YARMOUTH, N.S. — The MS Fram’s four visits to Yarmouth in 2019 is a sign of further things to come.
“Yarmouth is now a destination on Hurtigrutens’ North American itineraries. This is great news,” says Neil MacKenzie, executive director of Yarmouth and Acadian Shores Tourism Association (YASTA).
“Next year the Fram and the new hybrid-electric vessel Roald Amundsen is planning a visit as part of their 2020 Fall Foliage Northeast US and Atlantic Canada Voyages,” he says. “Our goal is to continue to develop tourism product and excursions that align with expedition class cruise lines so that hopefully we will see more visits in the future.”
The Fram visited three times in the spring this year and was here again on Oct. 3. The vessel is operated by the Hurtigruten Group of Norway. The vessel anchored in the mouth of Yarmouth harbour near the Cape Forchu Lighthouse. As is the case in other ports, guests were tendered to shore, which is part of the expedition cruise experience.
After landing at the Killam Brothers Marina in the town, the 189 passengers who came ashore went on various types of excursions.
“The Fram excursion team and passengers loved their experience in Yarmouth and Acadian Shores,” MacKenzie says. “The weather cooperated so we had a wonderful day for visitors to experience Yarmouth & Cape Forchu. We had an excursion at Cape Forchu and other passengers did guided walking tours of the town. Passengers visited downtown Yarmouth shops and restaurants.”
Part of YASTA’s goal in attracting cruise ships is to extend the tourism season into the spring and fall months.
“It was nice to have visitors like this late in our season,” MacKenzie says.
That is especially true seeing whereas The Cat ferry did not sail this year due to renovations happening at the terminal in Bar Harbor.
Meanwhile, another cruise ship is due to visit the region later this month, this time in Shelburne. The cruise ship MV Seabourn Quest is slated to visit Shelburne on Oct. 30. With a maximum passenger capacity of 450 guests, the 650-foot (200-metre) vessel is scheduled to spend the day in the historic south shore town during a nine-day cruise from Montreal to Miami, Florida.
The MV Seabourn Quest is also scheduled to stop in Shelburne on Oct 31, 2020. Shelburne is also on the itinerary for a second cruise ship, the MS Insignia on Sept. 22, 2020.
