Quebec's cosmopolitan heart docks right in the old city — step off your ship onto 400-year-old cobblestones with Notre-Dame Basilica just minutes away.
Montreal is one of the easiest cruise ports in North America — ships dock at the Iberville Passenger Terminal on De la Commune Street, right in the Old Port district.
💡 Pro move: The season runs roughly May through October. Bring layers — riverfront weather changes quickly, especially mornings and evenings.
All cruise ships dock at the Iberville Passenger Terminal (Grand Quai) on the Old Port waterfront — no tendering required.
| Cruise Line | Typical Berth / Arrival | Dock or Tender |
|---|---|---|
| Most cruise lines (Holland America, Viking, Oceania, Azamara, Regent, Silversea, etc.) | Iberville Passenger Terminal (Grand Quai), De la Commune St E📍 | Docked |
| Ponant / expedition ships | Iberville Passenger Terminal (Grand Quai)📍 | Docked |
Montreal rewards walkers with centuries of architecture, world-class food, and a bilingual European-North American energy unlike any other city in the hemisphere.
The Gothic Revival interior of Notre-Dame Basilica is jaw-dropping — gold leaf, cobalt blue vaulting, and thousands of hand-carved stars overhead. Pair it with a stroll through Place d'Armes and Rue Saint-Paul, Montreal's oldest street.
Find Notre-Dame Basilica tours →Frederick Law Olmsted's mountain park at the center of the island offers panoramic views of the city skyline and St. Lawrence River. A beloved local gathering place, especially on weekends with spontaneous drum circles.
Find Mount Royal tours →The Old Port waterfront is right at your ship. Wander Rue Saint-Paul to the iconic silver-domed Bonsecours Market (1847) for local artisan goods, then explore Cours le Royer and the quiet side streets of the quarter.
Find Old Montreal walking tours →Sample poutine, smoked meat sandwiches (the real thing — Schwartz's is legendary), bagels, and local craft beer. Old Montreal's culinary scene has exploded in recent years with bistros and terrasses lining every block.
Find Montreal food tours →Built over the actual 17th-century foundations of the city's first settlement, this world-class museum lets you walk through three centuries of archaeology beneath modern Montreal. One of the best history museums in Canada.
Find Pointe-à-Callière tours →See Montreal from the water on a Bateau-Mouche river cruise departing from the Old Port — 60 or 90-minute tours with views of the city skyline, Île Sainte-Hélène, and the Jacques-Cartier Bridge.
Find river cruise tours →Montreal's Old Port is one of the most walkable cruise districts anywhere — the best of the city is within a mile of your ship.
Start at the Iberville Terminal on De la Commune Street, walk west to Place Jacques-Cartier, turn up to Rue Saint-Paul for shops and cafes, then visit Notre-Dame Basilica at Place d'Armes. Return via Rue Saint-Jacques (Montreal's old financial spine) past gorgeous 19th-century bank buildings.
Follow the Old Port promenade east from the terminal past Clock Tower Pier (Tour de l'Horloge), taking in the St. Lawrence River and the Biosphère on Île Sainte-Hélène across the water. A relaxed waterfront stroll with great views.
Climate normals for Montreal, Quebec, Canada (2014–2023 averages). Pack for the month you sail — highs, lows, and how many rainy days to expect.
| Month | Avg High | Avg Low | Rainy Days |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 21°F / -6°C | 6°F / -14°C | 12 |
| Feb | 24°F / -4°C | 7°F / -14°C | 11 |
| Mar | 34°F / 1°C | 17°F / -8°C | 11 |
| Apr | 49°F / 9°C | 31°F / -1°C | 12 |
| May | 64°F / 18°C | 45°F / 7°C | 10 |
| Jun | 72°F / 22°C | 55°F / 13°C | 14 |
| Jul | 77°F / 25°C | 62°F / 17°C | 12 |
| Aug | 75°F / 24°C | 61°F / 16°C | 12 |
| Sep | 68°F / 20°C | 53°F / 12°C | 9 |
| Oct | 55°F / 13°C | 42°F / 6°C | 13 |
| Nov | 40°F / 4°C | 28°F / -2°C | 12 |
| Dec | 30°F / -1°C | 18°F / -8°C | 12 |
Source: Open-Meteo ERA5 (10-yr daily averages)
Upcoming cruises that call at Montreal, Quebec, Canada. Dates, prices, and ports of call change — always confirm with the cruise line before booking.
Itineraries and prices change — always confirm with the cruise line before booking. Some links are affiliate links that may earn us a commission at no extra cost to you.