But American passenger bookings on ferry trending close to last yearPublished Jun 13, 2025 • Last updated 2 hours ago • 4 minute readThe CAT ferry arrives in Yarmouth harbour during one of its daily sailings from Bar Harbor to Yarmouth. TINA COMEAU Photo by Tina Comeau /.As was the case before the 2025 season began, fewer Canadians booking travel on The CAT ferry service continues to be the trend following the first month of the 2025 sailing season.In a season update released on June 13, Bay Ferries Ltd. says that as of June 12, it has so far booked 19,308 passengers for travel during the 2025 operating season.While it’s an increase from the 12,898 in ticket sales reported as of May 9, it’s a decrease from this same timeframe a year ago when 24,285 passengers had bought tickets so far for the season on the ferry that sails between Yarmouth, N.S. and Bar Harbor, Maine.THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLY.Subscribe now to access this story and more:Unlimited access to the website and appExclusive access to premium content, newsletters and podcastsFull access to the e-Edition app, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment onEnjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalistsSupport local journalists and the next generation of journalistsSUBSCRIBE TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES.Subscribe or sign in to your account to continue your reading experience.Unlimited access to the website and appExclusive access to premium content, newsletters and podcastsFull access to the e-Edition app, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment onEnjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalistsSupport local journalists and the next generation of journalistsRegister to unlock more articles.Create an account or sign in to continue your reading experience.Access additional stories every monthShare your thoughts and join the conversation in our commenting communityGet email updates from your favourite authorsSign In or Create an AccountorArticle contentThe ferry, which started its season on May 15, was making five round trips a week during its spring shoulder season. As of June 12, it had completed 15 round trips, with five other round trips canceled due to weather.Seven-day-a-week roundtrips run from June 19 to Sept. 22. After that the ferry will operate five days a week until the season ends on Oct. 15. The CAT ferry docked in Yarmouth amid calm water and a sunsetting sky. TINA COMEAUThe province contracts Bay Ferries to operate its ferry service. In the company’s monthly progress report, the ferry operator said Americans coming to Nova Scotia continue to be the largest group of users of the Nova Scotia-to-Maine ferry service.“We are trending close to last year’s bookings in terms of Americans taking the service and there are signs of continued growth for more Americans coming to Nova Scotia this season,” said Mark Wilson, President and Chief Executive Officer of Bay Ferries Limited (BFL).Article contentThe company is hoping more American passengers can help curb or cancel out the decline in Canadian travelers.“Statistics Canada has reported a significant decrease in Canadian resident return trips to Canada by car and that trend is holding true for Canadian bookings on The CAT,” Wilson said. “Our team at BFL is ready and eager to welcome American and Canadian travelers on The CAT during the upcoming summer season, and the commencement of daily service.”Statistics Canada reports that in May 2025 there was a 38 per cent drop in Canadian return travel from the U.S. compared to May 2024. Returning air travel trips were also down 24 per cent in May, in a year-over-year comparison. May’s drop in Canadian travel to and from the U.S. is a continuation of the declines experienced in the months preceding it.Fewer Canadians have been heading south of the border in response to U.S. President Donald Trump’s tariff threats towards Canada and his rhetoric over Canada becoming the 51st state. Many Canadians have opted to boycott travel to the United States, choosing to travel within Canada instead, or picking other destinations, including overseas.Article contentSome counties have travel advisories in place for those looking to travel to the U.S., advising people of things to be aware of. The CAT ferry docked on Yarmouth’s waterfront, it’s Nova Scotia homeport. TINA COMEAUIt is hoped by Bay Ferries and the province that for Americans, Nova Scotia still has a strong allure when it comes to their vacation and travel plans. Bringing tourists into Nova Scotia is the ultimate objective of the ferry service.“There continues to be a strong marketing campaign focused on the eastern seaboard of the US,” Wilson had said leading up to the start of the season. “Marketing is focusing on the strong value of the U.S. dollar to the Canadian dollar, and that Nova Scotia is open for business and visits.”Last year was a strong year for the ferry service. In 2024, The CAT carried 49,299 passengers to and from Nova Scotia, which was a 28 per cent increase of 10,877 booked passengers from the previous year. Around 80 per cent of travelers were Americans.Article contentWere it not for 11 round-trip cancellations during the season – one due to a technical issue with the radar, and the 10 others weather-related – the 2024 season likely would have been the ferry’s highest on record since returning to the route in 2016. During the 2018 season, the ferry had carried 50,185 passengers, which was a difference of 886 passengers compared to 2024.Last year the government spent around $21 million to operate the ferry service.At the conclusion of last year’s sailing season, the Nova Scotia government announced a one-year extension to its contract with Bay Ferries, saying The CAT will sail again in 2026.Anything beyond 2026 requires new agreements. At the time of its announcement, the provincial government said it was committed to finding a long-term solution for the ferry service.The province has been carrying out an economic impact study on the ferry service to quantify its value to taxpayers and the provincial economy. The study will include data and findings from the 2023 and 2024 seasons.The province released a progress report of that study in October 2024. Key findings said people and businesses across the province benefit from the ferry service; the service is not more expensive than comparable services; and the ferry has been negatively impacted by uncertainty and disruptions.The province had said at that time a final report was expected in the spring of 2025.Article content
Numbers on CAT ferry down as fewer Canadians booking travel to United States
