Cruise Industry in Atlantic Canada Projecting a Record-Breaking Year
— Atlantic Canadian Ports to Welcome 950,000 Cruise Guests Aboard Over 600 Ships in 2023 Season —
For Immediate Release
April 20, 2023
Halifax, Nova Scotia – Atlantic Canada’s cruise industry is preparing for a banner year in 2023 with the region expected to welcome nearly 1-million cruise guest visits aboard over 600 vessel calls across the region. From late April until early November, ports across the region will be bustling with travelers from around the world. This news is a welcome relief for tourism operators, local businesses, and job growth, all of which benefit from the increased economic activity generated by the cruise industry.
“We’re thrilled to have such a promising cruise season ahead of us,” says Sarah Rumley, Executive Director of the Atlantic Canada Cruise Association (ACCA). “The number of ships and passengers expected this year is unprecedented, and it demonstrates the strength and resilience of the cruise industry in Atlantic Canada.”
The 2023 cruise season will begin on April 21, with the niche port of Lunenburg, Nova Scotia, welcoming Viking Cruises’ Viking Octantis.
Several cruise ships will be making their debut in the region this season, including Explora Journeys, Explora 1, a new privately owned luxury lifestyle brand of the MSC Group, headquartered in Geneva, Switzerland. Another ten ships are expected to call Atlantic Canada for the first time, highlighting the increasing popularity of the region as a cruise destination.
Before the pandemic, cruise ships contributed $347 million to Atlantic Canada’s economy and were responsible for over 2,000 jobs. When cruise operations resumed last year after a two-year hiatus, ports welcomed 474 ships and 622,811 passengers. With even more promising projections for 2023, a banner year is proof positive that post-pandemic recovery in the sector is well underway.
“ACOA is pleased to support the cruise industry as it showcases Atlantic Canada to the world during this anticipated record-breaking year,” says the Honourable Ginette Petitpas Taylor, Minister of Official Languages and Minister responsible for the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency (ACOA). “The cruise industry plays a key role in tourism, drawing people to these special places, creating jobs and growing the economy for years ahead.”
With its stunning coastline, picturesque towns, and friendly locals, Atlantic Canada offers unique and memorable experiences for visitors, each port has something special to offer, from New Brunswick’s magnificent Bay of Fundy, Newfoundland and Labrador’s breathtaking scenery, Prince Edward Island’s vibrant culinary scene or Nova Scotia’s rich culture and historic sites. The cruise industry’s continued growth in the region provides local businesses with ample opportunities to grow and thrive, making 2023 an exciting year for the entire Atlantic Canada community.
– 30 –
For more information:
Sarah Rumley
Executive Director, Atlantic Canada Cruise Association
director@cruiseatlanticcanada.com (902) 229-4304
About Atlantic Canada Cruise Association (ACCA)
Operating as Cruise Atlantic Canada, ACCA is a regional partnership between ports, tourism, and cruise ship interests as well as the four provincial governments and the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency. We work to promote the sustainable growth of Atlantic Canada as a cruise destination through strategic leadership, collaboration, partnerships, and innovative marketing. Find out more at https://www.cruiseatlanticcanada.com/.