1 Million Cruise Passengers Expected as Victoria, ...

The 2026 Alaskan cruise season has formally begun and the favored cruise port in Victoria, Canada has rolled out the pink carpet for the primary passengers of the yr.

On Friday, April 10, Holland America Line’s Nieuw Amsterdam turned the primary cruise ship to dock at Ogden Level.   And sure, precise pink carpet was able to obtain about 2,100 disembarking passengers, together with Lekwungen dancers of their ceremonial apparel.

Friday was the kickoff of what the port is looking a record-breaking yr.

Port officers anticipate 335 cruise ship visits between now and mid-October, together with greater than 1 million cruise passengers. 

This could be a brand new file for Victoria and a big leap from the almost 990,000 guests who arrived in 2025 on 311 calls.

“Because the 2026 cruise season begins, we’re thrilled to welcome the Nieuw Amsterdam,” said Don Krusel, interim CEO of the GVHA.

“Victoria is legendary for its hospitality, and we look ahead to offering a heat welcome to all of the passengers and crew that can go to town this yr.”

Whereas Might is when calls to the port get rather more frequent, April’s schedule is lined up with ships like Norwegian Bliss, Norwegian Jade, Ruby Princess, Noordam, and Nationwide Geographic Enterprise.

Along with returning favorites from Holland America, Norwegian, and Princess, 2026 brings six inaugural calls and two completely new cruise traces to Victoria: Virgin Voyages and MSC Cruises.

Most of the vessels are nearer to mega ship dimension, with some carrying almost 5,000 passengers every.  This could convey a gentle circulation of tourists to the port and make final yr’s file simple to beat.

Victoria has lengthy served as a preferred cease on Alaska-bound itineraries, particularly cruises starting in Seattle, since a overseas port is a required cease alongside the way in which.

Cruise guests assist native companies, eating places, excursions, and points of interest, and inject thousands and thousands into the financial system every season.

Final yr’s complete of nearly a million passengers already proved that the port can deal with the site visitors and is prepared for extra.

In fact, the season remains to be younger. Climate, scheduling changes, and different variables imply that the file will not be precisely “within the bag” simply but.