Sydney, Nova Scotia, is another Canada/New England port looking at an expanding cruise portfolio.

“There is an interest in the development and construction of a second berth,” said Bernadette MacNeil, manager, marketing and development, Port of Sydney. “We are optimistic.”

This year is seeing a small dip in ship calls for what MacNeil called logistical reasons, but, as ships get larger, passenger count is more or less flat with 2015.

2017 will see traffic built to over 80 calls for the port, with additional visits by Holland America and the return of Royal Caribbean International.

“Most of the traffic is in the fall,” said MacNeil. “There is little room for growth (then).”

Thus, prompting the second berth discussions, MacNeil said the area was “shovel-ready” and construction would take 16 months once an announcement is made.

“The funding is waiting on all three levels of government,” she added.