It’s full steam ahead
Port Charlottetown prepares to welcome 115,000 cruise ship passengers in 2018
Port Charlottetown is preparing for a record-breaking season this year with 94 scheduled cruise ship calls.
That means 115,000 passengers will visit the city this year, a 28 per cent increase over the 2017 season.
“These numbers are unprecedented for cruise on the Island and to see the sailing season spread further into the early months and through the summer is a great indication of where this business is going,’’ said Les Parsons, CEO of the Charlottetown Harbour Authority.
The port is also looking at nine inaugural calls. Corryn Clemence, business development manager at the port, says it shows the growth of cruise in the entire region.
“We have worked diligently with local tourism operators, cruise lines and regional counterparts to put our best foot forward and sell the destination as a must stop port of call,’’ Clemence said. “The opportunities this creates to showcase Prince Edward Island as a premier vacation destination and the propensity for passengers to return has a substantial economic impact for the Island.’’
This season will kick off with a call from Holland America’s Veendam on May 2 and wraps up on Nov. 4 with a call from the Silver Seas Silver Wind. For a complete schedule, visit Port Charlottetown’s website at www.portcharlottetown. com.