Butchart Gardens

Hi there

Has anyone been to Butchart Gardens in Victoria B.C.?

I'm noticing that it is not an option on the cruise that I am taking.  We don't port in Victoria until 7pm so I'm wondering if they are closed at that time or if they do have night viewing. 

No night viewing, to the best of my knowledge.

Just FYI... the Victoria stop is to make the trip "legal" by stopping in a foreign port.....otherwise the cruise would fall under the Jones Act, and would not be allowed.

Not quite sure what that means.  I'm assuming the ship needs to port out of the US? 

I know The Fairmont Empress is a hotel and there are excursions there but can you visit this hotel without doing it through Carnival? 

What about The Royal British Columbia Museum?

samantha a:

Not quite sure what that means.  I'm assuming the ship needs to port out of the US?

Our illustrious lawgivers have decreed that any cruises that operate in the U.S. are NOT allowed to travel U.S. port to U.S. port (just might be transporting passengers between them, you know.)  The only way they can transport people between two ports is 1. the ship MUST be built in the U. S.  2. The ship must be registered in the U. S. 3. There must be a crew predominantly U. S.   That is part of the reason Disney is not allowed to pick up passengers in the North, then pick up passengers along the way.  Damn Jones Act.   Same way the big cruise lines can't either.  What they have to do is add a foreign port..... in your case, Victoria. (I realize this is way oversimplified.... please understand. )  As for the rest of the trip.... there is nothing that says you have to do any excursions, nor do you have to use Carnival if you do venture out.

It's good information to know.  

I know The Fairmont Empress is a hotel and there are excursions there but can you visit this hotel without doing it through Carnival? Do you know how far away it is or what is offered to do once you get there???

What about The Royal British Columbia Museum?

Going this summer, and my thought was not to do any excursion in Victoria, however, I was overruled by my wife and daughter who decided they have to do the castle tour.  The Garden tour does seem to be available on our cruise.  And remember, that far north in the summer time the days are pretty long.  I am guessing twilight comes pretty late in the evening, maybe 8:30 or 9pm. I am sure that's something you can look up on the internet but I haven't bothered.  The reviews I've read all say that you need to have Canadian money to buy anything in the stores or do anything. So, keep that in mind, particularly if you go out on your own. After trying to pick a good excursion, I'll definitely try to review them when we get back!

Twilight Highlights & Craigdarroch Castle

Historic Downtown & Butchart Gardens

We ARE  going in July and this is the excursion available

Historic Downtown & Butchart Gardens

We are going in July  and this is the excursions available

The Jones Act was established after a member of a 60s mock musical group,  who couldn't afford passage on a ship, conned a female crew member to smuggle him in her closet.    Hence the term,  Davy Jones' Locker.