2016 Alaska Cruise Season Underway

Port Vancouver’s 2016 Alaska cruising season kicked off today with the arrival of Star Princess at Canada Place.  Vancouver expects about 830,000 passengers on 228 calls, an increase over last year’s passenger volume.  This year is the 30th anniversary for Canada Place, and the CEO at Port Metro Vancouver, Robin Silvester, said “Our award-winning cruise facilities at Canada Place welcome thousands of visitors to beautiful Vancouver every year.”

The result of a joint passenger survey by Port Metro Vancouver, Tourism Vancouver, Destination BC, and Vancouver International Airport last year showed an increasing number of international cruise passengers coming into the city.  The cruise industry there stimulates over $2 million in economic activity for each ship that calls at Canada Place.

Port Vancouver was awarded Best Destination Experience by Cruise Insight Magazine this year, and Ty Speer, CEO of Tourism Vancouver, said “This award is a testament to the collective work of all the tourism partners who consistently deliver a dynamic pre and post-cruise experience for the many cruise passengers visiting Vancouver each year.  Holland America was the first cruise line to call the new Canada Place cruise terminal on April 28, 1986.  We value our partnership with Holland America Line very highly, and look forward to continuing to build on this great relationship for many years to come.”

2016 Highlights for the port will include:

  • the return of Disney Wonder, and all the returning homeported ships from Princess, Norwegian, Celebrity, and Royal Caribbean
  • Crystal Cruises returning to homeport, with eight sailings on the Serenity
  • Holland America’s Nieuw Amsterdam will make her inaugural call on April 30, and homeport there, offering 24 roundtrip sailings

The port authority continues to word toward using more shore power by cruise ships calling in Vancouver.  It reduces marine diesel air emissions by allowing ships to shut down their engines and connect to the electrical grid while docked.  This is in collaboration with the cruise industry and BC Hydro, as the environment is a high priority for Port Metro Vancouver.

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