Victoria Welcomes Its One-Millionth Cruise Passenger of 2026
Geri and Gary Skardina arrived aboard Norwegian Encore between calls at Vancouver and Astoria, Oregon; the couple had previously visited Victoria eight times.
Victoria welcomed its one-millionth cruise passenger of 2026 on October 13, the first time the four-berth Ogden Point terminal has reached that total in a single season. The Greater Victoria Harbour Authority (GVHA) expects the season to finish with a record 332 ship calls.
The passenger milestone follows totals of 989,950 in 2025, 972,268 in 2024 and 970,000 in 2023. The scheduled call count exceeds the previous record of 329, set in 2022, although it is below GVHA’s initial forecast of 335 visits.
Geri Skardina, of Hermosa Beach, California, received the millionth-passenger designation after arriving aboard Norwegian Cruise Line’s Norwegian Encore with her husband, Gary. The vessel visited Victoria between calls at Vancouver and Astoria, Oregon.
Victoria Mayor Marianne Alto, Destination Greater Victoria Chief Executive Officer Paul Nursey, Melissa Barnhard from Songhees Nation and ship crew members welcomed the couple at the terminal. The Skardinas received a local gift basket and a private city tour.
“This is a significant moment for Victoria and for the many people who support each cruise call,” said Jeremy Dunn, chief executive officer of GVHA. “Our destination partners, excursion operators, terminal teams and local businesses all contribute to the passenger experience.”
Dunn said cruise visits can introduce passengers to Victoria and lead to subsequent trips that extend their economic contribution beyond the initial port call.
The Skardinas had already visited the city eight times, including two trips by road and six aboard Norwegian Encore. Their planned stops during the private tour included Rogers’ Chocolates’ downtown store and Beacon Hill Park.
“We absolutely love this city. The people here have always been so friendly here,” Geri Skardina said.
“For many of our guests, Victoria is their first introduction to Canada’s West Coast,” said Norwegian Cruise Line President Marc Kazlauskas.
Spending and tourism investment
“We have a strong conference sector, strong airport and now strong cruise industry,” Nursey said, “and that brings in investment to build on shore experiences for passengers.”
A 2023 economic impact study by Destination Greater Victoria put the cruise industry’s contribution to the local economy at $214 million. Cruise lines spent an average of $381,600 per ship on expenses including docking fees, transportation, machinery and goods.
The study calculated passenger spending ashore at $71 million and crew spending at $19 million. Destination Greater Victoria put average spending at $100 per passenger and $140 per crew member.
Cruise-related activity also generated approximately $11 million each in federal and provincial taxes and $1 million for municipal governments. Nursey said visitor numbers have risen since the study, so the industry’s economic contribution has grown.
The season began April 10 with Nieuw Amsterdam. National Geographic Venture is scheduled to make the final call on October 18.
