Holland America Line, which is part of Carnival Corp & plc group, has signed an agreement with officials in Quebec, to increase its presence in the St Lawrence river region.
The agreement will serve to significantly increase summer cruise ship traffic on the St. Lawrence River. Using the Veendam, the company plans to add at least eight turnaround operations in Quebec City during the summer over a three-year period beginning in 2013.
The Veendam’s arrival will be highly strategic in terms of developing Quebec City’s cruise ship sector. The potential increase in passenger traffic (more than 20,000 extra visitors per year) is sure to have a major impact. In this regard, the agreement confirms that Holland America’s entire fleet will be redeployed on the St. Lawrence in 2013. A large-scale promotional campaign will also be undertaken with a view to positioning Quebec City and eight other St. Lawrence ports within the international cruise ship circuit.
Under the agreement, additional turnaround operations are also planned for the Port of Montreal, which will be welcoming the Maasdam in the months of July and August. In addition, the Seabourn Sojourn, operated by the Seabourn cruise line (a Holland America affiliate), will be operating three St. Lawrence turnaround cruises from Montreal. The Seabourn Sojourn will visit a total of seven ports in Quebec (Montreal, Quebec City, Trois Rivières, Saguenay, Baie Comeau, Gaspé and the Magdalen Islands).
