Cruise Buzz

Each year, the city of Montreal, Quebec, welcomes thousands of cruise ship passengers to its Iberville Passenger Terminal. This inland port on the mighty St. Lawrence River is firmly situated in North America, but has a European flavor. It’s one of the few cities in the world where visitors can easily communicate in French and English.

The Iberville Passenger Terminal is part of the Old Port area (the newer Port of Montreal handles container ships and general cargo). The Old Port welcomes ships from cruise lines such as Holland America Line, Crystal Cruises and Silversea Cruises. The Old Port is especially active in early fall, when ships depart to for fall foliage cruises along the Atlantic coastline.

If you have time to spend in Montreal before or after a cruise, the city is brimming with things to see and do. During the summer, you can take a thrilling jet boat ride on the St. Lawrence. If a slower pace is your style, board a Parisian-style riverboat for a leisurely tour of the Montreal riverfront.

Bordering the Old Port is the Bonsecours Market, a restored building that features prominently in Montreal’s history. The building is currently a cultural center, with 15 boutiques that feature beautiful crafts, fashions, accessories, jewelry and furniture created in Quebec.

If you’re traveling with children, they’ll love the Montreal Science Center and its interactive exhibits. For example, the idTV exhibit lets young people step into the role of a science reporter by researching, filming and editing a news report.

Montreal has many more ways to enjoyably pass the time, from shopping to theaters to professional sports. An extensive network of underground pedestrian passageways and an efficient Metro system make it easy to get around the city.

For more ideas about things to do in the cruise port of Montreal, talk with Ben or Carrie at Cruise Holidays of Mission Viejo at 949-215-6700.