Victoria BC (Vancouver Island Canada)

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 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.