Giant sign greets visitors to the Reversing Falls rapids. Credit: Wikimedia Creative Commons license

The Saint John cruise port in the province of New Brunswick is the only city on the Bay of Fundy and the oldest incorporated city in Canada. Nature and history are dominant.

The cruise port is a common stop on New England and Canadian cruises. It shares plenty of characteristics with other vibrant cruise ports along the New England and Canada coastline. It has a well-developed harbor for cruise visitors who can shop, dine and walk to their heart’s content.

Ships dock at the Diamond Jubilee or the nearby Marco Polo cruise terminal. Maps are available at welcome kiosks. The St. John Visitor Information Centre is in City Hall at 15 Market Square, a quarter mile north of the cruise terminals.

Attractions and Shore Excursions

Cruise shore excursions include walking tours of Saint John with a knowledgeable guide. Budget-minded visitors can do the same thing on their own.

Major attractions include the Reversing Rapids on the Saint John River, the oldest farmers market in North America and nature tours on or along the Bay of Fundy.

The Reversing Falls Rapids is a top attraction and shore excursion in Saint John. A collision of water between the Saint John River and the Bay of Fundy creates a series of rapids and whirlpools.

Saint John City Market is a half mile north of the docks at Market Street. It has food vendors, arts and crafts, and ceiling rafters that look like the inverted hull of a ship.

Kings Square is a park with a bandstand right next to the market. It may appeal mostly to people who want to have a seat and relax after walking a bit.

Yet another park next to Kings Square is the Old Loyalist Burial Grounds. It began as the original cemetery for St. John in the late 18th century. It closed as a cemetery in the mid 19th century and became a garden.

Shore excursions focused on the Bay of Fundy include whale watching, kayaking and sea caves.

Cruise Weather

Saint John is slightly cooler and slightly wetter than other eastern Canada cruise ports.

The average high temperature in the peak cruising season of September is in the low 60s Fahrenheit or less than 18 Celsius, according to the Meteorological Service of Canada.

In August, the average daytime temperature is in the low 70s Fahrenheit or low 20s Celsius. In October, it is in the low 50s Fahrenheit or low teens Celsius.

So warm weather lovers will have to decide if they want fewer fall colors in August with warmer temperatures or the other way around in September and October.

The average rainfall is less than four inches in August, more than four in September and more than five in October.