After a two-year hiatus, the cruise ship season is expected to be even greater than what was recorded in the year before the pandemic. Since the federal government lifted the ban on cruise ships accessing Canadian ports in November 2021, local port officials and cruise lines have been planning the massive comeback of this important industry for Vancouver. The return of cruise ships to Canada is a significant milestone in restarting our economy and reopening the tourism sector.
Tourism partners have worked closely together to ensure a safe start to the season. Under Transport Canada requirements, cruise passengers must be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 and must test negative for COVID-19 before boarding ship.
The cruise ship industry supports thousands of people whose jobs rely on the regular arrival of ships and brings hundreds of thousands of visitors to BC each year. 2022 is no different, as the tentative schedule released by the Vancouver Fraser Port Authority indicates more than 300 cruise ships docking at Canada Place, 8% more than the 289 sailings recorded back in 2019. For a more detailed look at the schedule, click here.
The first sailing was made by Holland America’s Koningsdam on April 10, with the rest of the cruise season set to pick up near the end of April, where at least one ship is scheduled almost daily, and as many as five ships as the season progresses.
For those looking to spend time in the city pre or post cruise, there is a wide array of hotels within walking distance of the port. Just steps away from the gangway is the Pan Pacific Hotel and the Fairmont Waterfront - both offering cruise packages that include complimentary breakfasts and luggage transfers to the pier. A short walk away but still featuring views of the waterfront are the Fairmont Pacific Rim, the Pinnacle Hotel Harbourfront, and the Westin Bayshore, where you can also find yourself working off any vacation weight by spending some time in their newly built Peloton bike studio. Further away from the water but offering free shuttles to the cruise terminal are the Loden Hotel, Hampton Inn and Suites and the Atrium Inn.
