Do you know why Alaska cruises have a stop in Canada, even if its just for a few hours? It’s because foreign-flagged cruise ships (registered outside the United States) need an international port of call to comply with the Passenger Vessel Services Act of 1886. Most times the ships arrive late evening and it is easy to be tempted to stay onboard, but don’t. Take advantage of the long days and go see something new!
Our sailing stopped in Victoria, British Columbia. It is the most charming little port city with a distinct European feel evidenced in the Victorian architecture and popular pub culture. We opted for a horse-drawn carriage ride tour. The FamTrav husband and I would have loved visiting Butchart Gardens, but knew this would go over better with the teens.
Our guide gave us an overview of the city’s British colonial past. I couldn’t help noticing how lush and green everything is. We passed a number of parks where we saw people playing tennis and soccer. The city is also very walkable, and tourists and residents alike were out and about enjoying themselves.
The city is dotted with larger-than-life sculptures, and Victoria is sometimes described as an art gallery without walls. This giant watering can in The Watering Garden in Beacon Park is both sculpture and a water feature for a children’s park. How cool!
Near the end of our tour, we were in the historic James Bay neighborhood and got to witness a beautiful sunset on the waterfront. This was the perfect ending to a wonderful vacation experience.
In closing, here are a Alaska cruise few tips I’d like to share with you:
- Most excursions run rain or shine. Be prepared. The are only a few activities that may get cancelled due to weather, e.g. helicopter and flightseeing trips, and river and lake trips.
- Rain jackets are much more effective than umbrellas. Just leave those at home.
- Pick excursions that will take you out of your comfort zone. Go in with the mindset that you may not get the opportunity to visit this place again.
- Choose excursions with your entire party in mind. Everyone wants to feel heard and enjoy themselves.
- Pack layers. There could be dramatic temperature shifts throughout the day. This is especially true if you are sailing very early or late in the season.
- When in doubt, opt for comfort over style. You are likely going to be doing a lot of walking.
And while some people dress formally for dinner, this is not the norm anymore. - Invest in a good pair of binoculars and/or a good quality camera.
- Definitely have professional portraits done onboard. They’re worth it!
- Please plan to fly/drive to your embarkation point at least one day prior.
- Planning to purchase souvenirs? Buy local first. Look for the logos described here. This will help support vulnerable communities and contribute to sustainable tourism.
- Cruising is not a one size fits all experience. Choose a line and a ship that meets your needs. No matter how port intensive an itinerary, you will still be spending a lot of time onboard.
- Always, always, always book a balcony cabin.
Thanks so much for following along! I’ve enjoyed reliving our experience. And if I piqued your interest in an Alaska cruise, please reach out to me. I’d love to help you!
Our Alaska Adventure: Norwegian Encore
Our Alaska Adventure: Glacier Bay
Our Alaska Adventure: Ketchikan (Ward Cove)
Our Alaska Adventure: Victoria + Alaska Cruise Tips
Shop my winter staples from Amazon that I’ve used and loved for years:
Down Coat With Fur Hood (silver not available at this time) / Satin Lined Beanie with Faux Fur Pom / Waterproof Winter Gloves with Touch Screen / Ankle Boot
As a full-service travel agent, I would love to be of assistance to you. I am passionate about what I do and pour that energy into crafting perfectly planned itineraries for you. Email ebony@familytraveladventuresllc.com to learn more.
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