V2V Empress passing Laurel Point in Victoria’s harbour

Today’s V2V Victoria to Vancouver service sails in the wake of a long and proud tradition. In 1858 Captain William Moore began a steamship service with Bluebird, transporting miners and their supplies from Victoria up the Fraser River. Others soon followed including Captain John Irving whose spectacular sternwheeler R.P. Ritet (shown) became the nucleus for Victoria’s first steamship line, the Canadian Pacific Navigation Company (CPN). In 1901, with the completion of its transcontinental railroad Canadian Pacific Rail (CPR) purchased the CPN to form the British Columbia Coastal Service (BCCS) headquartered in Victoria.

Sternwheeler R.P Rithet

Over 75 years many of the Service’s 24 famed Princess liners (Princess Charlotte shown) served the route now the V2V Empress now sails. The V2V Empress is named in honour of the great Canadian Pacific liners that established the first trans-Pacific steamship service from North America to the Orient.

BCCS Princess Charlotte

The waters of southwestern British Columbia are some of the most spectacular in the world and the Victoria to Vancouver experience showcases this stunning corner of the world with a commitment to service and luxury that would make the Princess Liners proud.  V2V Empress offers passengers a beautiful, comfortabl,e and convenient service complete with personalised onboard concierge service and a curated list of favourite local attractions. V2V Empress offers a choice of three luxurious onboard leather upholstered seating classes, each offering USB ports, power outlets, and onboard WiFi.

Empress of japan

Like those who sailed before her she offers a selection of local BC cuisine, and alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages.