More than 42K cruise passengers expected in Victoria as season enters final stretch

Victoria’s busy cruise ship season is beginning to enter its final stretch, but there is still plenty of activity ahead for Ogden Point.

Another 15 cruise ships are expected to arrive in Victoria between Monday, August 24th and Sunday, August 30th, potentially bringing more than 42,000 passengers to the city over the seven-day period.

It comes as the 2026 cruise season approaches its final couple of months, with regular ship traffic expected to continue throughout September and into October.

According to the Greater Victoria Harbour Authority’s (GVHA) 2026 master schedule, 337 cruise ship calls were scheduled for Victoria this season, beginning with the Nieuw Amsterdam on April 10th and ending in October.

Based on the schedule through August 23rd, approximately 249 ships have visited the city so far this season, representing an estimated passenger capacity of nearly 750,000 people.

And the season is far from over; another 86 calls remain on the schedule between August 24th and the final scheduled visit on October 18th, representing capacity for roughly another 255,000 passengers.

This week’s cruise schedule begins Monday evening with the arrival of Carnival Spirit, which is scheduled to dock at 8 p.m. with an estimated 2,124 passengers.

Things begin picking up Tuesday when two vessels arrive. Oceania Cruises’ Riviera is scheduled for 9 a.m., followed by Regent Seven Seas’ Seven Seas Explorer at 11 a.m. that morning. Together, the two ships carry an estimated 2,082 passengers.

Wednesday will see three ships in port, with the Queen Elizabeth, Azamara Pursuit and Carnival Miracle carrying a combined estimated 4,982 passengers.

On Thursday, the much larger Voyager of the Seas arrives with an estimated 4,000 passengers, followed by Celebrity Edge with another 2,918.

Similar to previous weeks, Friday is expected to be the busiest day of the week in terms of passenger capacity.

Three large ships are scheduled to arrive that evening: Norwegian Bliss, Eurodam and Royal Princess.

Combined, the vessels have an estimated passenger capacity of 9,914 people.

Saturday will bring another 8,298 potential passengers aboard Star Princess and Norwegian Encore.

The week wraps up Sunday with two familiar sights returning to Victoria.

Royal Caribbean’s massive Anthem of the Seas is scheduled to arrive with an estimated 4,919 passengers, while MSC Poesia is expected to bring another 3,013.

Together, Sunday’s two vessels account for another 7,932 potential passengers.

For several of the ships arriving this week, Victoria has become a regular stop throughout the summer.

Voyager of the Seas, for example, has been making near-weekly calls since May. Its August 27th arrival is scheduled to mark roughly its 17th visit to Victoria this season. The same goes for Carnival Miracle which will also make its 17th visit. 

Norwegian Encore has also become a familiar Saturday-night sight at Ogden Point. Its August 29th arrival is expected to be its 18th visit this year.

The season will remain busy through September, with dozens more cruise ship arrivals currently listed on the GVHA schedule for the month.

Traffic drops considerably in October, with the final vessel on the calendar currently scheduled to arrive on October 18th.

In total, the GVHA’s July 22nd master schedule lists 337 scheduled arrivals for the 2026 season, although arrival times, departures and ship calls remain subject to change.

This week’s cruise ship schedule

Monday, August 24th

• Carnival Spirit: 8 p.m. to 11:59 p.m., estimated 2,124 passengers

Tuesday, August 25th

• Riviera: 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., estimated 1,328 passengers
• Seven Seas Explorer: 11 a.m. to 8 p.m., estimated 754 passengers

Wednesday, August 26th

• Queen Elizabeth: 1 p.m. to 10 p.m., estimated 2,081 passengers
• Azamara Pursuit: 2 p.m. to 11 p.m., estimated 777 passengers
• Carnival Miracle: 8 p.m. to 11:59 p.m., estimated 2,124 passengers

Thursday, August 27th

• Voyager of the Seas: 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., estimated 4,000 passengers
• Celebrity Edge: 5:30 p.m. to 11:59 p.m., estimated 2,918 passengers

Friday, August 28th

• Norwegian Bliss: 7:30 p.m. to 11:59 p.m., estimated 4,250 passengers
• Eurodam: 8 p.m. to 11:59 p.m., estimated 2,104 passengers
• Royal Princess: 8:15 p.m. to 11:59 p.m., estimated 3,560 passengers

Saturday, August 29th

• Star Princess: 7 p.m. to 11:59 p.m., estimated 4,300 passengers
• Norwegian Encore: 7:45 p.m. to 11:59 p.m., estimated 3,998 passengers

Sunday, August 30th

• Anthem of the Seas: 5 p.m. to 10 p.m., estimated 4,919 passengers
• MSC Poesia: 7 p.m. to 11:30 p.m., estimated 3,013 passengers