Vancouver - British Columbia - Canada
Vancouver is the home port for the Vancouver-Alaska cruises from May to September – one of the world's premier cruise routes.
Close to a million passengers depart or arrive through the port of Vancouver on over 250 vessel calls every year and find plenty to do. Berlitz, the London-based travel publisher, designated Vancouver as the most passenger-friendly cruise port in North America.
Port Metro Vancouver's premier cruise facility is located in the city centre, at 999 Canada Place near excellent hotels, shopping, dining, entertainment and attractions. Its distinctive white sail design, five-star hotel, and the Vancouver Convention and Exhibition Centre make Canada Place an attractive start and finish to any cruise experience.
There is also no argument that Vancouver is one of the world’s most beautiful cities, framed as it is by snow-capped mountains and trees as tall as the sky, and Pacific beaches. It’s one of the few cities in the world where you can ski, golf and sail – all in the same day. Some visitors come to do just that; others come to visit the Vancouver Aquarium, Science World and the Kids Market at Granville Island; or they stroll down Robson Street with its lively restaurants, stylish boutiques and chic cafés. Some walk or jog the Stanley Park Seawall, cross Capilano Suspension Bridge, bargain for bargains in Chinatown, the third largest in North America, or walk along the cobblestone streets of Gastown and watch its famous Steam Clock hiss and toot.
From downtown Vancouver the 75-mile drive along the scenic Sea-to-Sky Highway takes you to North America’s top-ranked ski resort Whistler which will share the Winter Olympics in 2010 with Vancouver.
Photo courtesy Vancouver Port Authority