Victoria Sets 2026 Cruise Season With 335 Calls, 1M Passengers
New cruise brands are adding Victoria to their itineraries, signaling the port’s rising pull on the West Coast as operators look beyond traditional Alaska loops.
Victoria is set to open its 2026 cruise season on April 10 with the arrival of Holland America Line’s Nieuw Amsterdam at Ogden Point, according to the Greater Victoria Harbour Authority. The ship is scheduled to dock at Pier B in The Breakwater District at 10 a.m. and depart at 10 p.m.
“As the 2026 cruise season begins, we’re thrilled to welcome the Nieuw Amsterdam to this vibrant city,” said Don Krusel, interim chief executive officer of the Greater Victoria Harbour Authority. “Victoria is famous for its hospitality, and we look forward to providing a warm welcome to all the passengers and crew that will visit the city this year.”
Opening-day call sets the pace for a high-volume season
The April 10 call is the first of 335 cruise ship visits Victoria expects in 2026, with the harbour authority projecting a passenger count of just over one million across the season. Cruise traffic is scheduled to run from early April through mid-October, with National Geographic Venture set as the season’s final call on Oct. 18.
Key dates on the 2026 cruise calendar
- April 10, 2026: Nieuw Amsterdam arrives at 10 a.m. and departs at 10 p.m. from Pier B at The Breakwater District at Ogden Point.
- October 18, 2026: National Geographic Venture is scheduled as the final call of the season.
With hundreds of calls on the schedule, the first arrival is also an operational benchmark for the terminal as it begins managing passenger and crew movements through Ogden Point during the busiest months.
Nieuw Amsterdam’s role in Victoria’s cruise rotation
Nieuw Amsterdam has been a regular visitor to Victoria since 2016, and the harbour authority said the vessel will make three total visits in 2026. The April 10 stop will be followed by two additional calls later in the season.
The ship has a maximum guest capacity of 2,106. Its return as the opening call underscores Victoria’s continued place on West Coast cruise itineraries that include port stops in British Columbia.
Songhees welcome planned at Ogden Point
The harbour authority said the opening-day call will include a formal welcome recognizing local Indigenous presence and traditions. A representative from the Songhees Nation is set to provide an official greeting to the ship’s captain, Bas van Dreumel, and traditional Songhees dancers are scheduled to perform as part of the day’s welcome activities.
Inaugural visits bring new names to the 2026 lineup
Alongside return visits from established operators, Victoria’s 2026 schedule is expected to include six inaugural calls. The season is also set to feature inaugural line calls from Virgin Voyages and MSC Cruises, expanding the range of cruise brands calling at the port.
The harbour authority has distinguished between different types of “firsts” on the calendar: inaugural calls can refer to first-ever visits by specific ships, while inaugural line calls indicate a cruise company’s first time bringing a ship to Victoria.
After the season opens with Nieuw Amsterdam on April 10, the 2026 schedule continues through the spring and summer before closing with National Geographic Venture on Oct. 18, as Victoria works through a slate of 335 calls and more than one million projected passengers.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
When and where will Nieuw Amsterdam dock in Victoria on opening day?
Nieuw Amsterdam is scheduled to arrive on April 10 at 10 a.m. and depart at 10 p.m. from Pier B in The Breakwater District at Ogden Point.
How many times is Nieuw Amsterdam expected to visit Victoria in 2026?
The Greater Victoria Harbour Authority said Nieuw Amsterdam will make three total visits to Victoria’s cruise terminal in 2026, including the April 10 opening call.
What welcome events are planned for the season’s first cruise ship?
The harbour authority said a representative from the Songhees Nation will officially welcome the ship’s captain, Bas van Dreumel, and traditional Songhees dancers are scheduled to perform.
What does Victoria mean by “inaugural calls” and which lines are new to the port in 2026?
The port expects six inaugural calls in 2026. It has also highlighted inaugural line calls, meaning a cruise company’s first time bringing a ship to Victoria, with Virgin Voyages and MSC Cruises cited as inaugural line-call operators for the season.
