Category Archives: Cruise

Cruise

An Overview 2025 Cruise Ship Season

2025 Cruise Ship Season in Saint John, NB: An Overview

Cruise Volume & Visitor Numbers

Comparison to Previous Seasons

  • 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

  • 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

  • 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

  • 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
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Cruise Season Timing

 Cruise Season Timing

  • Season Duration: Traditionally runs from late‑April / early‑May through early‑November.

    • 2025 kicks off on April 28 with Viking Neptune, wrapping up November 6 .

    • 2024 saw activity from May 8 to November 24 .

Passenger & Ship Volume

  • 2025 projections: ~80 vessel visits carrying nearly 200,000 guests .

  • 2024 delivered: 75 calls with over 170,000 passengers, including 11 overnight ship stays .

  • 2023 likewise saw ~69–74 ships bringing ~172,000 passengers cruisehive.com.

Peak Times & Season Highlights

  • September–October dominate the schedule (~60+ visits), driven by peak fall foliage demand .

  • Cruise itineraries are often tailored to North American travelers seeking escapes from summer heat or hurricane-prone routes .

Local Infrastructure & Experience

  • Terminals: Marco Polo and Diamond Jubilee are equipped to host large vessels (Oasis-class capable) cruiseatlanticcanada.com.

  • AREA 506 Waterfront Container Village: Open May–November, offering dining, shopping, and events right beside the terminal reddit.com+4en.wikipedia.org+4cruiseatlanticcanada.com+4.

  • Shore excursions: Popular options include day trips to St. Andrews (~1 hour away) for whale-watching or sightseeing reddit.com+3reddit.com+3reddit.com+3.

Voices from the City

From locals on Reddit:

“The Canada New England itinerary is marketed heavily around fall colours… that’s why it’s got a late start” reddit.comstjohns.ca+2reddit.com+2cruisehive.com+2
“Add to the other reasons… cruise lines want more reliable alternatives for east‑coast cruises.” reddit.com

 Quick Snapshot

Phase Dates Highlights
Start ~April 28–May 8 First ship arrives (e.g. Viking Neptune, MSC Meraviglia)
Summer June–August Smaller number of calls
Peak Sept–Oct Heavy schedule (~60+ days), best foliage tours
End Late Oct–early Nov (Nov 2–6) Final ships of the season
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🚢 Final Cruise Ship of the Season 🚢

🚢 Bon Voyage to the Final Cruise Ship of the Season in Saint John! 🚢

Oceania Insignia Itinerary, Current Position, Ship Review ...

Today, Saint John bids a fond farewell to the 2024 cruise season as the Insignia of Oceania Cruises docks at our beautiful port. Arriving at 10 a.m. and setting sail again at 7 p.m., this final ship visit marks the end of another incredible season of welcoming travelers from around the world!

The Insignia’s guests will have all day to explore the unique sights and flavors that Saint John has to offer—from the breathtaking Bay of Fundy to the charm of our local shops and markets. Let’s show them the warm hospitality that makes Saint John such a special stop on the cruise circuit!

Here’s to a memorable day for all our visitors and a heartfelt thank-you to everyone who made this cruise season such a success. Until next year, happy travels, and see you in 2025! 🌊🛳️

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Exciting Day at the Port

📢 Exciting Day at the Port! 🛳️✨

Today, October 29th, we’re thrilled to welcome two of the last three ships of the season into our harbor! Both the Jewel of the Seas and Azamara Journey are docking today, bringing travelers from around the world to enjoy the beauty and charm of our vibrant city. 🌊🍂

Jewel of the Seas

Royal Caribbean Jewel of the Seas Cruise: Expert Review (2023)

These stunning vessels mark the close of a fantastic season of visits, and we’re so proud to have been part of their journey. If you’re in town, make sure to swing by the port and catch a glimpse of these gorgeous ships—it’s not every day we get to host such grandeur!

Azamara Journey

Azamara Quest: Deck Plan & Information

Thank you to all the passengers and crew for making this a memorable season. Wishing everyone safe travels, whether you’re setting off on new adventures or headed back home. 🧳✨