Cruise Season Kicks Off in Victoria

0:00It's April 7th. This is Vancouver News today, your AI-powered local news. The crew season is underway in Victoria as the first ship of the year. Holland America's NIU Amsterdam pulls into Ogden Point this Friday morning. At 10am, this 936-foot giant carries 2,100 passengers marking the start of 331 expected visits through the fall. The ship sails in from Astoria, Oregon, heading next to Vancouver, and then Hawaii, with a 10pm departure from Victoria that same day. It'll loop back to Ogden Point on April 28th after a tropical run. Local leaders are rolling out the welcome mat, with Mayor Marianne Alto, tourism officials, and the Lake Wungan dancers on hand to greet everyone. It's a big boost for the community, firing up hotels, shops, and eateries right as spring hits. Central keeps the momentum with 7 more ships, including the smaller National Geographic Venture on April 29th, which holds just 100. Passengers and heads up the coast to alert bay for cultural stops.

1:03Come May, two fresh lines, virgin voyages, and MSC cruises, make their Victoria debuts. The season cruises on strong until October 13th, when Norwegian Encore drops anchor for the Grand Finale at Ogden Point, wrapping another busy year on the water.