This region has such a long and storied history that learning a bit about its past can only enrich your cruise here.
The anthropological roots of this remote place are astoundingly varied, with more than 200 ‘First Nations’ Aboriginal tribes calling this place home, the earliest arriving as far back as 20,000 years ago.
As the name more than hints, British Columbia used to be part of the British Empire throughout much of the 19th century. As one of the farthest-flung regions of the Empire, the area came into greater prominence as a major trading outpost, mainly for fur. The Europeans’ arrival onto the scene had an unintended consequence however – they brought with them the smallpox virus, which killed off about half the indigenous population due to lack of immunity. Thankfully those times are long gone and nowadays visitors are more than welcome.