Vancouver: New cruise ships and new facilities for passengers at Canada Place highlight the start of this years cruise season at Port Vancouver with the arrival of Norwegian Cruise Lines Norwegian Wind on Monday, April 30. Port Vancouver welcomes seven new ships to its waters this year, five of which are newly built and represent nearly $2.6 billion (Cdn.) in investments.

Collectively these investments by the cruise lines help to reaffirm Vancouvers status as homeport for the Vancouver-Alaska cruise. Coupled with our own $89 million to build a new berth by 2003 and new facilities at Canada Place, these industry investments show the Vancouver-Alaska cruise is well-positioned for future growth in this expanding sector, said Gordon Houston, VPA President and CEO.

The cruise sector has grown to become a vital part of the B.C. economy, contributing annually $508 million. Each ship that passes through our waters leaves $1.5 million in economic benefits, said David Stowe, Chairman, VPA. With this years new facilities and a new berth in 2003, we will continue to uphold Port Vancouvers international reputation for outstanding facilities and service that cruise lines and passengers enjoy year after year.

Brand new are Holland Americas Zaandam with a passenger capacity of 1,440, Royal Caribbean Cruises Radiance of the Seas with a passenger capacity of 2,100, Celebrity Cruises Infinity with a passenger capacity of 1,950, Carnival Cruise Lines Carnival Spirit with a passenger capacity of 2,124, and Radisson Seven Seas Cruises Seven Seas Mariner with a passenger capacity of 700. New to Port Vancouver are Hapag Lloyds Bremen with a passenger capacity of 164 and Cruise Wests Spirit of Oceanus with a passenger capacity of 114.

In total, 26 vessels from 13 cruise lines will make 328 sailings this year. While the number of sailings this year is down slightly from last years 336 sailings, the projected number of revenue passengers is expected to remain constant.

Canada Place is currently undergoing construction at a cost of $89 million for facilities and infrastructure. Construction on Canada Place began in March 2000. When finished, Canada Place will have an increased passenger-level area, an expanded baggage loading and unloading area increased from 133,000 sq. ft. to 189,000 sq. ft., as well as enhanced truck, bus and taxi access increased from 63,000 to 100,000 sq. ft. When the work is completed, Canada Place will be home to three berths: one at 1,600 feet, a second at 1,070 feet and a third at 900 feet.

Port Vancouver is homeport to the Vancouver-Alaska cruise. During the 2000 cruise season, Port Vancouver welcomed 1,053,989 revenue passengers, an increase of 11 per cent over 1999s numbers. Last year was the 18th year of consecutive growth for cruise.

Back by popular demand this year is the three- to four-day Pacific Northwest pocket cruise between Vancouver, Victoria and Seattle, which takes place this year on Royal Caribbean Internationals brand new ship, Radiance of the Seas. This unique, shorter cruise allows travelers a chance to sample a different itinerary. The pocket cruise has also grown cruise business over the shoulder months of May, September and October.

Port Vancouver is popular for cruise customers because it offers shorter sailing time to Alaska and provides passengers with the flexibility of a full range of round-trip or one-way voyages. Port Vancouver has two modern cruise ship terminals: Canada Place, currently with two operational berths, and Ballantyne Pier, also with two berths.

Following is this years roster for the Vancouver-Alaska cruise:

Princess Cruises is deploying five vessels in Alaska this year: the Dawn, Ocean, Regal, Sea and Sun Princess. A fleet of six vessels headlines Holland Americas rotation including the Ryndam, Statendam, Veendam, Volendam and Westerdam and Zaandam.

Royal Caribbean International is bringing back its Vision of the Seas and Rhapsody of the Seas and introduces its Radiance of the Seas. RCIs partner Celebrity introduces the Infinity this year as well as bringing back the Mercury.

Crystal Cruises Crystal Harmony returns this season while Carnival debuts its Carnival Spirit. Norwegian Cruise Lines service includes two vessels, the Norwegian Sky and Norwegian Wind.

World Explorers Universe Explorer will be returning this year as does Mitsui OSK Lines Nippon Maru. Hapag Lloyd introduces its Bremen while NYK introduces its Asuka. Radisson Seven Seas Seven Seas Mariner makes its inaugural voyage to Vancouver this season while Cruise West introduces its Spirit of Oceanus.

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For more information, please contact:

Anne McMullin,
Director, Corporate Communications and Public Affairs
Vancouver Port Authority
(604) 665-9069 (office)
(604) 665-9073 (fax)
(604) 218-1403 (cellular)
anne.mcmullin@portvancouver.com

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