Vancouver Island Welcomes the First Cruise Ship of the Season: An Early Celebration!

Vancouver Island welcomed its first cruise ship of the season on March 6, 2025, with the arrival of Disney Wonder at Ogden Point’s Pier B in Victoria. The ship docked early in the morning, and crew member Carla Rossouw, responsible for shore excursions, mentioned that 300 passengers had pre-booked tours to explore the area, including visits to Butchart Gardens and local castles.

The Disney Wonder, having repositioned from Australia and New Zealand with a stop in Hawaii, is expected to depart later in the day. Chief Jerome Thomas of the Xwsepsum Nation performed a traditional welcome, presenting a framed artwork by Coast Salish artist Darlene Gait to the ship’s officer, Capt. Daniele Aschero. This marks an exciting start to the cruise season, with Robert Lewis-Manning, CEO of the Greater Victoria Harbour Authority, noting expectations for a busy year ahead, including more ships than the previous year.

Leslie Fisher, the visitor centre’s general manager, expressed optimism about the upcoming season, anticipating increased tourist activity. Tour guide Nico Trombetta echoed this sentiment, highlighting Victoria’s popularity among American visitors.

While concerns exist regarding the ongoing trade tensions between Canada and the US, Lewis-Manning reassured that the cruise industry remains unaffected for now, emphasizing the region’s welcoming nature for all visitors.

The cruise season officially kicks off on April 4 with the arrival of Holland America’s Koningsdam. Victoria expects a total of 320 cruise visits this year, including inaugural calls from new ships such as Villa Vie Odyssey and Hapag-Lloyd’s Europa 2. Disney Wonder is set to continue to San Diego before heading back to Alaska for regular cruise operations in May.

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