Cruise Newfoundland and Labrador

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Cruise Newfoundland and Labrador

Driving the growth of Newfoundland & Labrador's cruise industry.

Uniting businesses and communities to make the region a world-class destination, delivering unforgettable experiences and sustainable growth. Cruise Newfoundland and Labrador (CNL) was incorporated as a non-profit organization in 2002 and has evolved to become a focused marketing partnership. The organization is comprised of marketing partners, as well as associate members who include ni

che ports, tourism operators, ships agents and other cruise related businesses. Cruise Newfoundland and Labrador’s mandate is to lead strategic cruise initiatives through marketing Newfoundland and Labrador as an international cruise destination. Cruise Newfoundland and Labrador is committed to actively marketing the province’s distinct scenic, natural, cultural and historical attractions to a diverse global cruise market.

08/26/2026

From bees and breathtaking views to high-flying adventures and unforgettable Newfoundland traditions, our Niche Market FAM Tour experienced so many sides of Corner Brook and the Bay of Islands.

Corner Brook is Western Newfoundland’s adventure hub—an outdoor playground where hiking, ziplining, Zodiac excursions and incredible landscapes are waiting just beyond the ship.

Our visit began at pollen nation farm before we set out the following morning aboard the Mill Whistler Road Train to explore City of Corner Brook. From the Mikwite’tm Garden, Corner Brook sign and Newfoundland Historic Train Site to the panoramic views from the Captain James Cook Historic Site, the city’s history and culture are easily accessible from the port.

Corner Brook offers the best of both worlds for visiting ships. Guests can walk directly from the port into the city, where a wonderful dockside welcome program introduces them to local music, crafts and hospitality, or head farther into the region for an unforgettable adventure.

At Marble Zip Tours, some of our participants soared above Steady Brook Falls and the Humber Valley. We then joined EverOutdoor Adventures for the Man in the Mountain Zodiac Experience, exploring the Humber Arm and viewing potential cruise anchorage locations from the water.

Our journey continued along the Bay of Islands to Cabox Aspiring Geopark and the remarkable Blow Me Down Mountains before ending at The Saltbox Restaurant in Benoit’s Cove with local stakeholders and a proper Newfoundland Screech-In.

With the ability to welcome ships alongside or at anchor, Corner Brook offers the flexibility to accommodate different vessel types and support double-ship days.

Walkable history and culture, warm dockside welcomes and adventure in every direction—Corner Brook is a port where the possibilities begin the moment guests step ashore. 💙

Go Western Newfoundland | Port of Corner Brook | Newfoundland & Labrador Tourism | Saltbox and Everoutdoor Adventures

08/25/2026

Two communities situated in the heart of Gros Morne National Park!

Town of Woody Point and Town of Norris Point sit across Bonne Bay from one another, connected by a 15-minute water shuttle.

In Woody Point, we walked the historic waterfront, where guests can step ashore and immediately experience the community: coffee and pottery at Galliott Studios, pick up local arts and crafts, handmade quilts, we had a meal overlooking Bonne Bay at The Old Loft Restaurant and a stop at The Shed for breakfast in the morning. It’s walkable, welcoming and a natural fit for niche, luxury and expedition guests.

There is exciting momentum here too. Woody Point opened Newfoundland & Labrador’s 2026 cruise season in April, and newly announced federal funding will support upgrades to the town’s waterfront wharf — an important investment in future marine access.

From Woody Point, excursions can easily reach Trout River and its waterfront boardwalk, the Seven Corners storytelling sites and The Tablelands, where rock from the Earth’s upper mantle is exposed at the surface.

Across the bay, Norris Point adds another layer: the Bonne Bay Aquarium & Research Station, kayaking and Zodiac experiences with Gros Morne Adventures, local history at Jenniex House, live music and food at BonTours - The Cat Stop Waterfront Pub, and JC King Lobster from renowned Newfoundland and Labrador chef Jeremy Charles. Rocky Harbour is also a short coach transfer away.

That connectivity is what makes these communities so exciting for itinerary development. A call on either side of Bonne Bay can open the door to flexible, highly customizable shore programming across Gros Morne.

Our cruise line guests saw the potential immediately, and so did we.

Small ports. Big experiences. This is Gros Morne National Park.

📸 Tom Cochrane Photo.

Go Western Newfoundland | Newfoundland & Labrador Tourism | Parks Canada | Destination Gros Morne | Gros Morne National Park | Wild Gros Morne

08/24/2026

From St. Anthony to L’Anse aux Meadows, the northern tip of Newfoundland offers an incredible combination of history, wildlife, culture and rugged North Atlantic landscapes.

