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Cruisers rank Vancouver as one of the top cruise destinations
As a top global destination, Vancouver continues to attract a wide range of cruise lines and passengers from around the world that visit the Canada Place cruise terminal at Port of Vancouver during their Alaska-bound cruise. Today, the Vancouver Fraser Port Authority, which manages the Port of Vancouver, is pleased to announce that Vancouver has been recognized by cruisers as one of the top-rated cruise destinations in the US and Canada in the 2018 Cruise Critic’s Cruisers’ Choice Destination Awards. The winners are chosen based on consumer ratings and reviews posted by cruise passengers to the Cruise Critic website.
During the 2018 cruise season, 32 different vessels from 14 cruise lines will be visiting the award-winning Canada Place cruise terminal at the Port of Vancouver, ranging from luxury smaller expedition style ships, to some of the largest vessels in the Alaskan cruise market. More than 900,000 cruise passengers are expected in Vancouver this year, with over one million expected in 2019.
“Cruise passengers from across the globe continue to be attracted to the award-winning cruise facilities at Canada Place and the experiences Vancouver has to offer,” said Peter Xotta, vice president planning and operations at the Vancouver Fraser Port Authority. “Canada Place at the Port of Vancouver is Canada’s largest cruise port and has been a leading homeport for Alaska-bound cruises for more than 30 years. We are pleased that cruisers have named Vancouver as a top cruise destination and look forward to welcoming even more passengers through the Port of Vancouver in the years to come.”
Recent enhancements completed at the Canada Place cruise terminal were designed to improve efficiency as well as passenger and vehicle flows. These improvements include a new wayfinding and signage program, expanded and reconfigured terminal space with additional baggage and passenger space, and an expanded and reconfigured ground transportation area. New fenders and camels are also being phased at all the three berths and all gangways are in the process of being refurbished.
The Vancouver cruise industry stimulates nearly three million dollars to the local economy for each cruise ship that visits Canada Place and $1.6 billion in total economic impact, as passengers enjoy additional vacation time in Vancouver, Victoria and surrounding areas.
“We were delighted to receive this recognition from the Cruise Critic community because it affirms that Vancouver is indeed among the world’s best cruise ports,” said Dayna Miller, Director of Sales, Leisure Travel at Tourism Vancouver. “Not only is Vancouver recognized as the most passenger-friendly cruise port in North America, we are also the only Alaska homeport offering both one-way and round-trip itineraries through the picturesque Inside Passage—along the west coast of British Columbia. Furthermore, Vancouver’s cruise port is walking distance from a plethora of hotels, unique neigbourhoods, restaurants and attractions. The feedback we consistently receive from cruise passengers is ’I wish I booked more time in Vancouver before or after my cruise!’”
Highlights for 2018 cruise season:
- Vancouver cruise passenger volumes have been strong and steady over the past five years, with 2018 forecasting the highest passenger volumes since 2010. More than 900,000 passengers are expected on 243 vessel visits in Vancouver in 2018. This represents a seven per cent increase in passenger volumes compared to the 2017 season.
- This year, the Port of Vancouver is welcoming the Norwegian Bliss, which accommodates more than 4,000 passengers, the largest ship to date to come to Vancouver.
- In 2018, the Port of Vancouver made history with the arrival of the 25 millionth cruise passenger.
- Each cruise ship that docks at the Port of Vancouver contributes, on average, nearly $3 million to the local economy.
- The 2018 season includes several new vessels, such as Windstar Cruises’ Star Legend luxury cruise ship and the Norwegian Jewel, which has replaced the Norwegian Sun.
- The Port of Vancouver’s Canada Place cruise ship terminal welcomes the return of Holland America, Princess Cruises, Norwegian Cruise Line, Oceania Cruises, Regent Seven Seas Cruises, Disney Cruise Line, Celebrity Cruises, Royal Caribbean International, Crystal Cruises, Seabourn Cruise Line, and Silversea Cruises. These cruise lines all have vessels that use the Port of Vancouver as homeport to begin and end each cruise.
- In 2009, the Canada Place cruise ship terminal became the first in Canada and third in the world to offer shore power for cruise ships. Since then, there have been 493 successful shore power connections out of 624 calls that are able to connect at the Canada Place cruise terminal. This equates to a total of 58,000 tons of fuel savings, more than 18,000 tons of greenhouse gas (GHG) emission reductions and 524 tons of air pollutant reductions.
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