Following a two-year pause, Port Charlottetown is excited to see a return to cruise in 2022.
The 2022 cruise season will kick off April 22 with an inaugural visit from Viking Octantis, an expedition class ship from Viking Expeditions. Port Charlottetown expects to receive 72 calls during the 2022 cruise season, with most vessels scheduled to arrive in September and October. In addition, Port Charlottetown will welcome calls from familiar lines including Holland America, Royal Caribbean, and Norwegian Cruise Line.
“It is the restart of an industry that has been on pause for two years and our priority is how to resume cruise in the safest manner possible,” states Mike Cochrane, CEO of Port Charlottetown. “We have been working closely with Transport Canada and the Government of Prince Edward Island to ensure the safe resumption of cruise. In doing so, we are seeing both cruise lines and the community excited for the return of cruise.”
The season will begin in late April and will welcome ships right through to early November. In 2019, the cruise industry had an economic impact of $42.2 million and more than 290 jobs.
“While cruise has been quiet for 2 years, Port Charlottetown has continually been working and preparing for this moment, and we are optimistic about the upcoming season,” says Cochrane. “Cruise visits are an important part of Prince Edward Island’s tourism industry, and the benefits of cruise are felt from one end of the Island to the other. Cruises support Islanders in so many ways, from passengers enjoying sightseeing tours, to retail shopping, or enjoying a meal at a local restaurant. Cruise ships also purchase significant quantities of local products for use onboard, from Island grown potatoes to seafood. The industry plays an important role in the sustainability of PEI’s supply chain. Cruise matters to our family, our friends, our neighbors and in our communities.”
This cruise season will also see the first opportunity for Port Charlottetown to use their second cruise berth, a result of the $12 million berth expansion project, which was completed in 2020. This project will enable two three hundred metre plus vessels to dock simultaneously and will allow passengers to get to shore more safely and efficiently.
For the most up-to-date and detailed cruise schedule, click here.