The Port of Vancouver had its best-ever cruise ship season in 2026, welcoming a record number of passengers and ships.
Canada Place terminal at the Port of Vancouver experienced a nearly 20% surge in passenger traffic and cruise ship arrivals. Over 1.4 million passengers visited the port, with 358 cruise ships docking between February and October.
Recent findings from the Cruise Passenger Survey revealed that travelers embarking on cruises from Vancouver are now extending their stay in the city, enriching their overall travel experience.
The survey disclosed that 76% of cruise passengers are choosing to spend extra time exploring Vancouver before or after their cruise, marking a 6% rise from 2023 responses.
During their time in Vancouver, cruise passengers are contributing an average of $1,144 to the local economy through expenses on accommodations, dining, shopping, tours, and sightseeing.
On average, these travelers are staying 1.4 nights in Vancouver before or after their cruise, with international passengers from outside North America extending their stay to an average of 2.6 nights.
The significant increase in passengers and ships represents an 18% and 19% rise respectively compared to the previous year.
The Port of Vancouver estimates that each cruise ship docking at Canada Place injects around $3 million into the local economy.
In preparation for the upcoming cruise season, Canada Place will be expanding its shore power capacity. This enhancement will allow more cruise ships to connect to British Columbia’s eco-friendly electrical grid while docked, aiming to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 3,300 tonnes per cruise season – equivalent to removing 770 gas-powered cars from the streets annually.
