First Cruise Ship of the Season Arrives in Victoria on March 6
Disney Wonder scheduled to dock at 8am
Lək̓ʷəŋən Traditional Territory/Victoria, BC, March 5, 2025 — Victoria will welcome its first cruise ship of the season, the Disney Wonder, on March 6. The vessel will arrive at 8:00 AM and depart at 5:00 PM from Pier B at The Breakwater District at Ogden Point.
The Disney Wonder, which carries up to 2,700 passengers and 950 crew, is repositioning from Australia and New Zealand following a transpacific stop in Hawaii. The ship will visit Vancouver and Victoria, before sailing on to San Diego and returning to start its regular Alaska itinerary in May.
To mark the occasion, Chief Jerome Thomas of the Xʷsepsəm Nation will provide an official Lək̓ʷəŋən welcome to the ship’s captain.
“As we embark on the 2025 cruise season, we are thrilled to welcome visitors from around the world to our vibrant city,” says Robert Lewis-Manning, CEO of the Greater Victoria Harbour Authority. “We look forward to providing a warm, authentic welcome that showcases the rich culture and hospitality of our community.”
2025 Cruise Season Highlights:
The season gets fully underway on April 4 with the arrival of Holland America’s Koningsdam. In total, 320 cruise ship visits are currently scheduled for Victoria, including five inaugural calls:
- Europa 2 (luxury vessel; 500 passengers; single call April 20)
- Caribbean Princess (3,100 passengers; two calls beginning/end of season)
- Royal Caribbean Anthem of the Seas (21 calls throughout the season; Quantum class; 4,900 passengers)
- MS Riviera (9 calls throughout the season; 1,200 passengers)
- Villa Vie Odyssey (luxury liveaboard vessel; 900 passengers; single call June 28)
Other notable vessels include:
- Norwegian Joy, Bliss, Encore (Breakaway Plus class; up to 4,000 passengers)
- Seven Seas Explorer (luxury all-suite ship; up to 750 passengers).
The Disney Wonder’s arrival marks an early start to the season, as cruise ships deployed in other parts of the world typically return to the West Coast in April to prepare for their voyages to Alaska.
For the full 2025 cruise schedule, including arrival and departure details, visit GVHA’s website. Media inquiries, photos, and video footage of the ship arrival and welcome ceremony are available upon request.
From left to right: Mark Mawhinney (GVHA board chair), an unnamed officer, Captain Daniele Aschero, Chief Jerome Thomas (Xʷsepsəm Nation), Robert Lewis-Manning (CEO of GVHA) and Pierre Marechal (Wonder’s hotel director).