By
Laura Hyde |
Port Charlottetown on Prince Edward Island (PEI) in Canada has ended its 2023 cruise season, following the departure of Oceania Cruises’ Insignia on 4 November.
The port welcomed 89 ships and 119,488 passengers this year, making 2023 one of the Island’s biggest seasons ever.
“We are delighted with the rapid growth of PEI’s cruise industry over the past decade and 2023 was no exception,” said Mike Cochrane, CEO of Port Charlottetown. “This year marked our largest ship count to date, with 89 calls to port and visitor numbers almost at par with pre-pandemic levels. We’re proud to play a role in the extension of PEI’s tourism season, with ships calling from the end of April until the beginning of November.”
Port Charlottetown is preparing for a record-breaking 2024 season, with over 100 cruise ship arrivals expected. “This is unprecedented for PEI,” said Cochrane. “The continued growth of cruise visitation is a clear indication that the Island has established its reputation as a premier cruise destination. We are proud of the many initiatives we have spearheaded and collaborated on to ensure an exceptional guest experience and return visitation by our cruise partners.”
The cruise industry continues to contribute significantly to the Island’s economy. “Tourism is one of the cornerstones of our province’s economy and the cruise industry is a vital component of that,” said Cory Deagle, PEI government minister of fisheries, tourism, sport and culture. “The direct economic impact of this year’s cruise visitation, which totalled 176,456 including crew, was approximately $18.2 million (£10.7 million). This is proof the cruise sector has fully rebounded and is seeing amazing growth. We anticipate the 2024 season to be an even bigger success.”