Our visit began with Malcolm Campbell, Harbour Master with the St.Anthony Port Authority, who welcomed our cruise executives and shared more about cruise operations in the region. The Port Authority supports ship calls in both St. Anthony and L’Anse aux Meadows, creating opportunities across this entire area.

We explored the Town of St. Anthony with Rhonda Colbourne, taking in the views from Fishing Point and the lighthouse, visiting Grenfell Historic Properties to learn about the remarkable legacy of Sir Wilfred Grenfell, and stopping at Town Hall to see the community’s famous mounted polar bear.

And that polar bear is part of a much bigger wildlife story. Northern Newfoundland is home to incredible wildlife, with moose and caribou found throughout the region and polar bears occasionally travelling through during the spring. Add in seasonal icebergs, whales, dolphins and seabirds, and the landscape itself becomes part of the guest experience.

From there, we travelled the Viking Trail to L'Anse aux Meadows National Historic Site, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and the only authenticated Norse archaeological site in North America, before visiting Norstead Viking Village: A Viking Port of Trade, where guests can experience Norse history through an immersive living-history experience.

One of the greatest opportunities here is how connected these experiences are. A ship calling in St. Anthony can build excursions to L’Anse aux Meadows and Norstead, while a call at L’Anse aux Meadows can bring guests back into St. Anthony for experiences such as Grenfell Historic Properties. With motorcoach transportation and thoughtful excursion planning, both calls can support experiences and businesses throughout the region.

More than 1,000 years of history, incredible wildlife, dramatic coastline and communities shaped by the North Atlantic — there is so much for cruise guests to discover at the tip of the Great Northern Peninsula.

📸 Tom Cochrane Photo.

Go Western Newfoundland | Newfoundland & Labrador Tourism | Cruise Atlantic Canada | Tourism Industry Association of Canada | Viking Trail Tourism Association | Provincial Historic Sites - Newfoundland and Labrador | Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency

08/23/2026

Central Newfoundland has so much potential to grow as a cruise destination, and the The Port of Botwood could become an exciting gateway to the region.

During our Niche Market FAM Tour, we had the opportunity to explore Botwood and look at what future cruise development here could mean not only for the community, but for tourism businesses and experiences throughout Central Newfoundland.

Botwood already has a wonderful story to share through its waterfront, murals, museums and aviation history. From there, visitors could travel into the Exploits Valley to experience Tuck's Bee Better Farm, get out on the Exploits River with Rafting Newfoundland, or take in the landscape from above with Exploits Extreme Ziplines.

And then there’s Gander — home to the story that inspired Come From Away. Its connection to the events of 9/11, aviation history and the incredible generosity shown by people throughout the region creates another meaningful experience that could be connected to a future cruise call in Botwood.

There is still development work ahead at the Port of Botwood, but that’s what makes this stage so exciting. By working together with Adventure Central Newfoundland, the port, local communities and tourism businesses, cruise has the potential to create new opportunities and bring visitors — and visitor spending — farther into Central Newfoundland.

This visit was just the beginning, and we’re excited to keep building from here.

📸 Tom Cochrane Photo.

Newfoundland & Labrador Tourism | Cruise Atlantic Canada | Tourism Industry Association of Canada

08/22/2026

Twillingate is one of those places where you immediately see the possibilities and opportunities!

A huge thank you to Grant White, Recreation Director with the Town of Twillingate, and the wonderful work-term students who showed our group around. It is great to see communities creating opportunities for students to be part of tourism and community development.

A highlight was the Rockcut Twillingate Trails. The well-marked coastal trail network, trailhead signage and easy-to-follow maps create real flexibility for niche and expedition cruise guests. Cruise lines could work with local guides to bring Twillingate’s people and stories into the experience, or use the established network to support their own guided hikes.

From rugged headlands to Long Point Lighthouse overlooking the North Atlantic, these landscapes are exactly what active, small-ship guests are looking for.

Twillingate also gives ships a reason to stay into the evening. We experienced the Twillingate–New World Island Dinner Theatre — a phenomenal meal followed by music, stories and Newfoundland humour. With seating for 184 guests, it is a natural fit for smaller vessels and a strong reason to consider an overnight call.

We also enjoyed breakfast at the Blue Barrel Gallery Café on the harbour, surrounded by local art and gifts. Add galleries, shops, Split Rock Brewing Co., kayaking and boat tours, and there is so much to build into a call.

