Quebec City is the walled capital of Quebec, set on a cliff above the St Lawrence River and the only fortified city north of Mexico. More about Quebec City →
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59% busier than a typical day in Quebec City. Busiest 09:00 – 00:00, when 1 ship is alongside.
Thousands of people in port, guests plus crew. Crowd level compared with a typical Quebec City day.
The crowd calendar shows every ship and how busy the port is, hour by hour, plus the quietest and busiest days for the next 90 days.
Ships dock in the Old Port on the St Lawrence, below Old Quebec. The main berths are Wharves 21 and 22 at Pointe-a-Carcy (84 Dalhousie St.), next to the Ross-Gaudreault Cruise Terminal and steps from the Petit-Champlain district. Larger ships may use Cruise Terminal 30 on Wharf 30 (300 De L'Estuaire St.) near Louise Basin, a few minutes' walk from Old Quebec with a shuttle available.
Some calls use the Coast Guard wharf (Wharf 93) or Quai Paquet (Wharf 81) across the river in Levis. All are docked berths; no tendering.
15 km · ~25 min by car
About 15 km, roughly 20–25 minutes by car.
Typical prices, approximate. Fares change with demand, traffic and time of day.
Typical prices, approximate. Fares change with demand, traffic and time of day.
From Wharves 21 and 22 you can walk straight into the Old Port and the Petit-Champlain district. Only authorised vehicles may enter the Wharf 30 area during the cruise season.
2 terminals
The main cruise terminal at Pointe-a-Carcy (Wharves 21 and 22, 84 Dalhousie St.), next to the Petit-Champlain district. It has up to 40 check-in counters, 500 waiting-area seats, a tourist information desk, luggage storage and free Wi-Fi.
A multipurpose terminal built in 2020 on Wharf 30 (300 De L'Estuaire St.) for the largest ships. It handles both calls and embarkation, with up to 32 check-in counters and 1,000 seats. A shuttle runs to Old Quebec.
Daily rate · per vehicle · confirm before travel
The port runs public lots around the Old Port. For cruises it recommends Louise Basin, with long-term parking for up to 30 days, about a 15-minute walk from the Ross-Gaudreault terminal and 12 minutes from Wharf 30. It costs about CAD 18 per day or CAD 84 per week; multi-day rates are paid in the parking app, and no cash is accepted.
Pick the area first. Typical nightly prices, approximate.
Historic walled-city stay.
Typical hotel
Staying among the main sights, above the port.
Walk to the terminal.
Typical hotel
Embarkation day without a taxi; next to the wharves.
Restaurants, lower hotel prices.
Typical hotel
A livelier, more local base near Gare du Palais.
Close to the airport.
Typical hotel
Late arrivals or early flights; the airport taxi fare to this area is lower, about CAD 18.
Prices are approximate per night.
Prices are approximate, in CAD. Dinner CAD 20–50 per person at Old Port and Petit-Champlain restaurants; café meals about CAD 10–20.
Bistros and cafes in the lower town, a few minutes' walk from Wharves 21 and 22.
Waterfront restaurants and the Old Port market near Louise Basin and Wharf 30.
The main restaurant streets of Upper Town, reached by the funicular or the Breakneck Stairs.
A local dining district near Gare du Palais.
Quebec City is the walled capital of Quebec, set on a cliff above the St Lawrence River and the only fortified city north of Mexico. Cruise ships dock in the Old Port, directly below Old Quebec, so the cobbled Petit-Champlain district, Place Royale and the Chateau Frontenac are a short walk or funicular ride from the gangway.
The city is both a port of call on Canada and New England itineraries and a departure port for lines including Holland America, Princess, Norwegian and Cunard. Beyond the old town, the Plains of Abraham battlefield park and the 83-metre Montmorency Falls are easy shore trips, and fall foliage makes September and October calls especially popular.
Old Quebec's landmark hotel stands on the clifftop above the port. The boardwalk in front looks out over the St Lawrence. Reach it from the lower town on the funicular or the Breakneck Stairs.
Narrow lanes of shops and bistros at the foot of the cliff, a few minutes' walk from Wharves 21 and 22. Look for the large trompe-l'oeil murals on the old houses.
An 83 m waterfall just east of the city, with a suspension bridge over the crest, cliffside stairs and a cable car.
A large clifftop park in Battlefields Park, site of the 1759 battle. It has walking paths and river views beside the Citadelle.