Port Saint John has been in the news this year regarding cargo and shipping.
But it’s also a popular destination for cruise ships, with dozens of vessels and thousands of passengers coming through each year.
Most of those passengers come through Saint John’s two purpose-built cruise terminals – the Marco Polo and Diamond Jubilee.
In 2026, and the World Cruise Awards have named Port Saint John the best cruise terminal in North America.
Natalie Allaby, the port’s director of cruise excellence, said it was a pleasant surprise to receive the award.
“Going back a couple of months ago, we knew we were nominated in the category,” she said. “We knew there was a chance but we just would wait and see.”
At the end of October, the good news came.
“Certainly a really nice feather to put into our cap,” Allaby said, adding it’s a reflection of the hard work that goes into making a world class cruise terminal.
Allaby said the award is also a big help when it comes to selling the port as a destination.
“I think whenever you have a nomination or an award like this from a third party, it’s really great and it just adds some clout to our existing business development efforts,” she said.
“We know we have a great offering and beautiful facilities.”
Allaby said cruise lines regularly tell port staff that their guests love the facilities in Saint John.
“They’re so welcoming, the amenities that are inside really stand out from even other ports in the region and certainly around the world,” she said, giving some examples of what the cruise lines say.
“We’re just really proud of the total package that our team can offer and it provides a safe place for people to come and go and enjoy their day in Saint John.”
Residents in Saint John and on Grand Manan Island may notice an increased military presence as Army reservists conduct disaster response training in the region.
According to the Department of National Defence, Army Reservists from 37 Service Battalion will take part in Exercise FUNDY RESOLVE 26 from Nov. 4 to 8.
Training will be held in Saint John and on Grand Manan Island.
The exercise will include participation from other Canadian Armed Forces units, the Canadian Coast Guard and Port Saint John.
Participants will practise deploying, establishing and sustaining forces during a simulated domestic humanitarian assistance and disaster response operation.
Members of the public near Port Saint John may see Canadian Armed Forces personnel loading equipment onto a Canadian Coast Guard vessel early Wednesday before departing for Grand Manan.
On Thursday, residents of Grand Manan may see Canadian Coast Guard and Canadian Armed Forces personnel unloading equipment and establishing an encampment in the southern part of the island.
Military personnel will remain in the area until Sunday.
The exercise is designed to help participants practise planning, coordination, transportation, logistics, medical support, and command and control in situations where normal transportation routes and civilian infrastructure are disrupted or unavailable.
The public will have an opportunity to visit the exercise encampment at Anchorage Provincial Park and Campground on Grand Manan on Nov. 7 from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m.
According to National Defence, visitors will be able to view military vehicles, tour the command post and mobile kitchen trailer, and learn more about how Army reservists operate during domestic emergency response operations.
The Department of National Defence says the Canadian Coast Guard is assisting with the transportation of personnel and equipment to Grand Manan as part of the training exercise.
More than $460 million is being directed toward transportation upgrades tied to the Saint John trade corridor.
The project is funded by the federal and provincial governments along with private-sector partners to strengthen rail, road and marine infrastructure connecting Port Saint John to national and international markets, supporting economic growth and the creation of new jobs for New Brunswickers.
The Saint John trade corridor is the first project to secure funding through the Federal Trade Diversification Corridors Fund.
In the announcement, federal Transport Minister Steve MacKinnon said the investments are critical to strengthening Canada’s economy.
“We have a major challenge and that is to expand our non-U.S. trade,” he said. “Saint John is, for all kinds of historic, geographical, and strategic reasons, one of the leaders, one of our fastest growing ports. Making an investment here in Saint John is an investment that pays off for Saint John, for New Brunswick, but also for Canada.”
Mackinnon explained the projects will help reduce bottle necks, improve efficiency, and unlock more capacity across the transportation network.
The federal government is contributing about $254 million, while the provincial government is investing $116.5 million, and J.D. Irving Ltd. and the Port Authority are contributing a combined $92.5 million.
