Hurricane Matthew forces 2 cruise ships to divert to Saint John

Saint John's busiest time for cruise ships just got busier.

Hurricane Matthew has forced two cruise ships headed for the Bahamas to reroute to Saint John.

The Carnival Pride, leaving from Baltimore, will arrive in Saint John on Wednesday. The Disney Magic, leaving from New York, will arrive Thursday.

Seven cruise ships were already due in Saint John next week. Now there will be nine, including three on Wednesday and two on Thursday.

• Saint John prepares for influx of cruise ship activity

Melanie Colpitts of Aquila Tours said it will be "all hands on deck."

We're certainly mindful of where the ships had intended to go and certainly our hearts and our thoughts are with all of those folks who are handling those storms.– Melanie Colpitts of Aquila Tours

"We're certainly looking for buses and tour guides and bringing in all of our extra teams and getting everything together to have a bigger day than planned," she said.

"Fortunately, we have a lot of experience with handling ships that we find out about with just a few days notice."

Dealing with storm-diverted ships typically happens at least once a season and perhaps more depending on how busy the storm season is, she said.

In fact, a Bermuda-bound ship that was diverted to New Brunswick by Hurricane Gabrielle in 1989 is what began the cruise ship boom in Saint John.

Colpitts said it's important tour operators help the rerouted passengers make the best of the situation.

"We're certainly mindful of where the ships had intended to go and certainly our hearts and our thoughts are with all of those folks who are handling those storms," she said.

Fall colours a big attraction

She said the fall colours are a big attraction to many cruise ship passengers.

That was part of the appeal for Elizabeth Beaulah and Brian Ladds of Australia,  passengers on the Caribbean Princess that was docked in Saint John harbour on Saturday.

"The fall colours, yes. And this part of the world," said Beaulah.