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June 23, 2024

a beautifully illuminated building at night, with a clear dark sky as the backdrop
Alaska, Cruise Ports, Victoria

Your Ultimate Guide to Victoria: From Cruise Port to Stunning City Center

Victoria, the charming capital city of British Columbia in Canada, is a popular stop for American cruise lines navigating the Pacific Northwest and Alaska routes. Major cruise lines such as Holland America, Princess Cruises, and Norwegian Cruise Line frequently call at the Port of Victoria, which is Canada’s busiest port of call. Victoria is famous for its seafood, with local specialties like Pacific salmon and Dungeness crab being must-tries if you want to grab a bite to eat during your visit here. The cruise port boasts three main terminals, with the Ogden Point Terminal being the primary docking location for cruise ships. This port is renowned for its efficient services and proximity to Victoria’s vibrant downtown, making it an excellent cruise port because there’s so much to do, even within walking distance. Why is Victoria Such a Short Port of Call? Unfortunately, many cruisers calling on Victoria as part of an Alaskan cruise itinerary often find their stop here to be frustratingly short. On my own visit aboard a Holland cruise, our stop in Victoria was 8 pm to 11:59 pm. Yep, you read that right. Less than four hours and late at night! This experience is far from uncommon, and there’s a reason for that. Victoria’s inclusion on many Alaskan cruise itineraries is due to the Passenger Vessel Services Act, which mandates that foreign-flagged ships must visit at least one foreign port when traveling between U.S. ports. As a result, Victoria serves as a convenient and appealing stop on U.S. Alaskan cruises. A map of the marina can be found here. Related: If you’re taking an Alaskan cruise, be sure to note that this required stop in Canada may present a problem for cruisers with any sort of criminal background.  From Victoria Cruise Port to the City Center The distance from Ogden Point Cruise Terminal to Victoria’s city center is approximately 1.5 miles. Cruisers can opt to walk, which can take a bit of time (about 30 minutes), or snag a taxi at the taxi stand right outside the cruise pier at a cost of around $10 USD each way. Ride-share services like Uber are also an option here, with similar pricing. Shuttle services provided by local operators offer round trips for about $15 USD. For those who prefer public transportation, several bus lines connect the port with downtown Victoria, with a one-way fare costing around $2.50 USD. Another more unique option is a pedicab, which is what I chose to use to explore the city during my short time there. You can try to grab on one-site, but they are limited in supply, so you may want to consider booking in advance.  Exploring Victoria by pedicab! Top Things to Do in Victoria Alaskan cruise excursions tend to be quite expensive and somewhat limited, so if you’re looking for things to do in Victoria, here are some of the top choices. You’ll likely find some of these offered as official cruise line excursions, or you can venture out and explore them on your own. Just make sure you’re aware first of the pros and cons (and risks) of independent excursions.  Royal BC Museum The Royal BC Museum, located about 1.2 miles from the cruise port, is a premier cultural destination in Victoria. It offers extensive exhibits on the natural and human history of British Columbia, including First Nations artifacts, dioramas of the province’s ecosystems, and historical displays. Admission is approximately $18 USD. Walking to the museum takes about 25 minutes from the port. Unfortunately, museum hours generally don’t align with late ports of call, so be sure to check museum operating hours before planning a visit here.  Butchart Gardens Butchart Gardens, a National Historic Site of Canada, is one of Victoria’s top attractions, but at about 14 miles from the cruise port, requiring a drive of approximately 30 minutes, it’s not always a feasible option for cruisers calling here, depending on the schedule. This 55-acre garden features stunning floral displays, themed gardens, and seasonal events. Entrance fees are around $30 USD for adults. Be sure to consult the facility’s operating hours to ensure that it aligns with your time in port. Inner Harbour Victoria’s Inner Harbour is about a mile from the cruise port, making it about a 20-minute walk. This bustling area is perfect for leisurely strolls, enjoying street performances, and dining at waterfront restaurants. Key landmarks include the Empress Hotel and the British Columbia Legislature. The harbour itself is free to explore, and given the generally late calls here by cruise lines, that conflict with the operating hours of many museums and attractions, this is one of the few options available to some cruisers.   A warm welcome to Victoria, Canada, under the bright lights. Craigdarroch Castle Craigdarroch Castle, a Victorian-era mansion, is located about 2.5 miles from the cruise port, so not easily walkable. A visit to this historic site provides insights into the opulent lifestyle of the Dunsmuir family. Admission is around $15 USD, and the castle generally closes around 5 pm. Fisherman’s Wharf Fisherman’s Wharf, a unique floating village, is situated less than a mile from the cruise port. This lively area features colorful houseboats, seafood eateries, and eco-tour adventures. It’s an easy 15-minute walk from the port. The wharf is free to visit, though dining and tours vary in price. Chinatown Established in the mid-19th century, Victoria Chinatown is one of the oldest in North America.   Now designated as a National Historic Site, it features a variety of cafes, studios, herbalists, tea rooms, and shops. Among its highlights is the narrow Fan Tan Alley, which measures just 35 inches (88.9 centimeters) at its narrowest point. Chinatown is about 1.5 miles from the cruise port, and although some of the stores and restaurants may be closed during a late night port of call, there are likely to be some options available and open to explore. Language and Currency The official language of Victoria and the entire country of Canada is English, although many residents also speak French, especially in tourist areas. During our visit, all of the vendors we interacted with were fluent in English.    Victoria Cruise Port Ship Schedule The official currency in Victoria and

