Victoria

Victoria, the capital of British Columbia, is the PVSA-required foreign port stop on nearly every Seattle-based Alaska round-trip — ships typically arrive in the evening on their final night and stay 4–6 hours. The cruise terminal is at Ogden Point, a mile south of the Inner Harbour, with shuttles or a pleasant 20-minute seaside walk connecting passengers to the Empress Hotel, Parliament Buildings, and Beacon Hill Park. Popular short excursions are a high-tea at the Empress, a spin through Butchart Gardens (about 25 minutes out of town), and walking tours of the historic downtown. Because most calls are after dark, many passengers opt for the evening gardens-and-lights tour at Butchart.