First Cruise Ship of 2026 Arrives in Victoria on Friday, April 10
Nieuw Amsterdam’s 10am call kicks off the season – 335 anticipated calls in total.
lək̓ʷəŋən Traditional Territory/Victoria, BC, April 8, 2026 — Victoria will welcome its first cruise ship of the 2026 season, Holland America’s Nieuw Amsterdam, on April 10. The vessel will arrive at 10 AM and depart at 10 PM from Pier B at The Breakwater District at Ogden Point.
The Nieuw Amsterdam has been visiting Victoria since 2016. The ship, which carries up to 2,106 guests, will make two further calls into the terminal in 2026. This visit marks the beginning of a busy season for Victoria featuring 335 anticipated calls and a projected passenger count of 1,008,109.
To mark the occasion, a representative from the Songhees Nation will provide an official lək̓ʷəŋən welcome for the ship’s captain, Eric van der Wal, and the lək̓ʷəŋən Traditional Dancers will perform. Mayor Marianne Alto and other dignitaries will attend.
“As the 2026 cruise season begins, we’re thrilled to welcome the Nieuw Amsterdam to this vibrant city,” says Don Krusel, Interim CEO of the Greater Victoria Harbour Authority. “Victoria is famous for its hospitality, and we look forward to providing a warm welcome to all the passengers and crew that will visit the city this year.”
Beth Bodensteiner, president of Holland America Line, said: “Marking the start of a new cruise season in Victoria is always special, but returning with Nieuw Amsterdam 10 years after her inaugural call makes the day especially meaningful. Our guests love Victoria’s natural beauty, cultural richness, and warm hospitality and we’re grateful to our partners in Victoria for helping us create memorable experiences year after year.”
2026 Cruise Season Highlights:
In total, 335 cruise ship calls are scheduled for Victoria. This would be a record for the terminal, but calls may be impacted by weather and scheduling changes.
In 2026, Victoria will have six inaugural calls, which include inaugural line calls from Virgin Voyages and MSC Cruises.
- Voyager of Seas (Royal Caribbean, 4,000 passengers, 22 calls in 2026) – May 7
- Star Princess (Princess Cruises, 4,300 passengers, 21 calls) – May 9
- Brilliant Lady (Virgin Voyages, 2,770 passengers, 3 calls) – May 10
- Silver Nova (Silversea Cruises, 728 passengers, 1 call) – May 10
- MSC Poesia (MSC Cruises, 3,013 passengers, 20 calls) – May 17
- Azamara Pursuit (Azamara Club Cruises, 777 passengers, 4 calls) – May 31
The National Geographic Venture will make the final call of the season on October 18.
Browse the full 2026 cruise schedule.
A photo of the Nieuw Amsterdam arriving in Victoria on its inaugural call in 2026 is available. Photos and video footage of the ship’s 2026 arrival and welcome ceremony will be available upon request.