Cruise: Halifax

Port of Halifax bids ‘bon voyage’ to final cruise vessel of 2016

The final vessel of the 2016 Halifax cruise season, Royal Caribbean International’s Serenade of the Seas, docked early Friday, October 28, at the port’s Pier 22 cruise terminal. The next morning, Serenade cast off its lines and headed out to sea.  Destination: Boston.

Among the highlights of the 2016 cruise season were inaugural visits by some of the largest cruise vessels such as the Norwegian Breakaway on June 29 and Anthem of the Seas on September 1, the return of Disney Magic, and four calls by Cunard Line’s Queen Mary 2.

According to the port authority, Halifax Seaport tenants experienced strong interest and steady foot traffic from cruise guests. Take, for example, the East Coast Lifestyle flagship store that has been operating at the Halifax Seaport Immigration Annex for two cruise seasons. "We have seen tremendous year-over-year growth at this location," said Alex MacLean, the company’s founder and CEO. "The cruise guests are a big part of that. They come in looking for an authentic East Coast product they can take back with them, and we are more than happy to provide them with what they are looking for. It has been a great season for us."

Cruise passenger interest in nearby landmarks like Peggys Cove and unique destinations like Lunenburg, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, kept tour operator Ambassatours Gray Line busy from the season’s start in April. "We are very fortunate here in Nova Scotia to live in a place where people come to spend their vacations," said Ambassatours Gray Line CEO Dennis Campbell. "It is our privilege to provide our cruise guests with a service that helps make their time in our region even more memorable while supporting the local tourism economy."

Final passenger numbers for the 2016 season will be released in the coming weeks. The cruise industry in Halifax is worth an estimated C$104.3 million each year in economic benefit according to the most recent economic impact report.

Serenade of the Seas berthed at Terminal 22 on the final day of Halifax’s 2016 cruise season.
Photo/Halifax Port Authority