Bernie Dumas, president and ceo of Nanaimo Port Authority, said Crystal Serenity's call springs from the fact that the destination has built a reputation for hosting big ships very well and also is due to its local and regional shore excursions to the Alberni and Cowichan valleys including the Parksville-Qualicum area.
'Our warm central Vancouver Island welcome will be primed for this luxury ship call to our port,' Dumas added.
As passengers enter the cruise terminal, Tourism Nanaimo representatives will greet them with Nanaimo bars, a chocolate-custard treat with a graham cracker crust. Royal Canadian Mounted Police in red serge will be on hand for photos, and the Loyal Nanaimo Bathtub Society will present a display of racing tubs. A cannon at the historic Bastion will be fired at 11 a.m., noon and 1 p.m.
Passengers can also visit the harbourside walkway, Pioneer Waterfront Plaza and museums. Complimentary shuttles transport visitors from the cruise terminal through downtown Nanaimo where they can engage with volunteers organized by the Downtown Nanaimo Business Improvement Association.
Dumas said Crystal Serenity's 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. call is expected to have an immediate regional economic impact of more than $100,000, and it's hoped that passengers will return for a multi-day visit.
Crystal Serenity will visit Nanaimo as part of an 11-day round-trip Vancouver cruise that began July 27.
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