Well, our local Alaska cruise-ships docking at Ogden Point BC is now past the halfway point at 148 ships visited now out of a scheduled 210 official visits.
I’ve taken some more pictures this year and will post. The Harbour Authority has improved the area for passengers, transportation and the cruises ships with future plans for water taxis to the Victoria Inner Harbour from the ship next year.
Next week it is expected that off the Holland America Ship Amsterdam we will welcome a passenger who makes up the 4th million visitor to Victoria as they disembark.
Interesting cruise news this week I read in ‘Ports and Bows‘ that RCL CEO has indicated the North American market is loosing its mark as the largest market as cruise ships move to the growing markets of Europe and Australia / New Zealand. The Alaska market is growing again and its departure ports are adjusting to allow folks to fly to more economical airports or less changes including the use of car / train and chartered buses.
It is expensive for folks to fly to Europe during the prime vacation periods what with taxes, fuel costs, surcharges and length of time at airports for security and boarding.
The large market for large ships seems to be the 7- 10 day cruise length as it is very cost effective compared to a land vacation and resort for families. I wonder if tipping will be adjusted to European customs, my humour for the day?
Cheers /Rob
