Hi to all,
I am going on my first cruise next year and need to know about actual port time. We have priorty embarking and disembarking. Our ship is scheduled to be in Victoria from 9am to 5pm. We are not offered tours by cruise line that include Buchart Gardens and tea at the Empress which are the two things the Golden Anniversary celebrants want to see. I have found a local limo company that will supply transportation to the above and a city tour. What time do you need to return the ship? An hour before it sails? From what I see on the internet the Empress is adjacent or near to the cruise ship shuttle and approximately a mile from the cruise terminal. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Most lines require you be on board 30 minutes prior to departure. Have a great cruise and Happy Anniversary!!

The cruiselines do require you to be back on board 30 minutes prior to embarking that port, but to be on the safe side I would allow at least an hour. We were in Nassau last year when the weather got bad in October, we were scheduled to stay over night, but instead the ship left around 11:00 pm..so anything can happen and if you are not on a ship sponsered excursion, and you get delayed you will be waving goodbye to your ship while standing on shore.

Thank you both for your help. I will end our tour at the Empress and return to the ship an hour before it departs. These boards have provided so much guidance and it is greatly appreciated.

Happy Cruising,

Monica