Vancouver Cruise Port Sets Passenger Record, Tops $1 Billion Economic Impact

Vancouver’s Canada Place cruise terminal has recently completed a highly successful 2025 season, welcoming over 1.2 million passengers aboard 301 cruise ships between March 5 and October 21. The finale was marked by the departure of the Coral Princess, closing a season that delivered an economic impact exceeding $1 billion to the local economy. Despite challenges such as rising living costs and trade tariffs, the season surpassed expectations, cementing Vancouver’s position as a key player in the cruise industry.

Economic Contributions and Local Spending

Throughout the 2025 season, cruise activity supported tourism and local businesses, generating substantial financial benefits for Vancouver and British Columbia. According to the Vancouver Fraser Port Authority, cruise lines spent $660 million on locally sourced goods and services, while passengers contributed an average of $450 per person by dining in restaurants, staying in hotels, and visiting attractions. On average, each ship call brought about $3 million in spending to the city.

Shri Madiwal, Vice President of Operations and Supply Chain at the Vancouver Fraser Port Authority, highlighted the significance of cruise activity: “Each sailing brings millions of dollars in passenger spending that circulates through hotels, restaurants, attractions, and suppliers, helping to strengthen our regional economy.”

Destination Vancouver’s CEO Royce Chwin echoed these sentiments, noting, “Each sailing delivers measurable benefits supporting local jobs and visitor spending across restaurants, attractions, transportation, and retail. We’ll continue collaborating with all our industry partners to advance Vancouver’s standing as an exceptional home port.”

Sustainability Milestones

Canada Place remained at the forefront of environmental stewardship during the 2025 season. Over 80% of cruise calls connected to shore power, allowing ships to use British Columbia’s clean hydroelectric grid rather than diesel engines, preventing over 50,000 tons of greenhouse gas emissions. Additionally, Vancouver achieved its first LNG refueling for a cruise ship, marking a milestone in sustainable energy adoption.

Efforts to protect marine ecosystems saw high compliance, with 85% of participating ships reducing speeds through the Salish Sea under the ECHO Program to mitigate underwater noise and protect vulnerable whale populations. This voluntary initiative reflects the cruise sector’s willingness to align with regional conservation priorities.

Operational Innovations Enhance Passenger Experience

Recent technological advancements improved operational efficiency at Canada Place, particularly with the rollout of facial biometric scanning in 2024. This system reduced U.S. border control processing times by up to 94%, with clearance times dropping from two to three minutes to under 10 seconds on average. Jim Berra, Chief Commercial Officer for Princess Cruises, emphasized the importance of seamless operations: “As a gateway to Alaska, Vancouver offers our guests not only seamless embarkation but also the opportunity to immerse themselves in the vibrant culture and natural beauty of this remarkable city.”

Anticipated Growth for 2026

Looking ahead, preliminary 2026 bookings point to another record-breaking year for Vancouver’s cruise port. The season is expected to start earlier than ever, beginning February 26 with the arrival of Disney Wonder. This shift signifies growing demand for Alaska itineraries and increased capacity in Vancouver, particularly from Disney Cruise Line, with Disney Wonder undertaking 21 roundtrip sailings and Disney Magic adding 18 sailings. Together, these vessels will nearly double Disney’s Vancouver capacity.

Vancouver’s reputation as a home port was further bolstered when Canada Place received awards as North America’s Leading Cruise Port, with nominations for the world title in the 2025 World Travel Awards.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What was the total economic impact of Vancouver’s 2025 cruise season?

Vancouver’s cruise season contributed over $1 billion to the local economy, supported by $660 million in spending by cruise lines on goods and services and $450 in average passenger spending on hotels, restaurants, attractions, and shopping.

What sustainability measures were implemented at Canada Place in 2025?

More than 80% of cruise calls utilized shore power, reducing greenhouse gas emissions by over 50,000 tons. Cruise lines also achieved 85% participation in voluntary speed reductions under the ECHO Program to protect marine life.

How did passenger experiences improve in 2025?

Facial biometric scanning at border control streamlined operations, cutting processing times by up to 94% and reducing average wait times to under 10 seconds per passenger.

What changes are expected for Vancouver’s 2026 cruise season?

The 2026 season is slated for an earlier start on February 26, with expanded capacity, particularly by Disney Cruise Line. Disney Wonder and Disney Magic will collectively operate 39 roundtrip sailings.

How is Vancouver recognized as a leading cruise destination?

Canada Place earned accolades as North America’s Leading Cruise Port and was nominated for the world title at the 2025 World Travel Awards, reinforcing its reputation as a premier gateway to Alaska cruises.