The project is comprised of five components, which will be delivered by various partners. They include:
Dredging to widen the port’s main channel, plus breakwater and marine infrastructure.
Warehouse improvements and a new 2,787-square-metre Canada Border Agency container examination facility.
Shoreline estabilization to protect critical rail capacity at the NBSR Bayshore Rail Terminal.
Replacing 103 kilometres of existing rail and associated track improvements, enabling speeds up to 64 km/h and increased freight capacity.
Reconstruction of the Simms Corner intersection to improve safety, address congestion and improve network reliability.
Premier Susan Holt said this project is a “huge game-changer” for the province.
“The port serves New Brunswick entrepreneurs, it gets their goods to the world, because the world is asking what New Brunswick has,” she said. “We have what the world wants, we are going to deliver it to them based on these investments in the port.”
Holt said several projects will run concurrently; however, she estimates the reconstruction of Simms Corner will take the longest to complete, potentially finishing by 2030.
Port president and CEO Craig Bell Estabrooks said “it’s amazing” to have this level of attention to the Saint John gateway.
“We’ve obviously built something very special over the last number of years, and today’s announcement is so many different projects that are going to help with our resiliency and our operational model,” he said.
Bell Estabrooks added that the announcement benefits all the different sectors at Port Saint John.
He said the dredging will increase the window for all port users; the port will be able to move more potash exports by deepening the channel and Courtney Bay, and Irving Oil could benefit tremendously from the Courtney Bay expansion because it can handle more liquid bulk exports.
“We are addressing operational constraints that we’ve talked about for years in a very meaningful way, so it’s about resiliency, but we are going to create an operating model for this port and this gateway that is second to none in this country,” he said.
Bell Estabrooks said they are still working on the economic data to figure out how many potential jobs the project could bring to Saint John.
He explained the application process moved quickly and that significant work still needs to be completed before contribution agreements can be signed.
However, he said the jobs he will be watching most closely are new positions at NB Southern and the International Longshore and Warehouse Union Canada as activity at the port begins to increase.
“These folks get paid when ships come in, so more ship activity means more jobs,” he said.
The public may notice some increased activity at Port Saint John on Tuesday.
The Port and emergency response partners will be conducting an emergency preparedness exercise at the D-P World container terminal on the west side of Saint John Harbour.
A release from the port says the public may hear the emergency alarm and notice emergency vehicles and personnel from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Port Saint John says there’s no danger to the public or the environment.
A statement from the Port said training opportunities like this help build inter-agency response capabilities between Port stakeholders and local emergency response partners.
The closure of a mill in Nackawic is going to affect business at Port Saint John.
According to president and CEO Craig Bell Estabrooks, AV Nackawic has been an important part of the port’s container export business.
“From our standpoint, they’re about five to 10 per cent of our overall (container) volume and about 15 to 20 per cent in any given year right now of our exports,” Estabrooks said.
But he said the impact is much more significant for the community.
“First of all, your thoughts have to go to all the families and workers that are working at that facility,” Estabrooks said.
“This is a tough, tough moment.”
While it’s a blow to the port, Estabrooks described it as a hiccup amplified because the business is close to home and the product has been an anchor cargo for many years.
“I remember the conversations we had with container lines when we were pre-modernization and just starting out,” he said.
“That AV cargo specifically … became a bit of a demonstration to the container lines, come bet on Port Saint John.”
Estabrooks said the port’s focus on a variety of sectors minimizes the negative effects to the business.
“I think the key to our business is diversity and making sure that when you have moments where things don’t work out quite as you hope that you’re able to keep everything steady and move forward with other revenue streams.”
A new plan could position Saint John’s waterfront as the city’s premier opportunity for economic growth.
Envision Saint John, along with the city, Port Saint John and the development company Fundy Harbour Group, is seeking proposals to redevelop the waterfront.
