victoria harbour authority cruise ship schedule

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Download the April 12, 2024, Cruise Schedule as a PDF. Please note, this is not the latest version of the schedule. See full schedule for the current schedule.

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• West Coast USA and Canada Cruise Ports

Victoria BC (Vancouver Island Canada)

Cruise port schedule, live map, terminals, news.

Region West Coast USA and Canada

Local Time 2024-09-12 22:09

Port Victoria BC cruise ship schedule shows timetable calendars of all arrival and departure dates by month. The port's schedule lists all ships (in links) with cruises going to or leaving from Victoria BC, Vancouver Island Canada. To see the full itineraries (ports of call dates and arrival / departure times) and their lowest rates – just follow the corresponding ship-link.

Victoria Harbour (BC Canada) cruise port is located on the southern tip of Vancouver Island in the Canadian province British Columbia. This is the most visited port of call on "Alaskan Canada" cruise itineraries. Near the cruise terminal is located the ship repair facility Esquimalt Graving Dock. Its drydock can handle Panamax-size vessels and is among the largest on North America's west coast.

Victoria BC is approx 100 km (60 mi) from Vancouver BC (mainland Canada), approx 100 km (60 mi) from Seattle WA (mainland USA) and approx 40 km (25 mi) from Port Angeles WA (by ferry across Juan de Fuca Strait). The city is accessible by airplane (year-round), cruise ships (seasonally) and ferries - including the Victoria Clipper ferry (regularly scheduled daily service Victoria-Seattle the whole year-round).

Besides Victoria BC, Alaska-based liners to Vancouver Island may also stop at Port Hardy (on the island's northeastern coast). Port Hardy (population around 4,000) has a natural resources-based economy as the gateway to Vancouver Island's best places for a travel vacation - Cape Scott Provincial Park, BC Marine Trail and North Coast Trail. All are located on the island's northernmost tip. The town provides access to popular wilderness vacation experiences and activities, such as kayaking, rafting, caving, scuba diving, surfing, nature camping.

Ferries from Port Hardy to Prince Rupert (on Kaien Island) depart every day during the summer's peak season.

For 2021-2027 is scheduled a CAD 3 billion dock expansion project aimed to double the existing Esquimalt Graving Dock's berthing space. The federal government/state-owned facility will be significantly upgraded to provide services (refits, repairs, and regular maintenance works) to passenger ships (cruisers and state ferries) as well as to Navy vessels. Currently, Seaspan (USA) and BC Ferries account for most of Esquimalt Dock's use.

For the period 2021-2030, the facility was booked for a total of 217 vessels, of which 34 cruise ships and only 27 operated by CCG-Canadian Coast Guard, Royal Canadian Navy or other federal agencies. The taxpayer-funded project also includes building a warehouse for Seaspan which operates the shipyards in Victoria and Vancouver.

Port Victoria BC

The Port (locode CAVIC) is managed by Greater Victoria Harbour Authority/GVHA.

The Port's cruise shipping operations started in 1978. Currently, the cruise port's contribution to the local economy is estimated at ~USD 130 million. The cruising season runs from April through October.

In 2014, the cruise port handled 210 ship calls and over 454,000 passengers. In 2016 were handled 224 ship calls. In 2017 were handled 239 ship calls (record year) with 600,000 passengers plus 239,000 crew. In 2018, the cruise port handled 243 ship calls and ~640,000 passengers plus ~260,000 crew.

In June 2017, the port welcomed its 7 millionth cruise ship tourist (since 1978), who arrived on Explorer of the Seas ( RCI-Royal Caribbean ). At the end of season 2017, the port started to provide ground transportation (cruise terminal bus service) via joint-venture with the local companies "CVS Tours" and "The Wilsons Group".

