Prince Rupert's loss is Victoria's gain with Ogden Point winning back Royal Caribbean Cruise Lines for a cruise ship season scheduled for a record number of visits.
It is also predicted to have an overall financial impact of $148 million, according to the Greater Victoria Harbour Authority which manages the cruise ship port at Ogden Point.
Royal Caribbean stopped in Victoria on a regular basis in 2007 but last year the cruise line took its Vision of the Seas into Prince Rupert. It is making Victoria its B.C. stop this year with a different ship, said Greg McAllister, president of King Bros. steamship agents. The 2,000-passenger Rhapsody of the Seas is scheduled to arrive at Ogden Point 18 times during the April to October cruise season.
The company also owns Celebrity Cruises, another frequent visitor here.
A total 25 cruise ships are set to make 215 visits to Ogden Point this year, an all-time high and up from 201 last year. Still to be released, is the list of smaller pocket cruise ships that pull into Victoria Harbour every year.
Large cruise ships will be running at capacity, delivering close to 400,000 passengers and about 132,800 crew members, about the same number as last year. The three millionth passenger to step off a cruise ship since Ogden Point was rebuilt in 1978 will be honoured, likely sometime in July.
Passengers and crew spend when they get off the ship, and cruise lines use local services for everything from ship repair and refits to ice and food deliveries.
The direct amount of spending by passengers and crew this year is expected to be close to "$30 million to Victoria," Sonterra Ross, corporate controller for the Greater Victoria Harbour Authority, said yesterday. Passengers spend an average of $56.85 each and crew an average of $56.04.
An economic analysis found the total economic impact in Victoria, which includes indirect spending, is expected to reach $148.2 million.
On April 23 at 8 a.m., the first ship of the season, the 1,380-passenger Amsterdam will pull in. Its owner, Holland America, is making the most visits to Victoria this season, with 71 planned arrivals, delivering 109,340 passengers.
Princess Cruise Lines will bring the largest number of passengers, delivering 133,592 during 61 visits.
Be ready for your jaw to drop when floating condominium-hotel, The World, arrives at 8 a.m. June 7 on its never-ending journey circumnavigating the globe. Carrying just over 1,000 passengers, the 644-foot-long ship leaves July 9 at 1 p.m. While in this region, The World also makes other stops in B.C., going to Vancouver, Saltspring Island, Nanaimo, Port Alberni and Prince Rupert.
The smaller, ultra-luxurious Hanseatic, with 184 passengers, pulls in July 27 at 8 a.m. from Campbell River. It is here again on July 29, again arriving at 8 a.m.
Ships making their first stops in Victoria will be the Crystal Serenity when it docks May 3 and the Sea Princess on June 1, Ross said.
Work is continuing on improving the Ogden Point terminal, which has gone through major infrastructure repairs and esthetic improvements in the past year and a half.
cjwilson@tc.canwest.com
