4 cruise ships in Charlottetown Tuesday as season peaks

It's going to be a busy day in Charlottetown with four cruise ships arriving in port.

"We've been preparing for this day all season," said Kelly Murphy, director of marketing and cruise development with Port Charlottetown. 

"The bussing, the shore excursions, the distribution of passengers into the city centre — we look at how many people are going through the terminal at one time and making sure that everybody has that unforgettable experience."

The boats are bringing in more than 6,000 passengers and 2,500 crew, and it can be a challenge to find space for everyone to do what they want.

"A lot of people are looking to go on various shore excursions and sometimes those will fill up," said Murphy.

"But what we're so lucky we have [is] so many things to offer steps away from the port. That's the beauty of Charlottetown and where the port is located."

Charlottetown has about one four-ship day a season, she said.

While Tuesday is this season's only four-ship day it is not the busiest in terms of passenger numbers. That was on Saturday, when two ships — Norwegian Joy and Sky Princess — delivered more than 7,500 passengers and 3,000 crew.

Cruise ships are a big part of extending the tourist season, said Murphy.

"On a Tuesday seeing shops and restaurants bustling is really something that's great for Charlottetown and great for the economy," she said.

The season started April 8 with the 3,000-passenger MSC Poesia. While there were plenty of visits through the spring and summer, the season really geared up Sept. 1, with boats arriving every day.

That will continue through mid-October. The fourth biggest day of the season is still to come. On Oct. 13 three ships carrying almost 6,000 passengers will visit.

Visits will start to wind down after Oct. 15, with Pearl Mist ending the season quietly on Oct. 30, bringing just 200 passengers.

In all there will be 98 scheduled visits.