Making the most of Saguenay Quebec
Use these notes to shape a realistic day ashore, then confirm any time-sensitive information for the date of your call.
Arriving at the port
Saguenay is a region of Quebec and also officially the new name of the amalgamated towns of which the largest was called Chicoutimi. The actual port is in La Baie not far from Chicoutimi (20km) the wharf is actually in the Baie de Ha! Ha! The tourist office is conveniently located inside the beautiful terminal/pavilion and offers help and services.
The fjord is very scenic
As only one cruise ship can dock here, other cruise ships will tender passengers ashore. The port now has two tenders with capacity for 125 and 175 passengers, respectively.
Cruise schedule of this port.
The Saguenay River is the only fjord navigable by cruise ships in North America and offers many vistas even an occasional whale can be spotted.
On foot, bicycle or by car, come and explore Chicoutimi's Croissant Culturel. Located on the shores of the Saguenay river and shaped as an amphitheater, the south downtown district is a place brimming with treasures and animated by the business community where a plentiful cultural and artistic life takes place. Take the time to discover history, rest at outdoor cafés, take a look around in the boutiques, visit the various expositions and just enjoy life. You will find plenty to sharpen your senses and, thus, you will uncover the most charming aspects of the Croissant Culturel. Good findings!
Getting around
Discover the tourist attractions Saguenay has to offer with the Hop-on/Hop off tourist bus. The two guided circuits are designed to visit the Downtown and Cultural area in addition to the Fjord Museum and its surroundings.
You are here for the scenery most of which you will see perfectly well from your ship.
Perched on the Cape Trinité at the Saguenay National Park, the statue of Notre-Dame, protector of the kingdom of Saguenay, is more than impressive with its size of 10.5 meters and its 3 000 kilos. You can get there on foot by a path which brings you to 300 meters in altitude, or on a cruising boat. At the same time you can admire Louis Jobin's piece of art which has been watching over boatmen for over a century...
Car rental is available at the cruise terminal.
Food and shopping
Only a 2-minute walk from the pavilion, visit local craftspeople who offer a wide array of handmade products. A friendly way to meet the locals and their creativity!
Money
Canadian dollar
You will find ATMs in many grocery stores, malls, airports and so on, and most are linked to the international networks, the most common being Cirrus, Plus, Star and Maestro. You can also grab cash from an ATM if you use a major credit card although this method tends to be more expensive because, in addition to a service fee, you'll be charged interest immediately.
Staying connected
In Canada the main languages are English 59.3%, French 23.2% (both official); other 17.5%. Quebec and New Brunswick being the most "French" The rest of the country is English speaking.Free WiFi and internet stations at the terminal.