For season 2018, Port Victoria BC was upgraded with an extended mooring dolphin allowing berthing for the ever- largest Alaska-based cruise liner Norwegian Bliss ( NCL ). The vessel (max capacity 5200 passengers plus 1730 crew) was scheduled for an inaugural visit to Victoria BC on June 8, 2018. In 2018, the cruise port handled 250 ship calls, with nearly 640,000 passengers plus 230,000 crew.

In 2018, GreenPower Motor Company (Vancouver Canada-based manufacturer) sold two electric double-decker buses (model EV550) to the local CVS Tours company.

• The new buses are primarily used for cruise passenger transportation from and to Ogden Point Terminal. The 5-year lease-purchase program was specifically designed for CVS Tours. In 2018, the port's bus shuttle service (between the terminal and downtown) was upgraded with new and quieter buses via partnership between GVHA, The Wilson's Group of Companies (Vancouver Island-based) and CVS Tours (sightseeing tour company based in Victoria BC).
• The new bus deal resulted in forming a new joint venture company ("Pacific Northwest Transportation Services" / abbrev PNWTS) between Wilson’s and CVS Tours. The investment in new tour buses also consolidated companies' tour services offered from Ogden Point cruise terminal, The port authority signed an exclusive 10-year terminal access contract to PNWTS to provide cruise bus shuttle services on the terminal, as well as to supply all shore excursion buses.

Victoria BC cruise schedule has listed vessels from major Alaskan-based fleets, including Holland America , NCL-Norwegian , Disney , Princess , Carnival , Celebrity , as well as the luxury brands  RSSC-Regent , Oceania , Crystal , Seabourn , Ponant . Their ships usually stop in Victoria on relocation cruise itineraries (to and from Alaska). According to CLIA (Cruise Lines International Association), after Europe, Alaska is currently the world's second-leading cruise ship travel destination (excluding Asia).

On October 1, 2018, started works on the Ogden Point Cruise Terminal berth extension project to allow docking of Royal Caribbean's Quantum-Class liners (GT 200,000 tons, LOA length 348 m, max capacity 4800 passengers plus 1300 crew). The USD 6,8 million budgeted project was scheduled for completion by May 12, 2019, when Ovation of the Seas started its 2019 Alaskan program from homeport Seattle WA with 7-day roundtrips to Juneau , Skagway and Victoria BC. By this project was extended the port's existing cruise berth (by 55 m / 180 ft) and were added concrete bollard platforms and 2 breasting dolphins (fixed on each side of the extended pier). This structure assists in berthing (takes up some loads), also keeps the ship from pressing against the dock and serves as a mooring point (restricting the vessel's longitudinal movement). For the construction works was contracted Ruskin Construction Ltd.

In early-February 2019, was reported that Ogden Point Terminal's expansion project was impacted as the mooring dolphin's piles were lost at sea. The China-made steel structures were built for Pier B's 58-m extension. Construction works were scheduled to start in May but were rescheduled for September. The project was completed in 2020-Q1.

In April 2019, GVHA (Harbour Authority) and NCLH (Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings Ltd) signed a 12-year guaranteed berthing agreement (to 2030). The deal provided NCL with a guaranteed berth (during port calls) at Victoria Cruise Terminal's Pier A South.

In October 2019, over environmental concerns, Victoria BC's city council approved a motion to limit the number of visiting cruise vessels. In 10 years (2010-2019) the cruise shipping traffic increased from 212 ship visits (~440,000 passengers) to 265 calls (~1 million passengers plus crew). This industry generates ~USD 130 million annually.

For season 2019 (April 16 - October 25), the cruise port handled 257 ship calls (from scheduled 264) and 709,042 passengers (plus 294,956 crew). For maiden visits were booked the liners Ovation of the Seas  ( RCI ),  Queen Elizabeth  ( Cunard ) and  Azamara Quest  ( Azamara ). In June-October 2019, NCL repositioned Norwegian Joy  (sistership of  Norwegian Bliss ) homeporting it in Seattle for weekly calls at Victoria BC (scheduled for Saturdays). On May 17, 2019, at Ogden Point was welcomed cruise port's 8-millionth passenger. Meghan Lorenzon (from Davenport FL USA) was traveling together with her husband (Brent Petkus) on their honeymoon cruise on NCL Joy ship.

