Prince Edward Island (Charlottetown, Canada)

Prince Edward Island (aka Ile-du-Prince-Edouard) is a Canadian province comprising the main island plus 231 smaller isles. The island's largest/principal seaport is Charlottetown (locode CACHA) located on its south-central coast.

The island has a total land area (no internal waterways) of 2190 mi2 (5660 km2) and total population around 150,000. The province's entire land area (including all islands) is 5696 km2 (2195 mi2). By area, Prince Edward Island is Canada's 13th largest and the world's 104th largest island. The island is approximately 200 km (125 mi) north of Halifax NS and approximately 600 km (370 mi) east of Quebec City.

Informally, the island is called "Garden of the Gulf" and "Cradle of Confederation" (Cunabula Foederis), the latter referring to the Charlottetown Conference (1864). This province has been part of Canada since 1873, joining the independent country as its 7th province.

The local economy is largely based on farming (producing 25% of the country's potatoes) but also on short-break vacation travel and tourism.

The list of "Canada top 10" largest islands (world rank in brackets) includes Baffin Island (5), Victoria Island (8), Ellesmere Island (10), Newfoundland (16), Banks Island (24), Devon Island (27), Axel Heiberg Island (32), Melville Island (33), Southampton Island (34) and Prince of Wales Island (40). All of them (except Newfoundland - in Newfoundland-Labrador) are located in the Nunavut- Northwest Territories of Arctic Canada.

Prince Edward Island (abbrev PEI) is in the Gulf of St Lawrence and neighboring with Cape Breton Island (to the east), with Nova Scotia peninsula (to the south), with New Brunswick (to the west) and with Northumberland Strait (to the south). There are two urban areas on the island:

• Charlottetown Harbour (centrally on the southern coast) consists of Charlottetown City and the towns Cornwall and Stratford.
• Summerside Harbour (on the southern coast) is approx 40 km (25 mi) west of Charlottetown. It consists of Summerside City.

Island's coastline features long beaches, red sandstone cliffs, large sand dunes, marshes, numerous bays and natural harbours.

Charlottetown has population around 35,000 (metro around 65,000). It is the province's capital and Queens County's seat. It is named after the British queen Sophia Charlotte (Charlotte of Mecklenburg-Strelitz, 1744-1818), wife of King George III. The modern-day Charlottetown was created as a merger with the following towns and villages (now neighbourhoods) - Brighton, East Royalty (with Hillsborough Park), Parkdale, Sherwood, West Royalty, Winsloe and Spring Park.

Summerside (population around 15,000) is the island's second-largest town located on the western shore. It was first incorporated in April 1877 (as a town) and as a city - in April 1995. Just like the capital Charlottetown, Summerside is a merger of the main city with the towns of Sherbrooke, St Eleanors and Wilmot.

Among the city's attractions is the Summerside Raceway (harness racing track) - Canada's oldest, operating since 1886. [It is located next to the Credit Union Place and has capacity of around 4,000 seats, plus a bowling alley, a large swimming pool, fitness, meeting rooms.

Around 94% of the locals speak English, and around 4% - French. As demographics (ethnic origin), around 42% are Scottish, 36% Canadian, 33% English, 33% Irish, 19% French, 6% German.

Port Charlottetown PEI

Port Charlottetown's cruising season runs from early May through early November. The port has a new cruise ship terminal (opened in September 2007), which made the city an attractive travel destination for New England cruise liners in the St Lawrence Gulf.

In 2018, the cruise port had a record year with scheduled 92 ship calls (28% increase over 2017) and expected around 117,000 passengers plus 51,000 crew. However, the season ended with handled nearly 98,000 passengers plus around 44,000 crew. Most berth booking cancellations were due to weather. Port's cruising business generated around USD 19,5 million impact on the Canadian economy.

During season 2018, maiden calls were booked for 7 liners, of which docked only 5 (Adventure of the Seas, Norwegian Gem, Royal Princess, Star Pride, Silver Wind). October 2 was the port's ever first 4-ship day (Black Watch, Norwegian Dawn, Royal Princess, MS Rotterdam).

Projections for 2019 were for ~146,000 cruise passengers plus ~63,000 crew. Season's highlight was the newbuild liner MSC Meraviglia (2017-built, length 315 m, capacity 5400 passengers plus 1400 crew). The season started on May 1 (with MS Zaandam) and ended on November 1 (with Oceania Riviera). The cruise port's economic impact in 2019 was ~USD 42 million. However, the season ended with 87 ship calls and handled ~128K passengers plus ~55K crew. A total of 11 ship calls were canceled due to weather. The 6-month season had 62 ship days.

Projections for 2020 were for ~154,000 cruise tourists plus 70,000 crew, based on 97 berth bookings (scheduled ship calls). Season 2020 (April 29 through November 1) included 4x maiden port calls - by the ships Empress of the Seas (Royal Caribbean), Norwegian Encore (NCL), Hanseatic Inspiration (Hapag-Lloyd), Ritz-Carlton Evrima (Ritz-Carlton Yachts).

Following the pause in cruise shipping due to the Coronavirus crisis, for season 2022 (April through November) Port Charlottetown's schedule had a total of 74 ship visits (booked by 25 different lines/brands) with estimated ~135,000 tourists. Eventually were handled only 55 calls and ~96000 tourists.

In February 2023, the Port reported a record year with booked 91 cruise ship berthings (40% increase over 2022) and expected ~213,000 tourists (~150K passengers plus ~63K crew). The season's largest vessel was MSC Meraviglia (LOA length 316 m, max 5400 pax). Charlottetown's 2023 cruise schedule (April 26 through Nov 4) included 15x two-ship and 6x three-ship days, as well as 9x maiden port calls/first-time visits. In 2023, Port Charlottetown eventually received 89 ship calls and 119,488 cruise passengers, making it a record year.

In 2024, Charlottetown cruise port announced a record year with booked 96 ship calls (including 6 maiden, estimated 165000+ tourists), 18x two-ship days, 3x three-ship days, and 1x four-ship day.

Prince Edward Island cruise terminal