YARMOUTH & SHELBURNE, N.S. – The height of the tourism season is still a couple of months away but this week two ports in our region are welcoming visitors.
Cruise ships will be mooring in Shelburne and Yarmouth harbours on Wednesday, May 2.
In Yarmouth, the 318-passenger cruise ship MS Fram is scheduled to arrive at 10 a.m. The ship will be anchored in Yarmouth harbour for approximately six hours while guests visit local attractions and participate in a walking tour of the town. They are also expected to browse shops and eateries. The ship is operated by the Norwaybased Hurtigruten Group.
The Yarmouth and Acadian Shores Tourism Association (YASTA) says they hope visitors are so impressed by their short stay that they’ll want to come back for a longer visit.
This port call is also part of an initiative to attract more cruise ship visits to Yarmouth. YASTA, in partnership with Town of Yarmouth, Tourism Nova Scotia and other partners, participated in a port readiness workshop last year to better understand the small cruise market and how our operators can better leverage the opportunity.
In Shelburne excitement has been building as the time ticks down to the arrival of the cruise ship Marina and its estimated 1,000 passengers and 800 crewmembers on May 2.
The 238.9m (784’) ship was due to arrive in port at 8 a.m. and depart at 6 p.m. The ship will moor in the harbour with passengers ferried ashore to the Town Dock on Dock Street, where vendors’ markets were being set up for the day at the Shelburne Guild Hall and the Osprey Arts Centre. More than 60 vendors are expected to be on hand to showcase their wares which will feature arts, crafts, food and music. The market runs from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Special itinerary excursions have also been organized for the day, including guided and self-guided tours throughout Shelburne’s downtown historic district, and visits to Shelburne Museums by the Sea; the Black Loyalist Heritage Centre and the Barrington Museum Complex. Some excursions will also cross into Yarmouth County.
The local businesses community in Shelburne has also been preparing to welcome the influx of visitors.
“We’ve seen some excitement from the local business community so we think there will be some specials and special efforts to welcome the visitors,” said Shelburne CAO Dylan Heide.
The Marina, operated by Oceania Cruises, is the first cruise ship to visit Shelburne since the Pearl Mist in 2014.
As for the start-up of other travel via ship, The Cat high-speed ferry starts its sailing season between Yarmouth and Portland on June 8.
