The Volendam liner, which was used to transport Ukrainian refugees in 2022, is the first cruise ship to stop at the Old Port of Montreal, thus launching the cruise season on the St. Lawrence River.
“It is a boat which welcomed 1,500 Ukrainian refugees for 6 months in 2022, and it is an agreement between the Holland America Line company, the Rotterdam company, and the government of the Netherlands,” explained to TVA Nouvelles Yves Gilson, deputy director at the Port of Montreal.
The ship will carry an exhibition on board in honor of these refugees.
“Today, on board, there will be the inauguration of an exhibition that remembers [sic] from that period, with drawings by Ukrainian children who were on board, testimonial letters, photos, etc., so passengers who sail on this ship will have access to this exhibition in the years to come. , he added.
Significant benefits for the City
The port authority expects 50,000 passengers to disembark on the Grand Quai during the season.
Cruise users who embark or disembark in Montreal book approximately 2 to 3 nights in the metropolis and spend on average $3 per day, which should bring in approximately $19.5 million for the City for the season.
Thus, 41 ships will be in service, including 32 embarkations/disembarkations and nine stopovers.
“The arrival of the first ship in Montreal kicks off the summer tourist season. The merchants and restaurateurs in the sector are happy because they know that there is a large influx of tourists at our doors,” rejoiced Aurélie de Blois, spokesperson for Tourisme Montréal.
The Volendam liner arrived at 7 a.m. Saturday and will leave at 7 p.m. for Boston.
