Newfoundland and Labrador chalk up more calls, at more ports

There were 69 calls at 26 Newfoundland and Labrador ports by 17 cruise operators with 20 ships. The visitor count totaled 36,539 passengers and 17,266 crew, or 53,805 altogether.

The number of itineraries beginning or ending in Newfoundland and Labrador and neighboring Saint-Pierre-et-Miquelon went up.

'The average embarking or disembarking passenger stays longer, resulting in increased shopping, dining, touring and overall spending,' said St. John's Mayor Dennis O'Keefe, chair of the Cruise Association of Newfoundland and Labrador. These turnarounds contributed to an economic impact of approximately $1.36m for 2014.

Annual overall impact of the cruise industry in Newfoundland and Labrador is estimated at more than $11m, according to O'Keefe.

Saint-Pierre-et-Miquelon tallied nine port calls by four cruise operators with four ships. The French islands hosted a combined 8,985 visits from passengers and crew.

The five-month Newfoundland and Labrador cruise season began on the west coast in Corner Brook, with a visit Oceania Cruises' Marina on May 30, and ended in the capital city, St. John’s, with a call by Royal Caribbean International's Legend of the Seas on Oct. 17.

St. Anthony, Battle Harbour, Fogo Island, Trinity Bay, Hebron, Hopedale, L’Anse aux Meadows National Historic Site, Makkovik, Red Bay National Historic Site, Mealy Mountains National Park Reserve, Torngat Mountains National Park and Woody Point are some of the ports that received cruise ships during 2014.

Officials project a 10% increase in cruisers during the 2015 season, and maiden calls by Saga Sapphire, Disney Magic and Regal Princess.

In other news, Vanessa (George) Moberg is wrapping up her duties this month as marketing manager for the Cruise Association of Newfoundland and Labrador. She recently married and has relocated to British Columbia.  

The association's new marketing manager is Claire Sullivan.