The arrival of Oceania cruise line's MS Regatta marked the beginning of Prince Rupert's cruise season, with groups collaborating to ensure passengers have a positive experience considering it a success.
"It was a tremendous day from a weather perspective, but also a tremendous day from a team work perspective," said Michael Gurney, manager of corporate communications for the Prince Rupert Port Authority.
"The message I'm getting from our team is that this was as good of a cruise visit as they could have hoped for."
This year the port is working with the Cruise Task Force, Prince Rupert and District Chamber of Commerce, Tourism Prince Rupert and other community agencies and volunteers to make sure cruise stops in Prince Rupert as memorable and pleasurable for cruise passengers as possible.
The Oceania Regatta was the first cruise stop of nine happening this season, and the first of three by the Oceania Regatta itself.
Guests were greeted by Prince Rupert Mayor Jack Mussallem and RCMP members in red surge, with volunteer ambassadors providing information to tourists upon their arrival. Many cruise passengers took the opportunity to go on a number of tours and trips in the community.
"The ambassadors had a lot of compliments. People said Prince Rupert was the friendliest town that they've visited on their Alaskan cruise, and the people who experienced tours were stunned by the amount of wildlife they saw," Gurney said.
The number of cruise visits this season is up from last year, which Gurney said is an encouraging sign.
"The port authority is still continuing to work aggressively with the cruise lines to promote Prince Rupert as as destination," Gurney said.
A similar welcome will be extended to the 100-passenger Zegrahm's Caledonian Sky, the next cruise ship coming in on June 27.
The Regatta will return on July 3 and 10.