and Windstar, and the terminal sits on the Grand Quay in the Old Port, at the edge of historic Old Montreal.
- Canada & New England
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- Cruise port
- Port of Montreal
- Location
- Montreal, Quebec, Canada
- Main destinations
- Canada & New England
- Cruise lines
- 8 lines sail from here
Sailing from Montreal
Montreal is the farthest point up the St. Lawrence that ocean cruise ships regularly reach, about 1,000 miles from the Atlantic. Its cruise terminal on the Grand Quay of the Old Port puts you at the foot of Old Montreal’s cobbled streets, a short walk from Notre-Dame Basilica, cafés and some of the best restaurants in Canada.
Most cruises that start here are one-way voyages of seven to 14 nights, sailing overnight downriver to Quebec City, then on to Saguenay, Gaspé, Charlottetown, Sydney and Halifax, and finishing in Boston or New York; the reverse route ends in Montreal. A few lines run round trips from Montreal or longer voyages into the Great Lakes or north to Newfoundland. The bridges near Quebec City limit the size of ships that can reach Montreal, so megaships end their voyages in Quebec City instead.
Montreal suits travelers who prefer smaller premium, luxury and expedition ships and who want time in a bilingual city with a strong food scene. The trade-offs are a short season, relatively few departures and one-way routes that require booking flights into one city and out of another.
Where cruises from Montreal go
Cruise lines sailing from Montreal
Port of Montreal cruise terminals
The cruise terminal is on the Grand Quay of the Port of Montréal, at Alexandra Pier in the Old Port, directly across Rue de la Commune from Old Montreal. It’s a modern, compact terminal with a rooftop park overlooking the river. With only one or two ships in port on most days, check-in is generally quick. Porters take checked luggage at the curb, then you go through security and check-in inside. Arrive in your assigned window; many ships sail in the evening and reach Quebec City the next day.
Getting to the port
Flying in
Montréal-Trudeau International (YUL) is about 13 miles (21 km) from the Old Port, typically 25 to 40 minutes by taxi depending on traffic. The 747 express bus runs between the airport and downtown around the clock, though you’ll need a taxi or a walk with luggage from its downtown stops to the terminal. VIA Rail trains from Toronto, Ottawa and Quebec City arrive at Gare Centrale, about 10 minutes from the port by taxi.
Driving
From New York State, take I-87 north to the border at Champlain and Lacolle, then Autoroute 15 into Montreal, about an hour from the border. From Vermont, I-89 connects to Quebec routes toward the city. Downtown, follow signs for the Vieux-Port and Rue de la Commune.
Parking
Paid public lots and garages in the Old Port and Old Montreal offer multi-day parking within walking distance of the terminal. Spaces near the water are limited during peak fall weeks, so reserve or check options with your cruise line in advance. Some Old Montreal hotels offer parking packages.
Where to stay before a cruise from Montreal
Old Montreal is the obvious choice, with boutique hotels in 19th-century stone warehouses a few minutes’ walk from the terminal and surrounded by restaurants and galleries. Downtown, around Rue Sainte-Catherine, has larger hotels and shopping, 10 minutes away. The Plateau and Mile End, a little farther, offer a neighborhood feel with famous bagel shops and bistros. Hotels near the airport suit late arrivals.
Things to do in Montreal before or after your cruise
- 1
Old Montreal and Notre-Dame Basilica
history
Cobbled streets, stone buildings and squares such as Place Jacques-Cartier fill the old city just behind the terminal. The Gothic Revival Notre-Dame Basilica has a stunning deep-blue, gold-starred interior, and its evening AURA light-and-sound show is popular. The Old Port promenade runs along the river.
- 2
Pointe-à-Callière Museum
history
Built over the site where Montreal was founded in 1642, this archaeology and history museum lets you walk through excavated foundations, an old sewer collector and the city’s earliest cemetery. Exhibits trace the city from Indigenous settlement to modern Montreal. It’s a few minutes from the terminal.
- 3
Mount Royal Park
nature
The forested mountain that gives the city its name was landscaped by Frederick Law Olmsted, designer of New York’s Central Park. Walk or take a taxi up to the Kondiaronk Belvedere for a sweeping view over downtown and the St. Lawrence, especially beautiful in fall colors.
