2023 Port Saint John cruise season concludes with strong results and international award nomination
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
November 14, 2023
On November 7, the 2023 cruise season came to a close at Port Saint John. Spanning six months, the season saw 172,193 passengers and 71,824 crew members sail into the Port city through 74 ship visits. Representing a 16.4% increase over 2022, these statistics signal stability and recovery for Atlantic Canadian cruise tourism.
2023 season highlights include:
Largest single ship day in Port history: Royal Caribbean’s Oasis of the Seas on May 30 brought a record-breaking 5,931 passengers and 2,113 crew members to Saint John for the day.
Celebrated nine vessels making their inaugural visit to the Port city.
Welcomed four overnight calls, seven triple ship days, and nine double ship days.
Building on the 2022 industry restart, 2023 brought continued opportunities to reimagine and enhance the passenger and crew experience in Saint John. A new Welcome Crew program, a dedicated cruise ship Crew Lounge, and the AREA 506 Waterfront Container Village continue to turn heads around the globe. This dynamic and innovative approach was recognized in September, when Port Saint John earned nods as a top three finalist for Seatrade Cruise Awards' Cruise Port of the Year in Hamburg, Germany.
"We're delighted with the results of this cruise season. We'd like to thank the large, resilient network of suppliers, stakeholders, and many local businesses who help create a warm welcome for passengers visiting Saint John and the Bay of Fundy region," says Natalie Allaby, Director of Cruise Excellence at Port Saint John. "We're already excited about our 2024 season and continuing to share our outstanding destination, exceptional cruise facilities, and extraordinary experiences with the world."
“Delivering prosperity to our region is at the core of everything we do at Port Saint John and our thriving cruise sector is no exception,” says Craig Bell Estabrooks, President and CEO. “We’re proud of our team, partners, and the larger tourism ecosystem this season and every season who make the industry’s $68 million economic impact possible.”
The 2024 cruise season schedule will be released in January.
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Media contact: Patrick Beamish, Director of External Affairs 506-609-1119