These are three very different places in Canada. Vancouver is a big city, Victoria has an olde-worlde charm and Nanaimo has a pretty and bustling waterfront.

From May through September cruise ships sail out of Vancouver to show passengers the wonders of Alaska. Before and after that season the ships operate re-location cruises which are often called "Northwest Pacific" cruises. These often call at some lesser known ports.

Vancouver

This is a busy city which offers so many things to see and do that cruise passengers often spend a few days here either before or after their cruise.

Shopping is an experience in itself with Robson Street at its heart. Underground are the shopping malls of Pacific Centre and Vancouver with the emphasis on designer clothing, sportswear and jewelry. Shops selling Northwest Coast and Inuit arts and crafts are in the historic district of Gastown.

Gastown was the original Vancouver and was 'founded' by Gassy Jack (Deighton), an English sailor who opened a bar here in 1867.

The best way to see the city in the shortest possible time is to use the hop-on-hop-off bus or take some tours.

Nanaimo

This one time mining town on Vancouver Island is now a university town with historic buildings such as The Miner's Cottage, the Courthouse and the Palace Hotel, all built in the 19th century.

In the Old City Quarter are restaurants, bars, specialty boutiques, an outdoor art gallery, antique Stores and a historic railway station.

Tours in and around Nanaimo include visiting herb gardens, a market and hop fields. There is also a two hour walking tour and, for train enthusiasts, a ride on a train drawn by a steam locomotive.

Victoria

Situated on the southern tip of Vancouver Island Victoria is a charming and popular vacation destination.

Around the Inner Harbour there are many places to visit. For example, The Empress Hotel, which is pure Edwardiana surrounded by lush green lawns and beds of brilliant flowers. Afternoon tea at the hotel is a delight.

Government Building, a huge structure that looks as if it could only have come from England, is fronted by smooth lawns and filled flowerbeds. There are shallow steps leading to the magnificent arched entrance and the edifice is topped by a towering copper dome.

The modern British Columbia Museum is nearby. This houses the Province's history from the First People to the present day. Outside is Thunderbird Park with its exhibition of totem poles and an Indian crafts center. A short walk away is the Helmckyn House.

Dr. Helmckyn was an Englishman and, as well as all things medicinal, was involved in local politics. He was instrumental in negotiating Britsih Columbia's union with Canada in 1871 and lived in this house from 1852 until his death in 1920.

No visit to Victoria is complete with going to Butchart Gardens. These were created by Mrs. Jenny Butchart in the early 20th century when a friend gave her some sweet peas and a rose for the garden of her new house, "Benvenuto".

With her diligence a series of gardens gradually surrounded the house. Between it and her husband's cement works was the quarry which supplied limestone for the cement works. That quarry became the vast and spectacular Sunken Garden.

Excursions include tours of the city, including one which takes in a visit to the fabulous Craigdarroch Castle that looks as if it should be either in the Scottish highlands or somewhere in France.

Although most cruise lines go to Victoria, at present only Celebrity goes to Nanaimo.

Information about all three ports is available from British Columbia Tourism.

From Victoria the ships sail south and often stop at Astoria, Oregon.