winter tourism

Nelson Sergerie, LJI Journalist

GASPÉ – The first winter cruise ship arrived in Gaspé on January 21 at noon.  The Commandant Charcot of the Ponant cruise line anchored at the Sandy Beach wharf in a project that had been on the table since 2018. 

The ship is carrying 153 passengers on this inaugural winter cruise, sailing through the St. Lawrence on its journey.  This stopover is the first of five scheduled by the shipowner between now and March 9.  “It’s happening. It’s taking shape. We can’t wait. We’re on the lookout.” We’re looking forward to it,” said Destination Gaspé’s Port of Call director, Igor Urban, a few hours before its arrival 

The ship was docked at the wharf for 24 hours, a rare occurrence during summer cruises in Gaspé. The lack of snow forced the organization to adjust the activities offered to passengers. 

The guests went snowshoeing in Forillon Park, met with the Micmac Nation of Gespeg, and took part in an interpretation activity on Gaspesian plants in Coin-du-Banc. 

“Backcountry skiing was planned, but potentially with the February 4 and 5 stopover, this activity will be on the agenda once again,” said Mr. Urban. “We’re adapting,” he said. 

The organization mobilized extra staff to ensure a proper welcome for the cruise ship passengers.  “It requires a little more effort because it’s outside of what we usually do. But people responded. We had all our guides and our people at the reception. We are really happy. We also feel a mobilization at the team level,” mentions Mr. Urban. 

A significant first also occurred during this inaugural winter stop.  “For the first time, we had a resupply. The ship comes from Saint-Pierre-et-Miquelon. It had crossed the Atlantic before starting its stay in the St. Lawrence. They needed food and instead of resupplying in the big centres, they chose to do it in Gaspé,” explained Mr. Urban. 

In total, 15 pallets of food had to be transported on the ship.  “Usually, we can help out with eggs or things like that, but here, we are in a real ship’s grocery store. We had been warned two weeks ago. The Port of Gaspé was proactive,” he explains. The shipment included trout and Gaspé salmon. 

In total, 503 people will visit Gaspé during the ship’s five scheduled stopovers, according to current reservations, marking a historic chapter for the region. 

“This is a pilot year. The company will see how it goes and if everything works to their liking and the passengers are happy, it could come back in 2027. Other cruise companies that also offer winter activities are looking at what is happening right now. It’s a double benefit for us,” says Mr. Urban. 

Other companies have already shown interest in the destination. “In April 2024, we were already being asked questions by other companies. It’s something that is being observed,” says Mr. Urban as shipowners inquired about the situation at a cruise convention in Miami. 

Looking ahead, for the 2025 summer season, 19 ships have confirmed visits so far, with a total of 12,579 passengers expected. The season will run from May 11 to October 27 

“We will receive slightly fewer ships in 2025. There may be changes. That is why the calendar is not official. We expected it. It is due to a transition in the organization of cruises. 2025 is the result of 2022. We are already seeing an increase in 2026 and we are talking about 26 cruises booked for the moment,” notes the port manager. 

In 2024, Escale Gaspésie welcomed 7,405 cruise passengers during the summer season. 

The season wrapped up on October 28 with 22 ships, but since the boats are smaller and more luxurious, the attendance statistics were affected.