Cruise ports throughout Atlantic Canada posted a banner yr in 2024, surpassing predictions and setting new information for cruise ship and passenger arrivals.
Calling the cruise season distinctive, the Atlantic Canada Cruise Affiliation (ACCA), pointed to a file 675-plus ship calls and 1 million-plus cruise company in the course of the April to November timeframe.
The numbers replicate an almost 30% rise in cruise-tourism, with greater than 25 cruise traces sending ships to the area.
The ACCA in spring 2024 had predicted the season would set new information, internet hosting greater than 600 ships. It estimated that cruise visitor arrivals would improve by about 10% in the course of the season, which opened on April 6, 2024, with a go to from MSC Cruises’ MSC Poesia.
Atlantic Canada itineraries usually characteristic a mix of Canadian and New England ports, similar to Portland and Bar Harbor, Maine, and Boston, with both Montreal or Quebec Metropolis because the turnaround vacation spot in Canada.
The ACCA represents the ports of Halifax, in Nova Scotia’s capital metropolis; Sydney, situated on Cape Breton Island in Nova Scotia; Charlottetown, the capital of Prince Edward Island; Saint John, in New Brunswick; and Nook Brook, situated on the west coast of Newfoundland.
“This yr’s achievements underscore the dedication and teamwork of our ports, trade companions, regional stakeholders, and communities,” stated Sarah Rumley, govt director of Atlantic Canada Cruise Affiliation.
“Beneficial climate, famend hospitality, and one-of-a-kind experiences have been key to this success. As we have a good time these accomplishments, we stay dedicated to fostering a viable and accountable future for the cruise trade in Atlantic Canada,” added Rumley.
A number of luxurious cruise ships that known as at a number of Atlantic Canada ports in the course of the 2024 season included Cunard’s Queen Mary 2, Silversea Cruises’ Silver Shadow, Seabourn’s Seabourn Quest, and Regent Seven Seas Cruises’ Seven Seas Grandeur.
Different main cruise traces had a number of ships often calling at ports within the area, similar to Holland America Line’s Volendam and Zuiderdam; and Viking Ocean Cruises’ Viking Mars, Viking Star, and Viking Polaris.
Norwegian Cruise Line had an enormous presence in Atlantic Canada, with the deployments of Norwegian Star, Prima, Getaway, Pearl, Jade, and Gem.
The ports supply a mixture of experiences for cruise company, with shore excursions that concentrate on the area’s pure assets, historical past, and native tradition and delicacies.
Seasonal Outcomes Adopted a File-Setting 2023
The distinctive outcomes from 2024 comply with the gangbuster season of 2023, which confirmed a 23% hike in cruise ship visits in comparison with 2022, when the trade was nonetheless rising from the pandemic suspension.
In 2023, particular person ports smashed earlier information. In Sydney, the cruise port noticed a whopping 74% spike in cruise passenger visits. The vacation spot is the gateway to Cape Breton Island and has two piers that may accommodate giant ships as much as 1,184 ft lengthy.
Learn Additionally: I Cruised Jap Canada on Holland America: Right here’s What I Liked Best
One other port that did remarkably effectively in 2023 was Nook Brook, which recorded an arrivals improve of 58%. Nook Brook is legendary as the house of Gros Morne Nationwide Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Web site.
Wanting forward, no less than one cruise line has plans to develop operations in Atlantic Canada. Holland America Line in 2026 will supply 18 distinctive itineraries onboard Volendam and Zuiderdam, and add a 28-day Canada/New England/Iceland voyage that may depart on June 20, 2026 and name at seven ports in Iceland.
Each ships will return to the area for the 2025 season as effectively.
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