For season 2019 was planned to be completed the lengthening of Pier B (via a mooring dolphin) to allow berthing for the world's largest cruise vessels (RCI's Oasis-class, GT 225K tons). With a year delay, the project was completed in April 2020. Pier B's extension was delayed after in December 2018 was lost at sea the custom-fabricated (in China) steel for the dolphin's construction. Construction works included placing into the seabed (dockside) 2x steel monopiles (combined length 291 m / 955 ft) and 2x concrete platforms with reinforcement caps.

In mid-December 2020, GVHA announced that Victoria Cruise Terminal (Breakwater District) will be upgraded with shoreside power connections at Pier B (2 berths that handle ~2/3 of the cruise port's ship calls). When completed, the USD 24 million project will result in reduction of greenhouse gas emissions by over 46%.

For season 2020 (April 3 through October 21), the port had 284 booked berthings/ship calls by 12 companies, with estimated ~770,000 cruisers. However, the entire season was canceled due to the Coronavirus crisis.

For season 2022 (after a 2-year pause in operations), GVHA's cruise schedule (March thru October) listed 334 ship calls with estimated ~0,79 million tourists. Maiden port calls were booked for the large-sized liners Norwegian Encore (NCL), Quantum of the Seas (RCI), Majestic Princess (Princess).

In 2023, the Port reported a record season with handled 326 ship calls and ~970,000 tourists (+26% over 2022). Maiden visits made the liners Carnival Luminosa (CCL), Scenic Eclipse (Scenic USA) and L’Austral (Ponant). The season was also highlighted by the Port's 10-millionth cruiser.

Victoria BC cruise terminal

Victoria BC cruise port terminal is located at Ogden Point (distance to downtown approx 1,5 mi / 2,5 km). Victoria International Airport is approx 18 mi (29 km) from the passenger terminal. The address is "202–468 Belleville Street, Victoria, BC V8V 1W9, Canada".

Port Ogden Point has 2 cruise ship docks - "Pier A" and "Pier B". Each dock has two deepwater berths (with excellent approach and mooring) and its own Customs and Immigration. Currently, Ogden Point has capacity to accommodate three vessels simultaneously. However, each year there are several 4-ship and even 5-ship days, usually arriving within 1 hour of each other.

Since 2020, at Pier B can dock world's largest passenger ships (RCI's Oasis-class). The expanded facility allows berthing for vessels with max LOA length 350 m (1148 ft) and volume 225,000 GT-tons.

The passenger terminal's facilities include paved car parking, cargo storage areas, passenger gangways (embarkation/disembarkation ship-to-shore bridges), garbage disposal, baggage handling facility, freshwater, phones. At the cruise terminal's dockside, there are exchange bureaus and gift shops. Available are taxis and shuttle bus services to downtown. The distance is very walkable. Available for rent are bicycles. passengers can also use pedicabs and rickshaws, and even horse-drawn carriages.

In 2017, GVHA (Greater Victoria Harbour Authority) started planning minor cruise port upgrades to make Victoria BC a turnaround destination (homeport) for smaller-sized Alaskan ships departing on roundtrip itineraries.

• Ogden Point cruise terminal (where vessels dock) would need minimal upgrades to become a homeport (by the year 2020). Port's statistics show that cruise tourism spending ashore (on hotels, restaurants, bars, etc) brings to city's economy between USD 40,000 and USD 2 million per ship (depending on vessel's size/capacity).
• The draft plan for the port redevelopment project included building new commercial and retail facilities along Dallas Road (35-hectare sized property) and construction of a dedicated cruise terminal with an underneath parking garage (for tour buses). By the project will be built the First Nations (cultural and retail shopping complex), heliport, boat launch facilities, possible hotel (near breakwater's head).

