After a Slow Start, Saint John Is Set for a Peak in Cruise Ship Season
September 2, 2026 Team Contributor
Saint John’s cruise season is finally getting busy after a few months of quiet.
Port Saint John saw only seven cruise ship visits from April through August. Now, 51 more ships are scheduled to arrive over the next two months, bringing the expected total number of ship visits to 58 in 2026.
The city will soon notice the change in its atmosphere. Saint John is set to have its first double cruise ship day of the season, followed by its first day with three ships on Sept. 8.
The busy schedule comes as cruise lines continue to include Atlantic Canada in their upcoming itineraries. Disney Cruise Line plans to return to New York in fall 2027, with Saint John and Halifax among its planned Canadian stops.
More Cruise Ships Mean More Visitors
The increase in cruise traffic is important for businesses across Saint John. Thousands of passengers arrive in the city when cruise ships are in port. Many head into the uptown area to shop, eat and explore.
Port Saint John president and CEO Craig Bell Estabrooks says cruise passengers bring new zeal to the environment of the city. He also believes visitors can offer a fresh view of Saint John as they experience its vibrancy for the first time.
The city is also expecting 12 overnight cruise ship stays in 2026, up from previous years. The long stays give passengers extended time to explore beyond the port, while stretching the economic benefits of cruise tourism to local businesses.
Local Attractions Are Ready for the Extra Foot Traffic
Cruise traffic plays a crucial role in supporting local businesses and tourism attractions. At Loyalist House, cruise visitors make up an important part of annual revenue. New Brunswick Historical Society board member Greg Marquis said, “We tend to make slightly more than half of our revenue at the door during cruise ship season. As an organization that doesn’t get a lot of external funding, we really look forward to having those visitors.”
The same goes for businesses around uptown Saint John.
The Area 506 Container Village is another beautiful stop for cruise passengers after they head ashore. Vendors selling handmade goods, clothing and other products see cruise passengers as an essential source of seasonal business.
Saint John Wants More Summer Cruise Visits
Port officials acknowledge that passenger traffic is down compared with some previous seasons.
Bell Estabrooks says Saint John could benefit from cruise ships being diverted to the port during the fall storm season. The added overnight stays could help soften the impact of fewer cruise calls overall.
The bulk of Saint John’s cruise traffic arrives within a narrow part of the year. Extending the season into the summer could spread that economic activity over a longer period, giving local businesses more time to prepare and benefit from visitor spending.
The cruise industry is also placing greater emphasis on long voyages.
For now, Saint John is preparing for the busiest part of its 2026 cruise season. With 51 scheduled visits still ahead, the city is set for increased cruise traffic in the coming weeks.
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