Charlottetown, Sydney ports anticipate record-breaking cruise ship season

Two Maritime port cities anticipate 2023 to be a record-breaking year for cruise ship traffic.
The Port of Sydney is expecting 112 vessels and more than 200,000 guests.
Marlene Usher, the CEO for the Port of Sydney, says it will be a record-breaking year for the city.
“We have surpassed our pre-COVID numbers and are positioned well for the future. Our success is due in large part to our industry partners and our winning reputation as an Island destination. The economic benefits to our region are significant and the future looks bright,” she said in a release Thursday.
Port Charlottetown is also expecting a record-breaking season as it prepares to welcome 91 ships, more than 150,000 passengers and 63,000 crew.
Port Charlottetown says it is the largest number of passenger arrivals in the port’s history, and a 40 per cent increase compared to arrivals in 2022.
“The Island’s cruise industry had a $42.2M economic impact in 2019. With passenger numbers in 2023 surpassing 2019, it is anticipated that the industry will continue to contribute significantly to the Island’s economy,” said P.E.I. Minister of Economic Growth, Tourism and Culture Bloyce Thompson in a release.
The majority of the ships are set to arrive in Charlottetown during September and October.
Meanwhile, the Port of Halifax says it is expecting 191 vessels with around 325,000 cruise guests.
Nova Scotia’s cruise ship season is scheduled to start on April 22 in Halifax with the arrival of Norwegian Dawn, a Norwegian Cruise Line vessel. The first vessel to arrive in Sydney will be the Holland America Line Zaandam on April 25.
The season will wrap up in November.
According to the Halifax Port Authority, the combined economic benefit from cruise ships in Halifax and Sydney is more $225 million, based on data from 2019.
Earlier this month, the Port of Saint John released its numbers for the 2023 cruise ship season, with 86 vessels carrying almost 200,000 passengers.
The Port of Saint John says cruise ships bring in more than $68 million annually to Saint John and southern New Brunswick.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Federal budget to include grocery rebate for lower income Canadians: sources
The 2023 federal budget will include a one-time "grocery rebate" for Canadians with lower incomes who may be struggling with the rising cost of food, CTV News has confirmed.

3 children, 3 adults fatally shot at Nashville grade school
A female shooter wielding two 'assault-style' rifles and a pistol killed three students and three adults at a private Christian school in Nashville on Monday, authorities said. The suspect also died after being shot by police.
Sask. judge grants bail for sisters who say they were wrongfully imprisoned for nearly 30 years
A Saskatchewan judge has granted bail to two sisters who have spent nearly 30 years in prison for what they say are wrongful murder convictions.
MP Han Dong threatens legal action against Global over foreign interference report
Han Dong is threatening legal action against Global News and its parent company Corus Entertainment after the media outlet published an allegation the Toronto MP spoke to a Chinese diplomat about delaying the release of two Canadians.
'Sudden and devastating' Calgary house explosion injures 10 people
The Calgary Fire Department says at least 10 people were injured in a 'sudden and devastating' explosion in the city's northeast on Monday that completely destroyed one home.
These 3 items could cost you more starting this April
Whether it's gas, food or booze, consumers can expect to pay more for these goods next month. Two of the biggest changes include the federal carbon tax will increase to $65 per tonne of greenhouse emissions, up from $50, and the federal beverage alcohol duty that will increase by 6.3 per cent, which both come into effect on April 1.
Advocate questions whether Air Canada has 'cultural problem' after issue with teen's wheelchair
Flying over the Grand Canyon was a highlight for the Gellisen family during their trip to Phoenix, but their flight home to Toronto was a much different experience, with several family members forced off of the flight over tensions related to a teen's wheelchair.
'Rigorous' cost management needed as $5B Centre Block renovation proceeds: AG report
Despite delayed decision-making by parliamentarians, Canada's massive renovation of Parliament Hill's Centre Block is being effectively managed so far, according to a new audit. However, 'rigorous' cost management will be needed as the work proceeds, cautions auditor general Karen Hogan.
Quebec girl, 9, dies after snow fort collapses behind residence
A nine-year-old girl has died after a snow fort collapsed in a forest behind a rural Quebec home.