P.E.I.'s first cruise ship of the year marks early start to Island tourism season

The first cruise ship of the season sailed into Charlottetown Harbour on Monday morning, ahead of the total solar eclipse, though some tourist shops along the waterfront remained closed.

The MSC Poesia, which arrived around 8 a.m., is scheduled to depart at 5 p.m.

It can carry more than 3,000 passengers and nearly 1,000 crew members. It's roughly two and a half weeks earlier than last year's first port call. 

Nellies and Reggies souvenir and gift shop was one of the few stores at Peakes Quay open for business Monday.

Owner Nellie Murray said she took advantage of the nice weather to take the plywood off the windows and start sales for the season. She said she usually can't find staff until May.

"I'm just going to work around today at getting things ready for the season," she said.

Murray said sales have improved year-over-year since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, and she's hoping that trend continues this season.

"I'm finding more and more people are wanting to travel and get out of where they are just for a change, even in the Maritimes," she said.

Corryn Clemence, CEO of the Tourism Industry Association of P.E.I., said while there won't be as many conventions and other events as last year, operators are hoping for a strong year for both golf and leisure.

"There's I think four big fish conventions coming in," she said, each bringing at least 400 delegates starting in May. "We have a lot of great festivals and events that are taking place this year, some that are happening standard in the summer season, but some ... into the fall."

Clemence said a strong tourism season is good news for the Island, even though some may complain about the extra traffic and people.

"As Islanders, maybe sometimes we take it for granted," she said. "But the tax revenues that are generated by our industry help to support so many other areas within government ... education, health care, all of these roadways and infrastructures."

Two more cruise ships are scheduled to arrive in Charlottetown this month: the Viking Polaris on April 25, and the Volendam four days later.

In total, 96 cruise ships are scheduled to visit Charlottetown this year.

The busiest day is expected to be Oct. 1, when the harbour will see four ships docked at the same time.