Category: North America

EVENING BUCHART GARDENS EXPERIENCE AND SIGHTSEEING TOUR

On this approximately three-hour trip to the Butchart Gardens, north of Victoria, you’ll have the chance to see this vast and verdant site illuminated for the evening. Afterwards, enjoy a panoramic drive through Victoria at night, past landmark buildings such as the Fairmont Empress hotel and through the Inner Harbour and Chinatown.

Excursion Details

Explore the floral wonders of the Butchart Gardens on this excursion of around three hours, beginning with an approximately 45-minute transfer drive narrated by your onboard guide. Created by Jennie Butchart in 1904 in a former quarry, the gardens cover around 55 acres in Brentwood Bay, British Columbia.

You’ll have approximately 90-minutes to independently explore the gardens, which are still privately owned and operated by Butchart’s family. The venue was designated a National Historic Site of Canada in 2004 to mark its centenary. On summer evenings the gardens are enhanced by an experience called Night Illuminations, with lighting along paths and around key features such as the Ross Fountain creating a memorable scene.

Following the visit to the gardens, return to your vehicle for the approximately 45-minute drive back to Victoria, which includes a panoramic tour of the city’s Inner Harbour to view the Parliament Buildings and the Fairmont Empress hotel by night. The route also passes through the Gate of Harmonious Interest to see Chinatown, and continues back past the Old Town before returning to the port.

Important Information: Manual wheelchairs are available to borrow at the gardens with same-day request. Busses are accessible and accommodate 2 scooters per bus.

HISTORICAL AND CULTURAL EVENING WALKING TOUR

Delve into Victoria’s culture, architecture and history on this approximately two-hour walking tour that ventures from the coastal neighbourhood of James Bay to the Inner Harbour. After highlights including Fisherman’s Wharf and the landmarks of Government Street, choose between some independent exploration or returning to port.

Excursion Details

On this guided walking tour lasting around two hours, you’ll get an in-depth introduction to British Columbia’s capital city. Begin in Victoria’s oldest residential neighbourhood, James Bay, set at the southern tip and named after Sir James Douglas, a key founder of Fort Victoria in the 1800s and later governor of Vancouver Island and British Columbia.

The tour starts with a walk through Fisherman’s Wharf to admire the floating homes and vibrant fishing community, as your guide relays stories of the area’s maritime past. From there, continue to the Inner Harbour – the heart of the city – where you’ll see the Fairmont Empress hotel and the Parliament Buildings, home to the Legislative Assembly of British Columbia.

Moving into downtown Victoria, you’ll stroll along Government Street, one of the city’s most historic thoroughfares. Today, it’s lined with shops, restaurants and venues that reflect Victoria’s evolution from a 19th century settlement into a thriving modern city.

Your guide will conclude the tour in the downtown area. Here, you’ll have a choice between letting your guide accompany you back to the port or staying around downtown and exploring by yourself for a while, returning to the port in your own time.

Important Information: Guests must be at least 5 years old to participate

MINI HOP-ON HOP-OFF CITY SIGHTSEEING TOUR

Hop aboard the double-decker hop-on hop-off bus to explore Victoria’s stunning points of interest at your own pace! Enjoy unlimited sightseeing and the flexibility to discover top attractions like Chinatown, the Empress Hotel, the Inner Harbour, and Cook Street Village.

If you want to explore a specific area, simply hop off and the bus will return every approximately 30-45 minutes to take you to your next stop. For those looking to delve deeper, feel free to stay downtown—just remember to arrange your own return to the port!

DISCOVER VICTORIA BY E-BIKE

On this approximately two-hour excursion you’ll climb aboard an electric bike for a guided exploration of Victoria’s coastal views, historic landmarks, neighbourhoods and waterfront. Enjoy an energising ride, fresh air and natural scenery as you sightsee around the southern tip of Vancouver Island.

Excursion Details

Test your pedal power on this e-bike excursion through Victoria, lasting around two hours and beginning with a safety briefing from your guide for about 15 minutes. You’ll then set off on your guided cycle tour of around one hour and 45 minutes, first riding to Dallas Road, which runs along the southern edge of Victoria, following the coastline. It’s a popular spot for cycling and known for its ocean views, including the Olympic Mountains in the distance.

You’ll then head north to enjoy the sights of the Inner Harbour, including the Parliament Buildings and the historic Fairmont Empress hotel. You’ll also ride through the bustling streets of Canada’s oldest surviving Chinatown and pass over the Johnson Street Bridge into the Songhees neighbourhood.

This waterfront area in the Victoria West district (known locally simply as Vic West) takes its name from the Songhees Nation, the Indigenous people who have lived in the region for thousands of years. The neighbourhood is known for its waterfront parks and walking trails. When the e-bike tour come to an end at the cruise terminal the excursion finishes.

