Quebec City, Quebec
Quebec is the largest cruise ship port on the St. Lawrence and a hugely popular destination for cruise passengers visiting the St. Lawrence River. Perched atop Cap Diamant, from where it overlooks the St. Lawrence, Québec City is the cradle of French civilization in North America; the only fortified city north of Mexico, Québec City is one of UNESCO’s prestigious World Heritage sites.
Only a few minutes’ walk from the cruise ship terminal, cruise passengers will find fascinating historic buildings, exquisite gourmet cuisine, and entertainment.
Quebec City is blessed with an infectious joie de vivre, nowhere more so than in the Grande Allee, a scaled-down French-Canadian version of the Champs Elysees which starts at the Saint Louis Gate. Restaurants, quaint cafes on cobbled courtyards, and late night bistros, cheek by jowl, give the Grande Allee its special panache.
From May to October 2008, Espace 400e, located at the Bassin Louise in the Old Port of Québec, will introduce cruise passengers to the city and its history from a fresh perspective.
It may be the cradle of French civilization in the New World, but Quebec City is not all quaintness, of course. It is for the most part a contemporary and sophisticated city, the capital of Canada’s largest province and an important centre of government, and filled with superb hotels.
Cruise Terminal - Port of Quebec
In operation since 2002, the Cruise Terminal allows ships of all sizes to stop over or to tie up and terminate a cruise journey in Quebec City. The wharves are specifically dedicated to this type of vessel in Pointe-à-Carcy, namely wharves 19, 21 and 22. The last-mentioned has an automatic catwalk linked to the terminal. However, the port can receive several cruise ships at the same time, using other wharves, including those of the Canadian Coast Guard.
Photos courtesy Destination Quebec/Tourisme Quebec and the Port of Québec