May
12
Cruise season 2013 underway
May 2013
By Josie Bannerman
Holland America Line's MS Zaandam arrived at the port of Victoria April 17, the first of 210 scheduled cruise ship calls for this season. In total, 23 ships from 11 different cruise ship lines will call at Ogden Point over the summer.
Larger vessels will hold passenger levels close to the same level as 2012's record breaking season. The largest weekly caller in Victoria's history, The Celebrity Solstice, arrives May 14. The Solstice can carry up to 3,000 passengers and 1,000 crew.
"Victoria has seen solid growth in the past 10 years in cruise ship calls and passenger volumes," said Greater Victoria Harbour Authority (GVHA) President and CEO Curtis Grad.
GVHA is working on a number of initiatives to address the impact of the busy summer season on the loacal James Bay neighbourhood, including the piloting of shuttle buses that are more compatible with residential streets. Installation of a multi-purpose float is planned for mid-summer to pick up and drop off whale watching and other marine based tours, and walking routes on the property are being improved. In addition, a website will soon be launched to direct walkers through James Bay to sightseeing locations.