CTMA Cruises 2012 Press kit

TABLE OF CONTENTS

CTMA Cruises: The best way to connect with the Islands

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Theme Cruises for 2012: Festivities, Exclusive Offers and Gourmet Pleasures

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Four Exclusive Packages: Discover the Islands another way

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Destination : The Iles de la Madeleine, paradise in Québec

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CTMA: Portrait of a Diversified Cooperative

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CTMA CRUISES

THE BEST WAY TO CONNECT WITH THE ISLANDS For 10 years now, CTMA has offered the one and only cruise on the St. Lawrence River to the Îles de la Madeleine. This incomparable Madelinot experience also makes it possible to discover the magnificent Québec shoreline and all the riches of the St. Lawrence River. Soaking up the Islands Upon boarding the CTMA VACANCIER, the Madelinot accent is omnipresent and passengers are requested to adjust their watches to Island time: the Îles de la Madeleine experience is under way! Made up almost exclusively of Madelinots, the ship’s crew is renowned for its warm welcome, its unequalled kindness and its personalized service. During the cruise, the gourmet cuisine allows passengers to taste the flavors of the Islands, with seafood and Madelinot terroir products featured night after night. In addition, there are a variety of activities that allow passengers to immerse themselves a bit more each day in the ambiance of this archipelago. An itinerary marked with ports of call and discoveries From mid-June to the end of September, the CTMA Vacancier departs weekly from Montréal every Friday and navigates along the St. Lawrence River. After two days at sea, the ship docks at the Îles de la Madeleine for a three-day stay. On the return trip, it stops at the Gaspé Peninsula, where excursions are available for visits to the Percé region. Continuing its discovery of Québec, the CTMA VACANCIER docks at Québec City’s Old Port on Thursday afternoon. Passengers can take advantage of the stop to explore Old Québec, recognized as a World Heritage treasure by UNESCO.

Packages and themes for all tastes For a customized trip to the Islands, CTMA Cruises offers four exclusive packages. Moreover, in addition to the Classic Cruise, Theme Cruises are offered in June and September. Gourmet cuisine, history, music, and bird-watching are only some examples of the themes that can be appreciated aboard the CTMA VACANCIER. -30-

THEME CRUISES FOR 2012: FESTIVITIES, EXCLUSIVE OFFERS AND GOURMET PLEASURES With you for the past ten years: slogan that sums up the 10 years of existence of CTMA Cruises. Throughout these years, thousands of passengers have been able to experience unmatched cruises and discover these very beautiful islands in the company of a charming Madelinot crew. To underscore this anniversary, our Theme Cruises for 2012 will surprise you: festivities, exclusive offers, and gourmet pleasures will be on the agenda.

Start of the season marked by celebrations To launch this 10th season, CTMA Cruises is offering a themed cruise, putting the Îles de la Madeleine front and center, from June 8th to the 15th. Passengers will be completely immersed in the world of the Îles de la Madeleine through both the menu and the entertainment. The CTMA VACANCIER’s Madelinot chef Léon Langford will be serving up a menu of unique, local flavors, featuring the famous Island lobster, a sure delight for diners. The ambiance will be festive, especially due to the presence of Suroît, a traditional music group from the Islands. For the occasion, several ambassadors of the Islands will be aboard to tell the history of the archipelago as well as stories and legends.

A major premiere: S.O.S. Beauty Cruise with Chantal Lacroix For the very first time in Québec, Chantal Lacroix will gather her entire team of experts to offer an S.O.S. Beauty camp aboard the CTMA VACANCIER, from June 29th to July 6th. Among the special guests will be Jimmy Sévigny, speaker and coordinator of the S.O.S. Beauty camps, as well as two professional make-up artists, Stéphanie Dion and Richard Bouthilier. For this exclusive cruise week, passengers will be able to enjoy a number of talks and workshops on well-being, beauty, and sports. An ideal atmosphere for taking care of oneself at the rhythm of the sea and of the Îles de la Madeleine.

