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Port of Vancouver, BC is a very busy port with cargo ships and cruise
line ships coming in and out every day. We are providing some of
the more useful information regarding the Port of Vancouver for cruise
ship passengers. You can find a list of the cruises coming and
going by clicking on this link
Vancouver Cruises.
Vancouver is one of the major, if not the major gateway for Alaska
Cruise adventures sailing north to the Alaskan frontier. If you
would like to visit the port site, please click on this link
Port of Vancouver.
The latest Japanese hybrid vehicle, cruise ships filled with tourists,
coal from the Kootenay coal fields, and even your favorite pair of
running shoes - all come and go through Port Metro Vancouver, the
largest and busiest port in Canada.
Stretching along 600 kilometers of shoreline and waterways, the port’s
bustling land and water assets reflect a robust economic engine that
creates business opportunities and delivers growth to the region.
The Port trades $75 billion in goods annually with more than 130 trading
economies, generating across Canada an estimated 129,500 jobs, $6.1
billion in wages, and $10.5 billion in GDP.
Port Metro Vancouver Hosts Carnival Splendor
6/22/2009 3:40:02 PM
Between May 14 and June 18, Port Metro Vancouver welcomed the Carnival
Splendor, the largest cruise ship to call Vancouver.
The 3,744-passenger vessel had been temporarily rerouted from its Mexico
itinerary and called Canada Place every Thursday during that time,
offering a 7-day roundtrip from Los Angeles calling the ports of
Astoria, Victoria and Vancouver. The 113,300-ton Carnival Splendor
measures 952’ long with a 116’ beam and 27’ draft. She is currently the
largest ship in the Carnival fleet and marked a new class of vessel for
Carnival when she was built in 2007 at the Fincantieri shipyard.
Homeport to Vancouver-Alaska Cruise
Port Metro Vancouver is homeport for the Vancouver-Alaska cruise; one of
the world's most popular cruises. In 2008, from May to September, more
than 850,000 revenue passengers on some 254 sailings, passed through the
Port's two cruise terminals, Canada Place and Ballantyne.
Some of the most luxurious and largest ships afloat sail from Vancouver
to Alaska where passengers experience the natural beauty of the
glaciers, mountains, wildlife, and culture of America's last frontier.
The ships are operated by premier international cruise lines including:
Carnival Cruise Lines, Celebrity Cruises, Cruise West, Crystal Cruises,
Fred Olsen Cruise Line, Hapag-Lloyd, Holland America, Norwegian Cruise
Lines, Peace Boat Organization, Princess Cruises, Radisson Seven Seas,
Residensea, Royal Caribbean International and Silversea Cruises.
Cruise BC also offers cruise sailings from Vancouver, visiting
communities such as Victoria, Nanaimo, Campbell River and Prince Rupert.
Sailing through 500 nautical miles of pristine wilderness found in the
Inside Passage, guests can experience spirited West Coast culture only
found in British Columbia.
Passenger Information Documentation
EFFECTIVE JANUARY 31, 2008 and applies to ALL PASSENGERS:
US Customs and Border Protection (USCBP) officers no longer accept oral
declarations of US or Canadian citizenship from those traveling by land
or sea.
These travelers will be required to present:
1.Passport, or
2.Government-issued photo ID and original copy of birth certificate or
other proof of citizenship, or
3.Birth certificate alone (for youth 18 and under).
All other passengers must show passport and, if required, other
documents (example, Visa). Please visit the USCBP website for up-to-date
information.
Boarding & Disembarkation
Strict security measures are in place to ensure a smooth boarding and
disembarking process.
Boarding
Passengers embarking in Vancouver should allow approximately one hour
for examination of travel documents and luggage screening. Most ship
embarkations begin at approximately 1 pm. Passengers are also encouraged
to check travel documents before arriving at the terminal to avoid
unnecessary waiting.
Passenger Screening
Once passengers arrive at the cruise terminal, Canada Place or
Ballantyne, and are ready to board, they must go through passenger
screening. At this point, passengers are required to provide attendants
their cruise ticket and identification. If they leave the secure area
after check-in, they must pass through passenger-screening again.
Check-in
Identification and boarding information is verified and entered into the
computer systems by cruise line staff in exchange for a boarding card.
Prior to boarding, all passengers are required to complete a declaration
card and clear US customs operated by US Customs and Border Protection.
Disembarking
Passengers who are disembarking in Vancouver are required to complete a
declaration card and clear Canadian customs operated by the Canada
Border Services Agency. Baggage can be claimed in the customs area in
the terminal. Complimentary, individual baggage carts are readily
available.
Other Services
The facilities and services at the Port Metro Vancouver’s cruise ship
terminals, Canada Place and Ballantyne, are designed to enhance your
travel experience.
Ground Transfers
At both terminals you will find connections to your post-cruise
destinations via pre-arranged bus transfers and shore tours, taxi,
limousine, airport and hotel shuttles with or without sightseeing, and
bus service to Victoria. Nearby connections include public transit and
floatplane and helicopter service to Vancouver Island destinations and
Seattle. Advanced transportation reservations are recommended. See
Transportation & Parking to learn more.
Car Rentals
A selection of car rental agencies offer rentals with shuttle service to
nearby pick-up locations. See Transportation & Parking to learn more.
