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.
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.
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.
The official currency in Victoria and throughout Canada is the Canadian Dollar (CAD), and many vendors (but not all) accept US currency. Credit cards are widely accepted, and in most locations, tap-to-pay or contactless payment is becoming very common and quite convenient. A tap-to-pay credit card, also known as a contactless card, allows users to make payments quickly and securely by simply tapping the card against a contactless-enabled payment terminal, eliminating the need to swipe or insert the card and enter a PIN.
Victoria Cruise Port Ship Schedule
The Victoria, Canada cruise ship schedule can be found directly on the Greater Victoria Harbour Authority website.
Victoria Time Zone
Keeping track of time zones can get complicated when cruising, especially for Americans on Pacific Northwest and Alaskan cruises with substantial time zone differences, and itineraries may result in time changes during the cruise. Your captain will make announcements during the cruise to update you on these changes, but it’s good to be aware of these differences ahead of time when planning your stop at the port, especially for excursions.
Victoria follows Pacific Time (PT), which is UTC-8 during standard time, and Pacific Daylight Time (PDT), which is UTC-7 during daylight saving time. However, please note that time zones and daylight saving time rules may change, so it’s always a good idea to double-check the current local time when planning travel or activities. Many cruise lines operate on “ship time” corresponding with the embarkation point, so if your cruise sails from Seattle, which follows Pacific Time.
