As a top global destination, Vancouver continues to attract a wide range of cruise lines and passengers from around the world that visit the Canada Place cruise terminal at Port of Vancouver during their Alaska-bound cruise.
Cruise ship in Vancouver/Shutterstock
On Wednesday, the Vancouver Fraser Port Authority, which manages the Port of Vancouver, announced that Vancouver has been recognized by cruisers as one of the top-rated cruise destinations in the U.S. and Canada in the 2018 Cruise Critic’s Cruisers’ Choice Destination Awards. The winners are chosen based on consumer ratings and reviews posted by cruise passengers to the Cruise Critic website.
During the 2018 cruise season, 32 different vessels from 14 cruise lines will be visiting the award-winning Canada Place cruise terminal at the Port of Vancouver, ranging from luxury smaller expedition style ships, to some of the largest vessels in the Alaskan cruise market. More than 900,000 cruise passengers are expected in Vancouver this year, with more than one million expected in 2019.
Recent enhancements completed at the Canada Place cruise terminal were designed to improve efficiency as well as passenger and vehicle flows. These improvements include a new wayfinding and signage program, expanded and reconfigured terminal space with additional baggage and passenger space, and an expanded and reconfigured ground transportation area. New fenders and camels are also being phased at all the three berths and all gangways are in the process of being refurbished.
According to the Port Authority, the Vancouver cruise industry stimulates nearly $3 million to the local economy for each cruise ship that visits Canada Place and $1.6 billion in total economic impact, as passengers enjoy additional vacation time in Vancouver, Victoria and surrounding areas.
“We were delighted to receive this recognition from the Cruise Critic community because it affirms that Vancouver is indeed among the world’s best cruise ports,” said Dayna Miller, director of Sales, Leisure Travel at Tourism Vancouver.
“Not only is Vancouver recognized as the most passenger-friendly cruise port in North America, we are also the only Alaska homeport offering both one-way and round-trip itineraries through the picturesque Inside Passage — along the west coast of British Columbia. Furthermore, Vancouver’s cruise port is walking distance from a plethora of hotels, unique neigbourhoods, restaurants and attractions. The feedback we consistently receive from cruise passengers is ’I wish I booked more time in Vancouver before or after my cruise.’”
