Meet and Greet Program - a heralded and
unique approach to Ambassadorship.
Greeter news from Anne Morley (coordinator)
Saturday May 31,2008
Last Thursday evening the greeters were proceeding out to greet the ship where a stiff wind was blowing, a sudden gust whipped off greeter Cheryl's top hat and it went rolling down the dock. An alert longshoreman ran to rescue the hat but another strong gust sent the hat sailing over the edge and down it plunged into the deep ice cold water between the dock and the ship. Two more longshoreman observed the goings on and with quick action proceeded to lean precariously over the edge with a long pole and hook and rescued that hat just in the nick of time before the ship engaged its thrusters where it surely would have been drowned by the undertow. The hat was a bit damp but the passengers on deck along with the crew who were about to dock that ship cheered and applauded. So with little effort and no planned choreography on our part we managed not only to greet the ship but to provide entertainment. Many thanks to Steve for running after the hat and to Bernie and Bob for the final rescue. By the way the hat dried up in good shape.
May has been a busy month with a total of 38 ships arriving. Thanks to all greeters who have been out and especially those who were there on those cold windy evenings at the beginning of the month and to those who were able to alter their personal schedules when there were long waits for ships that were late several hours due to storms. The team work and comradery amongst the greeters contributes greatly to our success.
I would like to encourage all Vic Am members to come and spend some time with us on a Thursday, Friday or Saturday evening and observe the activities on the dock. Saturday is an exceptionally interesting time when there are approximately 10,000 people leaving the ships to pursue activities in our beautiful city. I am sure you would be impressed with the greeting process and the information we are able to provide to everyone. If you arrive 45 to 60 minutes after the scheduled arrival of a ship you will be able to see for yourself what this is all about.
First ship of 2008 season April 3, 2008
Anne Morley, "Mayor" Max Caplan, Louise Chabros
Since 1968 citizens of Victoria have participated in the Meet and Greet Program. Dressed in period costume, volunteers take pride in welcoming all cruise ship passengers as they arrive in our fair city. The economic impact the cruise ship industry has on Victoria is of very significant importance to Victoria's tourism industry.
Cruise Ships
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1999 :
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30 cruise ships
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2000 :
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45 cruise ships
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2001 :
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77 cruise ships
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2002 :
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110 cruise ships
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2003 :
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119 cruise ships
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2004 :
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139 cruise ships |
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2005 :
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142 cruise ships |
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2006 :
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189 cruise ships |
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2007 :
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162 cruise ships |
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2008 :
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211 cruise ships expected
Plus 10 pocket cruise ships |
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Because the numbers of cruise ships has dramatically increased in such a short period of time we need to constantly be on the lookout for positive, energetic volunteers with great people skills and a good knowledge of the Victoria area to support our Meet and Greet program.
The cruise ship season runs from April to October. We receive a cruise ship schedule at the beginning of April that confirms the days and times the ships will be arriving. Depending on the size of the ship there will be between 4 to 12 volunteers welcoming the cruise ship passengers at Ogden Point.
Please fill the volunteer form to apply for the volunteer's position.
