Victoria, BC Expects 14 Cruise Ships and 46,000 Passengers

Victoria, British Columbia, Canada is preparing to welcome 14 cruise ships to Ogden Point between September 7 and September 13, with the vessels offering a combined estimated capacity of 46,491 passengers.

The 2026 back-to-school week is expected to be busier than the final week of August, when 13 cruise ships with total capacity for 43,274 passengers were scheduled to visit.

That represents a week-over-week increase of 3,217 potential passengers, or approximately 7.4%, from one additional ship call. The totals are based on vessel capacities rather than the actual number of passengers expected to arrive in Victoria.

Thursday is forecast to have the highest potential passenger volume of the week. Voyager of the Seas is scheduled to arrive at 8 a.m., followed by Norwegian Joy at 1 p.m. and Celebrity Edge at 5:30 p.m. Together, the three vessels have capacity for an estimated 10,801 passengers.

Saturday will be another busy day, with three ships capable of carrying a combined 10,516 passengers. *Celebrity Summit *is due to arrive at 7 a.m. and stay until 11:59 p.m., giving the vessel a port call lasting almost 17 hours. Star Princess will then arrive at 7 p.m., followed by *Norwegian Encore *at 7:45 p.m.

Friday will feature the week’s most closely grouped arrivals, with three ships scheduled to reach Victoria within 45 minutes of each other.* Norwegian Bliss* is expected at 7:30 p.m., *Eurodam *at 8 p.m. and Royal Princess at 8:15 p.m. The vessels have combined capacity for 9,914 passengers, with all three scheduled to depart by 11:59 p.m.

The week begins on Monday evening with Carnival Spirit, which is due at 8 p.m. and can accommodate 2,124 passengers. No cruise ships are scheduled to call on Tuesday while Wednesday will see Emerald Princess and Carnival Miracle arrive, offering combined capacity for 5,204 passengers.

Another 7,932 passengers could visit aboard two ships on Sunday. Anthem of the Seas, the largest vessel of the week by passenger capacity, is scheduled to arrive at 3 p.m. and can carry an estimated 4,919 guests. MSC Poesia will follow at 7 p.m., with capacity for 3,013 passengers.

Norwegian Cruise Line is expected to represent the biggest proportion of the week’s potential passenger traffic. Norwegian Joy, Norwegian Bliss and Norwegian Encore offer combined capacity for 12,131 passengers.

Princess Cruises ranks second, with Emerald Princess, Royal Princess and Star Princess able to accommodate a combined 10,940 passengers.

The remaining scheduled calls are operated by Carnival Cruise Line, Royal Caribbean International, Celebrity Cruises, Holland America Line and MSC Cruises.