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Greater Victoria Harbour Authority rejigs for no-cruise season

The head of the Greater Victoria Harbour Authority says he was not surprised to hear the provincial health officer say cruise-ship passengers would not be permitted to disembark in B.C. this summer.
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The Breakwater District at Ogden Point.

The head of the Greater Victoria Harbour Authority says he was not surprised to hear the provincial health officer say cruise-ship passengers would not be permitted to disembark in B.C. this summer.

Cruise lines around the globe are cancelling visits amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

“We’ve said all along that we’ve supported the federal government’s decision to close the ports to cruise until at least July 1,” Ian Robertson said Wednesday, adding that date could be extended.

While local tourism operators will suffer an economic blow if the season is lost, the health of capital regional residents is the primary concern, he said.

In the past two months, the harbour authority has been taking steps to prepare for a no-cruise season this year, he said. “We’re starting to see that actually happen. Over the last couple of weeks, Carnival, Princess and Holland America have all announced that their Alaska season is cancelled.”

While 67 cruise-ship calls are still booked, primarily Norwegian Cruise Lines and Royal Caribbean, Robertson said he won’t be surprised if those lines also announce the cancellation of their Alaska seasons over the next two or three weeks.

“I think the announcement regarding the closure of the ports could be quite moot, given … that we have seen some lines actually take the decision to cancel.”

The harbour authority has experienced at least a 70% drop in revenue and has laid off 23 staff, said Robertson, noting cruises bring more than $130 million to the local economy.

As cruise bookings evaporate for this summer, the harbour authority is contacting other businesses, hoping to attract different types of vessels to Ogden Point, he said. For example, if a large vessel arrives in Victoria for repair and needs a place to dock, it could come to Ogden Point.

Robertson said the harbour authority is watching to see what other ports do around the globe, hoping to learn from them as they open before Victoria.

cjwilson@timescolonist.com