N.L. 2015 cruise season successful despite slight slowdown

The Cruise Association of Newfoundland and Labrador says that despite some weather-related cancellations, they had a successful year.

• Navigating Regal Princess through the Narrows a special skill
• 1st cruise ship of the season cancels stop in St. John's

A total of 20 cruise ships from 15 different cruise operators visited Newfoundland and Labrador in 2015, making 53 calls at 16 ports.

The NL Cruise Association did not live up to its projected a 10 per cent increase in cruise passengers this year, instead receiving 1,377 fewer passengers than in 2014.

Weather caused five ships to cancel their visits this year, and mechanical issues stopped one ship from visiting 13 of its scheduled ports.

Last year's numbers were slightly higher, with 17 cruise operators making 69 calls at 26 ports.

However, St. John's saw its largest-ever cruise ship this season: the Regal Princess, which carried roughly 5,000 passengers and crew.

In Saint-Pierre et Miquelon, six different cruise operators with six ships made six port calls.

In the 2016 season, Cruise Newfoundland and Labrador is expecting 22 ships and a projected 50,000 passengers and crew.
The six-month cruise season began on May 23.