On October 1, 2018, started works on the Ogden Point Cruise Terminal berth extension project to allow docking of Royal Caribbean 's Quantum-Class liners (GT 200,000 tons, LOA length 348 m, max capacity 4800 passengers plus 1300 crew). The USD 6,8 million project was scheduled for completion in May 2019 but postponed for November. By this project, Port's existing cruise berth was extended by 55 m (180 ft) and concrete bollard platforms and 2 breasting dolphins (fixed on each side of the extended pier) were added.

Swartz Bay Ferry Terminal

Swartz Bay is a terminal in North Saanich BC, serving BC FERRIES (Canadian state-owned passenger ferries ). The terminal facility covers an area of 12 hectares (30 acres) and is located approx 32 km (20 mi) north of Victoria Harbour. The terminal is also part of British Columbia Highway 17. This is a 2-highway system - one on Vancouver Island, and one on mainland Canada. Both are connected by daily-scheduled ferry links.

Currently, the ferry terminal has 5 berths. In 2006 was inaugurated "Berth 2" (floating dock, project cost CAD 25 million). The terminal facility consists of administration building, main building (terminal with Cafeteria and Coffee Shop), several kiosks (rented by local artisans and vendors), pay parking.

Swartz Bay Ferry Terminal provides daily service to Tsawwassen Ferry Terminal (mainland British Columbia), and also connects Vancouver Island to all major Southern Gulf Islands (Salt Spring, Mayne, Pender, Galiano Island).

The ferry terminal is connected to several public transit routes. Route 70 is an express bus service (1-hour drive) linking with downtown Victoria BC. Swartz Bay and Victoria BC are also connected via Lochside Regional Trail (length 29 km / 18 mi). The terminal is approx 10 min drive from Victoria International Airport.

Victoria BC tours, shore excursions, hotels

City tours and shore excursions.

Inner Harbour: the central harbor area. It is major attraction in the city. The area is surrounded by beautiful historical buildings – the Empress Hotel and the Legislative Buildings. There are many small streets leading from the Inner Harbour, where you can buy Canadian art and souvenirs.

Royal British Columbia Museum: it is the area of the Inner Harbour. You can explore the history of the people in British Columbia, their live and heritage. The gallery displays also temporary exhibitions.

National Geographic IMAX Theatre: centrally located, has 400 seats.

Butchart Gardens: Canadian National Historic Site located in Greater Victoria.

Pacific Undersea Gardens: located in the Inner Harbour area. The Undersea Theater shows Live Dive Show where you can see the sea bottom.

Carriage Tours: Tally-Ho Carriage Tours – Horse Drawn Carriage Tours offer the most relaxing way to see Victoria in unique way. They operate since 1903 and offer guided tours of the city.

Downtown Victoria Ambassadors: dedicated volunteers that will help you anytime, anywhere in the city. The team serves the tourists for 15 years.

Craigdarroch Castle: inside you will find stunning collections of woodwork, stained glass and furnishings from the Victorian era. If you want to take an amazing view of Victoria, climb the 80 stairs to reach the castle’s tower.

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5 things to do in and around Victoria this Friday, September 13th

Indigo victoria is giving away free books to shoppers this saturday, time to par-tea: annual tea festival returns to downtown victoria next month, brewery and the beast will bring bbq and brews to langford next week, there’s an autumn lantern festival happening in saanich this weekend.

330 cruise ships expected to port in Victoria this season

With only five months until summer, the Greater Victoria Harbour Authority (GVHA) has released a draft schedule for the 2023 cruise season.

As of this publication, the GVHA is expecting 330 ships to dock at the Victoria Cruise Terminal over the seven month season from April to October. 

After receiving feedback from regional and national port partners, the GVHA is estimating 850,000 cruise passengers will make landfall throughout the season.

Through a Desire to Return tourism survey, 53% admitted they would return to Victoria over the next five years. 

