350 cruise trips expected to return to Victoria in 2022
Hundreds of thousands of visitors are expected to return to Victoria next year during the 2022 cruise ship season, according to the Greater Victoria Harbour Authority (GVHA).
The GVHA said it had completed a draft schedule for the 2022 season, with the first ship to arrive on April 6. It will be the first cruise ship to dock in Victoria in roughly two years.
While the draft schedule is subject to change, the GVHA says 350 ship calls are currently scheduled to arrive in Victoria between March and October 2022.
The harbour association estimates that 759,000 passengers will be aboard those ships, a total that's close to the number of visitors that arrived during the 2019 cruise ship season.
"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 B.C. Transportation Minister Rob Fleming in a statement Monday.
"Our government is working hard with our partners to support the safe restart of the $2.7 billion industry in British Columbia."
The GVHA says health regulations for cruise ships are set by the federal government. Currently, Canada requires cruise ship passengers and crew members to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19, and operators must have COVID-19 management plans and reporting protocols in place.
The harbour authority says it has plans in place to meet cruise = passengers upon arrival, and that its safety 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 on Monday.
"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," he said.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
BREAKING Iran fires at suspected Israeli attack drones near Isfahan air base and nuclear site
Iran fired air defences at a major air base and a nuclear site early Friday morning near the central city of Isfahan after spotting drones, which were suspected to be part of an Israeli attack in retaliation for Tehran's unprecedented drone-and-missile assault on the country.
NEW After hearing thousands of last words, this hospital chaplain has advice for the living
In his new book 'As Long as You Need', hospital chaplain J.S. Park opens up about death, grief and hearing thousands of last words.
LeBlanc says he plans to run in next election, under Trudeau's leadership
Cabinet minister Dominic LeBlanc says he plans to run in the next election as a candidate under Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's leadership, amid questions about his rumoured interest in succeeding his longtime friend for the top job.
Prince Harry formally confirms he is now a U.S. resident
Prince Harry, the son of King Charles III and fifth in line to the British throne, has formally confirmed he is now a U.S. resident.
Trend Line Anger, pessimism towards federal government reach six-year high: Nanos survey
Most Canadians in March reported feeling angry or pessimistic towards the federal government than at any point in the last six years, according to a survey by Nanos Research.
DEVELOPING Israel targets air defence system in Syria, state news agency says
Israel carried out a missile strike targeting an air defence unit in southern Syria, causing material damage, state-run SANA news agency quoted a military statement as saying Friday.
Colin Jost names one celebrity who is great at hosting 'Saturday Night Live'
Colin Jost, who co-anchors Saturday Night Live's 'Weekend Update,' revealed who he thinks is one of the best hosts on the show.
Stabbed Sydney Assyrian church bishop says he forgives attacker
An Assyrian church bishop who was stabbed during a service at his church said on Thursday he was recovering quickly, and that he had forgiven his attacker as police ramped up investigation into the riots triggered after the bishop's stabbing.
American millionaire Jonathan Lehrer denied bail after being charged with killing Canadian couple
American millionaire Jonathan Lehrer, one of two men charged in the killings of a Canadian couple in Dominica, has been denied bail.