Victoria passes one million cruise passengers in a season for the first time, with a record 332 calls

PortsBy Patrick KarshOct 15, 2026

Victoria, British Columbia, has welcomed more than one million cruise passengers in a single season for the first time. The city's harbor authority also expects a record 332 ship calls in 2026, with one more call still to come.

The Greater Victoria Harbour Authority (GVHA) marked the milestone at its cruise terminal alongside Norwegian Encore, according to Cruise Industry News, which reported the news on October 14.

The numbers

The one-million mark is a big step up. Victoria welcomed 989,950 cruise passengers in 2025, so 2026 crossed a line the port had come close to before.

Ship calls are up, too. The 332 calls expected this year beat the old record of 329, set in 2022.

The season began on April 10 with Holland America's Nieuw Amsterdam, according to the harbor authority's own announcement at the time. It will end on Sunday, October 18, when Lindblad's National Geographic Venture makes the final call. That is a season of just over six months, with a busy summer peak in between. On the biggest days, several large ships share the piers, and thousands of guests head into town at once.

"This is a significant moment for Victoria and for the many people who support each cruise call," said GVHA CEO Jeremy Dunn.

Who came to the party

The event drew Victoria Mayor Marianne Alto, Paul Nursey of Destination Greater Victoria and Melissa Barnhard of the Songhees Nation. Two Norwegian Cruise Line guests, Geri and Gary Skardina, got a basket of local products and a private VIP tour.

New lines and next year

Virgin Voyages and MSC Cruises called at Victoria for the first time this year. The port hosted six first-time ship calls in May alone.

Norwegian Cruise Line will be back in 2027 with three ships: Norwegian Bliss, Norwegian Encore and Norwegian Joy.

Why so many ships stop in Victoria

Many ships that call in Victoria are on Alaska cruises from Seattle. US law requires foreign-flagged ships sailing round trip from a US port to stop at a foreign port. Victoria is a short sail from Seattle, which makes it an easy choice. That is why many Alaska cruises from Seattle list Victoria as the last stop before home.

The catch is timing. Many of these calls are short, and some run only in the evening. Guests may see Victoria for just a few hours.

How to make the most of a Victoria stop

Ships dock at Ogden Point, at the edge of the city's James Bay area. The Inner Harbour, the Parliament Buildings and the Fairmont Empress are roughly 2 kilometers (about a mile and a quarter) away along the water. You can walk it, or take a shuttle or taxi.

With a short call, plan for one or two things, not five. A walk along the harbor, dinner in town or a visit to the Inner Harbour after dark all fit a short call. Day trips farther out, such as to Butchart Gardens, need more time. Check your ship's hours before you book one.

You will need a valid passport or other accepted travel document for the stop in Canada. Check the rules for your cruise before you leave home.

My take

A million passengers is a big number for a small capital city, and it shows how central Victoria has become to the Alaska cruise business. If your ship only calls in the evening, I would skip the long tours and simply walk the harbor. It is one of the prettiest walks on the West Coast.