Hi-
I will be sailing on Royal Caribbean to Alaska in late August and our last port will be Victoria BC. I've been so pre-occupied with the ports in the Alaska that I'm just looking into things to do in Victoria now. It seems that the big attraction is Butchart Gardens and would like to have first hand input on those that have been there on a port day. we will be in port from about 9-6. For context, my wife and I are in our 40s and my kids are 9 and 12 year old and we will also have 2 active senior citizens with us. a very diverse group with different interests and activity tolerance. Our group [more like my daughter & wife] is the type that can't do an all day trip in port.... i would say 4-5 hours would be our [their] time limit.
It will be late August, so are the flowers/garden [specifically the roses] in full bloom? is that a good time to go? how many hours do people general spend time there? is it super crowded. in hindsight was the visit worth it to you?
Im debating on going to Butchart garden vs exploring downtown and the wharf. if we do butchart garden we would probably just visit the garden [3-4 hours] and then grab lunch somewhere in town and then head back to the ship. the alternative would be to explore the city... specifically parliament bldg and the fisherman's wharf. maybe do a carriage ride, water taxi or do the hop on hop off bus.
is butchart garden a must see... is it worth the time and energy to go all the way out there?