Many cruise-ship visits are brief

Re: “2018 cruise ship schedule,” March 18.

Last Sunday’s listing of cruise ships docking at Ogden Point in 2018 presents some interesting arrival and departure times, with most arrivals in the afternoon.

Tallying the number of ships stopping for less than seven hours gives a count of 169, almost 70 per cent of the total.

Of these shorter docking times, 60 per cent stay less than six hours and some as little as 4.5 hours.

All passengers must board at least one hour before sailing, so a visit of four or five hours gives visitors little time to see and spend, except around the dock.

The schedule makes it clear that Victoria is merely a convenient mandatory stop to comply with the U.S. Jones Act, and barely one-third of the visits give cruisers time to enjoy a day in town or to make a bus trip to Brentwood Bay.

It would show transparency if the Greater Victoria Harbour Authority chose to announce how much the cruise lines are helping fund the $7-million cost of providing additional mooring for the 16 visits of a new vessel, or that moorage fees will eventually cover the substantial extra expense.

The management of 12,000 visitors at Ogden Point on some days this summer will be something to behold.

Perhaps it’s just as well they only have time to take photos.

David Kelsey Qualicum Beach