by Amy Watkins
Marked by billowing white sails, Vancouver’s distinctive downtown cruise terminal at Canada Place is the gateway to Alaskan adventures and Pacific Ocean escapades. More than 800,000 passengers sail from the award-winning Port of Vancouver every year. Here’s how to choose a cruise from Vancouver that’s right for you. [Photo credit: Tourism Vancouver / Albert Normandin]
Vancouver is the only homeport that offers one-way trips to Alaska, as well as round-trips that explore the wildlife and wonders of America’s frontier. Cruises take a ‘shortcut’ through the Inside Passage, along B.C.’s scenic coast, and usually stop at Victoria on Vancouver Island, before visiting Alaska’s Ketchikan, Juneau, Skagway and Glacier Bay. Itineraries run from five to 14 days and Alaskan cruises run from May until October, with July and August being peak season.
Travellers can also take a cruise to warmer climes with springtime cruises from Vancouver to Hawaii, California and the South Pacific, as well as longer journeys to the Panama Canal and Asia. Short one-night repositioning cruises to Seattle are a great way to have a taste of cruising before taking a longer trip.
Thirteen cruise lines call at Vancouver, from budget-friendly large ships to more exclusive high-end lines. Family-friendly lines, with larger ships and more facilities for children, include Disney Cruise Lines, Holland America Line, Norwegian Cruise Lines and Royal Caribbean International. Celebrity Cruises and Princess Cruises are larger ships that are ideal for couples and Crystal Cruises, Oceania Cruises, Regent Seven Seas Cruises and Silversea Cruises run smaller luxury cruises that are often all-inclusive of excursions and alcohol.
When it comes to choosing a ship, or cruise line, consider the type of vacation that you want: Are you an avid photographer who wants to go out on a small boat to see wildlife? Do you prefer a resort style atmosphere with lots of evening entertainment? Choosing a ship is a lot like choosing a hotel.
Layer up! Alaskan cruises run in the summertime but passengers are often out on deck or on excursions, so thermal base layers, long sleeve tops, fleece pull-overs, waterproof outerwear, boots, hats and gloves are a good idea to keep the chill at bay. Most cruises have formal nights on board at least once per trip, so bring some evening wear for these occasions (think cocktail party rather than gala dinner). If you enjoy working out, bring running shoes for the onboard gym and pack comfortable shoes as you may end up walking a long way between your cabin, restaurants and activities if you’re sailing on a big ship. If you’re prone to motion sickness, pack some ginger and Gravol, request a cabin in the middle of the ship, and remember the adage that the ‘more you pay, the more you sway’ and opt for a lower deck cabin.
It’s hard to miss Vancouver’s award-winning cruise terminal at Canada Place, thanks to the large white sail design, which is an integral part of the city’s downtown skyline. Home to the four-star Fairmont Pan Pacific Hotel and the FlyOver Canada virtual reality film attraction, Canada Place is the embarkation point for most Vancouver-based cruises.
Getting to Canada Place cruise terminal is easy. Close to Waterfront Station, it can be accessed by the SkyTrain, which links to Vancouver International Airport (YVR) and beyond. Limos, taxis and buses also connect the cruise terminal to the rest of the city.
Passengers on international cruises embarking in Vancouver go through US Customs and Border Protection (you’re entering US jurisdiction upon boarding the ship), so remember your passport and don’t forget to get rid of any fresh food in your bags to avoid delays at customs.
Cruises from Vancouver open up a world of adventure with the city’s cruise terminal acting as a gateway to Alaska, California and the Pacific Ocean. Whether you’re a Vancouverite looking for a vacation or a visitor combining a city break with a cruise, it’s sure to be a bon voyage!
