Charlottetown Cruise Port Guide
Province House, Charlottetown. Pixabay Creative Commons license |
The Canadian cruise port at Charlottetown, capital city of Prince Edward Island, is known as the “Birthplace of Confederation”.
It got its title after the historic 1864 Charlottetown Conference which led to the Confederation that formed Canada as a country.
Charlottetown is a city of about 36,000 people on Prince Edward’s southern shore. It lies within a 60-minute drive from all major points on the island, which makes it easy for cruise visitors to visit attractions and take shore excursions.
Attractions and Shore Excursions
Like many cruise ports, Charlottetown has a developed waterfront for visitors who can walk the area, shop and dine, play golf and visit the farmers’ market.
The first stop for many cruise visitors is the Charlottetown Visitor Information Centre, which is a quick walk from the cruise docks. Staff will offer maps and tips about touring the city and island.
Another quick stop is Confederation Landing Park, a waterfront park right next to the information center. The park has a boardwalk promenade, skating oval, covered bandstand area and garden square.
One of the most prominent homes in Charlottetown and included on city tours is Beaconsfield Historic House at 2 Kent Street. It is a well-known example of Victorian architecture. Tours are available for a small fee. Energetic walkers can get there by going about one mile west of the cruise docks.
Charlottetown Cruise Port Map
Province House National Historic Site is the birthplace of Confederation and the seat of Prince Edward Island’s provincial legislature since 1847. It is a brief walk west of Beaconsfield.
City and island tours dominate the excursions from tour operators. City tours last an hour or more and cost around $50 per person. Island tours last up to four hours and may cost $75 to $100.
One highlight of the island tour is the Anne of Green Gables House. It is the location of the classic children’s novel that was turned into a series of sequels, movies and TV series.
Charlottetown Cruise Weather
The city’s location north of the New England cruise ports naturally means weather is cooler during peak season.
The average high temperature in September, the most active cruise month, is 64 degrees Fahrenheit or 18 Celsius.
The average high takes quite a dip in October to 53 Fahrenheit or 12 Celsius. Cruise visitors who like warmer weather may want to visit in August instead when temperatures are near the high point of the year.
August has another advantage with one of the low points of the year for rain at a little more than three inches. September is slightly more, and October increases again.