PORT ANGELES — The harbor’s second cruise ship in as many weeks made a much quieter entrance and exit Wednesday than its predecessor.
The paddlewheeler Empress of the North, operated by America West Steam Boat Co., docked at the Port of Port Angeles’ Terminal 3 pier before 7 a.m. Wednesday with about 150 passengers.
The 360-foot Empress, built to resemble a Mississippi riverboat, is less than half the length of Holland America’s 10-deck MS Zaandam, which arrived amid much fanfare last Thursday.
As with the Zaandam arrival, tourism officials were ready for the Empress’ surprise visit — the North Olympic Visitor and Convention Bureau learned of it only Tuesday morning — with brochures, VIP badges and other welcoming materials.
But they weren’t needed.
The seasonal passenger ferry Victoria Express II pulled alongside the cruise ship docked at the pier. Most of the passengers boarded directly for a daylong trip across the Strait of Juan de Fuca to Victoria.
The few remaining passengers chose to remain onboard the ship.
Last week, many of the 1,200 passengers from the MS Zaandam visited downtown Port Angeles and rang cash registers freely, several stores reported.
