2025 Cruise Ship Season in Saint John, NB: An Overview
Cruise Volume & Visitor Numbers
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Saint John is gearing up for a busy 2025 cruise season, with 78 ship calls expected to bring around 180,000 guests. Cruise Industry News | Cruise Newscruiseatlanticcanada.com
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By mid-September, the port will surpass 3.5 million total cruise passenger visits since 1989. Cruise Industry News | Cruise News
Comparison to Previous Seasons
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2024: 74 ship calls with 163,251 passengers and 68,865 crew; featured 11 overnight calls, 10 inaugural calls, 15 double-ship days, and 6 triple-ship days. Cruise Industry News | Cruise NewsTravel And Tour World
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2023: Also saw 74 ship calls, with 172,193 passengers and 71,824 crew; included record visits like Oasis of the Seas carrying nearly 6,000 passengers, plus multiple inaugural, double, triple ship, and overnight visits. CruiseMapperPort Saint John
Why the Season Is Getting Busier
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A significant portion of 2025’s calls—59 out of the 78 vessels—are scheduled from September through early November, when fall foliage draws in many travelers. Reddit+1
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Locals note that the cruise season picks up later in the year, aligning with marketing efforts around Canada-New England fall tours, perfect for Southern visitors seeking cooler weather and vibrant foliage. Reddit+1
Quick Snapshot
| Season | Ship Calls | Passengers | Key Highlights |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 74 | 172,193 | Oasis of the Seas record day, many inaugural & multi-ship days |
| 2024 | 74 | 163,251 | Overnight calls, container village enhancements, double/triple days |
| 2025 (expected) | 78 | ~180,000 | Continued growth, foliage season focus, surpassing historic total |