A major change is being made by Princess Cruises to its Alaskan 2023 season. It is dropping Victoria in British Columbia as a port of call and is, instead, stopping at Prince Rupert in British Columbia. Meanwhile, the change comes to safeguard marine life in the area, following a government interim order.
Princess Cruises replaces port of call on Alaska cruises
Princess Cruises has replaced a port of call in British Columbia to safeguard marine life and adhere to a new government interim order. Instead of stopping in Victoria, cruise ships will rather call at Prince Rupert, British Columbia, but on a different day of the cruise. This will affect several cruises onboard the Ruby Princess in its Alaska 2023 season.
The reason for the change in itinerary is an interim order for the protection of the killer whale in the waters of southern British Columbia in 2022, which came into force on June 1, 2022. The Canadian government has put these measures in place to reduce the acoustic and physical disturbance made by vessels on endangered marine life.
Guests receive notification
A letter was sent to guests booked onboard Ruby Princess during the 2023 Alaska season explaining the need for the itinerary change. The cruise line noted that it aims to enhance the guest experience, but also protect the marine life in the area.
The letter went on to note that Princess Cruises has added Prince Rupert, British Columbia to the itinerary of the Ruby Princess. This means that the cruise ship will no longer call on Victoria during the voyage.
At this time, it is unclear if all voyages in the Alaska 2023 season will be impacted by the change. However, a number of cruises have already been adjusted. Reportedly, Ruby Princess was scheduled to visit Victoria on at least 16 cruises during the season
One guest, who is booked on the June 6 sailing, quoted the following letter:
Please be advised that as a result of updated speed restrictions to safeguard marine life in the area and in order to enhance the guest experience, Ruby Princess will now call to Prince Rupert, British Columbia on Tuesday, June 13, 2023, from 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM.
Prince Rupert, located on Kaien Island, is home to stunning natural scenery and majestic landscapes, with abundant wildlife teeming in the surrounding waters and mountains. As a result of this change, we will no longer call to Victoria, British Columbia, on Wednesday, June 14 and instead will spend the day at sea.
Meanwhile, depending on the cruise, rather than calling at Victoria, guests on Ruby Princess will spend a day at sea. Moreover, the new call at Prince Rupert will not necessarily be on the same day.
Ruby Princess is set to operate in Alaska between April and September 2023. The cruise ship will sail from San Francisco on 10-night cruises. Moreover, calls at ports will include Juneau, Skagway, Glacier Bay, Ketchikan, Alaska, and now, Prince Rupert, Canada.
About Prince Rupert, British Columbia, Canada
Guests shouldn’t be too put out by the change of itinerary, as Prince Rupert is a popular destination for cruisers. The port is located on Kaien Island, which boasts stunning natural beauty and rich wildlife. Among the landscapes, pristine forests, rugged coastlines and sparkling bays are waiting to be explored. Moreover, the area is known for its wildlife, including orcas and humpback whales.
Besides its natural attractions, Prince Rupert also features a rich cultural heritage. Its history is rooted in indigenous culture, as well as the fishing and logging industries.
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