Saint John’s Largest Cruise Ship Ever To Dock June 8
SAINT JOHN–Oasis of the Seas is one of the world’s largest cruise ships, and it will spend 12 hours in Saint John on June 8.
Officials from Port Saint John said the vessel, owned by Royal Caribbean International, is the largest vessel to visit the Port City since its cruise sector began in 1989.
Natalie Allaby, cruise development manager for Port Saint John, said in a phone interview Thursday it is a moment the city has long been awaiting after two years of limited tourism from the COVID-19 pandemic.
“We’ve had a couple of calls so far [this season], but they’ve been very small vessels,” said Allaby.
“To get a big ship back in town with thousands of passengers, we’re really going to all feel that hustle and bustle in the uptown core.”
Allaby said the ship holds up to 6,500 passengers and 2,000 crew. Once it docks at the Marco Polo Cruise Terminal, she said passengers begin their days at the Area 506 Waterfront Container Village.
“As far as we understand, everything’s going to be open, so all of the shops and food trucks will be up and running and ready to rock,” said Allaby.
“We hope that the community, restaurants, shops and attractions are all ready to really get back to business – it’s going to be a really great day.”
Ray Gracewood, president of Area 506, said in a news release his organization is excited to welcome Oasis of the Seas passengers as its first-ever group at the village.
“Our vendors and partners have been working hard in preparation, and it’s an incredible honour for us to be a small part of these passengers’ Saint John experience,” said Gracewood.
Port Saint John’s cruise season has 69 calls on the books, with most ships docking throughout mid to late summer. That includes Royal Caribbean’s Navigator of the Seas, which will arrive on June 11.
Aaron Sousa is a summer intern with CHSJ/Country 94, Huddle content partners.