The 24th cruise season at Port Saint John will come to a close on Monday, October 29 when Royal Caribbean International’s Brilliance of the Seas calls for the final time this year, the ship is due to arrive at 9:30 am and depart at 6:00 pm.

Brilliance of the Seas is the final of 74 ship calls this year which, over a period of 146 days. The cruise vessels visiting this year brought approximately 190,000 visitors and 76,000 crew members for a total impact of an estimated $30 million for the local economy.

Highlights of the 2012 season include:

Diamond Jubilee Cruise terminal was named in honour of the Diamond Jubilee year of reign of Queen Elizabeth II during the Royal Visit of HRH Prince Charles and the Duchess of Cornwall in May.

Kicking off the season by awarding the 2nd Annual Explorer Telescope to Captain Salvatore Rassello, Master of board Carnival Glory.

Inaugural calls from Disney Magic, Grande Caribe, Emerald Princess, Quest for Adventure, and Artania.

Expansion of the summer cruise program with the addition of Disney Magic calling 9 occasions over a 3 month period, joining Carnival Glory as regular caller between June and September.

Carnival Glory added sailings from Boston to Canada New England which opened a new market for the cruise line who previously sailed only from New York to this region. Combining the New York and Boston sailings, Carnival Glory called Saint John on the Bay of Fundy 25 times in 2012.

Last week, Queen Mary 2, a perennial favourite in Saint John, called the Port for a second time this season.

The season included 13 double cruise ship days and 3 triple cruise ship days.

Aquila Tours celebrated their 1 millionth passenger on a tour since their inception 30 years ago.

Jack Saunders, decades long Meet and Greet volunteer, was presented the Pioneer Award from the Tourism Industry Association of NB

Dennis Campbell, Amabassatours Gray Line was awarded the Entrepreneur of the Year by Ernst & Young in the Tourism & Hospitality category at their annual awards program.

Last but not least, a highlight of the year was the September 5th operational opening of the new Diamond Jubilee Cruise Terminal with a call from Disney Magic. A grand opening of the Diamond Jubilee Cruise Terminal will be held the week of November 12, at which time a special piece of art created by children from Disney Magic during calls this summer will be dedicated by Aquila Tours, details on art piece and grand opening event will follow in the coming days.