By NanaimoNewsNOW Staff

Back-to-back cruise ship visits bring thousands to Nanaimo this weekend

May 26, 2017 | 11:20 AM

NANAIMO — It might be another slow cruise season in the harbour city, but downtown Nanaimo will be hopping this weekend.

Two of the six ships set to visit this year are in town, starting with the Celebrity Infinity on Friday, May 26.

According to the Nanaimo Port Authority (NPA), the Infinity is no stranger to the city, making its fourth visit in the last three years. That included a pair of stops in 2016.

The Infinity is on a 12-day tour that will feature stops in cities like Seattle and San Francisco. There are 3,400 passengers and crew on board.

Then on Sunday, the Norwegian Sun bring its 2,300 passengers to Nanaimo’s cruise dock at 8 a.m.

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Earlier this year, NPA president Bernie Dumas told NanaimoNewsNOW he was disappointed with the six ships scheduled this year, marking no growth on the same number of stops last year. The goal is 25 to 30 ships per year, according to Dumas.

Despite the lack of increase in numbers, the Cruise Line International Association estimated this year’s visitors will inject nearly $3 million worth of spending into the mid-island region.

The fact that ships like the Infinity are making repeat calls also speaks to the positive experience and reviews being shared by tourists spending time off the boat in the Nanaimo region, Dumas previously said.

The season officially kicked off on May 17, when the massive Explorer of the Seas stopped downtown with its more than 5,000 passengers and crew.

Those disembarking the ship will experience volunteer ambassadors, a waterfront farmer’s market, and cannon firings at the Bastion.

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