If you live in southwest New Brunswick, you will soon see the benefits of a booming cruise industry right next door. The cruise ship boom transforming Maine’s easternmost city is heading across the border. Port officials in Eastport want to share their growing passenger traffic with Charlotte County communities like Campobello Island and St. Andrews.

According to a recent report from CHCO TV, this cross border cooperation offers a massive economic opportunity for the region.

The Eastport Success Story

Over the last decade, Eastport grew its cruise vessel passengers from 2,000 to 35,000. Port director Chris Gardner expects that number to reach 50,000. Overcrowding in popular destinations like Bar Harbor pushes more vessels further up the coast.

Eastport built a strong reputation among cruise lines while maintaining a strict limit of one ship per day to protect the town’s character. Now, Eastport wants to expand this success to nearby Canadian ports.

The Cross Border Opportunity

Gardner sees Campobello Island as the natural starting point for this expansion.

“Every passenger brought to Eastport and not to Campobello and New Brunswick is an opportunity lost on both sides,” Gardner says. He adds that cross border cooperation and new partnerships will make more local visits possible.

The Roosevelt Campobello International Park remains a top destination for tourists. Gardner notes that cruise passengers arriving in Eastport view the park as their most desired stop. Getting there requires better water access. Sending visitors by bus across the bridge from Lubec takes an hour. A boat ride takes just ten minutes.

Overcoming Border Hurdles

Ron Beckwith serves as president of the Friars Bay Development Association, the group running Welshpool Landing on Campobello. He points out that customs difficulties remain a primary constraint.

Beckwith says the main issue involves marine border crossing complications. He clarifies that the officials do an outstanding job, but the crossing process requires reworking for smoother operation. He notes that easier boat crossings will generate new revenues while maintaining security.

Eastport uses facial recognition technology to speed up passenger clearances. New Brunswick ports need similar upgrades to catch up and process visitors efficiently. Gardner states that modernized customs services will bring the island hundreds of additional visitors every day a cruise ship docks. He adds that this business will easily spread to St. Andrews and other Canadian ports.

The Path Forward

Local groups recently hosted a Day on the Bay event to show industry leaders the region’s potential. Representatives from Tourism New Brunswick and the Cruise Lines International Association attended. The consensus is clear. New England ports need new destinations, and southwest New Brunswick is perfectly positioned to welcome them.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why are more cruise ships visiting Eastport?

Overcrowding in popular ports like Bar Harbor forces cruise lines to seek new destinations along the coast.

How will this benefit New Brunswick?

Sharing cruise traffic brings thousands of new visitors to local shops, galleries, and historic sites in communities like Campobello Island and St. Andrews.

What is the main obstacle to this cross border tourism?

Slow customs processing and a lack of direct water transport make it difficult for passengers to travel quickly between Eastport and Campobello Island.

What solutions are local leaders proposing?

Officials want modernized customs services, including facial recognition technology, and better port infrastructure to allow quick ten minute boat rides across the bay.