St John's Cruise Guide

St. John's is the oldest city in Canada and one of the oldest cities in North America, but it can seem surprisingly young. Its roots date back almost five centuries, yet it boasts an eclectic blend of architectural styles and a modern, energetic atmosphere.

Built around its harbor—a natural fortress that drew both naval commanders and the fishing industry—St. John's has evolved from a fishing station to a thriving port city with an exciting blend of interests. A glance around St. John's Harbour will show you the city's strengths: trans-Atlantic cruise ships and small tour boats, docked fishing boats and long-liners, and loaded supply ships that work in the offshore oil industry.

From the harbor, you can see the glass and steel of office buildings, which are adjacent to the brick-lined buildings that house trendy shops, bustling cafes and restaurants. You can also see some of the most historic churches in Canada, as well as cultural attractions including The Rooms—a complex that towers over the city's skyline, bringing together the provincial museum, art gallery and archives.

Visitors will find great entertainment districts in the city's streets and such outdoor attractions as amazing wildlife and icebergs that drift by the rugged coastline. Just outside the city, you can explore the rest of the province, including the vast territory of Labrador.

St. John's continually reinvents itself. It has retained something of a small-town feel by capping limits on the height of new buildings, yet it is embracing new economic strengths, particularly in tourism and offshore oil development. As a trading port, it has always welcomed newcomers while preserving its colorful and unique history.

Whether it's ecotourism, Canadian and New England cruising or a trans-Atlantic voyage, St. John's is the port of call for a wide variety of cruise lines. Given the abundance of activities, accommodations and dining options available there, it's no wonder that some refer to the city as small-town Canada with a European flair.

Ships dock in the heart of the city at Pier 10/11. As passengers disembark, the Signal Hill Tattoo Fife and Drum Band serenades them. They step directly into the old downtown core, surrounded by shops, cafes, restaurants and attractions. A Newfoundland dog welcomes passengers and will pose for pictures. At the dock, St. John's Tourism offers local information, and city ambassadors are stationed dockside as well as throughout the downtown area to help visitors. A short stroll from Pier 10/11 at Pier 7, passengers will find local crafts, food and ice cream, plus boat tours to local sites.

Taxis are always lined up dockside when ships come in; many large cruise ships make port calls at St. John's. Some of the major lines that visit St. John's are Carnival Cruise Line, Princess Cruises, Norwegian Cruise Line, Royal Caribbean International, Cunard Cruises, Crystal Cruises, Holland America, Seaborne Cruises and Silversea Cruises.

St. John's is home port to many smaller expedition vessels as well. Itineraries include stops along the coast of Newfoundland and Labrador, parts of northern Canada, Greenland and Iceland, and the northern U.S.

St. John's offers a plethora of interesting historic sites, impressive scenery, parklands and walking trails, as well as eclectic shopping. You'll also find ecological reserves, archaeological sites, seasonal festivals and special events, great shopping and more than a few options for sailing on the Atlantic Ocean for whale- and bird-watching. Local destination management companies offer preplanned as well as customized tours to accommodate individual or group needs. Tour options include half-day city tours, walking and hiking tours, a scenic trip to Cape Spear, boat tours, kayaking and canoeing as well as full-day tours to museums, galleries, botanical gardens and science centers. When looking for activity options, don't forget about the surrounding areas of Southern Shore, Conception Bay, St. Mary's Bay and Trinity Bay.