Halifax, Nova Scotia – The 2019 cruise season in Halifax will start on April 8 with the arrival of Marina, an Oceania Cruises vessel. The season will run until the first week of November, making it one of the longest seasons for the Port of Halifax with the highest number of expected cruise guests.

“There are a number of factors contributing to the strong cruise numbers. Cruise ships are getting bigger, which means more passengers sailing on a single vessel, and as a big ship port, Halifax is well-positioned to take these larger ships,” said Catherine McGrail, Associate Vice President, Strategy and Cruise for the Halifax Port Authority. “At the same time, tourism as an industry in Nova Scotia continues to develop. There is more for those cruise guests to see and do in Halifax and in Nova Scotia when they arrive.”

From April 8 to November 6, the Port of Halifax is expecting 192 vessel calls carrying approximately 320,000 cruise guests. For local tourism providers, planning for the upcoming season is well underway.

2019 Halifax Cruise highlights include:

  • Eight (8) scheduled inaugural calls in 2019, starting with the arrival of Zaandam, a Holland America Line vessel, on May 13
  • On July 26, we will welcome two Queens to Halifax, Queen Elizabeth and Queen Mary 2
  • Four visit from Queen Mary 2 on July 2, July 26, September 13 and October 16
  • One visit from Disney Magic on September 23
  • October 2, 2019 is expected to be the busiest passenger day with over 10,000 cruise guests on five vessels