Important Information: The tour route is subject to change. Guests should consider their physical fitness before booking this tour. Guests must be at least 16 years old to participate. Must have recent experience riding a pedal bike. Must be minimum 5 ft to participate. Closed toe shoes required, no open toe shoes

VICTORIA BY HORSE DRAWN TROLLEY

Take an approximately hour-long ride on a horse-drawn trolley through Victoria, winding from Ogden Point Pier through historic James Bay to the Inner Harbour. As you ride, you’ll be able to admire the city’s landmarks, from the Parliament Buildings to the Fairmont Empress hotel.

Excursion Details

Climb aboard a horse-drawn trolley for a ride lasting around one hour and let Victoria’s history unfold before you. Blankets are available to keep you warm and a covered passenger area offers protection from showers, meaning you can enjoy the journey whatever the weather.

The trolley sets off from Ogden Point Pier, travelling through the neighbourhood of James Bay before arriving at the bustling Inner Harbour. Your horse-drawn vehicle allows you to explore Victoria as its residents once did during the reign of Queen Victoria, when the city was founded as a British trading post in 1843.

Along the route, historic landmarks rise into view: the Royal BC Museum, founded in 1886, the grand Parliament Buildings that house the Legislative Assembly of British Columbia, and the Fairmont Empress, a famous hotel which has been welcoming guests since 1908. The excursion then concludes when the ride ends back at the pier.

Important Information:Guests should be able to step up a 1-foot-high stair from the sidewalk to board the trolley. It is recommended that guests dress in layers

BC BITES AND SIGHTS

This approximately two-and-a-half-hour guided walk and food tour offers a delicious introduction to Victoria, combining local tastings with sightseeing and a ferry ride. Scenic highlights along the way include the James Bay neighbourhood, the Inner Harbour and Canada’s oldest surviving Chinatown.

Excursion Details

Discover flavours of British Columbia on a guided tour and tasting experience, lasting around two and a half hours. You’ll pass key city sights between the tastings, which take place at Swans Pub, Rogers’Chocolates and other venues around the city. Start in James Bay, the city’s oldest residential neighbourhood and known for its Victorian architecture, before a short walk to your first food stop, lasting around 15 minutes

Afterwards, you’ll board a small ferry at Fisherman’s Wharf for a roughly 15-minute journey through the Inner Harbour, enjoying views of the waterfront on the way. You’ll then continue on foot for around 15 minutes through Canada’s oldest existing Chinatown, arriving at a popular spot for another bite to eat over 15 minutes or so.

Once you’ve finished your second tasting, the guided walk resumes. Heading towards the Inner Harbour, you’ll meander through downtown for about 15 minutes to reach the next tasting stop, lasting around 15 minutes.

Another guided stroll of approximately 15 minutes brings you to the fourth and final tasting, which you’ll enjoy over 20 minutes or so. During this final leg of the tour, you’ll also view two of Victoria’s most celebrated landmarks: the British Columbia Parliament Buildings and the historic Fairmont Empress hotel. Afterwards, you’ll receive a ticket for the short shuttle journey back to the port. This allows you to return in your own time, meaning you can continue exploring this waterfront city at your own pace.

Important Information: Guests will walk approximately 3 miles on this tour. Tour is not wheelchair accessible due to Harbour Ferry (guest must be able to step in and out of harbour ferry).

VICTORIA HIGHLIGHTS

Lasting around two and a half hours, this evening tour of Victoria, British Columbia’s capital, showcases the city’s illuminated waterfront and historic charm. You’ll have free time to explore at leisure, as well as enjoying a panoramic drive during the return journey back to port.

Excursion Details

Your approximately two-and-a-half-hour evening exploration of Victoria begins with a roughly 30-minute transfer from the cruise terminal to the Inner Harbour. During the journey you’ll learn about the area and pass sights such as Beacon Hill Park and Mile 0 of the Trans-Canada Highway.

Located in the city’s Downtown district, the Inner Harbour is Victoria’s scenic heart, featuring landmarks such as the British Columbia Parliament Buildings – which are illuminated during evenings – and the historic Fairmont Empress hotel. You’ll have approximately one hour of free time in the Downtown area to explore, grab photos of those landmark buildings and other sights, browse local shops or perhaps find a restaurant or bar in which to refuel (please note all food and drink purchases are made at guests’own expense).

Afterwards, reboard your vehicle for a panoramic drive of about one hour through Victoria’s Old Town, a historic spot and the site of the original Fort Victoria.

You’ll pass through Chinatown and then across the bridge to the Songhees neighbourhood – a prestigious area by the water in Victoria West, which takes its name from the Songhees Nation. The panoramic drive concludes by travelling through the James Bay neighbourhood as you return to the port, signalling the end of the excursion