CHARLOTTETOWN – Passengers stepping off the Carnival Sunshine were happy to finally be on land after a nor’easter forced their ship to skip a stop in Halifax. Their arrival comes as Port Charlottetown works to extend Prince Edward Island’s tourism season, with cruise visits continuing into early November. The extension gives local businesses that would typically close after Labour Day more opportunities to stay open. “We’re really excited to be here. We’ve been on this ship for five days now,” said Peter Walter, from Melville, Tenn. “We’re here to see everything Prince Edward Island has to offer,” said his wife, Sandi. The port’s efforts include international marketing, building awareness of the destination and investing in infrastructure, said CEO Mike Cochrane. It works with major cruise lines and itinerary planners around the world to promote what Prince Edward Island and Atlantic Canada have to offer in September and October. Those efforts appear to be paying off. The Island reached a record 1.87 million visitors in 2025, while visitation outside the peak season has increased at least 18 per cent since 2019. Cochrane said the benefits extend beyond restaurants, taxis and tour guides to fishing and farming communities, as local products gain exposure to audiences from around the world. “When you can plan on thousands of people at your doorstep on a particular day, on a particular time… it’s a planned business opportunity,” Cochrane said. Tourists spent $520.7 million across the province in 2024, according to provincial figures. It’s all good news for commercial helicopter pilot Charles Racine, who offers sightseeing tours. “We get to take on more people and more passengers,” he said. “It’s a great time to see the Island in all its fall colours.” For some visitors, it was their first time this far north. “We had the opportunity to visit Charlottetown and we took it,” said DJ Blackwell, from North Carolina. “Canada is different,” said Billy Trevillian, from Cartersville, Virgnia. “So far, it’s cold, but it’s real nice.” But the chill wasn’t getting in the way of enjoying the Island’s main attractions. “As Anne said, she’s glad that we have a world where there’s an October,” said Adrian Gilbert with a laugh. “We wanted to come here and enjoy October in the spirit of Anne of Green Gables.” “As long as I stay warm, I’ll be alright,” said her husband, David. P.E.I. was named North America’s Best Cruise Destination for 2026 at the World Cruise Awards. It’s the first Atlantic Canadian destination to receive the title, joining previous recipients including Hawaii, Alaska and Florida. The port says the recognition gives it another selling point with cruise lines, which plan itineraries two to three years in advance. The industry generated $49 million in economic output for the province in 2024 and supported about 280 jobs. Port Charlottetown is already expecting 42 cruise ships and 80,000 visitors next October. “That means what we’re doing is 100 per cent bang on,” Cochrane said.
