Kicking off the 2023 Cruise Season: Welcoming the World to Canada’s Eastern Edge
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The 2023 cruise season is set to be one of the busiest on record in Newfoundland & Labrador
We’ll be welcoming over 120,000 passengers to our shores from all over the world this season, with a whopping 127 scheduled visits across 17 ports in our province between May and November. An additional 15 ships are scheduled to dock in Saint-Pierre-et-Miquelon, our French neighbours to the South – meaning 143 ships will be dropping anchor in our waters throughout the season!
From coast to coast, our ports are preparing to offer each passenger a unique experience of Newfoundland & Labrador that they won’t soon forget. “When cruise ship passengers arrive at port, they look for authentic and memorable experiences,” says Jennifer Hartley, Chair of Cruise NL. “Luckily, our province has all the ingredients to provide just that. The character of our people, our diverse history, our vibrant communities, and the natural beauty that surrounds us offer a unique cultural experience that will stay with visitors forever.”
The Port of Corner Brook will be busy welcoming more than 42,000 passengers this season with 32 cruise ships visiting the western region, including seven vessels arriving in the city for the first time. There will also be four days when two ships will be in the Bay of Islands at the same time. This total number of passengers puts Corner Brook almost on par with the Port of St. John’s on the province’s opposite coast, which will see over 40,000 passengers across 35 cruise ship calls between June and October.
Hartley is optimistic about the future of the industry, stating that the upcoming 2023 season is poised to be one of the best yet for cruise ship calls. With 17 ports set to be visited this year, as opposed to the 11 visited last season, it’s an exciting time for all involved.
Promoting the cruise industry in Newfoundland and Labrador delivers more than just a positive experience for visitors. It also contributes to the economy and elevates exposure to local and regional tourism. According to Hartley, “Cruise is an important sector of the Newfoundland and Labrador tourism industry.” This season, the increased volume of cruise ship calls should yield significant economic benefits for the province and a major boost in tourism. In 2019, the estimated spending by passengers, cruise lines, and crew was $10 million for the province, a number that is expected to rise significantly by 2023.
Some of this season’s marquee visitors include:
- The Caribbean Princess, docking in St. John’s on August 27 (3,100+ passengers)
- The Norwegian Getaway, docking in Saint-Pierre-et-Miquelon on September 1 (3,900+ passengers)
- The Norwegian Joy, visiting Corner Brook on September 10, September 16, and October 7 (3,800+ passengers)
- St. Anthony will receive 11 visits, including the Carnival Legend on September 11 (2,680+ passengers)
- The Sky Princess, docking in St. John’s on October 11 (3,600+ passengers)
The first ship scheduled to call at the Port of Corner Brook is the Regent Seven Seas Cruises Navigator on May 16. The first one scheduled to dock in St. John’s Harbour is the Silversea Cruises Silver Shadow on June 6. In St. Anthony, the Holland Line Zaandam will start their season on August 17.
To kick off the season, we’ve refreshed the Cruise NL brand and website to celebrate all the sights, sounds, and colours that our beautiful province has to offer!
View our full 2023 cruise schedule here.
Cruise NL is your definitive source for cruising Canada’s easternmost province – from planning to logistics and everything in between. It’s our mission to bring the global cruise industry to Newfoundland & Labrador by showcasing the variety of unique offerings at our ports and the rugged beauty that our province is known for – in the coves, around the bends, and across the world.