Victoria, British Columbia Port Reviews

We opted to not do an excursion and go out in our own. We hopped on the BC transit ($5 all day pass) took the number 2 line over to Oak Bay. It’s about a 25 min ride through town. Oak Bay is a nice little village with shops and eateries. Very friendly. We walked about 10 min to Oak Bay Marina. I highly recommend this especially if you have children. For $3 you get a bag of fish to feed the local seals. There was about 6 of them just waiting. They will do tricks like spin for you and splash you. One kept hitting his belly. This was by far our favorite stop on the cruise!

Victoria is just spectacular. We took an exciting to the butterfly garden (best one we've ever been to including different countries) and then to the unparalleled Butchart Gardens which must be the most beautiful gardens this side of heaven.

Visited: Aug 16, 2019

Read full cruise review

We may go back to Victoria for another vacation. It’s really pretty and has more to see than what you can pack into a few hours. We did the O’Canada Highlights bus tour. Our tour guide Jonathan was really good. We stopped at a coffee shop for a donut and hot beverage after driving through some of the more interesting neighborhoods in the area and up to a Victoria overlook with beautiful views of the city.

Visited: Jul 12, 2019

Read full cruise review

You have to go to the Butchart Gardens if you come here. The have the most beautiful flowers and scenery. The city is so clean with flower baskets every ten feet it seems and topiaries on major roads. The store near the port is hard to get into but the prices are less expensive than the gift shop in Butchart gardens. When you are looking for an Alaskan itinerary try to find one with Victoria.

Great visit, I highly recommend checking out Butchart gardens and the butterfly gardens. Beautiful sights for people who enjoy a relaxing walk while enjoying the sights.

So worth getting off the ship, even for a couple of hours. Such a beautiful city, especially at night.

Visited: Jun 23, 2019

Read full cruise review

We chose to explore Victoria on our own. It's a beautiful city! Our family of 4 took a taxi for $10 (cheaper than the shuttle) and my parents, brother, nephew (who uses a wheelchair) took a minivan for $20 (still cheaper than shuttle) to the Empress Palace. We then walked the recommended route from the kind lady working the visitors booth at the end of the pier. She gave us a map and we followed her suggestions. We got to see Chinatown, the waterfront, Parliament, and stopped in a pub for a pint. We easily took a taxi across from where we were dropped off back to the pier for the same cost. (As a reference the shuttle was $15/person, so our family of 4 would have spent $60 instead of the $20 for the taxis.) Don't head back too early so you can see Parliament lit up at night, it is beautiful!

Visited: Jun 28, 2019

Read full cruise review

In port 6pm to midnight. My wife was content to stay on the ship and get some more of her novel read but I had to set foot in Canada for the first time. I boarded one of the many continuously running double-decker shuttle busses for $20, (includes return trip to pier). Victoria was a beautiful city with many monuments and well manicured gardens. I purchased some souvenirs, listened to some of the many street musicians, had my fist gelato cone, (I've led a sheltered life), and returned to the ship. Beautiful city, nice time.

Visited: Jul 29, 2017

Read full cruise review

Only complaint was the very limited amount of time there. We had a great dinner and it’s a charming place just wanted more than 4 hours.

Visited: Jul 14, 2019

Read full cruise review

Butchart Gardens is a must see! Absolutely transports one to a magical place!

Visited: Jun 09, 2017

Read full cruise review