Port Saint John prepares for busy cruise season

Port Saint John has all hands on deck preparing for a busy cruise ship season, which begins next month, and will include a new cruise line, as well as the city serving as a new destination port.

Last year's season started late due to post-tropical storm Arthur. It also saw fewer ships, due to Carnival cruise line cutting back in the region.

But port officials say the city can expect more visits this year, with more than 120,000 passengers.

"Our operations department is out there preparing the outside of the cruise terminal. The tent's going up in the next couple of weeks," Port Saint John manager of cruise development Betty MacMillan said.

 "[There's] lots of preparation happening right now. It's a busy time and we're really looking forward to the first ship."

MacMillan says 60 ships will dock this season, with 11 two-cruise ship days. This includes a new cruise line, Haimark and the return of Carnival.

3-day stays

Blount, a small cruise line, will also visit. Its ship will stay for several days with new passengers boarding in the city.

"Having the ship stay for three days is quite different. We've never seen that before," said MacMilllan.

"There will be a lot of economic impact into the community, [and] the passengers can actually get off in the evening and walk around and take part in the night life in Saint John."

Melissa Thorne, who owns Suite Serendipity on Water Street, just down the street from the city's cruise terminals, says she's looking forward to a more lively cruise season this year.

"I'm optimistic. I hope it is busier, especially with the ships now leaving from here as a destination port. I think that's fantastic," she said. "I hope that it breathes new life into different businesses here in the city."

The first cruise ship is expected in port on May 11.