VANCOUVER - BRITISH COLUMBIA - CANADA
PORT INFORMATION
photo : Vancouver - Canada Place Cruise Terminal
There is also no argument that Vancouver is one of the world’s most beautiful cities, framed as it is by snow-capped mountains, trees as tall as the sky, and Pacific beaches. It is one of the few cities in the world where you can ski, golf and sail - all in the same day.
Vancouver is the home port for the Vancouver-Alaska cruises from May to September - one of the world's premier cruise routes.
Close to a million passengers depart or arrive through the port of Vancouver on over 250 vessel calls every year and find plenty to do. Berlitz designated Vancouver as the most passenger-friendly cruise port in North America.
Cruise Terminals in Vancouver
The Port of Vancouver’s two cruise terminals are at Canada Place and Ballantyne.
The Canada Place cruise terminal is located in the heart of the city close to shopping, dining, and numerous attractions including Stanley Park.
The cruise terminal at Ballantyne is a short taxi ride from the core of the city. While there is nothing to see in the immediate area of Ballantyne Cruise Terminal, the entire terminal has undergone a major expansion and renovation ensuring modern and efficient services to cruise passengers passing thorugh here.
Both terminals are only 30 minutes away from Vancouver International Airport (YVR), recently ranked the #1 Airport in North America by Skytrax, offering non-stop services to 24 US destinations and 19 other international cities.
In addition, the new Canada Line, built for the 2010 Winter Olympic Games offers a fast connection between the Canada Place Cruise Terminal and the airport in 26 minutes. Departures are every 4-6 mintues. (There is a very short walk to the actual terminal.
Parking is available on site at Canada Place, which has a two-level parkade facility. For off-site parking and for cruise passengers using the Ballantyne Cruise Terminal, a complimentary shuttle connects both terminals with Cruisepark's parking lot which is situated between the two terminals.
On-site, same-day baggage storage is available at Canada Place and Ballantyne cruise terminals, for cruise passengers only.
New shore power technology at the Port of Vancouver cruise ship terminal enables equipped cruise ships, to use power from the city’s grid instead of the engines to power the ship’s onboard services thereby reducing emissions when docked in Vancouver.
Cruise Lines using Vancouver Cruise Terminals as an Embarkation / Disembarking Port
Cruise lines using the Port of Vancouver to start and end their cruises include Carnival Cruise Lines, Celebrity Cruises, Disney Cruise Line, Holland America Line, Norwegian Cruise Line (NCL), Princess Cruises, Regent Seven Seas Cruises, Royal Caribbean, and Silversea Cruises.
Vancouver is set to welcome Disney Cruise Line, Crystal Cruises and Oceania Cruises in 2011.
Must See Attractions in Vancouver, BC
Vancouver is one of the most cosmopolitan cities in North America, home to dozens of well-known visitor attractions, activities and landmarks. Its major attractions are in easy reach of Canada Place, the main cruise terminal in downtown Vancouver.
Within walking distance of the Canada Place Cruise Terminal is the popular tourist attraction of Gastown, the heart of the city in its early days and named for gold prospector, riverboat captain and saloon keeper John "Gassy Jack" Deighton. Turn left out of the terminal and hed for the famous steam clock still in perfectworking order.
Capilano Suspension Bridge: Alongside its giant and justly famed suspension bridge, Capilano’s "Treetops Adventure" offers a series of suspended walkways (and viewing platforms) between some of its towering trees. The park’s 27 acres offers rainforest nature trails, a mini-forest of totem poles and entertainment for the whole family.
Vancouver Aquarium: Stanley Park is the largest urban park in North America (1,000 acres) and home to the Vancouver Aquarium and an exceptional collection of Totem Poles. Marine-savvy visitors can get up close and personal with their favourite wildlife at the Vancouver Aquarium with unusual "animal encounters." Adventures include hanging out with and feeding the belugas; learning what it takes to become a trainer; and helping to feed the playful sea otters.
Grouse Mountain: An aerial tramway will take you to the top of Grouse Mountain. Summertime activities include lumberjack shows, a mountaintop theatre, a wildlife refuge mountain ziplining, hiking, paragliding, aerial helicopter tours and other sight-seeing. Grouse Mountain’s popular hiking trail is known as the Grouse Grind.
In Vancouver you can walk along the Stanley Park Seawall, bargain for deals in Chinatown, the third largest in North America, visit Chinatown's Dr. Sun Yat-Sen Classical Chinese Garden, walk along the cobblestone streets of Gastown and watch the famous steam clock hiss and toot, explore the incredible Museum of Anthropology at the University of British Columbia, or hit Science World at TELUS World of Science for a plethora of hands-on activities.