Baggage Storage
Baggage handling is worry-free. Baggage can be checked upon arrival with
the longshore staff at the cruise terminal for direct delivery to the
passenger's cabin. Longshore staff begin receiving baggage at 10:30am.
Passengers disembarking in Vancouver are able to claim their baggage in
the Customs area in the terminal. Complimentary, individual baggage
carts are readily available. CDS Baggage provides storage services at
Canada Place only and can be reached at 604-303-4500. See CDS Baggage to
learn more. For security reasons, short-term baggage storage is
available to cruise passengers only. Storage services are not available
at Ballantyne terminal.
Convenience Shopping
Habano Cigar at Canada Place and Streamers at Ballantyne, offering
snacks, refreshments, personal items and souvenirs. Binoculars are also
for sale at both terminals to help you better enjoy the spectacular West
Coast scenery.
Wheelchair/Scooter Rentals
Last minute Scooter/Wheelchair rental is available from Care Vacations
in the main lobby of Canada Place. Prior arrangements for either
terminal may also be made by calling 1-877-478-7827.
Terminal InformationCruising from Port Metro Vancouver
For more than 30 years, the Port Metro Vancouver has been the leading
homeport for Alaska cruises, offering passengers more ships and
departure dates to choose from than any other port. The Port's two
cruise terminals, Canada Place and Ballantyne, are conveniently located
and only 30 minutes away from the Vancouver Airport. Canada Place is
located in the city centre, close to shopping, dining, attractions, and
Stanley Park. Ballantyne is located east of the city centre and close to
Canada Place. The cruise terminals are modern, secure, and world-class.
We continue to offer cruise passengers more ships and departures dates
to choose from than any other port. The Port welcomed 254 ship visits
and 855,000 revenue passengers at its two cruise terminals, Canada Place
and Ballantyne, which offer all the modern conveniences and services for
a positive and safe cruise experience.
Canada Place
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.
Berths: 3
Lengths: 506 m. (1,660 ft.); 329 m. (1,070 ft.); 274 m. (900 ft.)
Depth: 8.4 m. (27.5 ft.) to 10 m. (33 ft.)
Gangway Units: 2 automatic tide-sensored gangways at each berth.
Baggage Area: 6,000 sq. m. (64,500 sq. ft.)
Dock Apron: 9,500 sq. m. (102,700 sq. ft.)
Vessel Services: Fresh water at dockside, ship telephone jacks, garbage
collection (international and domestic), 24-hr. tug service, 24-hr.
security.
Passenger Services:
Ballantyne
Ballantyne, Port Metro Vancouver's second cruise facility, is located at
655 Centennial Road, east of the city centre and just minutes away from
Canada Place. The entire terminal underwent a major expansion and
renovation in 1995, ensuring modern and efficient services to the cruise
industry.
Travellers to Ballantyne have access to Ballantyne Cruise Terminal via
Clark Drive or McGill Street Overpass only. There is no access to
travellers via Victoria Drive and Heatley Avenue.
Berths: 2 East Berth #1: 366 m. (1,200 ft.); West Berth #2: used as an
overflow berth.
Depth: 10 m. (33 ft.)
Gangway Units: 2 automatic tide-sensored gangways.
Baggage area: 2,320 sq. m. (25,000 sq. ft.)
Dock apron: 10,100 sq. m. (109,000 sq. ft.)
Vessel Services: Fresh water at dockside, ship telephone jacks, garbage
collection (international and domestic), 24-hr. tug service, 24-hr
security.
Passenger Services: Individual baggage carts, food and drink
concessions, full wheelchair access, full customs service, car and bus
parking and taxi.
Ballantyne - from US/Canada border
Cross the Canadian Border via I-5 north. I-5 becomes Route 99. Follow
Route 99 and exit at Knight Street. Knight Street will become Clark
Drive. Continue north on Clark to the foot of Clark and Turn right on
Stewart Street. Proceed to Ballantyne which is almost 1KM west of the
foot of Clark. Ballantyne is on your right-hand side. Transit
Time/Distance from US-Canada Border to Ballantyne - 1.5 hours
Ballantyne - from Vancouver Airport
Take Route 99 and exit at Knight Street. Knight Street will become
Clark. Continue on Clark to Powell Street and turn left. Proceed to
Heatley Avenue and turn right. Cross railroad overpass to the cruise
terminal. Transit Time/Distance from Vancouver Airport to Ballantyne
Pier - 25 minutes / 10 miles
Ballantyne - from Downtown Vancouver
Proceed east on Hastings Street to Clark Drive. Turn left on Clark to
the foot of Clark and turn right on Stewart Street. Proceed to
Ballantyne which is almost 1KM west of the foot of Clark. Ballantyne is
on your right-hand side.
Canada Place - from US/Canada border
Cross the Canadian Border via I-5 north. I-5 becomes Route 99. Continue
north on Route 99 until you cross the Oak Street Bridge. Turn left on
49th Avenue. Turn right on Granville Street. Proceed north across the
Granville Street Bridge. Take the Seymour Street exit. Proceed north
along Seymour Street to West Cordova Street. Turn left on West Cordova
Street. Turn right on Howe Street. You are now facing Canada Place.
Canada Place - from Vancouver Airport
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