Greater Victoria Harbour Authority to host mid-week calls in 2020

Greater Victoria Harbour Authority (GVHA) in Canada will host new cruise ships and an increased number of mid-week calls during its 2020 season.

Scheduled to begin on 3 April 2020 with a visit from Princess Cruises’ Grand Princess, next year’s season will see 770,000 passengers visiting Victoria during 283 calls onboard ships from 12 different cruise brands.

For the first time next year, ships will stop on Tuesdays and Wednesdays. Carnival Cruise Line’s Carnival Miracle will make 10 calls on alternating Tuesdays throughout the season, while Princess Cruises’ Golden Princess will visit every two weeks on Wednesdays for a total of seven calls. Norwegian Cruises Line’s Norwegian Sun will visit 14 times, arriving on various days as part of her variable itinerary between Seattle and Alaska.

In addition, GVHA will welcome Cunard’s Queen Elizabeth nine times as part of her new roundtrips to Alaska. Up to 100 guests will have the opportunity to choose Victoria as their port of departure on four of these cruises.

New visitors for 2020 will include Holland America Line’s Koningsdam, Oceania Cruises’ Insignia and Silversea Cruises’ Silver Cloud. Meanwhile, returning vessels will include Norwegian Bliss, Norwegian Joy and Royal Caribbean International’s Ovation of the Seas.

“Next year is shaping up to be significant for our organisation with the beginning of roundtrip calls from Victoria, new ships visiting and a pattern of sustainable growth for the region,” said Lindsay Gaunt, director of cruise development for GVHA. “One of our objectives is to increase the number of daytime and mid-week calls, helping to balance the needs of the community with the visitor. A ship that calls for a full-day has a stronger economic impact for the destination and provides a better experience for visitors as well as residents.”