Friday, April 26, 2024

Victoria Cruise Reviews 2023 UPDATED: Ratings of Victoria Cruise Port

victoria canada cruise port

On a warm day, walking the inner harbor provides a chance to see locals peddling their wares, admire beautiful statues, and enjoy the harbor views. While quite a distance from the cruise port, it can be accessed by water taxi from Fisherman’s Wharf. Stops include Old Town (and Chinatown), Christ Church Cathedral, Fishermen’s Wharf, Oak Bay Village, Cook Street Village, and the Ogden Point cruise terminal. The waters around Victoria are rich in marine life, so you can see harbor seals, sea lions, orcas, herons, and bald eagles. Alternatively, Victoria Harbor Ferry offers mini-tours which last 15 minutes and cost CAD 20. So, if you can’t fit the actual visit into your Victoria port day schedule, you can access the galleries online.

Shopping and Food

It’s one of the best ways to get a nuanced understanding of the lives of indigenous people before colonialism. This attraction offers an ideal afternoon of learning for all ages. The Victorian-era Craigdarroch Castle looms over you as you arrive.

Entertainment at the Inner Harbour

victoria canada cruise port

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. 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.

Of The Best Mother's Day Gifts Under $50

You can walk another fifteen minutes from Fisherman’s Wharf along the picturesque water’s edge to the Inner Harbor and the Downtown areas. It is located in British Columbia, Canada, on Vancouver Island, off Canada’s west coast and south of Alaska. For that, you can thank the Passenger Vessel Services Act from 1886, which dictates that all ships leaving the U.S. must make a foreign stop. The Butchart Gardens is one of the world's premier floral show gardens. 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.

Western Canada Cruise Port Sets 2023 Record - Cruise Hive

Western Canada Cruise Port Sets 2023 Record.

Posted: Mon, 30 Oct 2023 07:00:00 GMT [source]

From the cruise port, it’s a pleasant 30-minute walk along the scenic waterfront to reach downtown Victoria. Alternatively, you can take a shuttle, pedicab, or taxi for a quicker journey. Once in the heart of the city, you’ll find an array of attractions, landmarks, and culinary experiences to suit every taste. One of the best ways to explore a new city is by bike, and Victoria is one of the most bike-friendly cities in Canada. There are main bike lanes that run straight through the downtown core and you can cycle around the city without ever taking your eyes off the ocean view. Foodie and craft beer tours let you stop and sample everything from small-batch artisan ice cream to the best IPAs local breweries have to offer.

Victoria is known as “the garden city” for its lushness and its commitment to keeping the city beautiful. Head to Butchart Garden or Beacon Hill Park to enjoy nature during your time in port. As one of Canada’s leading museums and research centres, the Royal BC Museum is the place to go for a snapshot of local history (just 550 million years or so).

Local Currency & Tipping Customs

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. The GVHA says health regulations for cruise ships are set by the federal government.

victoria canada cruise port

A vibrant and bustling spot, Fisherman’s Wharf is more than just a dock. Here, you can indulge in freshly caught seafood, shop at local stalls, or even take a kayak tour. The colorful floating houses add a unique charm, making it a picture-perfect location. But it’s not just the exterior that enthralls; the hotel’s iconic afternoon tea service is a rite of passage for many visitors. Even if you don’t plan on staying or dining, the lobby and its surroundings are worth a quick peek. While the essence of Victoria’s charm is best captured on foot, the city’s vastness means you’ll likely need some wheels to see it all, especially on a tight cruise schedule.

Map of the Victoria Cruise Port

It is also home to a number of businesses including, Helijet, Breakwater Bistro, Seaspan, Western Stevedoring, and Whitehall Rowing & Sail. The Wharf Street floats are located north of the seaplane terminal. This marina offers year-round transient moorage, monthly moorage, and low season moorage from October to May.

Touring her home is a must-experience tribute to both Canada and Carr herself. Built more than a century ago, the barrier-free breakwater offers the perfect spot for an oceanfront stroll. At 762-metres, the breakwater is home to Na'Tsa'Maht - The Unity Wall mural that depicts the art of local First Nations. The Victoria cruise dock lies about 2.5 km or 1.5 miles from the downtown area. On the map the representatives are handing out on the dock you will find several walking routes.

As the night falls over the charming cruise port of Victoria, BC, I urge you to take in every moment. The highly-rated tour takes you through the Haro Strait and the Strait of Juan de Fuca aboard a semi-covered vessel designed for whale-watching. Marvel at orcas, humpback whales, and minke whales in their natural habitat while the informative, friendly, and professional guides share fascinating insights. The Inner Harbour is a hub of activity with a wide selection of waterfront restaurants serving fresh seafood and local cuisine. You can see many historical sites, taste the local products, including those in Chinatown, and have a guide to point out the highlights along the way.

It’s just CAD 5 for entry, which makes it an excellent attraction for those traveling on a budget. No visit to Victoria is complete without touring the British Columbia Parliament Buildings. So, get your ticket first, and pass the time doing something else. If you prefer to stay close to the Victoria cruise port, a stroll along the Ogden Point Breakwater provides excellent views and a chance to watch the sunset. During the summer months, it’s still light until late, so you can see parts of Victoria in just a few hours.

You can take a shuttle downtown from the port, known as Ogden Point, arrange a tour to Butchart Gardens, or walk to Fisherman’s Wharf. Cruise passengers arriving in Victoria can exit the port, walk east along Dallas Road oceanfront to Beacon Hill Park. After exploring the park, walk north through the park to the BC Legislative Buildings and the Inner Harbor. While the draft schedule is subject to change, the GVHA says 350 ship calls are currently scheduled to arrive in Victoria between March and October 2022. On a cruise to Victoria, BC, one thing you’ll discover is a burgeoning and impressive art scene. A gallery tour is a must-do activity for art lovers, like the Art Gallery of Greater Victoria on Moss Street or the Avenue Art Gallery for contemporary Canadian art.

Larger dogs might be permitted during off-peak hours but always check with the local transport guidelines. While this guide has endeavored to encompass the myriad wonders of Victoria, the true essence of the city lies in experiencing it firsthand. Each alleyway, each bite of local cuisine, each sunset over the harbor has its own tale to tell. Whether you’re craving the rush of adrenaline or seeking serenity in nature, Victoria offers a plethora of excursions to make your visit unforgettable.

Cruise ships sailing to Alaska must dock at a foreign port in accordance with the “Jones Act.” Victoria, BC, is the obvious choice because it can accommodate larger vessels than Vancouver. The harbour association estimates that 759,000 passengers will be aboard those ships, a total that's close to the number of visitors that arrived during the 2019 cruise ship season. Victoria revels in its English essence at the southernmost tip of Vancouver Island.

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