With nearly 70,000 passengers set to move through the Canada Place cruise terminal at the Port of Vancouver this week, the Vancouver Fraser Port Authority is anticipating a very busy cruise season this year, especially during the spring and summer months, the agency announced May 8.
The cruise season, which lasts through the end of October, is expected to bring about 1.27 million passengers to the terminal, with 329 scheduled cruise ship visits, a 2% increase from 2023’s record of 1.24 million passenger visits, Port Authority data estimates.
“We are expecting another exciting season for the award-winning Canada Place cruise terminal in 2024, with cruise lines reporting robust bookings and the popularity of the Alaskan cruise market continuing to grow,” Mandy Chan, the port authority’s cruise services manager said.
The weekends are expected to be especially busy, with an estimated 20,000-30,000 passengers visiting the terminal on Saturdays and Sundays through the spring and summer.
“While record numbers of cruise tourists visiting our region will provide a vital boost for local businesses and tourism providers, it will also mean anyone planning to visit Canada Place or nearby areas downtown should plan ahead and expect increased crowds and traffic,” Chan said.