Pacific North west around Victoria Island

I am booked on that cruise around Vancouver Island. If it does not circle the island I will be disappointed indeed.

Please let me know what you think of it!

We're booked on this 4 night cruise plus the following 7 night cruise through a big box TA and their website has the non-circle map. I've done Alaska cruises through the Inside Passage and others not. This will be much better scenery than going well out to sea away from Vancouver Island too far away to actually see anything.

Many years ago we did a two night RCCL cruise that was Seattle - full day of Scenic Cruising - Vancouver. It was glorious and I expect this will be too.

The Eurodam is in Victoria all day Wednesday leaving at midnight. It's 60ish miles from Victoria to Vancouver and the ship has from midnight Wednesday to 8:00am Friday to get there.

I'm betting it's leave Victoria at midnight Wednesday, sail in circles just barely underway until

Thursday sunrise, 13+ hours of daylight cruising slowly up the Inside Passage with bonus beautiful sunset, early Friday morning turn back to head to Vancouver with an 8:00am (but probably earlier) arrival for the day there.

If it does circle the island, you'll see less - much less. Nobody sails close to shore on the west coast of Vancouver Island - BIG waves (it's a storm-watching and surfing hotspot) and lots of 'sticky out bits' so coming remotely close to shore means going slow and careful - and there's simply no time for that on the itinerary. You'll be out in international waters, seeing nithing but waves & sky, burning cheap diesel and with casinos open to help pay for running the engines full-bore!

 

If it does go up the inside, you'll be in Canadian waters, nice views all the time, lots of little islands as well as the true inside passage. Not circling the island is the best thing they could do for you from both a comfort AND enjoyment perspective. I hope for the sake of everyone on the cruise that the map is incorrect!

I was worried about missing all of the scenery on the north east side of the island. It sounds like we will still see beautiful scenery even if we do not go around the island. I would hate for my daughter to feel sick. Thank you, this makes me feel better! Also, if you do not go around the island will the Casino still open?

.... if you do not go around the island will the Casino still open?

My understanding is that the Casino will be closed while the ship is in Canadian territorial waters (same rule in the U.S) which, if the route is north up the east side of Vancouver (not Victoria) Island and then returning south also on the same east side of Vancouver Island then the casino may be closed throughout. Chances of rough seas are far less than on the west side of the island which is exposed to the Pacific.

I was worried about missing all of the scenery on the north east side of the island. It sounds like we will still see beautiful scenery even if we do not go around the island. I would hate for my daughter to feel sick. Thank you, this makes me feel better! Also, if you do not go around the island will the Casino still open?

Unless they leave territorial waters the casino should stay locked down. I'm more intrigued to hear what happens with your booze, as I've had multiple cruise minions over the years claim to me that 'Canadian Authorities' forbid them from opening more than one bar in port, and that local taxes on drinks are due until the ship leaves Canadian waters/an hour after leaving port/12 nautical miles after leaving port/after clearing Vancouver Port authority controlled territory/after the pilot disembarks/when the purser tells us to stop doing it!

My understanding is that the Casino will be closed while the ship is in Canadian territorial waters (same rule in the U.S) which, if the route is north up the east side of Vancouver (not Victoria) Island and then returning south also on the same east side of Vancouver Island then the casino may be closed throughout. Chances of rough seas are far less than on the west side of the island which is exposed to the Pacific.

The west side was the area that we were in when I woke up sick on our round trip Seattle, Alaska cruise. It was so rough that I was bouncing off the wall when I woke up. So, I would prefer the other side but I hope the casino is open for part of the trip so my daughter and I can play some penny slots together.

Unless they leave territorial waters the casino should stay locked down. I'm more intrigued to hear what happens with your booze, as I've had multiple cruise minions over the years claim to me that 'Canadian Authorities' forbid them from opening more than one bar in port, and that local taxes on drinks are due until the ship leaves Canadian waters/an hour after leaving port/12 nautical miles after leaving port/after clearing Vancouver Port authority controlled territory/after the pilot disembarks/when the purser tells us to stop doing it!

Only one bar open at a time? That would be a crazy busy bar. How much are taxes there?

Only one bar open at a time? That would be a crazy busy bar. How much are taxes there?

Anywhere in BC it's the same rate - 15% total (5% to the Feds, 10% stays local) on alcohol. Food is generally 5% (if prepared; raw = usually no tax) and shopping for Most Other Stuff is either 5% or 12% depending on category. If you buy things before boarding you often see Eco taxes applied now too - a few cents for bottled beverages, a small fee or % for electronics or other goods that cannot be recycled efficiently.

We've had tax applied to drinks we consumed with dinner, but not had it charged on the same cruise on drinks from a bar earlier the same day, which is why I started asking bartenders, then supervisors, then pursers, and still have not gotten a consistent answer to the Whys & Wherefores of booze taxing!!!

The 'one bar' thing I'm 99% sure is down to minimizing staff requirements in ports - generally quieter as folks are off Doing Things ashore - being blamed on Anyone But Us with a spurious-but-believable-to-many "it's The Government, honest!' excuse;-)

Anywhere in BC it's the same rate - 15% total (5% to the Feds, 10% stays local) on alcohol. Food is generally 5% (if prepared; raw = usually no tax) and shopping for Most Other Stuff is either 5% or 12% depending on category. If you buy things before boarding you often see Eco taxes applied now too - a few cents for bottled beverages, a small fee or % for electronics or other goods that cannot be recycled efficiently.

 

 

We've had tax applied to drinks we consumed with dinner, but not had it charged on the same cruise on drinks from a bar earlier the same day, which is why I started asking bartenders, then supervisors, then pursers, and still have not gotten a consistent answer to the Whys & Wherefores of booze taxing!!!

 

 

The 'one bar' thing I'm 99% sure is down to minimizing staff requirements in ports - generally quieter as folks are off Doing Things ashore - being blamed on Anyone But Us with a spurious-but-believable-to-many "it's The Government, honest!' excuse;-)

That's pretty pricey. I am so bad about checking receipts that I probably would have never noticed. Now I'm going to try and remember to see how many bars are open while we are in Port :)

Local taxes are a given in any port, but the one bar policy is a new one on me. I will check it out in a couple of weeks while I'm on the Westerdam.

any report back on this cruise? which route did you take?

I was on this cruise -- our first -- and we did not go around the island. We went up a bit and then back down, with some detours into some inlets. At least that is what it appeared to me. But we certainly didn't get around the island -- we had land on both sides the entire cruising day. It was quite lovely and scenic and the weather was splendid.

I was on this cruise -- our first -- and we did not go around the island. We went up a bit and then back down, with some detours into some inlets. At least that is what it appeared to me. But we certainly didn't get around the island -- we had land on both sides the entire cruising day. It was quite lovely and scenic and the weather was splendid.

Wonderful, thank you for the feedback

I was on this cruise -- our first -- and we did not go around the island. We went up a bit and then back down, with some detours into some inlets. At least that is what it appeared to me. But we certainly didn't get around the island -- we had land on both sides the entire cruising day. It was quite lovely and scenic and the weather was splendid.

Yes, what you said. We did not go around Vancouver Island and I wonder if it was due to the operational issue whatever the cause, it was perfect. We also went into an area that was a first for any cruise line.