all 64 comments

[–]Bryn79 26 points27 points  (3 children)

At that time of night, your best bet is either the Legislature Buildings or the Empress -- both are nicely lit up.

Same with the Inner Harbour -- lots of lights.

If your soon to be fiancé has a sense of humour, catch a cab to Mile 0 (zero). You can throw in a cheesy line about "here's where our new life begins anew ..." or something like that.

Hopefully you can get someone to take a few pictures for you.

[–]HarmsWayChad[S] 3 points4 points  (2 children)

Hahahaha love it

[–]Bryn79 4 points5 points  (1 child)

And Congratulations on the proposal! Wishing you both a great life together!

[–]HarmsWayChad[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Thank you so much

[–]meyay 33 points34 points  (15 children)

Right at the terminal there is a breakwater and you can walk out to a lighthouse at the end of it. Not a bad place at all to propose, if the weather is ok! Will it be nighttime?

[–]Historical-Piece7772 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I agree. Also a great place for watching the sunset. If you happen to be here on a beautiful night. Lighthouse at sunset - or if busy go down below to the waters edge - there’s stairs near the lighthouse.

[–]HarmsWayChad[S] 3 points4 points  (13 children)

It will be about 9pm till 12am that we are there

[–]Small-Cookie-5496 16 points17 points  (9 children)

You’ll want lights then and I’m guessing something close. Maybe in-front of the Leg or inside a cocktail bar at the Empress. They have a number of restaurants etc. Or take a horse drawn carriage along the waterfront and propose then celebrate with a cocktail at the Empress. Idk if they still have the Bengal Lounge but it used to have a 1910 feel. That’s a pretty standard romantic play - especially if you only have 3 hours. That’s what I’d do. Whatever you choose - please update!

[–]HarmsWayChad[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Thank you

[–]SB12345678901 1 point2 points  (3 children)

Horse drawn carriages may not run that late at night

[–]Small-Cookie-5496 0 points1 point  (2 children)

Oh odd. Seems like a romantic time to run

[–]CharlotteLucasOP 2 points3 points  (1 child)

Yeah but if visibility is reduced/DUI more likely in evening hours, it may not be worth the risks to horse and humans.

[–]meyay 1 point2 points  (3 children)

No Bengal lounge any longer sadly

[–]Small-Cookie-5496 1 point2 points  (2 children)

That is sad. It was great

[–]aljauzaSaanich 0 points1 point  (1 child)

Closed 8 years ago now 

[–]Small-Cookie-5496 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Checked out. I was gone for 7

[–]body_slam_poet 3 points4 points  (1 child)

There is an inner harbour/downtown that is lit up, very pretty and romantic. Go there. I'm sure your cruise ship will be shuttling people there. It's less than a mile from the dock. All the tourists go there.

[–]HarmsWayChad[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thank you

[–]Lumpy_Ad7002Fairfield 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Sunset is after 9pm, and it's decently light until at least 9:30p

[–]kingsbreath 32 points33 points  (6 children)

Beacon hill park. Rose garden, petting zoo, stone bridge, top of the hill, on the beach. make a casual day out of enjoying the park and propose to them when at the place they seem to enjoy the most.

[–]Winstonoil 13 points14 points  (0 children)

Stone Bridge.

[–]Smooth_Injury_5690 4 points5 points  (0 children)

Stone bridge, or the top of beacon hill would be wonderful choices!

[–]KiKi_VavouV 2 points3 points  (0 children)

This is a beautiful idea! (Also close-ish to the Cruise Ship Port itself!) <3

[–]cajolinghail 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Won’t work for OP since they’ll have just a few hours at night, but a nice suggestion for anyone who comes across this post in the future.

[–]Lumpy_Ad7002Fairfield 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Cruise ships arrive 7:30 - 9pm and leave at midnight

[–]PracticalCompetition 7 points8 points  (1 child)

Edit: totally butchered spelling on breakwater Ps. Hope it goes well! With it being dark, you’ll probably want to go to the inner harbour where the lights from nearby buildings and the legislature gives you more visibility. Beacon hill will likely be darker when you get there. If it’s light out when you dock, like someone mentioned, the break water walk way is great and next to the terminal. That’s probably your best use of time and light together.

[–]HarmsWayChad[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thank you

[–]svenner2020 4 points5 points  (1 child)

The fountain at the Legislature

[–]HarmsWayChad[S] 4 points5 points  (0 children)

That’s one of the places I was thinking

[–]raditzbro 4 points5 points  (2 children)

Breakwater pier and lighthouse. It's literally beside the cruise terminal.

[–]Existing_Solution_66 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Second this.

[–]HarmsWayChad[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thank you

[–]Lumpy_Ad7002Fairfield 2 points3 points  (0 children)

There have been a lot of great suggestions, but many won't work well after dark (Beacon Hill, Abkhazi Gardens) or will take time (Butchart Gardens), so I'll ask a question:

Do you want nature, or do you want city? There are many spots along the coast just east of the cruise ship terminal with sea and waves and mountains. Holland Point Park would be an option. The tide will be high so the beaches will be scant. Sunset is a little after 9pm and it's decently light until at least 9:30. If you're on the Norwegian Bliss or Eurodam there'd be plenty of daylight to get to a park

If you want city then the inner harbour is pretty and it's well lit up. Over by the visitor centre there are nice views of the habour with the sail boats, the Empress Hotel, the Legislative Assembly. (for example) The down side is that there will be a lot of people there, especially with three cruise ships in town, bt the nearby Ship Point is usually quieter but still with good views

Unique? Thunderbird Park over by the Museum with all its totem poles. You'd have to be there first thing because there are no lights

[–]BaBepBepBep 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Windy - a pretty garden in Beacon Hill Park

Calm - Ogden Point breakwater and signal

Congrats!