Envision CEO Andrew Beckett said they will hire consultants to develop a plan that enhances the potential of the waterfront’s existing attractions and brings new ideas.
Andrew Beckett is the CEO of Envision Saint John. Image: Submitted/Envision Saint John
“Our collective interest is looking at one of the various possibilities for improving the sort of engagement for visitors in the waterfront and how do we optimize the investments that have been made there over the last 15, 20 years,” he explained.
The organizations published a tender last week outlining their expectations and vision for the waterfront’s strategic plan.
According to the tender, the selected consultant will provide expertise in waterfront development, economic development, investment structuring, tourism strategy, and community planning “to deliver a plan that is strategic, financially grounded, and action-oriented,” and that can shape the waterfront until 2050.
The organizations also hope the plan accelerates economic development, attracts investment, enhances tourism and visitor experience, identifies opportunity sites, and leverages Saint John’s arts and cultural assets and events, among other goals.
“We are looking for a long-term plan, yes. But we wanted it to be very action oriented,” said Beckett. “We are looking for steps that can be taken right away in terms of making some changes, and then incremental steps over the longer term to really build out and optimize the waterfront.”
Over the past few years, the revitalization of the city’s waterfront has picked up some speed, with the first phase of the Fundy Quay development project nearing completion.
However, Beckett said it had been years since the waterfront last had a strategic plan, and that it was time to develop new tactics to maintain the current momentum.
“There’s been a lot of changes in terms of what is taking place on the waterfront, and so it’s really now looking ahead based on where we are today and what new opportunities may lie ahead,” he added.
Beckett declined to share the budget the organizations are working with to complete the plan. He said they want to leave it as a subject of negotiation with the selected consultant.
Applications for the tender are open until September first.
Applicants’ proposals will be evaluated using a scoring matrix that measures each firm’s performance across five categories, including demonstrated understanding of Saint John’s context and objectives, plan quality and feasibility, value for money and resource efficiency, among others.
Beckett said they hope to select a consultant by October, and to keep a tight deadline on the project, aiming to have it completed by early 2027.
Port Saint John is one of the nine ports nominated for an international cruise award.
The port is a finalist for the World Cruise Awards’ 2026 North America’s Best Cruise Terminal.
Port Saint John public affairs and executive communications manager Becky Knox said the port is honoured to be nominated among some of “North America’s most recognized ports and terminals.”
“To be included in that group of nine, that features many major international cruise gateways, it’s kind of a testament to the progress we’ve made in the strong partnerships that help make Saint John a premier cruise destination,” she said.
World Cruise Awards is an annual global and regional awards program that celebrates and rewards excellence in the international cruise tourism sector.
The program presents awards in more than 20 categories, including Best Cruise Destination, Best Green Cruise, Best Cruise Ship for Dining, among others.
The other nominees for the 2026 North America’s Best Cruise Terminal Awards include Port Canaveral, Port Everglades, Port Miami, Port Montreal, Port Nola, The Port of New Orleans, Port of Galveston Wharves, Port of New York and New Jersey, and Port of Vancouver.
Knox added that, for her, the nomination reflects the collective effort of the entire port ecosystem to deliver a “world-class experience” to the passengers and crew who visit their cruise terminals.
“I think between the warm physical welcome from an infrastructure standpoint and having purpose-built infrastructure that delivers a strong entry point into the uptown core and the greater Bay of Fundy is really what’s driving the nomination,” she said.
According to the World Cruise Awards website, the nominee who receives the most votes will be deemed the winner of the category.
Voting will be open for both the public and industry until Aug. 21.
To participate as a public voter, individuals must register using their email account and must be 16 years of age or older.
On the other hand, industry voters must complete the industry voter fields on the organization’s sign-up page and submit at least two votes.
They must also work for a company or organization listed on the registration form and use their company email address to register.
An industry vote carries twice the weight of a public vote. All industry voter registrations will be vetted by the awards program, and any votes cast by individuals who do not work in the industry or who fail to register using a company email address will not be counted.
