Port Guides
Vancouver, British Columbia
Vancouver is consistently ranked among the most livable and most beautiful cities in the world, and one look at its setting explains why. Snow-capped Coast Mountains rise dramatically to the north, the Pacific Ocean and countless islands spread to the west, and the city's gleaming skyline sits surrounded by Stanley Park's ancient rainforest. It is extraordinary. And as the primary Canadian gateway for Alaska cruising, it offers one of the most spectacular departure settings in all of cruising.
Canada Place Cruise Terminal is located right in downtown Vancouver — a sail-shaped architectural landmark on the waterfront that is itself one of the city's icons. Ships sail directly from the terminal past Stanley Park and under the Lions Gate Bridge, offering an embarkation experience so scenic that passengers line the decks for the departure alone.
One of the unique things about sailing to Alaska from Vancouver is that most (not all) ships transit the Inside Passage. Select larger vessels do need to sail west of Vancouver Island. Speak with a Harr Travel advisor for more details about how you can maximize your Inside Passage experience.
DRIVING DIRECTIONS
Canada Place Cruise Ship Terminal
999 Canada Place
Vancouver, BC V6C 3E1
NEAREST AIRPORT
YVR - Vancouver International Airport1 - 10 miles, 30-45 minutes
AVERAGE TEMPS
Vancouver operates Alaska, Hawaii and West Coast itineraries seasonally. Weather ranges from lows in the 50s to highs in the low 80s (often on the same day). Layers are an essential packing item.
Getting to Vancouver
Vancouver International Airport (YVR) is about 10 miles south of downtown Vancouver, with the Canada Line SkyTrain providing fast, affordable, and luggage-friendly rail service from the airport to Waterfront Station, just steps from Canada Place. The journey takes about 25 minutes. Taxis and ride-shares are also readily available. Canada Place Cruise Terminal is extremely well-located — most downtown hotels are within walking distance, and the surrounding waterfront is stunning even before you step aboard your ship.
American cruisers often also get to the Vancouver cruise port via Seattle (a 3-hour drive or Amtrak Cascades train service), combining a Seattle pre-cruise stay with a Vancouver embarkation for a beautiful Pacific Northwest experience on both ends of the trip.
 
Shuttle Services & Car Services
Depending where you are staying before heading to embarkation, there are shuttles and car share (Uber, Lyft) and taxis readily available. Many hotels in central Vancouver are walking distance to the port.
 
