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Prince Rupert, B.C.

by Arie Boris, CruiseGourmet.com Editor-in-Chief

Most stops on a typical Alaskan cruise itinerary have evolved into touristy havens for first time cruisers from the lower forty-eight. If you want to visit a port of call that still operates a fishing fleet, has good restaurants frequented by the locals and has a strong tie to the “First Nation” people, then make sure Prince Rupert, B.C. is on your itinerary.

This rustic destination has been open to cruise ships for just the past two years and is as authentic as it gets along the Inside Passage. According to Shaun Stevenson, of the Prince Rupert Port Authority, the intent is to maintain the best port facilities to attract cruise ships, while offering guests a taste of the community and surrounding area as it really is. The port has the most advanced floating cruise ship dock anywhere in the world. It adjusts effortlessly to the tidal extremes of the Inland Passage ensuring easy access from any cruise ship.

Your visit should start with the impressive Museum of Northern British Columbia (www.museumofnorthernbc.com). This world class museum presents a well orchestrated look at the history and culture of the indigenous people. Their history spans more than 10,000 years and exhibits the evolution of a native culture that still is evident today. The museum combines exhibits, slide shows and performance art with dance and traditional oral story telling.

On the edge of Canadian wilderness, Prince Rupert offers great sport fishing, whale watching and the only Grizzly Bear Sanctuary in North America. The Khutzeymateen Grizzly Bear Sanctuary is home to more than fifty of the great beasts. Tours via boat or float plane are available in the spring, when the bears come out of their winter hibernation. From the silence and safety of the boats, they can be observed feeding along the shoreline.

If you are able to stay for more than just a port call, contact Andrees’s Bed & Breakfast (www.andreesbb.com) and meet one of Prince Rupert’s most interesting inhabitants. An eclectic personality, her background includes blasting caps, catering and operating a B&B. An ex-chair of Tourism Prince Rupert, Andree knows everyone and everything that goes on in Prince Rupert.

At her suggestion we had lunch at the Cow Bay Café, located on the waterfront with beautiful views of the bay and surrounding mountains. When a dairy opened here in 1909, there was no dock and the cattle had to swim ashore. The dairy didn’t last long, but the name stuck and has become a theme in this small but trendy shopping district.

Chef and proprietor, Adrienne Johnston is down to earth and enjoys good home cooked gourmet food and serves it! We enjoyed a big salad with mixed greens, asparagus and fresh berries, adorned with a delicious piece of grilled spiced salmon. Paired with a tasty Rose wine from Okanagan Valley, British Columbia (www.arrowleafcellars.com), Adrienne admitted she suggested it because it is a new favorite of hers.

Prince Rupert is well worth a visit. I know I’ll be back.

Log onto www.rupertport.com for a listing of cruise ships stopping at this newest Inland Passage port of call.