Cruises from Vancouver

The port of Vancouver is the embarkation point for Alaskan cruises. These cruises are some of the world’s most popular! Between May and September more than 900,000 people pass through the port’s two cruise terminals. The cruise ships are operated by international lines such as Carnival Cruise Line, Peace Boat, Norwegian Cruise Line, Princess Cruises, Royal Caribbean International and Celebrity Cruises. Ships departing from this port take passengers to experience the outstanding beauty of the mountains, wildlife and glaciers of America’s last frontier. In addition to the natural attractions visitors experience the unique culture of Alaska.

Alaska has remote ports accessible only from the sea or air, making it an ideal area for cruises. The Alaskan wilderness attracts more visitors every year and nearly 60 percent of these arrive on cruise ships. Cruise ships that sail to Alaska follow one of two itineraries the Inside Passage and the Gulf of Alaska. There is a less common option of sailing between Alaska and Asia visiting the Aleutians and the Russian Far East.

The Inside Passage is a series of channels, fjords and bays along the coast of Alaska and British Columbia. It covers a distance of 1,000 miles from Seattle to Skagway. From Vancouver, this is a 7 day trip calling at ports such as Juneau, Ketchikan, Icy Strait Point and Prince Rupert. The highlight of the tour is the glaciers. Ships on the Inside Passage route visit either Glacier Bay or Hubbard Glacier which happens to be the longest tidewater glacier in North America. Passengers can also visit Misty Fjords National Monument, a wilderness reserve or one of several other national parks. Normally a day is allowed for each port of call giving ample time for activities such as helicopter flights, whale watching, fishing or trekking across glaciers. These cruises are very popular because they return to the same port from which the boat departs making it easier and cheaper to arrange flights.

There are other Alaskan cruises available such as small ship expeditions that will take passengers off the beaten track where large ships would find it hard to navigate. There are also luxury cruises and cruises that combine a land tour with the cruise.

As well as visiting Alaska, many of the itineraries include some time in Vancouver. Vancouver has a mild climate all year round and has numerous parks, fountains and gardens making it one of the most beautiful ports in the world. In addition it has many recreational activities. It has been named the number one cruise port in North America by Berlitz.

Stanley Park is the largest park and forest lying inside city limits in North America. The Vancouver Aquarium features a dolphin show, sea lions, beluga whales and sea otters. The park has a children’s railway, nature trails, tennis courts and a totem pole as well as some excellent views of the harbour and the departing ships. The summit of Grouse Mountain is reached by a sky ride and offers panoramic views, mountain-bike tours, helicopter rides, hiking, restaurants and the Theatre in the Sky. The Capilano Suspension Bridge is 450 feet long and 230 feet high. It spans the Capilano River and crossing the bridge takes you to rainforest trails and the Treetops Adventure. The Treetops Adventure is the newest of the Capilano Suspension Bridge’s attractions. Visitors can wander amongst the tree tops on a series of elevated suspensions bridges, some reaching as high as 100 feet above the forest floor.