Cruise Port Profile of the Day--Victoria BC

Victoria is the provincial capital of British Columbia, and is the main city on Vancouver Island. Between the months of May and October each year, the city is also a hub for visits from Alaska cruisers.

Sightseeing in Victoria: All cruise lines that make port in Victoria have shore excursions from which you can choose, but it is also easy to "do the city" and surroundings on your own, as the cruise terminal is only a little over a mile from city center, an easy walk for most, or an inexpensive taxi ride for those who chose not to walk. One of the main landmarks in City Centre is the Empress Hotel, seen in the photo above. If you are lucky enough to be on one of the ships that makes port during day time hours, make sure to make it to the Empress for afternoon high tea.

The Royal British Columbia Museum is well worth the visit, including a number of exhibits on culture and BC's First Peoples. New to the museum is the BC Experience, a multimedia interactive guide to Victoria. Also nearby are Craigdarroch Castle and the gorgeous Butchart Gardens, both of which feature unforgettable scenic beauty.

Outdoor and Adventure Activities: Whale watching and sea kayaking are popular activities in Victoria during the summer months, and local resident pods of orca are usually seen at this time. If you are a confirmed cyclist, bicycles may be rented for your exploration of the city.

Dining: The aforementioned Empress Hotel has several good dining venues and, again, if you are in the hotel near the 4:00 hour, be sure to make reservations for high tea. This British afternoon tradition is more like a light meal than just "tea and crumpets" and the Empress does it extremely well. If you are more the pub type, be sure to visit the Snug Pub at the Oak Bay Beach Hotel, where you can sample the multiplicity of ales and traditional pub food available, as well as whale watch from an outside deck.

Shopping: No port profile would be complete without suggesting various places to shop while in town, and Victoria is replete with possibilities for those who like to indulge in the sport of "competitive shopping" whilst on vacation. If you like authentic native arts, be sure to visit Eagle Feather First Nations' gallery. Also downtown is the Bay Centre, which has a number of gift stores all in one place. And don't forget to visit Chinatown for Asian Pacific items.