Over 900,000 cruise passengers visit Vancouver cruise port every year, seeking to explore this city, considered one of the most attractive in the world.
Vancouver cruise port is also the closest port to Alaskan waters, providing a starting point for cruise itineraries sailing through the spectacular Inside Passage. This magnificent coastal route stretches from the west coast of British Columbia and up into Alaska.
These are two key reasons why the port of Vancouver is important, drawing cruise lines from around the world wishing to offer their guests holidays exploring this captivating city and nearby stunning landscape.
Cruise ships also sail from Vancouver cruise port to California, Hawaii, and other destinations further south.
If you’ve booked a cruise holiday that begins or stops at Vancouver’s cruise terminal, read on to discover all you need to know about it and the attractions you can find when visiting here.
Where do cruise ships dock in Vancouver, Canada?
Cruise ships dock at Vancouver’s cruise port, Canada Place, the only cruise terminal for Vancouver. The address is Canada Place Pier, 999 Canada Place, Vancouver, BC.
There are 28 cruise companies currently using Vancouver cruise port, including luxury cruise lines, such as Royal Caribbean, Celebrity Cruise and Princess Cruises, and smaller expedition-style ships that offer cruises to Alaska. As a three-berth terminal, up to four cruise ships can dock here at one time.
Vancouver’s cruise terminal, Canada Place, has won international awards for its facilities and operations. So, when you arrive here, you should find everything you need to enjoy a seamless and efficient experience.
There is short-term baggage storage and a porter service, car rentals, cruise parking and mobility assistance. You’ll also find cafes, restaurants, toilets, waiting areas, and free Wi-Fi at Vancouver’s cruise terminal.
How to get to Vancouver from the cruise port
Getting from Vancouver cruise port to the city centre is easy, as it is already helpfully situated in downtown Vancouver. So, with the distance from Vancouver cruise port to the city centre downtown being less than a mile, you can walk to the area’s attractions in just a few minutes.
In fact, in the main the city is surprisingly compact, mostly flat and safe, especially downtown Vancouver, so it is easy to negotiate on foot.
If you need an alternative way of getting to Vancouver from the cruise port or around other areas of the city, plenty of taxis are available.
Taxis use a meter rate but also offer fares that are charged by zone. So, for example, if you need to get from Vancouver cruise port to the airport, eight and a half miles away, it would cost $35.
Public transport in Vancouver is also very good and accepts contactless payment, making it easy to hop on and off when needed.
Is there anything near Vancouver’s cruise port?
If you’re wondering what to do in Vancouver cruise port, plenty of options are nearby. With Vancouver’s cruise terminal, Canada Place, located so close to downtown, you’ll find great restaurants and bars, a thriving shopping district and plenty of top tourist sights in the vicinity.
When planning what to do in Vancouver on port days, a good place to start is nearby Gastown.
This area is a historic part of Vancouver, where the city was originally founded in 1886. Wander the cobbled streets, take in the authentic architecture and be sure to seek out Gastown’s most notorious landmark, the Steam Clock.
Chinatown is also close to Vancouver’s cruise port. It’s North America’s second biggest and is a vibrant area where you’ll find many Asian speciality stores and dim sum restaurants.
While you’re there, be sure to visit Dr Sun Yat-Sen Classical Chinese Garden, a serene and picturesque attraction rich in Chinese culture.
What are the best activities by Vancouver cruise port?
One of the best and most thrilling things to do when visiting Vancouver is to walk across the Capilano Suspension Bridge. Sitting 70 metres above the Capilano River, it reaches 140 metres long and offers spectacular views of the surrounding parkland.
Capilano Suspension Bridge Park is a 15-minute drive from Vancouver cruise port, but conveniently there is a free shuttle bus departing from Canada Place to take you there.
Stanley Park is another must-visit when in Vancouver. As a 400-hectare natural rainforest, it provides an oasis of trees, water and local wildlife.
It is also situated just over a mile from the Vancouver cruise terminal, so it is an ideal place to put on your list when deciding what to do in Vancouver on port days.
