Vancouver: A new berth and new capacity for passengers at Canada Place highlight the start of this year's cruise season at the Port of Vancouver with the arrival of Norwegian Cruise Line's Norwegian Wind on Monday, April 29. The Vancouver Port Authority has invested $89 million in new facilities and a new third berth, which will be operational this season, one year ahead of schedule.

"The addition of a new berth and new facilities at Canada Place, one of Canada's premier landmarks, symbolizes the future prosperity that the cruise sector holds for Vancouver and nearby communities," said David Stowe, Chairman, Vancouver Port Authority. "As the cruise ships return to the waters of Vancouver year after year, so too do the economic benefits of $508 million annually that this vital sector generates."

Construction of the new terminal began in 2000 and includes the addition of a new 275-metre berth, expanded terminal capacity and a redesigned layout and traffic flow.

"Like all of the business sectors at the port, the cruise sector relies on competitiveness, efficiency, capacity and service to meet the demands of today's market," said Captain Gordon Houston, President and Chief Executive Officer, Vancouver Port Authority. "With the addition of the new north berth, we have delivered on our commitment to both our customers and Canadians to grow the business and prepare for the future."

This season, the Port will welcome 27 ships from 13 cruise lines on an estimated 348 sailings, up 17 sailings from last year's 331. In 2001, there were 1,060,383 revenue passengers. The Port of Vancouver is "homeport" to the Vancouver-Alaska cruise. This year is anticipated to be the 20th consecutive season of growth in cruise passenger volume. According to an economic impact survey by the North West CruiseShip Association, each cruise ship that passes through the Port of Vancouver leaves behind $1.5 million in economic benefits. Every cruise ship call generates on average 14 direct jobs.

"The cruise season plays a pivotal role in Vancouvers tourism sector and we will continue to ensure that passengers are well looked after so they enjoy their stay here, before or after their cruise, and consider returning for another visit," said Stephen Pearce, Vice President, Sales & Market Development, Leisure Travel, Tourism Vancouver.

The Port of Vancouver welcomes two brand new ships this season: Celebrity Cruises' Summit and Princess Cruises' Star Princess. The Star Princess is the first Post-Panamax cruise ship to sail the waters of Vancouver. Post-Panamax ships are so large they cannot fit through the Panama Canal. The Star Princess has a capacity of 2,600 passengers. The Summit offers a capacity of 1,950 passengers.

In addition to the Vancouver-Alaska cruise, cruise lines will once again offer the increasingly popular three- to four-day Pacific Northwest cruise between Seattle, Vancouver and Victoria. Royal Caribbean International and Holland America will be offering the shorter cruises throughout May, September and October. Starting in September, Vancouver will be homeport for the Pacific Northwest cruise aboard Holland America's Zaandam and will be targeted at the Vancouver market with transit calls in Victoria and Seattle.

Vancouver, one of the world's most beautiful cities and tourism destinations, is popular for cruise customers because it offers attractive pre- and post-cruise options. Vancouver also offers shorter sailing times to Alaska and provides passengers with the flexibility of a full range of round-trip or one-way voyages. The Port of Vancouver has two modern cruise ship terminals: Canada Place, now with three berths: one at 487 metres, a second at 325 metres and a new, third at 275 metres; and Ballantyne Pier, with two berths.

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2002 cruise season



Following is this year's roster for the cruise season:



Holland America returns with six vessels sailing Vancouver's waters with the Amsterdam, Ryndam, Statendam, Veendam, Volendam and Zaandam. A fleet of five vessels headline Princess Cruises' rotation with the Dawn Princess, Ocean Princess, Sea Princess, Star Princess and the Sun Princess. Royal Caribbean International returns with the Legend of the Seas, Radiance of the Seas and Vision of the Seas. Celebrity Cruises is deploying three ships this season: the Infinity, the Mercury and the Summit. Carnival Cruises is deploying one vessel, the Carnival Spirit. Norwegian Cruise Lines returns again this year with the Norwegian Sky and the Norwegian Wind. Radisson Seven Seas returns with the Seven Seas Navigator. Cruise West is bringing back the Spirit of Oceanus. Crystal Cruises returns with the Crystal Harmony. Mitsui O.S.K. Lines returns with the Nippon Maru. Peace Boat Cruise Line arrives with the Olvia. Seabourn Cruise Line's is deploying its Seabourn Spirit. World Explorer returns with its Universe Explorer.





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

For more information:
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