And then there is iceberg season.

Twillingate proudly calls itself the Iceberg Capital of the World, sitting along Iceberg Alley. Iceberg season typically runs from late April into early July, with May and June offering a chance to pair berg viewing with the beginning of whale season. Expedition vessels can incorporate their own Zodiacs and kayaks where conditions allow, while other luxury and niche vessels can work with local boat operators to experience the coastline from the water.

Twillingate has the landscape, culture and community to make a small-ship call feel full — and more than enough to make an overnight worth considering.

📸 Tom Cochrane Photo.

Newfoundland & Labrador Tourism | Cruise Atlantic Canada | Visit Twillingate | Twillingate & Beyond Inc. | Crow's Nest Twillingate | Twillingate Museum | Adventure Central Newfoundland

08/21/2026

There’s something about Trinity that makes you slow down — and that’s exactly what makes it so special.

Still new to cruise, Trinity is beginning to welcome ships to its shores, and for niche and expedition vessels arriving by tender or Zodiac, guests can step ashore right in the heart of the community. From there, so much of the experience unfolds on foot.

And that’s exactly how we experienced it.

We slowed down, walked the community and visited local businesses like Aunt Sarah's Chocolate Shop and Trinity Coffee — the kind of stops that allow guests to meet the people behind the products, taste something made here and feel connected to the place.

Next, we stepped inside the Green Family Forge, where blacksmithing has been part of the Green family story for six generations. The present forge, built between 1895 and 1900, is still operational today, with traditional techniques used to create handcrafted pieces and custom work. It’s an incredible example of living heritage — and a uniquely Trinity experience for cruise guests.

From there, we walked through Trinity Historical Society Inc. Municipal Heritage District, where the historic waterfront, buildings and streets bring generations of stories to life.

Add local art and craft, restaurants, Rising Tide Theatre, coastal trails, kayaking and boat experiences, and there are so many ways to build a day here while maintaining that slower pace.

Nearby experiences like the Skerwink Trail and Port Rexton Brewing add even more possibilities, along with opportunities for customized experiences like foraging, beach boil-ups and coastal adventures developed with local experts.

But what stayed with us most was the feeling.

In Trinity, you don’t just visit — you feel welcomed into the community.

Friendly faces. Open spaces. Slower paces. Trinity does it so well. 🤍

A huge thank you to Barb Warren, the Town of Trinity and everyone who welcomed us and shared this very special place with us.

📸 Tom Cochrane Photo.

Newfoundland & Labrador Tourism | Town Of Trinity | Cruise Atlantic Canada | Hospitality Newfoundland and Labrador

08/20/2026

Bonavista has been telling stories from the edge of the North Atlantic for centuries, and now, a new chapter is beginning.

During our Niche Market FAM Tour, we introduced cruise executives to a community rich in history, culture, coastal landscapes and future cruise potential.

Guided by Crystal Fudge with the Town of Bonavista, we explored the harbourfront and historic town, from Ryan Premises National Historic Site and its connection to Newfoundland’s fishing history, to Cape Bonavista Lighthouse, first lit in 1843, with its incredible puffin colony just offshore.

We also visited Dungeon Provincial Park, met with Mayor John Norman, and spent time with local archaeologist, John Joy, whose previous experience aboard expedition vessels added a valuable perspective on how guests could experience this coastline.

Of course, the people and businesses complete the story. ❤️ We enjoyed a wonderful meal at The Boreal Diner and explored local businesses including Newfoundland Salt Company and East Coast Glow — products and experiences that give guests another connection to place to take home with them.

As an anchorage port, with guests coming ashore by tender or Zodiac, Bonavista is particularly well suited to niche and expedition cruise.

Some of the cruise lines travelling with us had never considered Bonavista before this visit. Now they have walked its streets, met the people behind the destination and seen firsthand what a day here could look like.

That is how new itineraries begin.

Thank you, Bonavista, for sharing your community with us.

📍 Bonavista, Newfoundland & Labrador

📸 Tom Cochrane Photo.

Newfoundland & Labrador Tourism | Legendary Coasts of Eastern Newfoundland | Hospitality Newfoundland and Labrador | Cruise Atlantic Canada

08/19/2026

A small Newfoundland community with a story that helped change the world. 🌎

We had such a wonderful day in Heart’s Content, a community Cruise Newfoundland & Labrador has been working alongside over the past two years as we continue to explore and develop its potential as a cruise destination.

