Wrapping up our Silversea journey with a fabulous day in Victoria

Today, guests aboard Silversea’s Silver Shadow were able to experience a gorgeous day in the equally-fantastic city of Victoria, British Columbia. Photo © 2014 Aaron Saunders

Ten days since departing Vancouver’s Canada Place cruise terminal on a voyage through Alaska and British Columbia, Silversea’s Silver Shadow arrived at our final port of call just after eight this morning. A handful of guests were up to watch as we maneuvered alongside in Victoria, British Columbia, tying up stern-first at the Ogden Point Cruise Terminal on the southwestern edge of the city.

Silver Shadow docked at the Ogden Point Cruise Terminal just west of the city. Photo © 2014 Aaron Saunders

Today’s Silversea Chronicles, and my disembarkation luggage tags for tomorrow. Photo © 2014 Aaron Saunders

Three Silversea shore excursions were operating today in Victoria: the trip to nearby Butchart Gardens and Butterfly Gardens; the In Search of Whales excursion; and Scenic Victoria and Craigdarroch Castle. All of the tours departed promptly at 9:00am, with a 10-minute advance meeting pierside. Compared to clustering into lounges on larger ships and then waiting for the ‘all-clear’ to disembark, Silversea’s procedure is painless.

Victoria is the capital of British Columbia. Interestingly, the same architect – Francis Rattenbury – designed both the Parliament Buildings (1898)…Photo © 2014 Aaron Saunders

…and the Empress Hotel (1908). Unfortunately for Rattenbury, he would be murdered in England in 1935 by his second wife’s lover. Photo © 2014 Aaron Saunders

Living in Vancouver, I have been to Victoria many times – yet it’s still one of my favorite cities in the world. Rather than taking a tour, I opted to walk into town. Victoria’s Inner Harbour is a nice, easy 20-minute stroll through a neighbourhood called James Bay. The walk spits you right out at the British Columbia Parliament buildings (Victoria is the capital of BC), and from there, Government Street and its many shops, museums and attractions are within easy reach.

If you’re not the walking type, Victoria offers a shuttle into the Inner Harbour as part of their Cruise Victoria program. For $7.50 Canadian (or $7.50 US), you can make as many return trips to and from the pier as you’d like aboard a comfortable, air conditioned city bus.

Strolling along Government Street in Victoria. The city has a distinctly Canadian-English feeling to it. Photo © 2014 Aaron Saunders

Pub culture is alive and well in Victoria, which has plenty of traditionally-themed, English-style pubs. Pictured here is the Irish Times near the entrance to Bastion Square. Photo © 2014 Aaron Saunders

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Our Live Voyage Report onboard Silversea’s luxurious Silver Shadow has sadly come to a close. Tune in on Wednesday for a full recap of our Alaskan Adventure, and a preview of our next Live Voyage Report – kicking off from Budapest, Hungary in just 10 days! Be sure to follow along on twitter by following @deckchairblog or the hashtag #LiveVoyageReport.