Port of Vancouver Forecasts Record 2026 Cruise Season at Canada Place

The Port of Vancouver is forecasting a record 2026 cruise season at Canada Place, with nearly 360 cruise calls and more than 1.4 million passengers expected to pass through the terminal. The outlook would top the previous record set in 2024 by 5% and represent a 19% increase from last year, when Canada Place hosted 300 cruise calls and nearly 1.2 million passenger visits.

The season is set to begin tomorrow with the Disney Wonder, arriving on a repositioning voyage between Hawaii and San Diego. The call is scheduled to include passenger disembarkation and embarkation, along with provisioning ahead of the ship’s southbound departure.

Record season forecast as Canada Place prepares for peak volumes

While most cruise traffic at Canada Place is concentrated between May and September for Alaska sailings, the port says the early arrival of the Disney Wonder marks the start of what it expects will be its busiest year yet.

• Calls and passengers: The port is projecting nearly 360 cruise calls and more than 1.4 million passengers at Canada Place in 2026.
• Growth versus prior benchmarks: The forecast is 5% higher than the record set in 2024 and 19% above last year’s totals of 300 calls and nearly 1.2 million passenger visits.

Cliff Stewart, Vice President of Operations and Supply Chain at the Vancouver Fraser Port Authority, said cruise activity supports both tourism spending and cruise line provisioning in the region. “We expect to see record cruise ship visits bring record numbers of visitors to Vancouver this year injecting more than $1 billion into the economy,” Stewart said.

Stewart added that operational planning is being shaped by the expected volumes. “Collaboration and technology are going to play a crucial role delivering another successful local cruise season,” he said.

Disney increases its Vancouver footprint, with two ships homeporting

Disney Cruise Line is expanding its presence at Canada Place, with both the Disney Wonder and the Disney Magic set to homeport in Vancouver this season, the first time two Disney ships will operate from the terminal.

“Our Alaskan cruises have long been a favorite among guests,” said Jose Fernandez, Vice President, Port Strategy, Development and Operations for Disney Cruise Line. “We look forward to welcoming more families to discover Alaska’s breathtaking landscapes this season aboard the Disney Wonder and, for the first time, the Disney Magic,” Fernandez said.

After repositioning, the Disney Wonder is slated to return to Vancouver in May to begin weekly sailings to Alaska, typically operating seven-night itineraries that include ports such as Juneau, Skagway, and Ketchikan.

Disney Wonder’s repositioning and West Coast schedule

Before starting its Alaska summer season, the Disney Wonder returned to the U.S. West Coast for cruises from San Diego. The ship arrived in Southern California in early March after a winter season sailing in Australia and New Zealand, with port visits including Sydney, Auckland, and Brisbane.

On its way back, the ship operated a three-leg repositioning voyage that included calls in the South Pacific, Hawaii, and Canada. From San Diego, it is scheduled to offer three- to seven-night itineraries that include ports such as Catalina Island, Ensenada, Cabo San Lucas, and Puerto Vallarta, with the first sailing described as a four-night cruise stopping in Catalina Island and Ensenada.

The Disney Wonder, a 1999-built ship, is also scheduled for a 14-night drydock in September for routine maintenance and statutory work. After Alaska, it is expected to return to the West Coast for additional itineraries during the 2026-27 winter season, and it is scheduled to return to Alaska again next year.

Biometrics and shore power projects aimed at handling growth

As passenger volumes rise, the port is pointing to technology upgrades designed to speed processing at the terminal. Facial biometrics for cruise boarding were introduced at Canada Place in 2024, and the port authority says the system cut U.S. border control processing times by as much as 94%, with average transactions dropping to under 10 seconds from the 2 to 3 minutes previously associated with passport kiosks.

The Vancouver Fraser Port Authority is also working with the federal government to expand shore power at Canada Place, allowing more ships to connect to British Columbia’s hydro-powered electrical grid while alongside. Construction work is scheduled to begin later this year, with expanded shore power capacity expected to be available next season.

The port authority estimates the added capability would prevent about 3,300 tonnes of greenhouse gas emissions per cruise season, which it equates to removing 770 gasoline-powered cars from the road each year. It also reported that more than 80% of cruise calls to Vancouver were shore power-enabled in 2025.

The Honourable Steven MacKinnon, Minister of Transport, said the project is being supported through Transport Canada’s Green Shipping Corridors Program. “As another strong cruise season begins at the Port of Vancouver, our government is investing… to expand shore power at Canada Place reducing emissions while enabling continued growth,” MacKinnon said.

More brands at the terminal, plus a busy summer tourism calendar

The port expects the 2026 season to be supported by both returning deployments and new additions. Two new cruise lines are set to debut at Canada Place in 2026, Virgin Voyages and The Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection.

The cruise season will also overlap with a major event calendar in the city, as Vancouver prepares to host seven FIFA World Cup 2026 matches over the summer. Royce Chwin, President and CEO of Destination Vancouver, urged cruise passengers planning pre- or post-cruise stays to secure accommodations early. “We know countless cruise passengers love to enjoy our beautiful city before or after their sailing and encourage everyone to book early to secure their stay,” Chwin said, adding that Destination Vancouver expects unusually strong accommodation demand across the city throughout the summer.

Canada Place has also received recent industry recognition, including being named North America’s Leading Cruise Port 2025 at the World Travel Awards and being a finalist for Best Port in North America at Europe’s Premios Cruceroadicto Awards.

With weekly Alaska sailings set to ramp up in May and shore power construction scheduled to begin later this year, port officials say planning is focused on maintaining smooth terminal operations as passenger totals climb, while bringing additional emissions-reduction capacity online next season.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

When will the Disney Wonder begin its Alaska itineraries for 2026?

The Disney Wonder is slated to return to Vancouver in May 2026 to begin weekly sailings to Alaska from Canada Place, typically operating seven-night itineraries that include Juneau, Skagway, and Ketchikan.

When will the expanded shore power project at Canada Place be available?

Construction is scheduled to begin later this year, and the expanded shore power capacity is expected to be available next season.

How does Vancouver’s shore power expansion contribute to sustainability?

The expansion is intended to let more ships connect to British Columbia’s hydro-powered electrical grid while docked, reducing emissions produced during port stays. The port authority estimates the added capability would prevent about 3,300 tonnes of greenhouse gas emissions per cruise season, which it equates to removing 770 gasoline-powered cars from the road each year.

How has technology improved the passenger experience at Canada Place?

Facial biometrics introduced in 2024 are intended to speed cruise boarding and reduce congestion. The port authority says the system cut U.S. border control processing times by as much as 94%, with average transactions dropping to under 10 seconds from the 2 to 3 minutes previously associated with passport kiosks.

Which new cruise lines are operating out of Canada Place in 2026?

Virgin Voyages and The Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection are set to join Canada Place’s roster of cruise brands in 2026.