Doc O'Keefe is quoted today as having opined for more Cruise Ship promotion. Something I've also wondered.
I think this question also begs attention to the greater waterfront in general.
http://vocm.com/news/former-st-johns...-cruise-ships/
We have a beautiful waterfront (despite the fence), and it needs to be enhanced with features such as a boardwalk, tourism outlets, etc.
I always thought the leasable chalets down there before the restaurants, were a start, but they disappeared with restaurants in the offing, and I hear some vandalism.
What we have there now(apart from the restaurants), is a gaunt industrial bowl of ships on both sides, without any of the historic maritime flavour of St. John's Harbour.
The little harbour park next to pilot boat is nice, but too small and squat between industry.
I know this is a federal issue but; I've also wondered why the finger piers of the early century were not recreated.
The harbour is wide, and besides adding berths, it would add space for floating restaurants, historic schooners, etc.
on Doc's point particularly, there could be provincial money for coves and inlets close by St. John's, to enhance the offerings for cruise ship passengers in tourism attractions.
As the article states, we are again being out promoted, and out spent by the other Maritime Canadian jurisdictions!