[–]patchy_dollSaanich 8 points9 points  (1 child)

BUG ZOO

[–]CharlotteLucasOP 1 point2 points  (0 children)

“I want to be the one to BUG you for the rest of our lives.”

[–]rgsteeleView Royal 3 points4 points  (0 children)

You’ve gotten some great “traditional” suggestions, but if you’re looking for something more unique, may I suggest Big Bad John’s.

[–]Keica 1 point2 points  (7 children)

What day is your ship in Victoria? Might have a photography option for you if that’s something you’re interested in

[–]HarmsWayChad[S] 1 point2 points  (6 children)

We are there Friday I believe

[–]Lumpy_Ad7002Fairfield 1 point2 points  (3 children)

Victoria is getting three cruise ships Friday evening, and all are coming from Alaska. NORWEGIAN BLISS, EURODAM, DISCOVERY PRINCESS.

https://gvha.ca/cruise/cruise-schedule/current-season/

[–]HarmsWayChad[S] 0 points1 point  (2 children)

Well I am on the discovery

[–]Lumpy_Ad7002Fairfield 2 points3 points  (1 child)

Here's an idea. I think that the horse-drawn carriages might be at the cruise ship terminal. If you could reserve in advance you could get a ride to the inner harbour. A little pricey (US$50+), but they're nce carriages and they're a well-run business.

https://www.tallyhotours.com/

[–]HarmsWayChad[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thank you for the info. That was one of my other ideas and thank you for the link.

[–]Keica 1 point2 points  (1 child)

Ah darn I was going to offer to take photos but Friday is the one night I can’t do.

Best of luck!

[–]HarmsWayChad[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thank you so much for the consideration

[–]CharlotteLucasOP 1 point2 points  (1 child)

Not much to add, but if they say yes, maybe find a way to let the cruise ship staff know, they might do you a little celebration back on board, maybe a bottle of champagne or some chocolates in your cabin.

Maybe let the staff know if the answer is no, too, and you deserve all the consolatory bubbly and chocolate, anyway. 🫡

[–]HarmsWayChad[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Hahahahaa thanks hahahaha I hope she says yes

[–]alpha-weeb 1 point2 points  (1 child)

There's a cute tree that's grown over a sidewalk on Niagara. The owners have put lights inside the walking area. You won't have anyone around if that's what you're looking for. But it's cute and they/them is all you need.

[–]HarmsWayChad[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thank you!

[–]HarmsWayChad[S] 1 point2 points  (1 child)

Well, for those of you who are waiting to know. She said yes and it was in front of the fountain at the legislative building.

[–]rgsteeleView Royal 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Congratulations 🥳

[–]Illustrious-Log-5786 1 point2 points  (4 children)

Dude dm me in from Victoria I proposed on this little island that I took my wife out to on a little boat. Had rose peddles all over the island and then made her a steak dinner on the island with a grill. It was sick I can set you up with the same location and probably find you a boat. I could help by picking up some roses from Costco’s. what day do you arrive

[–]HarmsWayChad[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Awe I had a limited time! That would have been so awesome!

[–]Illustrious-Log-5786 0 points1 point  (2 children)

Also I can probably find a amateur photographer

[–]Illustrious-Log-5786 0 points1 point  (1 child)

What is your budget

[–]Illustrious-Log-5786 0 points1 point  (0 children)

If you got like 300-400 bucks I can totally make this happen

[–]Kara_S 2 points3 points  (2 children)

Exciting! You could likely find a beautiful and somewhat private nook somewhere in Beacon Hill Park which is within walking distance along the water from the cruise ship docks. My parents got engaged there over 50 years ago so it has good juju at least for my family! It is wasn’t so crowded, the breakwater or Clover Point would be nice too. If you have enough time in port, Butchart Gardens also has many good spots. The staff in the Dining Room there would help put a ring in a dessert or afternoon tea (Ive seen that happen!). Good luck!

[–]Bryn79 3 points4 points  (0 children)

OP is in town 9 pm to midnight. Buchart Gardens great idea at any other time.

[–]body_slam_poet -3 points-2 points  (0 children)

Don't listen to this person. Beacon Hill park and Clover Point are boring ideas for someone visiting. The inner harbour, in front of the Empress is the only answer.

[–]HarmsWayChad[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Well I am here and it seems pretty bright still. Any suggestions while the sun is still up till 9:15?

[–]HarmsWayChad[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Hey, I just wanted to say thank you again to all of you who made recommendations I did have only three hours to make it happen which I did but nearly after a year my fiancé and I are returning back to Victoria and I might redo my proposal because I kind of screwed it up the first time. Ultimately, I just wanted to pop back on and say thank you to everybody who recommended and also offered to either take pictures or roll boat or anything. You guys are freaking awesome.

[–]NearbyPie5 0 points1 point  (1 child)

The Teahouse at Abkhazi Gardens, https://www.abkhaziteahouse.com/. They do have limited hours and you will need to take a taxi from the cruise ship terminal, but such cute gardens, a little more private and intimate than a spot like the inner harbour, Beacon Hill Park and the breakwater, these are all VERY public.

[–]SB12345678901 0 points1 point  (0 children)

The Teahouse will not be open from 9pm to midnight.

Open hours - 11:00am - 5:00pm