3308 replies to this topic

[aastra]

When some people are getting anxious because they're feeling too claustrophobic and crowded at a frickin' wilderness park, you know it's a totally different ball game than what downtown Victoria experiences.

[Mike K.]

Old Town can become inundated by cruise passengers, it's very, very noticeable. You see thousands of people on the streets who wouldn't otherwise be there when three ships are in town. The vibe is definitely there.

 

Government Street becomes a hive of activity when the cruise ships are in town.

 

[Nparker]

The ONLY time Government Street gets particularly busy is when cruise ships are in port.

[Ismo07]

The ONLY time Government Street gets particularly busy is when cruise ships are in port.

 

I can think of other days and events that create action along government...

[Matt R.]

I worked downtown for a long, long time and you sure felt it when a ship was in.

[lanforod]

A bunch of bus loads typically head to Butchart too. The cruise ships are a boon for vibrancy and business here. Be thankful the US didn’t seem to allow bypassing Victoria.

[Mike K.]

That was a nail biter. But the process has begun, and it’s likely a matter of time before ships are given the option of stopping here or continuing on. A lot of it also hinges on how Victoria chooses to respond to a growth in visits.

In future, we may see more interest in stopping in Nanaimo and Campbell River, too. And how about Tofino?

[lanforod]

In future, we may see more interest in stopping in Nanaimo and Campbell River, too. And how about Tofino?

 

In spite of a fancy terminal etc. that didn't happen in Nanaimo. I doubt it'll happen at all. 

Tofino would throw a fit, even if there were a place to dock or tender from.

[Victoria Watcher]

That was a nail biter. But the process has begun, and it’s likely a matter of time before ships are given the option of stopping here or continuing on. 

 

I'm not sure, it takes a lot to get support for a federal bill.  

 

Frankly, it doesn't even seem like the cruise companies care much.  At least not openly.

[Nparker]

...Tofino would throw a fit, even if there were a place to dock or tender from.

Not to mention that cruise ships do not sail along the west coast of Vancouver Island.

[aastra]

 

In future, we may see more interest in stopping in Nanaimo and Campbell River, too. And how about Tofino?

 

So those ports might go from getting no ships to getting some ships? But wait a sec... wouldn't those small communities and their tiny downtowns be utterly overwhelmed by the sheer masses of cruise passengers? There's no opportunity for dispersal whatsoever. Or does that crisis narrative only apply to larger cities but not to very small ones?

[Victoria Watcher]

I think Butchart is the #1 shore excursion here, I'm sure the cruise lines like the money they make off it.  

 

Not sure any of those other towns have anything comparable.

Edited by Victoria Watcher, 30 January 2023 - 11:32 AM.

[Mike K.]

Not to mention that cruise ships do not sail along the west coast of Vancouver Island.

Correct. They cruise along the west coast of the Island.

[Victoria Watcher]

[Mike K.]

I think Butchart is the #1 shore excursion here, I'm sure the cruise lines like the money they make off it.

Not sure any of those other towns have anything comparable.

Is there much money being made? I don’t know, it seems like more of a hassle to stop at a port for only a few hours, and at the tail end of a cruise. Inevitably some people get lost, others get too drunk, some have incidents/accidents, etc. It’s a liability but at least they get to dump some garbage and bring aboard a few items they might need.

[Victoria Watcher]

Is there much money being made? I don’t know, it seems like more of a hassle to stop at a port for only a few hours, and at the tail end of a cruise. Inevitably some people get lost, others get too drunk, some have incidents/accidents, etc. It’s a liability but at least they get to dump some garbage and bring aboard a few items they might need.

 

Well, presumably they buy the Butchart excursion at wholesale, then charge the passengers retail.  They make a bit of money on the gate, a bit of money on the bus.  

 

At least they make something.  They make nothing from the passengers that walk into town or to Fisherman's Wharf.

 

I presume some of the late arrivals are so they can serve dinner onboard.  It might be odd to have a 7-day cruise that only has 6 dinners.

 

I don't know.    

 

Some Celebrity Cruises Victoria excursions:

 

https://www.celebrit...hore-excursions

 

 

 

Edited by Victoria Watcher, 31 January 2023 - 08:00 AM.

[Mike K.]

$2,000? $5,000? The ships burn more in fuel pulling into Ogden Point than the dollars they generate here. At best it partially covers the expense of the landing.

[Victoria Watcher]

When is Gardiner going to bring forward her motion on cruise ships?

[Nparker]

Unrelated, but 8 weeks from today I board the Celebrity BEYOND for a 2-week voyage across the Atlantic, followed by 2 weeks touring Italy. 

[Victoria Watcher]

Where does that leave from, NParker?