Victoria’s cruise season is officially underway, and it’s expected to be a busy one!
The first ship of the season, the Disney Wonder, will be making its grand arrival at Ogden Point at 8 a.m. and staying until 5 p.m. on Thursday, March 6th.
The Disney Wonder, a massive ship that can accommodate up to 2,700 passengers and 950 crew members, is currently repositioning after its journey through Australia and New Zealand.
It will make stops in Vancouver and Victoria before heading south to San Diego, where it will resume its regular Alaska itinerary in May.
Chief Jerome Thomas of the Xʷsepsəm Nation will be offering an official Lək̓ʷəŋən welcome to the ship’s captain, marking a special start to the season.
“As we embark on the 2025 cruise season, we are thrilled to welcome visitors from around the world to our vibrant city,” says Robert Lewis-Manning, CEO of the Greater Victoria Harbour Authority.
“We look forward to providing a warm, authentic welcome that showcases the rich culture and hospitality of our community.”
The 2025 season will officially be in full swing upon the arrival of Holland America’s Koningsdam on Friday, April 4th.
According to the Greater Victoria Harbour Authority (GVHA), they’re anticipating a total of 320 cruise ship visits scheduled for this year.
This will be a slight increase from last year’s successful season, which welcomed 316 ship calls and 970,000 passengers.
Highlights include the Europa 2, which is a luxury vessel with only 500 passengers, arriving on April 20th; the Caribbean Princess with 3,100 passengers, bookending the start and end of the season; Villa Vie Odyssey, a luxury liveaboard vessel with 900 passengers on June 28th; and many more.
Did you know that Victoria’s cruise ship industry contributes $130 million annually to the regional economy? It’s also responsible for 800 direct and indirect jobs in Greater Victoria!
For those looking to track the full 2025 cruise schedule, including specific arrival and departure details, you can find more information on GVHA’s website.
It’s shaping up to be an exciting year for Victoria’s cruise season, and we can’t wait to see what’s in store for this bustling coastal city!
