Information for Local Businesses & Operators

Make the Most of Cruise Days

Outlined below are various methods to entice cruise customers to visit your business. We encourage you to think outside the box and try new, innovative approaches throughout the season. At the end of the season, we would love to learn what tips and tricks worked best for you!

Consider Accepting US Currency

The majority of our cruise tourists are from the United States. Regardless of whether you decide to accept US currency, it’s a good idea to stay on top of the current US-CAN exchange rate to help guests calculate the price of the items you sell.

Take Care of the Ship Crew

Don’t overlook the needs of the crew! In addition to souvenirs, they are on the lookout for everyday items, such as detergent and snacks, that can be quite costly on board the vessel.
Phone cards are also a popular item amongst both passengers and crew.

Enhance your Storefront to Tailor Cruise

Offering complimentary Wi-Fi is a surefire way to delight cruise guests! If your business provides this service, you should consider displaying a sign in your storefront. On days when cruise ships are in port, you might choose to create a customized welcome sign, adorn your entrance with balloons, or even host a live musician! A vibrant and lively storefront will attract cruise guests and locals alike.

Reevaluate your Product Offering

When purchasing, packaging and bundling your product(s) be mindful that cruise tourists often have limited space in their luggage. For bulkier items, you may want to consider offering shipping. When looking for souvenirs, passengers and crew often focus on purchasing items that remind them of their time in port, such as magnets, NL-branded t-shirts, and treats. We also encourage businesses to be well-versed in the rules and regulations on what passengers can and cannot bring across the border (ex: product made from antlers).

Showcase Your Love for Corner Brook

Tourists are interested in visiting the best restaurants, purchasing the coolest souvenirs, and embracing the unique culture and history of our City when in Port. Be prepared to share all of your local favorites!

Share Your Special Events with Us

Did you know: CBPC staff provide the Captain with a list of events and other important information to announce prior to docking at the Port? We also have Cruise Information Officers dockside to assist passengers and crew and provide them with recommendations for their time in port!

General Information

Passengers and crew often inquire about locating various businesses and services. It’s beneficial to ensure your staff can provide directions from your location to nearby amenities like ATMs, grocery stores, liquor stores, shopping areas, post offices, and coffee shops.
Additionally, knowing directions to local attractions such as Captain Cook’s Lookout or the Corner Brook Stream Trail can enhance the visitor experience.

When providing directions to visitors, keep these tips inmind to ensure they find their way with ease:

  • Speak slowly and clearly.
  • Use identifiable landmarks as points of reference.
  • Incorporate visuals if possible to make it easier for visitors to locate a destination.
  • Provide an estimate of the distance and time required to reach the destination.
  • Consider the abilities of the visitors and suggest alternative transportation options if necessary.
  • Provide additional details, such as admission prices
    or operating hours, to enhance the visitor experience.

The Cruise Traveller

Main Source Markets:

United States & United Kingdom

Traveller Average Age:

64 years

Different Interests:

Among Luxury, Expedition, & Contemporary Cruisers

Composition:

Affluential Couples, Multi-Generational Families

Become a Transportation Provider

The Port of Corner Brook offers a complimentary shuttle service for cruise guests, transporting them between the dock and City Hall’s Civic Square in downtown Corner Brook.

The number of buses required for each ship call is determined by passenger capacity, with priority given to wheelchair-accessible buses when possible. An Expression of Interest for shuttle service providers is issued in Q1 of each year, and all qualified operators are encouraged to apply.

The shuttle service operates continuously between the port and downtown, beginning approximately 30 minutes after the ship’s arrival and ending one hour before departure. To ensure a consistent and seamless experience for guests, the shuttle route must remain the same throughout the cruise season.

Interested in providing shuttle services for the upcoming cruise season?

Please contact Patti Ricketts, Cruise Marketing Coordinator at pricketts@cornerbrookport.com or (709) 634-6600, to be added to the email distribution list.

Apply to Perform Dockside

The Port of Corner Brook proudly arranges live musical entertainment for every cruise ship day throughout the season, showcasing local talent and creating a warm, vibrant welcome for guests.

Performances typically range from 2 to 4 hours, depending on the ship’s capacity and time in port. An Expression of Interest for musicians is issued in Q1 of each year, and all qualified performers are encouraged to apply. This is a wonderful opportunity to share your music with an international audience and help create a memorable first impression of Corner Brook and Western Newfoundland.

Interested in performing? Please contact Patti Ricketts, Cruise Marketing Coordinator, at pricketts@cornerbrookport.com or (709) 634-6600 to be added to the email distribution list.

Become a Vendor

The Corner Brook Port Corporation is committed to fostering a lively marketplace with creative entrepreneurs and a diverse mix of products, providing cruise passengers with a memorable experience.

We offer seven dockside kiosks in two sizes: four (4) at 12’ x 12’ and three (3) at 12’ x 16’. All kiosks feature electricity, windows, and two entrances. Priority is given to vendors who can commit to being open for every ship day, ensuring maximum exposure to cruise passengers in this exclusive, high-traffic location.

Each year, an Expression of Interest is issued in Q1, and all artisans, creators, and small business owners are encouraged to apply.

To be added to the email distribution list contact Patti Ricketts, Cruise Marketing Coordinator, at pricketts@cornerbrookport.com or (709) 634-6600.

Looking for a pop-up vendor spot? The City of Corner Brook offers the perfect opportunity!

Learn more

Taxi Permit Application

Upcoming…

Stay in the Loop

Stay in the loop and never miss an update by subscribing to our mailing list! Our newsletter is your go-to source for last-minute changes, exciting opportunities, and all the latest happenings in the cruise industry within our community.

Cruise tourism through local lenses! Share your cruise-day photos and tag #CruiseCornerBrook for a chance to be featured on our social media.

The Cruise Network Committee serves as a collaborative forum for community representatives to come together, share information, and work collectively to enhance the cruise guest experience in Corner Brook. By fostering cooperation across local organizations and stakeholders, the committee helps maximize the social and economic benefits of cruise tourism for the region.

Why it Matters:
Cruise tourism presents incredible opportunities for our community. The Cruise Network Committee ensures that these opportunities are maximized by fostering strong partnerships, open communication, and proactive problem-solving.

Key Objectives:

  • Create Memorable Experiences: Deliver a seamless, welcoming, and enjoyable visit for cruise passengers.
  • Solve Challenges Proactively: Identify potential issues and address them efficiently to keep operations smooth.
  • Keep Everyone Informed: Share timely cruise-related information with the right people and organizations.

Through collaboration and shared expertise, the Cruise Network Committee plays a vital role in strengthening Corner Brook’s reputation as a premier cruise destination and supporting the sustainable growth of our tourism economy.