Didn’t even know having not glanced at the schedule yet…And Prince Rupert had such a welcoming parade and bells and whistles for them, I was stunned 
I thought it was so sad that we had nothing in the way of any kind of hoopla, that I know of, for the passengers…I know it has become a run of the mill happening every May, but as this is the only weekly cruise ship to dock here this year, it would have been nice to maybe see the Mayor down there , or see the Mayor anywhere for that matter but that is a whole other issue. I just felt very ashamed of our community today…And they couldn’t blame it on the rain 
Does anyone know if they had the market up and running along Third Ave. or was that just a passing fad of 2008 ? Is there anything happening tonight before they leave ?
No market on third, clear driving all the way down to five corners…
They were handing out slices of cake at the Atlin Terminal, other than that I don`t know what was happening, imagine they probably had something going on at Mariners Park, but I could be wrong on that…
There was no money to spend on a greeting. They spent it all on sunshine.
I just hope they don’t bring back that junk market on 3rd…
All it did was make a mess of traffic and no one sold much.
If they want a market have it at Marniers Park…
There didn’t appear to be any welcome for the passengers at all…Too bad…Was speaking with a fella down at Atlin and he mentioned that he wondered where the monies had gone that were set aside for the “Hobbie/Arts Huts” that were supposed to be built in the Eagles Bluff parking lot in Cow Bay and the gazebo that city council had proposed for Mariners Park…I had totally forgotten about those plans. Anyone have any clue as to that “malfunction” ? 
I second that, and 3rd that to
All In favor?
I
^^ QFT
Well the mall will now be open for Summer hours every Thursday night until 9… so at least there will be somewhere for the passengers to go. Who knows if any of the stores on 3rd will be open later though.
You’d think the city would try a little harder to keep these people occupied, since we have lost enough ships already. I’m hoping there will be more happening in the weeks to come.
cruise terminal is a waste of money. town isnt ready for cruise ships nothing to do here . shoulda put the money towards the container port
There was hardly a soul in the mall Thursday according to a couple of the sales people in Zellers and Reitmans…I think the only store to really make a bit of a buck is Safeway for you sure see the tourists stocking up on their junk food ! Well, I don’t think I would want to pay almost $5 for a container of Pringles either on board… 
And I believe the passengers have to be back on board by 9PM anyway for the 10PM departure so leaving the mall open til 9 doesn’t leave them much time…I was speaking to a fella down at Atlin on Thurs. nite and he was talking about the first season of the cruise ships when we had the dancers and back then we had the train also and other events to show off our town. Now they can walk up and see the shell of the used to be Inlander, I suppose…Pretty crappy…They should have a BBQ to welcome them in Mariners Park, something to showcase native foods etc. or even just a plain old BBQ, doggies & burgs, maybe some smoked salmon, SOMETHING 
Why can’t we do something, make it look like we care that they are here…
Something I have long thought about for Rupert is a museum dedicated to the
second world war years. Rupert was a very large embarkation port and there is virtually nothing to commemorate the thousands of US troops that passed through here, and the massive military installations that were here.
Probably the majority of cruise ship passengers are US citizens, and I would think that many of those had relatives who fought during that war, and even may have passed through here. A military museum would hi light Rupert’s uniqueness and maybe give tourists a reason to visit.
Instead of peddling junk food and trinkets, let them know who we were and who we are.
That’s a very good idea, not sure who you approach to follow through on it, but somewhere in the Heritage Canada money pool there must be room for such a positive plan.
Likewise I’m sure the War Museum in Ottawa must have old artifacts that might be of use, photos newspaper items and such…
Nice to see some neat ideas being bounced around, though all ideas cost money and not sure where the funding would come for but your idea makes sense as for target audience and local interest… good job
Coming from Victoria I must say Rupert is pretty sad when it comes to entertaining the tourists. These tourists have money to blow. Lots of it!!! I’ve known Buskers in Victoria that made 450 US dollars for standing still for two hours dressed as a statue. Some of the better Buskers will make 3 grand + for one night of work. There is even a business that will pick tourists up and drive them around in Model T’s, 67-71 Camaros, and other assorted older automobiles. People selling native arts and crafts on patches of grass in the inner harbour. Tricycles with seating for three in the back, with stereos, which the riders charge 30 plus an hour (plus tips) to ride them through town and other hot spots. Horse and carriages. People drawing, painting, portraits of tourists. The list is endless. People in Rupert need the entrepreneurial spirit. If you can play guitar and have a hat you can make money. What does the city charge for Busker licenses?
What an awesome opportunity to generate revenue for the community. Could not believe the reduction in ship visits when the new schedule came out. Most places in the world would kill for a cruise ship berth; BCs best ambiance; and the many gifts Prince Rupert has to offer to the world!
Turn this around people, and get with the program, or you will have a nice crab boat berth next year.
Miss you all!
PS: Change in the (big fat cat) management of the resource would help…
this is not the proper town for cruise ships i grew up in victoria also they do so much there compared to the crap we give tourists
Correction: That would be Busker permit not license.
Another thing to consider is that the more money this town can generate from tourism the better chances (voice) we have to preserve our rivers and other natural resources. Money talks…
If Rupert becomes a popular place for cruise ship tourists, more cruise ships will come = more money!!! So get out that banjo LOL!!!
Well my store was hoppin on Thursday night, but as usual, most of the mall was pretty quiet.
You have not experienced the way this city’s Monopoly works here, none of the Big businesses want the compition from outside folk, been here for years and they seem to shit when they hear of some well known named store is maybe looking. The cruise ships do not spend a lot of money here and for our rivers it is up to everybody to keep them up and clean Dex.