A one-of-a-kind cold storage facility in Saint John is officially open.
A grand opening ceremony for Americold’s export-import hub was held June 18, where officials from the company and its partners — Port Saint John, DP World and CPKC — joined local and provincial government representatives to cut the ribbon.
During the ceremony, Americold CEO Rob Chambers said the project marks the beginning of a long-term commitment.
“We are just at the beginning of what’s going to be a wonderful journey here in Saint John, and we couldn’t be more excited,” he said.
Americold is a U.S.-based company specializing in temperature-controlled logistics real estate aimed at strengthening global supply chains.
The company announced in early 2025 that it planned to build the facility in the city. The site is expected to enhance food distribution, primarily between central and eastern Canada and Europe, South America and the Asia-Pacific region.
The facility is also expected to benefit not only Saint John but the broader region by helping create supply chain resilience.
“We have workers here who are going to benefit, but it goes beyond that,” Premier Susan Holt said in her remarks. “That’s what really excites me — the opportunity for New Brunswick and for New Brunswick businesses.”
Holt added that businesses in the province now have access to a global network through Port Saint John, allowing local products to reach more markets.
Americold invested $100 million in the facility, which took about 13 months to build.
As part of the project, Opportunities NB provided $1.01 million in payroll rebates to support job creation. The facility is expected to contribute up to $37 million to provincial GDP.
It is also expected to create 100 jobs by 2029. Currently, 35 people are employed at the site.
Chambers said the company expects to hire the remaining staff within a year.
He added that positions yet to be filled include supervisory roles, as well as pallet and forklift operators.
Chambers said Americold is interested in future growth in Saint John, but will first focus on ensuring the current facility is successful before considering expansion.
“It’ll depend in part on how quickly the facility fills up and how sustainable it is long term, but all indications early on are that this building is going to be a success,” he said. “We can’t wait to be here, be a big part of the community long term and keep growing here in Port Saint John.”
Port Saint John is also looking toward further growth.
Port president and CEO Craig Bell Estabrooks said upcoming projects may not be as large as those completed over the past decade, but they are important for improving operations.
He said the port plans to invest federal trade corridor funding to widen and deepen the channel to accommodate more vessels, as well as fully renovate four warehouses.
“They are smaller projects by nature,” Bell Estabrooks said, “but they are really important to keep this momentum going.”
When Maribel Lopez heard her cruise ship was not going to Bermuda, she even considered cancelling her trip altogether.
“I was definitely a little disappointed and I had second thoughts about even coming to the trip at all,” she said.
Virgin Voyages’ Valiant Lady launched Saint John’s cruise season Wednesday morning — more than two months ahead of schedule.
According to Port Saint John’s cruise ship schedule, the season was not set to begin until June 20.
The ship, with more than 2,000 passengers on board, sailed Monday from New York and was originally bound for Bermuda, but was forced to divert to Saint John due to weather conditions.
Lopez, who is from Brooklyn, N.Y., said with New York still experiencing cold weather, she had “sadly” not put her winter clothes away when she heard the news.
However, she said the diversion meant she had to think more carefully about what to pack to face the negative temperatures in Saint John.
“I definitely packed more relaxed and warmer clothes,” she said. “Some outfits will not be seeing the time of day here but it’s okay.”
Lopez travelled with her friend Rachel Torres, also from Brooklyn. She said both she and Torres are still processing the change of plans and are “rolling with the punches.”
“Ultimately, I had my time scheduled off, and I was like ‘I’m on vacation, so I have to go somewhere’,” she said.
Lopez said she and Torres have enjoyed their time in the city so far and were glad it wasn’t as cold as they expected.
“I mean, it’s a lovely town. It’s a little different than what I’m used to in New York,” she said. “It seems a lot more quieter and calmer, but I kind of appreciate that energy.”
Lopez and Torres weren’t the only disappointed passengers aboard the ship.
Dorian Bowers and Vanessa Perrineau were looking forward to the 26-degree weather, sunshine and pink sand beaches Bermuda had to offer when they learned the ship would instead divert to the much colder Saint John.
“I love Canada, I used to come up here all the time when I was kid, to the thousand Islands, or camping near Ontario, so I’m used to it, [but] I wanted something warm,” she said. “We just got over the cold in New York.”
Dorian Bowers, left, and Vanessa Perrineau are tourists with Virgin Voyages’ Valiant Lady. Bowers says they were looking forward to a sunny vacation in Bermuda. PHOTO: KATHERINE DEL SALTO/ACADIA NEWS
Like many other passengers, Bowers and Perrineau are trying to make the best of their vacation.
Bowers and Perrineau’s first stop in Saint John was the City Market, and Bowers said they were excited to continue exploring the city and pick up some maple syrup and maple cookies.
For other passengers, the diversion not only changed their vacation plans, but also their honeymoon destination.
Eric Bates and his wife, Mariam Sultan, from Baltimore, Md., had initially planned to celebrate their honeymoon in sunny Bermuda when they received notification Friday afternoon that the ship would instead divert to Saint John.
“That’s a little serendipitous,” said Bates.
He explained they had originally planned to take a bus to New York City on Friday and spend the weekend there, but at the last minute decided to change their departure time to Saturday morning.
Eric Bates and wife Mariam Sultan. The couple is celebrating their honeymoon in Saint John due bad weather conditions diverting their cruise ship. PHOTO: KATHERINE DEL SALTO/ACADIA NEWS
“Around 4 o’clock on Friday we received the email saying ‘ahoy sailor, we are swapping that out,’ and so we had time to pack,” he said. “It could’ve been much worse in the sense that we would’ve had to invest in cold weather gear in New York City.”
Bates said he and Sultan have enjoyed their time in Saint John so far. The couple went on a trolley tour, visiting the Bay of Fundy and the Reversing Falls, and were also looking forward to stopping by Tim Hortons.
“I think it’s just wonderful that you can just have such a historic port city. There’s just a lot to look at [and] a lot of wonderful history to learn,” he said.
The Valiant Lady stayed in Saint John for one day and departed Thursday at 4 a.m.
Port Saint John’s cruise season is docking early this year.
The port announced on Monday that Virgin Voyages’s Valiant Lady is arriving Wednesday at 6:30 a.m. after sailing from New York — more than two months ahead of schedule.
The cruise ship, carrying over 2,000 sailors, was originally bound for Bermuda but diverting to Saint John due to weather conditions.
Despite the short-notice arrival, Becky Knox, the port’s manager of public affairs and executive communications, said the port and its tourism partners are working to provide the best experience for passengers.
“We are really pleased about the response of our tourism ecosystem so far,” said Knox. “They’ve done a lot of work to ensure that they are opening earlier for tourists this season.”
Knox said passengers will be able to enjoy a quick stroll to Saint John’s City Market, visit the developments around Fundy Quay, as well as take part in tours by shore excursion company Aquila Tours.
However, some tourism attractions will not be available during the ship’s stay.
In an email statement, Ray Gracewood, owner of Area 506, said the container village will not open with the start of the cruise season, and will maintain its original opening date in mid-May.
The ship will stay for a day, sailing out on Thursday at 4 a.m., Knox said.
She also said the port has been working to make sure that operational needs are met, including preparing terminals, putting fenders into the water and calculating the high-water window.
Knox said the port is looking forward to welcoming the ship, which she characterizes as “an innovative, newer cruise line.”
“They are kind of flipping the cruise industry on its head,” she said.
According to Knox, this is the second time one of the “infamous” Lady ships visited the port, and she said the port is “excited” that its first call to the city is happening earlier than anticipated.
Knox added that the port still anticipates its next scheduled cruise ship arrival in June but prides itself on being ready to assist vessels diverted from their planned itineraries.
