3428 replies to this topic

[Mike K.]

An American’s point of view on the PVSA cruise ship requirement to stop in Canada before returning to the US:

I was on the first Alaska cruise that sailed directly from Seattle in July of 2021, and it was awesome. No customs and immigration nonsense, Just getting on and off, I loved it.

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Even back then, I said it probably wouldn’t be a bad idea to eliminate this regulation entirely. The experience for cruise passengers is much better, and the mandatory stop in Victoria on the way back to Seattle is really bad. The timing of these port calls is horrible too, usually arriving late afternoon for just a few hours. Just enough to satisfy the law but not enough to do anything meaningful in Victoria.

Now with this dispute between the two countries, could the government do the same again to put pressure on Canada in order to achieve its policy goals?

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These cruise ships are a huge economic factor for British Columbia. Especially Vancouver, where the Alaska Cruises allow the city’s hotels to command rather insane rates during the season.

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Vancouver is a beautiful city (or at least it was, having lived there myself for almost ten years), but getting rid of the PVSA would still be great. Cruises that start from Vancouver can still do so on a voluntary basis, but at least those departing Seattle could avoid Victoria.

I didn’t realize they did customs checks when boarding these cruises.

This writer doesn’t have a lot of love for Victoria, it sounds like.

https://loyaltylobby...canadian-ports/

[Victoria Watcher]

Well, the cruise lines choose the arrival times. They make it inconvenient on purpose.

Well, the cruisers out of Vancouver also have all the passport checks. I’m sure it’s no so onerous.

[Mike K.]

Once upon a time we served as the garbage dump, didn’t we?

[Barrister]

Not convinced that there is a lot of money spent by the cruise lines these days. The stay is too short for anything other than a fast stroll downtown and back. 

 

A lot of them seem to arrive late in the day and only stay for a few hours.

[Mike K.]

Today’s arrivals and departures:

Ruby Princess 9AM - 7PM
Norwegian Bliss 7:30PM - midnight
Eurodam 8PM - midnight
Royal Princess - 8:30PM - midnight

The departures are at 23:59, to be precise. I guess they would have to pay a fee if they departed at 12:01?

It’s dark by 9PM, so it’s not likely that a lot of people will get off when the vessel arrives at 8 or 830. Would you step out to a random city’s downtown by night?

[Barrister]

Maybe we should make an 8 hour stay mandatory. My friend said that the ship required them to be back an hour before departure leaving them less than two hours ashore since it takes a bit of time to get off. 

 

Three of the four ships here today are not here long enough to have people spend any real money.

[Mike K.]

Nope.

The port gets its fee, but how much benefit there is to the city and region is open for debate.

[Victoria Watcher]

World's largest cruise ship debuts as industry expects 19 million travelers

New vessel accommodates 5,000 passengers as 19 million Americans plan cruise vacations this year


https://www.foxnews....llion-travelers



The cruise forecast report found that 72% of passengers are heading to Caribbean destinations in search of sunny vacation times.

Six percent plan on heading to Alaska, while 5% of people will be cruising in the Mediterranean, according to the report.

Edited by Victoria Watcher, 03 September 2025 - 03:31 AM.

[lanforod]

5000 would be at double booking. 7600 is the actual maximum pax count for that ship. Huuuuge.