A woman in a green floral dress stands joyfully on a sandy beach with clear turquoise waters in the background.
Bahamas, Caribbean, Cruise Ports, Half Moon Cay

Exploring Half Moon Cay: A Cruise Line Private Island Paradise

Half Moon Cay, or Little San Salvador Island, is a private paradise in the Bahamas exclusively for Carnival Cruise Line and Holland America Line passengers. This serene retreat offers the perfect spot for a relaxing beach day during your cruise. Note that “cay” is pronounced “key”. Of all the cruise line private islands, it’s one of my favorites. It offers not just a relaxing day at the beach with sugar-soft white sand and crystal-clear turquoise waters, but it’s FREE. Just note that Half Moon Cay is quite a large island, so don’t cluster right near the entrance of the beach, but get out a bit further to avoid the more crowded spaces. Related: New to cruising? Check out my Comprehensive Cruise Guide. About Half Moon Cay Half Moon Cay is a private island in the Bahamas, primarily visited by Carnival Cruise Line and Holland America Line ships. This island covers around 2,400 acres, but only a small portion is developed for visitors, ensuring a natural and untouched environment. The Bahamas, a nation of over 700 islands, is known for its clear waters and sandy beaches. Private islands like Half Moon Cay and others like Princess Cays and CocoCay are reserved exclusively for cruise line passengers, providing a controlled and safe environment for relaxation and fun. It’s really nice to call upon a port where you don’t have to deal with aggressive local vendors hassling you right at the port to buy their goods. The sand and water at Half Moon Cay are known for their pristine quality.  You also don’t have to arrange for transportation, figure out where to go and what to do, or book an expensive excursion. Those are the benefits of private islands, and that’s why I now even seek out itineraries that visit them. If you want to get an idea of what Half Moon Cay looks like, you can get a great overview from this promo video from Carnival (it’s exactly the same, too, for Holland and Princess). Is Half Moon Cay a Tender Port? Half Moon Cay operates as a tender port, which means passengers are transported from the cruise ship to the island using smaller boats. This tendering process takes about 20-30 minutes each way. The beach here is one of the main attractions, featuring soft white sand and calm, inviting waters. I personally don’t like tender ports since the process can be tedious getting to and from the pier, but in this case, the process is well worth it. While I’m generally not much of a fan of cruise line excursions, there’s an additional benefit to them when it comes to tender ports, and that is that the purchase of a cruise line excursion earns you the benefit of priority tendering, meaning you get to be the first people onto the water shuttles over to Half Moon Cay. If you’re not an early riser, this isn’t much benefit, but if you’re yearning to maximize your time on the island, this is the way to do it. Related: Learn more about how to prepare for port days.  Things to Do at Half Moon Cay Because Half Moon Cay is a private island, no third-party excursion options exist. If you want to take an excursion, you must book it directly through the cruise line. These excursions generally include activities like horseback riding in the surf, snorkeling, jet skiing, and other water activities. My recommendation is to save money and enjoy a beach day here. Using loungers is free for cruise guests, and it’s really all you need for a good beach day experience. The only downside here is that the beach area gets a lot of direct sun, and umbrellas and clamshells are not free (more on that in a moment), so plan for this aspect.  What to Bring to Half Moon Cay I recommend bringing a few things with you to enhance the experience (beyond the obvious things like sunscreen). Half Moon Cay is great for snorkeling; I always bring my own set. My favorite is this one from Amazon; it’s affordable yet high quality and has traveled with me worldwide to all sorts of snorkeling experiences. It’s also much more hygienic this way, as you’re not putting something in your mouth that’s been used by many other random people. I also recommend an inflatable float. Many recommend not bringing floats on cruises since they’re forbidden from cruise ship pools, but I disagree because these really enhance the beach day experience, and you don’t have to worry about renting a float or pool noodle. This is my favorite because it’s so compact and versatile. Finally, I recommend a lockable beach bag of some sort. Half Moon Cay does have lockers available for rent, but they’re $10 per locker and not always conveniently located where you’re hanging out on the island. Having your own lockable bag allows you easy access to things like your phone while keeping it secure, along with your money and ship card. Also, don’t forget to bring your beach towels with you from the cruise ship! Related: Not sure about whether to pack beach towels? Here’s what you need to know. Half Moon Cay is a huge island, so get out and explore the less crowded areas. Wi-Fi at Half Moon Cay Wi-Fi is not available on Half Moon Cay. It’s frustrating because even if you pay the high fees for cruise Wi-Fi, it does not work here (unlike at MSC’s Ocean Cay private island, where guests who pay for ship Wi-Fi can also use island Wi-Fi at no cost). In fact, there is no Wi-Fi on Half Moon Cay at all, although some cell providers may have service. I have AT&T, and it works here, but of course, I have to pay my daily international roaming fee to access it. If it’s possible to disconnect, this is a great opportunity to do just that and enjoy the natural surroundings.  Does the Drink Package Work at Half Moon Cay? Some cruise lines allow the use of their drink packages on their private islands, but unfortunately, this is not the case here. Even if

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