Port Alberni is a port of call for the second time this year as the cruise ship Amsterdam drops anchor in the Alberni inlet on Sunday, Sept. 25.
The 86-tonne ship with a passenger capacity of 1,400 arrives at 9 a.m. and departs at 5 p.m., Port Alberni Port Authority spokespeson Dave McCormack said.
“It helps to bring an added piece of business to our community,” he said. “It will be a boost to the businesses in Harbour Quay.”
The ship is coming here from Victoria and is headed to Seattle when it leaves Alberni.
The Amsterdam is a Holland America Lines ship – the same company that owns the Statendam, which visited here in May.
“The Amsterdam carries about 200 more passengers more than the Statendam,” McCormack said.
The ship will drop anchor in the harbour and passengers will be ferried in by water taxi, much like the Statendam trip in the spring.
Civic dignitaries will be presenting a goft to the ship’s captain on board.
Alberni is on the shoulder of the cruise ship season and the ships never visited here earlier. “The demand at this time of year has interest in different destinations such as ours,” McCormack said. “The peak season sees demand from ports of call like Vancouver and Victoria.”
A plethora of activities awaits passengers when they disembark and hit Alberni’s shore.
The Ambassadors will be on hand to provide directions and advice.
The steam train is making runs to McLean Mill, as well as to Chase and Warren Estates Winery. The crafters market at Harbour Quay will be operating. A shuttle service will ferry passengers about town.
And further packages will be available including trips to Cathedral Grove and a Valley historic tour.
Access to Harbour Road will be restricted on Sept. 24 and Sept. 25. For more information call 250-723-5312.
reporter@alberrnivalleynews.com