Vancouver

Photo: Ottilia Kern / pixelio.de

A gateway to Alaska and the Pacific

Vancouver is an important gateway for cruises to Alaska and the Pacific Northwest. The northbound route connects the downtown waterfront with the coastal scenery of British Columbia and Alaska. The Canada Place Cruise Terminal is right in the city centre. If you have time to spend in Vancouver before boarding, hotels and restaurants downtown are within walking distance, and Gastown is also nearby. This makes it easy to combine a city stay with a departure from the port without travelling far beyond the centre for a short visit.

Canada Place and Downtown

The cruise terminal is located at Canada Place. Holland America refers to the berth as Canada Place Pier and gives the address as 999 Canada Place, Vancouver, British Columbia V6C 3E1. The building’s sail-shaped roofline is a distinctive landmark on the waterfront. For travel to the terminal, the cruise line lists Vancouver International Airport (YVR) as the nearest airport and identifies the Canada Line between Waterfront Station and YVR. Its central location is also convenient for a short visit to the harbour district and nearby downtown streets. Those comparing different coastal regions can find Alaska and Pacific itineraries in the overview of North America cruises.

The Seawall and Stanley Park

If you have time to get outdoors before or after your cruise, you can explore the Vancouver Seawall and the coastal trails in Stanley Park. The large urban park includes old-growth forest and is ideal for walking or cycling; allow enough time for a longer route. If you would rather stay close to the terminal, you can focus your visit on Canada Place, the harbour district and downtown. Vancouver therefore offers both an easy, brief impression of the city around its central port and a larger natural area along the coast.