Overview Vancouver is one of the most popular cruise ports in the world, for both departures and debarkations. In fact, the Port of Vancouver is the busiest seaport in Canada.
Not surprisingly, because of its location, the most common cruise itinerary from Vancouver is (by far) Alaska.
There are Alaska cruises that go round trip from Vancouver, and there are those that do a Northbound Alaska itinerary, from Vancouver to either Whittier or Seward. The reverse is also available on a Southbound Alaska cruise, departing from either Whittier or Seward and ending in Vancouver.
The city of Vancouver is very diverse, with a significant number of its residents having a first language other than English. It is also consistently listed among the most livable, and expensive, cities in the world.
"Hollywood North" is a popular nickname now used for Vancouver, as it has become a highly used filming location for both the motion picture and television industries. One of the reasons it's a popular filming location is its beautiful scenery, including various mountains and parks.
Vancouver has some of the warmest winters in Canada. The daily high temperature in July and August is around 72°F. Winters tend to have a decent amount of precipitation, while summers tend to be dry.
Destinations The following destinations can be visited on a cruise leaving from Vancouver, British Columbia:
Alaska
Asia
Hawaii
Pacific Coastal
Panama Canal
World Cruises
Currency The official currency is the Canadian dollar.
Language Canada has two official languages - English and French. English is the predominant language in British Columbia, where Vancouver is located.
Tourist Attractions Vancouver is a beautiful city filled with amazing parks, modern skyscrapers, and a very diverse population.
Some of the more prominent buildings in the city of Vancouver are Christ Church Cathedral, Harbour Centre, the Hotel Vancouver, Canada Place (home of the Vancouver Convention & Exhibition Centre, the world's first IMAX 3D theatre and Vancouver's main cruise ship terminal), the Museum of Anthropology and the Vancouver Art Gallery (which has a collection of over 7,900 items).
Stanley Park is one of the largest urban parks in North America. It's about 1,000 acres and boarders downtown Vancouver. There are about 125 miles of trails and roads in the park. This park has an estimated 8 million visitors a year and features trees that are up to 76 meters high and hundreds of years old.
Queen Elizabeth Park is a park located on Little Mountain, in Vancouver. This park features a pitch and putt golf course, a disc golf course, a lawn bowling club, a restaurant, and more.
Granville Island is a small island in Vancouver. It is one of the most popular tourist attractions in Vancouver and is particularly popular for shopping. On the island you'll find a public market (open 7 days a week, except certain holidays), a large marina, a hotel and various theatres. There are two ferry services operating to transport visitors between the island and downtown Vancouver.
Port Location & Parking Fees There are two major cruise ports in Vancouver, Canada Place and Ballantyne Pier. Canada Place is used by Carnival Cruise Lines, Cruise West, Norwegian Cruise Line, Holland America Line, Princess Cruises and Regent Seven Seas Cruises. Ballantyne Pier is used by Celebrity Cruises, Royal Caribbean and Silversea Cruises. This information is subject to change - please verify it directly with whichever cruise line you book with.
Vancouver International Airport (YVR) is about 10 miles from both cruise terminals, with a 25 minute travel time between itself and either one. Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA) is about 160 miles from both cruise terminals, with a 3 1/2 hour travel time between itself and either one. All travel times and distances are estimates, with travel times being subject to traffic conditions at the time of travel.
Taxis are available at both airports to take you to either pier. A taxi between Vancouver International Airport and either pier is usually around $20 per person (CAD). A one way transfer between Seattle and Vancouver is usually around $40 to $45 (USD) per person. Another option is to purchase ground transfers through the cruise line - an excellent choice for those traveling between Seattle and Vancouver, as it will typically be lower in price than private transfers.
Address for Canada Place: Canada Place Cruise Ship Terminal
999 Canada Place Way
Vancouver, BC V6C2P9
Address for Ballantyne Pier:
North Foot of Heatley Street
851 Centennial Road
Vancouver, BC V6C2P9
Parking Fees (subject to change):
Citipark operates the long-term parking for Canada Place, with a $20 (CAD) charge per day for cruise passengers.
CruisePark offers parking for both cruise ports. Parking rates depend on your traveling dates. An example of a typical rate on a 7-day cruise is $104.25 (CAD). CruisePark recommends making reservations prior to arrival.
Vancouver Skyline
Canada Place
SkyTrain crossing the Skybridge
Stanley Park
The Vancouver Art Gallery
Queen Elizabeth Park
Vancouver City Hall
Vancouver at Night
Clock Tower of the Vancouver Block (on Granville Street)