Special itinerary and discovery of gourmet Québec From August 31st to September 7th, passengers of the CTMA VACANCIER will be treated to a special itinerary thanks to the Gourmet Québec cruise. This cruise perfectly combines the flavors of Québec terroir products with the discovery of the province’s impressive maritime region. It is the only time during the season that the ship navigates the magnificent Saguenay Fjord and stops at La Baie. During this cruise, three veteran chefs, Jean-Paul Grappe, Marcel Bouchard and Denis Girard will showcase the regional products that make Québec a well-known culinary destination.

Other musts The list of Theme Cruises for 2012 doesn’t stop there. Greatly enjoyed over the past several years, the Gourmet Island cruise is back again this year to let passengers discover the uniqueness of the Islands’ cuisine and of its seafood. Madelinot chefs Johanne Vigneau and Luc Jomphe’s mission will be to turn this cruise into a veritable gourmet escapade. For flora and fauna enthusiasts, the Wonders of Nature cruise is a unique opportunity to discover all the wealth of the St. Lawrence seaway and the Islands. Ornithologist Serge Beaudette and speakers Gloria Rodriguez and Martin Savard will give the cruise added value. The In the Footsteps of the Explorers of the St. Lawrence cruise showcases the famous explorer Jacques Cartier, as well as two renowned historians, Jacques Lacoursière and Maxime Arseneau. For the occasion, the crew will dress in period costumes, for a true immersion in the past. Finally, nostalgia and sweet memories await passengers during the Retro Cruise. Entertainers and a musical group will take guests back to the good old days.

To see the complete calendar and all cruise dates, please visit our website at www.croisieresctma.ca. -30-

FOUR EXCLUSIVE PACKAGES

DISCOVER THE ISLANDS ANOTHER WAY CTMA Cruises offers four exclusive packages which provide a unique way to discover the Îles de la Madeleine during a three-day stay on the archipelago. “This original concept allows passengers to visit the archipelago on the basis of their interests and desires, and with complete peace of mind. Madelinot guides take care of everything during the stay. It’s a true pleasure for them to introduce guests to local culture and share stories and anecdotes,” attests Stéphane Gaudet, Purser of the CTMA VACANCIER.

Savouring the Islands The Flavors package is available as an all-inclusive plan for customers who want to discover Madelinot cuisine and terroir products. The three-day trip allows visitors to enjoy the Islands’ well-known restaurants. Among these is La Table des Roy, featuring the cuisine of Johanne Vigneau, a Madelinot chef acclaimed throughout Québec. There are also visits to local artisans such as the cheese company Au-pied-de-vent, the microbrewery À l’Abri de la Tempête or the Fumoir d’Antan workshop-museum.

Exploring the Islands by bike For sports and outdoor enthusiasts, the Cycling package is the perfect option. Three different circuits are on the agenda, allowing cyclists to completely tour the Islands during the trip. The circuits cover 35 kilometers (with an optional 20-km loop), 65 kilometers and 20 kilometers, respectively. Different meeting points are possible, and a sag wagon is available in order to meet the various needs of cyclists. The circuits can also be modified based on weather conditions. Thus, the package is a self-guided one which is accessible to cyclists of all abilities.

Off for an adventure Those seeking an outdoor experience on the Islands will be well-served thanks to the Adventure package. This all-inclusive plan features cycling during the first day of the expedition. On the second day, visitors go on a sea-kayaking adventure with a guide. This excursion also includes a crab picnic on one of the beaches of the Islands. Also part of this package is an outdoor dinner, a campfire and entertainment, and an overnight stay in a yurt. The adventure ends with a walking tour that lets you explore the Island’s most beautiful spots.

