St. John’s will welcome some large and luxurious visitors this year. A record number of cruise ships will squeeze their way through The Narrows of St. John’s harbour this season, bringing a record number of passengers and crew to the capital city.

A total of 21 luxury ships carrying close to 30,000 people from around the world are expected, much to the delight of city and tourism officials, and business owners.

“This year is a banner year,” said O’Keefe, Chairman of the city’s cruise committee and secretary of Cruise Newfoundland and Labrador, “but I expect we’ll have a few banner years over the next few years.”

First on the list of cruise-ship callers will be the Amsterdam, which arrives 7:00 am Friday for a four-hour stay. One of the larger cruise ships on the list of visitors this year, the 2378 metre Holland American Line vessel will carry more than 1,700 passengers. It’s the first of two scheduled visits this year, with the Amsterdam set to return September 4.

Other larger liners – carrying more than 200 passengers apiece – expected include the Sea princess and the Star Princess from Princess Cruises. Two first-time visitors from the Royal Caribbean cruise line are also on the list – Jewel of the Seas and Constellation.

O’Keefe said it was Royal Caribbean’s request that prompted the city to widen The Narrows in 1998-99. “We know now that within the next few years we are very, very big on their radar,” O’Keefe said.

The influx of cruise ships is good news for businesses in and around the city. According to O’Keefe, the cruise ship industry will generate an economic spin off of between $3.5 million and $4 million in St. John’s. “That permeates every aspect of the economy,” he said. “That includes the port authority fees, restaurants, gift shops, everything.”

Those benefits are what has prompted the city to spend close to $170,000 a year promoting and marketing St. john’s as a cruise ship destination. “It’s a good return on our investment,” O’Keefe said. “For every dollar spent, you get a return of about $17.”

With a changing industry – in which more cruisers are looking for different destinations – O’Keefe said St. John’s is attracting more interest. “The City of St. John’s has quickly become what many regard as an exotic destination,” O’Keefe said. “Over the next few years, it’s going to be our day in the sun.”

Rosie Gillingham, The Telegram, May 11, 2006