Staying Overnight
We always recommend arriving at least the day before your cruise. Doing so ensures you don't risk missing embarkation for your long-awaited vacation, and also gives you time to explore the world in a bit more depth. You have many options for accommodations in Vancouver.
Guest Recommendations
A selection of our guest's favorite hotels:
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Downtown/Cruise Port - Luxury:
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Pan Pacific Vancouver
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Fairmont Pacific Rim
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Shangri-La Hotel, Vancouver
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Rosewood Hotel Georgia ​
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Downtown/Cruise Port - 4 Star:
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Marriott Pinnacle Downtown Vancouver
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Coast Coal Harbour Vancouver Hotel by APA
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Vancouver Airport:
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Fairmont Vancouver Airport
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Hilton Vancouver Airport
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Things to do in Vancouver
Vancouver is a stunning city with nature around every corner. An extra day or two is a great way to start or end your trip to Alaska.
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Stanley Park
Stanley Park is one of the great urban green spaces in the world — a 1,000-acre old-growth rainforest peninsula surrounded on three sides by ocean. The 5.5-mile Seawall path around the perimeter offers some of the most spectacular urban walking anywhere on Earth, with views of the North Shore mountains, the Lions Gate Bridge, and English Bay. Rent a bike at the park entrance and circle the seawall — it's an unforgettable experience and completely accessible to all fitness levels.
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Granville Island Public Market
Vancouver's Granville Island Public Market is a beloved local institution comparable to Pike Place in Seattle. Fresh seafood, artisan foods, local produce, bakeries, and craft stalls fill a converted industrial space under the Granville Bridge. Take the small ferry from downtown — the mini-ferry is itself a Vancouver experience — and plan to stay for lunch.
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Gastown & Chinatown
Vancouver's oldest neighborhood, Gastown, offers charming cobblestone streets, the famous steam clock, and a concentration of excellent restaurants and independent shops. Adjacent Chinatown is one of the largest in North America, with a remarkable history, incredible food, and the beautiful Dr. Sun Yat-Sen Classical Chinese Garden.
Danny's Insider Tips
Foodie Experience: Granville Island Public Market
"Granville Island Public Market is one of my favorite public markets anywhere in the world. The quality and variety of what’s on offer — fresh BC salmon, artisan cheeses, handmade pasta, local baked goods, incredible produce — is extraordinary. Go hungry and plan to wander. For a truly memorable way to experience it, I love the Foodie Tours Granville Island Market Tour, a guided walk through the market with tastings led by a local who knows every vendor and every story behind the food. It’s the best way I know to eat your way into Vancouver."
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Book the Granville Island Market Tour: foodietours.ca/granville-island-market-tour
History & Culture: Gastown + Vancouver by Water
"Gastown is Vancouver’s oldest neighborhood and one of its most atmospheric. The cobblestone streets, Victorian architecture, the famous steam clock, and the concentration of great independent restaurants and galleries make it a wonderful place to spend an afternoon. The history here is fascinating — this is where Vancouver began, founded around “Gassy Jack” Deighton’s saloon in 1867. Pair a Gastown walk with a water tour of the harbor and surrounding coastline: exploring Vancouver from the water gives you a completely different perspective on the city, with the mountains, the skyline, and the natural beauty of this extraordinary place all framed together at once."
Browse all Vancouver tours & experiences through our partner Project Expedition: Explore Vancouver Tours & Experiences
Danny’s Pick: Stanley Park
"Stanley Park is my favorite place in Vancouver — and that’s saying something in a city this beautiful. One thousand acres of old-growth forest sitting right at the edge of downtown, with the seawall path running all the way around it along Burrard Inlet and English Bay. Rent a bike and do the full loop — you’ll pass totem poles, the Vancouver Aquarium, beaches, views of the North Shore mountains, and some of the most spectacular urban scenery in the world. I’ve done it many times and it never gets old. Build in at least a half day, more if you can."
Danny’s Pick: Capilano Suspension Bridge & the North Shore
"Just across the Lions Gate Bridge, the North Shore opens up into one of the most dramatic natural landscapes accessible from any major city in the world. The Capilano Suspension Bridge Park is genuinely thrilling — the main bridge spans 460 feet across and 230 feet above the Capilano River canyon, and the Cliffwalk extension hugs the granite cliff face above the gorge. Nearby Cypress Mountain offers incredible hiking in summer and skiing in winter, with views back over the city and Burrard Inlet that are simply unforgettable. This is the kind of afternoon that reminds you why Vancouver is considered one of the most beautiful cities on Earth."
PARKING INFO
Limited parking is available in the Canada Place garage for vehicles under 6’ 6”. We highly recommend reserving a parking space in advance.
JUMP TO
ACCESSIBILITY
If you wish mobility or wheelchair assistance in the terminal, please notify your Harr Travel advisor or the cruise line.
What to expect when embarking at
Vancouver
Arrive with your travel documents ready: passport, cruise booking confirmation or barcode, and any health or other documentation your cruise line requires. Porters are available to take your checked luggage right at the curb, so you won't need to haul bags all the way to check-in. Give your porters a couple of dollars per bag as a tip — it's appreciated and a customary gesture.
 
You will go through port security after dropping off your bags, then check in with the cruise line in the terminal building. From there, you board and start your adventure!
Disembarking at Vancouver
Disembarkation in Vancouver follows the same general rhythm as most major cruise ports. You'll be assigned a disembarkation number or color, and you'll be called off the ship in waves. Self-assist disembarkation — where you carry all your own bags off — typically gets you off the ship earliest and is a great option if you have an early flight out of one of the region’s airports.
If you have arranged for transportation, confirm with the transportation provider your pickup location and time. On-demand shuttles, taxis and Uber are also available in port. Follow port signage to the ride pickup area.
Cruise lines sailing from Vancouver
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PRINCESS CRUISES
Princess (along with Holland America Line) have been sailing Alaska for more than 55 years. Their depth of knowledge and experience with the Last Frontier is virtually unrivaled. They sail multiple 7-night itineraries from Vancouver, including at least one weekly departure that includes Glacier Bay National Park. They also offer seasonal West Coast voyages at the beginning or end of the Alaska season. All of their Alaska cruisetours begin or end in Vancouver, providing ample opportunity to explore in more depth.
Ready to book your next voyage from
Vancouver?
You have many options for the perfect cruise vacation from scenic Vancouver. We can't wait to explore them with you!