- 4
Bagels, smoked meat and Jean-Talon Market
food
Montreal’s wood-fired, honey-boiled bagels from Mile End shops such as St-Viateur and Fairmount, and stacked smoked meat sandwiches from Schwartz’s on Boulevard Saint-Laurent, are local rites. Jean-Talon Market in Little Italy overflows with Quebec produce, cheeses, maple products and fall harvests.
- 5
The Plateau Mont-Royal
culture
This lively neighborhood of colorful row houses with exterior spiral staircases is full of cafés, bookshops, vintage stores and street art, especially around Boulevard Saint-Laurent and Rue Saint-Denis. It’s a great place to wander for an afternoon.
- 6
Olympic Park, Biodôme and Botanical Garden
family
East of downtown, the 1976 Olympic site has a leaning observation tower with views over the city. Nearby, the Biodôme recreates ecosystems from rainforest to sub-Antarctic, and the Montreal Botanical Garden has Chinese and Japanese gardens. The metro takes you there.
When cruises sail from Montreal
Montreal’s cruise season runs from late April to the end of October, but most departures and arrivals cluster from late August to October for the fall foliage, which typically peaks in Quebec and the Maritimes from late September to mid-October. Spring and early summer sailings are fewer and often on expedition or small ships. September offers pleasant days and cool nights; late October can be cold.
| Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| High °F (°C) | 22-5 | 25-4 | 362 | 5110 | 6619 | 7424 | 8228 | 8027 | 7423 | 5915 | 426 | 30-1 |
| Low °F (°C) | 3-16 | 5-15 | 19-7 | 330 | 468 | 5714 | 6317 | 6217 | 5412 | 426 | 28-2 | 16-9 |
| Rain in (mm) | 2.872 | 2.667 | 2.665 | 3.896 | 2.667 | 3.897 | 3.795 | 3.9100 | 2.870 | 4.1105 | 2.870 | 3.487 |
| Daylight (hrs) | 9 | 10 | 12 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 15 | 14 | 13 | 11 | 9 | 9 |
Embarkation day tips
- Spend the first evening on deck if your ship leaves before dark. You sail under the Jacques Cartier Bridge and past the city skyline, then down the St. Lawrence toward Quebec City.
- Arrive a day or two early. Montreal is a major food city, and a night in Old Montreal turns a long journey into part of the trip.
- Bring a passport. You’re in Canada, and most itineraries end in the US, so you’ll cross the border on board or by air.
- Pack layers for the fall. Days on the river can be crisp and windy, especially in October, even if Montreal itself is mild.
- French is the primary language in Montreal, but English is widely spoken in hotels, restaurants and shops; a simple ‘bonjour-hi’ greeting is the local way to start in either language.
Cruises from Montreal: FAQs
Where is the cruise terminal in Montreal?
On the Grand Quay of the Port of Montréal, at Alexandra Pier in the Old Port, across Rue de la Commune from Old Montreal. Most Old Montreal hotels are within a 5- to 15-minute walk.
Which cruise lines sail from Montreal?
Smaller premium, luxury and expedition lines, including Holland America, Seabourn, Oceania, Viking, Ponant and Windstar. Larger mainstream ships can’t reach Montreal and use Quebec City instead.
How far is the Montreal airport from the cruise terminal?
About 13 miles, or 25 to 40 minutes by taxi depending on traffic. The 747 express bus connects the airport with downtown around the clock, followed by a short taxi to the terminal.
Why are cruise ships from Montreal smaller?
Because of the bridges near Quebec City. Ships heading upriver to Montreal must pass beneath them, so the biggest cruise ships stop in Quebec City. Montreal sees small and mid-size ships, typically carrying a few hundred to around 1,400 passengers.
When is the best time to take a cruise from Montreal?
Late September to mid-October, when fall colors peak along the St. Lawrence and in the Maritimes. These are also the busiest and priciest weeks, so book early; late August and early September are warmer and quieter.
Where do cruises from Montreal go?
Mostly down the St. Lawrence to Quebec City, Saguenay, Gaspé, Charlottetown, Sydney and Halifax, then to Bar Harbor, Boston or New York. A few voyages head into the Great Lakes or to Newfoundland.
Updated November 2026 by the BookMyDreamCruise editorial team. How we research and fact-check.
Sources: Wikipedia, Wikidata, NASA POWER climate data.