Spotlight on Madelinot art and culture The Îles de la Madeleine abound with cultural and artistic activities, art galleries and boutiques. The Art and Culture package lets you discover these riches thanks to a diversified itinerary: visits to museums, galleries and shops, presentation of the play Mes Îles, mon pays, and meeting a variety of craftspeople. A dinner show is also offered, immersing diners in the musical world of a local artist. -30-

DESTINATION: THE ÎLES DE LA MADELEINE, PARADISE IN QUÉBEC Choosing CTMA Cruises means choosing the Îles de la Madeleine as a destination. The 100% Madelinot business is proud to be promoting the archipelago as a tourist destination of choice. Located in the Gulf of the St. Lawrence, the Îles de la Madeleine stretch across a distance of 65 kilometers and are renowned for their splendid beaches, cliffs, dunes and landscapes. The constant presence of the sea and the winds makes a maritime climate that is markedly different from the mainland. Winters are milder and summers are cooler. The Îles de la Madeleine has a population of about 14,000. The fishing industry is the archipelago’s main economic activity. The Islands’ lobsters are known for their quality and the delicacy of its meat. Tourism is the Islands’ second largest industry sector.

An archipelago with a thousand riches On the Îles de la Madeleine, the diversity of the activities is a boon for all visitors. Madelinot arts and culture can be discovered through tourist attractions, the numerous boutiques, and meeting local artisans. Nature and the great outdoors offer many possibilities for those who like being active. Madelinot seafood and terroir products make it possible to enjoy unique and tasty gourmet experiences. The Islands, beautiful in every season Most visitors choose summer for exploring the Îles de la Madeleine. Summer is certainly a very busy time with an array of activities, festivals and events. Spring is also an excellent season to discover the true nature of the Islands and to experience typical life with the many Madelinot fishermen. Fall brings the return of peace and quiet, with summer’s pleasures continuing on the beaches of the Islands. The landscapes are spectacular and it’s a tranquil time on the archipelago. -30-

CTMA: PORTRAIT OF A DIVERSIFIED COOPERATIVE For more than 65 years, the Coopérative de Transport Maritime et Aérien (CTMA) has been operating as the sole marine carrier serving the Îles de la Madeleine. The company’s mission is to ensure the safe, reliable and courteous transportation of people and merchandise, while fostering growth in the social, economic and tourist sectors of the Îles de la Madeleine. In fact, CTMA is one of the largest employers on the archipelago.

Four ships in operation In order to thoroughly respond to the needs of Madelinots and visitors, CTMA operates four ships. The ferry MADELEINE ensures a permanent link between Prince Edward Island and the Îles de la Madeleine. This five-hour crossing is the most commonly-used means of transportation for accessing the Islands. Since 2002, CTMA has also offered a weeklong cruise on the St. Lawrence River aboard the CTMA VACANCIER, departing from Montréal, with stops at the Gaspé Peninsula and Québec City. “Thanks to this offer, people can discover the Islands and the St. Lawrence seaway in a unique and distinctive way, in the company of a Madelinot crew,” proudly states Mr. Emmanuel Aucoin, the company’s General Manager. A third ship, the CTMA VOYAGEUR, is mainly used for cargo transportation. This ship’s itinerary varies depending on the time of year in order to meet demand. Finally, CTMA operates the ferry IVAN QUINN, which connects the Islands with Entry Island, a small island isolated from the rest of the archipelago.

CTMA on the road Road transportation services complement the marine transport services to respond to the needs of commercial and industrial customers. The CTMA Transport division owns about a hundred trailer trucks that travel throughout the eastern part of North America. In addition to supplying the archipelago with goods, this offer also provides quality service for exporting seafood.

CTMA Transport has warehouses in Montréal, Québec City, Moncton and the Îles de la Madeleine, thus ensuring the stability of its transportation service.

CTMA has more than 450 employees and is more than ever an economic leader on the Îles de la Madeleine archipelago. Its head office is located in Cap-aux-Meules, on the Îles de la Madeleine. -30-

For all information, photo, or interview requests: France Groulx Marketing and Customer Services Assistant CTMA [email protected] 418-986-3278

Claudia Delaney Project Manager CTMA [email protected] 418-986-6600