Eastwaters        The Marine website of Newfoundland and Labrador

Viewing our coasts and culture from cruise ships

is catching on with leisure and adventure tourists

Dutch cruise ship Amsterdam in St. John's harbour

Cruise ships have been exploring the coasts of Newfoundland and Labrador in increasing numbers in recent years. Vessels large and small from both North America and Europe are landing passengers for visits in cities, towns and other points of interest to experience the scenery and culture of the province. In 2004, nearly 150 visits to 36 ports brought some 44,000 people (passengers and crew) here, up from 32,000 in 2003.

Among the ships arriving was the world's largest cruise vessel, Queen Mary 2, which emerged through morning mist at Corner Brook one September day. That same month on the other side of the island the Grand Princess brought 2,600 passengers for a look at the province's picturesque capital city St. John's.

The ports of Newfoundland and Labrador attract trans-Atlantic cruise vessels enroute to either the east coast of North America or the European coasts. Others originating in Europe follow a northern route visiting Iceland, Greenland and the coast of Labrador. On this side of the Atlantic, vessels leaving from eastern U.S. and Canadian ports include this province on their itineraries.

Ships of this ultra-modern luxury fleet bring visitors to places as diverse as tiny Francois, an isolated, roadless outport on the south coast, Newman Sound in the heart of Terra Nova National Park, and rugged, majestic Saglek Fjord in northern Labrador.

The Cruise Association of Newfoundland and Labrador (CANAL) believes the fastest growing sector of the cruise industry here is adventure/expedition cruises. Ships such as Le Levant, Orion and Lyubov Orlova circumnavigate the island and steam along the Labrador coast stopping at communities like Trinity, Twillingate, Red  Bay and Battle Harbour or scenic places such as Cape St. Mary's, Notre Dame Bay and La Poile Bay. These cruise lines are being encouraged to "home port" in Newfoundland, which means each season their ships would use the island as a base while passengers are flown in and out by commercial airlines.

CANAL chairman Stelman Flynn points out, "With more port visits, more cruise ships and more passengers, comes an exponential economic spin-off spread over a wider region." His association has a goal of helping ports and communities in the province become "cruise ready," to ensure visitors are well received while bringing economic benefits to the localities.

The 2005 cruise season is expected to continue to expand, with estimates of the total number of passengers and crew to reach a record 60,000 people. Among the ships arriving will be those from such well known fleets as Holland America, Cunard, Norwegian Cruise Lines, Princess Cruises, Polar Star Expeditions, Royal Caribbean, P&O Cruises and Hapag-Lloyd. 

Visit the CANAL website at http://www.CruiseNewfoundlandAndLabrador.com.

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