191 Cruise traffic at the Port of Vancouver on Canada’s west coast has experienced strong growth in recent years, with upwards of 1.2 million passenger visits and 300 ship calls being the new postpandemic normal. Passenger visits to the award-winning Canada Place cruise terminal increased 24 per cent between 2019 and 2024, and peak season months – May to September – now see multiple ships call almost daily. Key to this success is a collaborative approach that includes industry, government and destination partners, according to the Vancouver Fraser Port Authority, which oversees cruise at the Port of Vancouver. We know cruise passengers aren’t just a number – they are guests who are excited to embark on their once-in-a-lifetime cruise to Alaksa and who have selected Vancouver to be part of their adventure. We take the responsibility of serving these folks seriously. It’s vital we continue collaborative efforts to ensure Canada Place comfortably and efficiently accommodates the growing number of people passing through our beautiful city. Vancouver is a key part of their cruise experience. Our focus is on taking a collaborative approach to introducing programmes for increased terminal efficiency and improved travel accessibility to enhance the overall passenger experience. Initiatives have included the introduction of Canadian-first facial biometric scanning technology for embarking US and Canadian passengers in 2024, which has significantly increased the terminal’s ability to seamlessly handle high numbers of passengers. Developed in partnership with US Customs and Border Protection, the technology reduced US border control processing times by up to 94 per cent, with average transaction times dropping from between two and three minutes to around 10 seconds. The port also wants to improve the accessibility of cruise travel, with efforts including the addition of in-terminal pet relief stations in 2023 and joining the Hidden Disabilities Sunflower programme in 2025. Our research shows that 13 per cent of Vancouver cruise passengers report at least one member of their travel party has a physical or health condition that affects how they travel – something we have taken to heart. For the past 30 years, the Port of Vancouver has been one of North America’s premier homeports – offering a full suite of services and unparalleled access to Canada’s majestic Inside Passage. Our collaborative approach aims to ensure this continues and those who choose to sail through Vancouver always have the best possible experience. Collaborating for a comfortable cruise experience Chance McKee of the Port of Vancouver explains how the port is working with its partners to help deliver once-in-a-lifetime Alaskan voyages The Canada Place cruise terminal receives multiple ships a day during the peak cruise season CHANCE MCKEE Cruise account representative for Vancouver Fraser Port Authority NORTH AMERICA: COMMENTARY
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