23% said they would stay three to four nights while seventy-three percent indicated they would stay between one and four days in other parts of Vancouver Island.

78% of those surveyed had not previously visited Victoria, while 8% had visited Victoria in the past five years.

Many locally owned and operated small businesses, often run by individuals or families, are impacted by cruise tourism. 

Among the top five activities cruise passengers participated in in 2022 were souvenir shopping, dining, visiting Fisherman’s Wharf, and guided tours around the city.

With these new findings, Jeff Bray, Chief Executive Officer at the Downtown Victoria Business Association said in a press release, “Cruise passengers are an important component of our tourism economy and play a major role in supporting our small and medium sized businesses in downtown.”

“From gelato and coffee shops to pubs and our amazing retail options, the money spent by cruise passengers supports hundreds of jobs in our downtown core,” he added.

50-hectare prescribed burn to take place at Rocky Point near Victoria

An all-candidates debate for esquimalt-colwood riding is scheduled for early october, prominent victoria business owner joins bc conservative party, motorists should expect some delays as malahat summit to be repaved.

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Victoria Cruise Ship Schedule For 2024

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‘It gives me so much hope’: Greater Victoria Harbour Authority has 350 ship calls in 2022 draft cruise ship schedule

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The Greater Victoria Harbour Authority (GVHA) has released a tentative draft schedule for the 2022 cruise ship season, which would see the first ship arrive in a Canadian port in over two years.

The harbour authority has pencilled in the first ship to dock in Victoria on April 6, 2022, with a total of 350 ship calls scheduled over a seven-month season between April and October.

“From what we’re hearing, there’s strong demand,” said Ian Robertson, CEO of the GVHA.

While the schedule is just a draft at the time and is subject to further changes in the months ahead, the GVHA says it is currently estimating around 759,000 passengers to visit during the 2022 season.

“We have a sense of optimism that we haven’t had in quite a long time,” said Robertson.

According to the GVHA, estimates for the 2022 season are similar to that of pre-pandemic numbers from 2019 – music to the ears for business owners like Simone Kearney.

“We’re down about 90 per cent of our normal revenue,” said Kearney, co-owner of Beaver Gift Shop and member of the Victoria Cruise Industry Alliance. Kearney says as the industry shut down, her shop’s flagship location was forced to close its doors.

“It gives me so much hope that we’re going to be back in our regular business,” said Kearney.

At this time, health and safety protocols have yet to be finalized but will be determined by Transport Canada and the Public Health Agency of Canada prior to next season.

Uncertainty in the industry remains, however, as several cruise ship companies including Royal Caribbean and Norwegian Cruise Line — both of which are scheduled to port in Victoria — saw their stock drop over 10 per cent on news of the COVID-19 omicron variant.

“We don’t know where this new variant is going to go and we just have to wait and see,” said Robertson.

Robertson confirmed the safety measures will include mandatory vaccination requirements for passengers and crew and COVID management plans and reporting protocols for all ships.

Adding another hurdle to the industry’s return is proposed U.S. legislation which, if passed, could see cruise ships bypass all ports across Canada.

“We’re watching the proposed legislation south of the border very, very closely and we’re not out of the woods yet,” said Robertson.

On the ground, operations team members have been working with partners to ensure the safe movement of passengers upon arrival, both on the terminal and in the community.

Despite cruise ships being absent, the Greater Victoria Harbour Authority says that work on sustainability initiatives — including shore power — has continued over the two-year hiatus and that when the industry returns in 2022, there will be a renewed focus on “ economic development, sustainability, and social license within the city.”

The tourism industry in Victoria has been significantly affected by the lack of cruise ships and the Greater Victoria Harbour Authority says that a recent survey showed that 79 per cent of respondents view the impact of the industry in Victoria as positive and 57 per cent of residents surveyed describe the economic benefit of the industry as significant.

The draft 2022 cruise season schedule is available online at  gvha.ca/cruise/cruise- schedule/ .