Greater Victoria Harbour Authority announces draft schedule for the 2022 cruise season

First ship in two years scheduled to arrive on April 6, 2022

Nov. 30, 2021, Victoria, BC, Canada – The not-for-profit Greater Victoria Harbour Authority (GVHA) has released the draft schedule for the 2022 cruise ship season in Victoria with the first ship in a Canadian port in two years arriving on April 6, 2022.

Subject to further changes in the months ahead, there are currently 350 ship calls scheduled to arrive at the Victoria Cruise Terminal over the seven-month season between March and October. Based on feedback from regional and national port partners, GVHA is currently estimating that there will be 759,000 passengers, or close to the equivalent number from the 2019 season.

Health and safety measures and regulations will be determined by Transport Canada and the Public Health Agency of Canada and will be in place for next season. This will include mandatory vaccination requirements for passengers and crew and COVID management plans and reporting protocols for all ships. On the ground, operations team members have been working with partners to ensure the safe movement of passengers upon arrival, both on the terminal and in the community. Planned measures will always meet both federal and provincial health requirements.

“We’ve worked hard and collaborated with government and industry to ensure that when ships return to Canada, and to Victoria, we will be ready to safely welcome passengers and crew,” said Ian Robertson, CEO, Greater Victoria Harbour Authority. “I look forward to being on the pier when that first ship arrives, and the first cruise passengers in two years disembark the ship to explore our beautiful city.”

“Our government is excited to welcome the first cruise ship back in Canadian waters in two years to the Victoria Cruise Terminal, Canada’s busiest port of call and a strategic stop on the popular Alaskan cruise itinerary,” said Rob Fleming, Minister of Transportation and Infrastructure. “Our government is working hard with our partners to support the safe restart of the $2.7 billion industry in British Columbia.”

A continued and top priority for the GVHA is the long-term viability of cruise in Greater Victoria. Work on sustainability initiatives, such as funding for shore power, has continued during the two years that cruise ships have been absent in Victoria. Collaboration between local industry partners, cruise lines, and levels of government has helped to ensure that when the industry returns in 2022, it will be able to build back with a renewed focus on economic development, sustainability, and social license within the city. A recent survey conducted by Insights West on behalf of GVHA and Cruise Lines International Association showed that 79% of respondents view the impact of the industry in Victoria as positive, equal to that in 2018, and 57% of residents surveyed describe the economic benefit of the industry as significant, up from 51% in 2018.

“I am thrilled to see the cruise industry return to Victoria and to support our organization’s focus on a sustainable approach to our business,” said Christine Willow, Board Chair, Greater Victoria Harbour Authority. “As Chair, I am appreciative of the support from the many local stakeholders and partners across Greater Victoria as we’ve planned for the safe resumption of cruise in our region.”  

“The Victoria Cruise Industry Alliance is ready to offer cruise passengers the best possible experience when the first cruise ship pulls in next year,” said Anna Poustie, VCIA Chair. “Our members are enthusiastic supporters of the cruise industry and are proud to be part of the significant economic contributions we bring to our local community.”

In 2022, the Norwegian Encore, Majestic Princess, and Royal Caribbean’s Quantum of the Seas will make their inaugural calls to Victoria. Majestic Princess will be the first vessel to utilize the Pier B mooring dolphin extension that was completed in early 2020 with financial support from the Government of Canada’s Investing in Canada program.

The draft 2022 cruise season schedule is available online at gvha.ca/cruise/cruise-schedule/.

About the Greater Victoria Harbour Authority
The Greater Victoria Harbour Authority is a community-based, not-for-profit organization that is committed to the stewardship and sustainable growth of Victoria’s dynamic working harbour. The organization is governed by a 13-member Board of Directors, represented by four independent community members and eight Member Agencies: Esquimalt Nation, Songhees Nation, Capital Regional District, City of Victoria, Township of Esquimalt, The Chamber, Victoria Esquimalt Harbour Society, and Destination Greater Victoria.

The Greater Victoria Harbour Authority owns and operates several high-profile community amenities including the Ogden Point Breakwater, Inner Harbour lower causeway, Ship Point, and customs dock at Raymur Point. Within its commercial and marine industrial holdings are The Breakwater District at Ogden Point, Fisherman’s Wharf, four Inner Harbour marinas, and the historic Steamship Terminal. The organization manages the Victoria Cruise Terminal at The Breakwater District, which contributes more than $143 million annually to the Greater Victoria economy and is responsible for 800 direct and indirect jobs.

In 2021, the Greater Victoria Harbour Authority was certified as a Canadian Council of Aboriginal Business’ Progressive Aboriginal Relations Silver Member, a reflection of its ongoing commitment to a guiding principle of First Nations Relationships.

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