Heart’s Content has an incredibly unique story to share. In 1866, the first successful permanent transatlantic telegraph cable was landed here after crossing the Atlantic from Valentia Island, Ireland. For the first time, messages between Europe and North America that once took weeks could be transmitted in minutes — with this small community on the shores of Trinity Bay playing a remarkable role in connecting two continents.

Today, that history comes to life at the Heart’s Content Cable Station Provincial Historic Site, and what an experience it is. From the preserved equipment and stories inside the station to seeing remnants of the historic submarine cables that once stretched beneath the Atlantic, the connection to this incredible chapter in global communications history is still very much present.

There is still work ahead as we continue developing the cruise opportunity here, but that is what destination development is all about, working alongside our communities to identify what makes them special, strengthen the visitor experience and thoughtfully create opportunities that remain authentic to place.

Heart’s Content has the history, the people and a story that simply cannot be replicated anywhere else.

We’re excited to continue working with the community and helping share this special place with future cruise guests from around the world.

📸 Tom Cochrane Photo.

08/18/2026

One week ago, we hit the road.

After spending Sunday evening and Monday exploring St. John’s, we set out across Newfoundland with six cruise line executives to showcase something very special: the incredible opportunities our communities and experiences offer for luxury, high-end and expedition cruise itineraries.

Over the next week, we’ll be sharing more from our journey across the province — but it feels only right to begin where our adventure started: St. John’s and the surrounding area.

And what a way to begin.

One of the standout experiences of our time in St. John’s was a visit to The Cape Retreat, where Chef Alex Blagdon introduced our group to an experience that is new to the province and cruise market and one that left every one of us completely inspired.

Through a guided foraging walk and tasting experience, we discovered just how much of what grows naturally in our own backyard can be gathered, prepared and incorporated into an incredible culinary experience. The knowledge, creativity and respect for the land woven throughout the experience were remarkable.

What stood out just as much was their commitment to sustainability and using what is available locally and responsibly. It became a conversation that stayed with our group throughout the entire journey across Newfoundland and Labrador.

In many ways, it set the tone for the week ahead.

Newfoundland and Labrador has an incredible ability to invite people to slow down.

We are remote. We are rugged. We don’t always have a cell signal around every corner — and that can be one of our greatest strengths.

Sometimes disconnecting from your phone allows you to reconnect with the place you’re standing in: to listen to the people telling the stories, taste what grows around you, notice the coastline, understand the communities and truly experience where you are.

That is something our province does exceptionally well.

Our time in the St. John’s region also included a visit to Petty Harbour, giving our guests a look at a working fishing community just outside the city, time at Signal Hill National Historic Site, Parks Canada, Cape Spear Lighthouse National Historic Site, Parks Canada, an evening ghost walk, a tour of The Rooms, and, of course, more incredible meals.

We are also incredibly grateful to our partners at the City of St. John's, St. John’s Port Authority and Destination St. John's for joining us throughout the program and helping us share the destination with our guests.

And a very special thank you to Wildland Tours.

Operators like Wildland Tours play such an important role in connecting our local tourism businesses with the cruise industry. Delivering an experience to a cruise guest involves much more than simply having a great product. It requires an understanding of ship schedules, transportation, timing, guest flow, dispatch, logistics and how to package multiple local experiences into something that works operationally for both the community and the cruise line.

That expertise helps create the bridge between the incredible experiences Newfoundland and Labrador businesses have to offer and the guests arriving on our shores.

To everyone who welcomed us, fed us, guided us, shared their knowledge and helped us begin this journey — thank you.

This was only the beginning.

Over the coming days, we’ll be sharing more from our journey across Newfoundland and highlighting the communities, businesses and people who showed our guests just how much possibility exists here for luxury and expedition cruise.

📸 Photography: Tom Cochrane Photo.

Newfoundland & Labrador Tourism | Hospitality Newfoundland and Labrador

07/18/2026

We always appreciate the opportunity to spend time with our colleagues from across Atlantic Canada, and this year’s Cruise Atlantic Canada AGM & Strategic Planning Session in Saint John was no exception.

It’s a great reminder that cruise itineraries don’t stop at provincial borders. The stronger we work together as a region, the stronger Atlantic Canada becomes as a cruise destination.

Thank you to Natalie Allaby, Danielle Timmons, and the Port Saint John team for your warm hospitality. We are looking forward to bringing new ideas and momentum back to Newfoundland & Labrador as we continue working alongside our partners to grow our cruise industry. 🚢

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