Explorer of the Seas, a massive mega-cruise ship which docked in Nanaimo in 2017 and 2018. (Ian Holmes/NanaimoNewsNOW)

By Spencer Sterritt

harbour city

Cruise ship visits to Nanaimo double in 2020

Jan 30, 2020 | 6:30 AM

NANAIMO — A bounce-back season for Nanaimo’s beleaguered cruise ship industry will see more passengers visiting Nanaimo this summer.

Three cruise ships will visit the harbour city six times, starting in early May with the arrival of the large Grand Princess cruise liner. It’s followed by the nearly 700 passenger capacity MS Regatta, which visits four times from June to September. The cruise ship season finishes with the small Silver Cloud carrying up to roughly 300 tourists.

It’s twice as many visits as was planned for 2019 and triple the number of ships which actually docked at the Port of Nanaimo’s cruise ship terminal. The Silver Cloud was expected to dock in Nanaimo but was damaged by nets and sent to dry dock in Vancouver.

David Mailloux, director of communications with the Port of Nanaimo, said they’ve worked at offering more intimate attractions and entertainment to entice smaller cruise ships.

“People right now in cruises are looking for niche things, looking for reflections of authenticity and connection. In bigger centres you can’t connect the same in a bigger group as opposed to a smaller group.”

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“Something for everyone, not one that fits everyone.”_{David Mailloux}

Mailloux signalled a shift to attract smaller cruises in 2018 after former Port of Nanaimo CEO Bernie Dumas said he was “disappointed” around 25 cruise ships didn’t visit in previous years.

New tours were developed with community partners to boost attractions in the Nanaimo and mid-island area.

“You have to start with what others have and build with customer and passenger feedback to develop specific niches, which is what we’re doing,” Mailloux said.

Many of these tours are already planned again for 2021 and beyond.

Looking ahead, Mailloux said they anticipate banking on these tours again to draw more ships in the unpredictable cruise line industry.

spencer@nanaimonewsnow.com

On Twitter: @spencer_sterrit