More than 44K cruise passengers expected in Victoria this week

Victoria’s cruise ship terminal is heading into another busy week, with 14 vessels carrying an estimated 44,439 passengers expected between Monday, July 20th and Sunday, July 26th.

Sunday will be the busiest day based on passenger numbers with three ships carrying an estimated 11,815 passengers scheduled to visit throughout the day. Tuesday will be the only day where no cruise ships are expected.

Saturday’s ships are expected to bring a combined 10,216 passengers, while Friday’s three vessels will carry an estimated 9,914.

Friday will also see one of the week’s quickest rushes. Norwegian Bliss and Eurodam are both scheduled to arrive at 8 p.m., followed by Royal Princess just 15 minutes later.

The largest ship of the week will be Royal Caribbean’s Anthem of the Seas, which arrives Sunday afternoon. The 1,139 foot vessel is expected to carry up to 4,919 passengers, making it both the longest ship and the one with the highest estimated passenger count this week.

It is only about six feet longer than Star Princess, which arrives Saturday evening.

Star Princess is the newest ship in the Princess Cruises fleet and began sailing in October 2025. The 21-deck ship can accommodate 4,300 guests and features a large glass-enclosed entertainment venue known as The Dome.

Another notable arrival is Norwegian Bliss, which features a two-level go-kart racetrack at sea. The 1,094-foot ship was built in 2018 and refurbished in 2025. Norwegian Cruise Line

Victoria is also now slightly more than halfway through its projected 2026 cruise season.

To date, 176 cruise ships have visited the region between April 10th and July 19th, with an estimated 527,085 passengers.

The Greater Victoria Harbour Authority expects 335 cruise ship calls and just over 1 million passengers during the entire 2026 season, which would set a new record for the terminal. Greater Victoria Harbour Authority

Here is this week’s schedule:

Monday, July 20th

• Riviera: 1,328 passengers, arriving from Sitka at 2 p.m. and departing for Seattle at 11 p.m.
• Carnival Spirit: 2,124 passengers, arriving from Ketchikan at 8 p.m. and departing for Seattle at 11:59 p.m.

Tuesday, July 21st

• No cruise ship calls are currently scheduled

Wednesday, July 22nd

• Carnival Miracle: 2,124 passengers, arriving from Ketchikan at 8 p.m. and departing for Seattle at 11:59 p.m.

Thursday, July 23rd

• Voyager of the Seas: 4,000 passengers, arriving from Endicott Arm at 10 a.m. and departing for Seattle at 6 p.m.
• Celebrity Edge: 2,918 passengers, arriving from Skagway at 5:30 p.m. and departing for Seattle at 11:59 p.m.

Friday, July 24th

• Norwegian Bliss: 4,250 passengers, arriving from Ketchikan at 8 p.m. and departing for Seattle at 11:59 p.m.
• Eurodam: 2,104 passengers, arriving from Ketchikan at 8 p.m. and departing for Seattle at 11:59 p.m.
• Royal Princess: 3,560 passengers, arriving from Ketchikan at 8:15 p.m. and departing for Seattle at 11:59 p.m.

Saturday, July 25th

• Star Princess: 4,300 passengers, arriving from Skagway at 7 p.m. and departing for Seattle at 11:59 p.m.
• Noordam: 1,918 passengers, arriving from Ketchikan at 8 p.m. and departing for Seattle at 11:59 p.m.
• Norwegian Encore: 3,998 passengers, arriving from Ketchikan at 8 p.m. and departing for Seattle at 11:59 p.m.

Sunday, July 26th

• Norwegian Joy: 3,883 passengers, arriving from Ketchikan at 8 a.m. and departing for Seattle at 6 p.m.
• Anthem of the Seas: 4,919 passengers, arriving from Juneau at 5 p.m. and departing for Seattle at 10 p.m.
• MSC Poesia: 3,013 passengers, arriving from Tracy Arm at 7 p.m. and departing for Seattle at 11:30 p.m.