The final cruise ship of the season stopped in Nanaimo today, with hundreds of passengers disembarking to see the Harbour City on a rainy day.
Holland America's Noordam stopped at the cruise ship terminal Friday, Oct. 10, for an eight-hour visit.
The vessel, on its way down the coast from Alaska, is fully booked, carrying 1,900 passengers and 800 crew members. Since leaving Ketchikan, Alaska, the ship also stopped in Prince Rupert and will also stop in Victoria en route to Seattle.
Holland America cruise line has been operating more than 150 years but is making its first port call in Nanaimo. There was a short ceremony in the crow's nest lounge to mark the occasion, with ship captain Marek Zoll presenting Port of Nanaimo chairperson Donna Hais with a ship plaque and Hais presenting Zoll with Indigenous artwork.
The captain said the cruise line is planning three visits to Nanaimo in 2026.
"Nanaimo is very rich in the tradition of the seafarers and a gateway to British Columbia…" he said. "Hopefully we will make it many more [times] here to come and spend time with you and know each other much better."
Mayor Leonard Krog also came aboard, thanking the cruise line for visiting, welcoming passengers and crew, and promising better weather on future stops.
