If you’re seeking an Alaska cruise with calm seas and a route through the Inside Passage, embark at the port of Vancouver. As residents, we share insider knowledge of the best transportation options, baggage storage, and everything you need to know before embarkation day.
Staying downtown at one of the many pre-cruise hotels offers easy access to the city’s main attractions without needing a car. Transportation is also easy to navigate.
Vancouver’s bustling terminal only operates during Alaska cruise season, from late April to early October. Cruise guests can choose a return itinerary or a one-way route that sails through the Gulf of Alaska. Picking the latter provides the option to add on a land tour.

So, if you’ve chosen Vancouver as an Alaska embarkation port, this guide is for you.
Where Is Vancouver’s Cruise Port?
I took my first cruise to Alaska in 2009 and embarked at the Ballantyne Pier. Back then, Vancouver had two ports. Ballantyne Pier closed in the commercial shipping area in 2014, leaving Canada Place to handle all cruise vessels.
All ships arriving in Vancouver must pass under the Lionsgate Bridge. With a clearance of 61 meters (200 ft), it can’t generally handle mega ships.
At the start or end of the season, larger vessels like the Norwegian Bliss and Quantum of the Seas have visited Vancouver. However, they arrive and leave at low tide, sometimes in the middle of the night.
We’ve experienced one of those departures, a repositioning cruise to Hawaii. It was amazing how close the ship got to the Lionsgate Bridge.

Canada Place
The Vancouver Cruise Port at Canada Place offers a central and iconic spot downtown. The address is 999 Canada Place, Vancouver, BC, V6C 3E1.
The terminal can accommodate up to four ships a day when it is in full swing. On rare occasions, it can handle five, if the vessels are small. However, if any are larger, it will only take three, with the biggest one docked at the east berth.
Canada Place is picturesque with its iconic white sails, set against the Burrard Inlet and the backdrop of the North Shore Mountains. It’s more than a cruise port. The large, modern facility houses a convention center, various shops, restaurants, and the popular Pan Pacific Hotel.
At the end of the pier, the thrilling FlyOver Canada ride allows visitors to see other parts of the country on a virtual ride. We’ve flown over the wheat fields of Saskatchewan and felt the mist of Niagara Falls.

Parking Options
Canada Place, being a large port and convention center, offers long-term parking for travelers who prefer to drive to the terminal. With its prime location downtown, expect to pay a hefty fee for the convenience of parking there.
Guests who have used the secured underground parking have paid over CAD 450 for 1 week. To save over 50% on the parking rate, we prefer to use the value long term lot at the airport. The rate usually works out to around CAD 120 a week.
Pre-booking is recommended. Checking the parking rates online will provide three parking options, with the value lot being the most economical. Next to Templeton Station, it provides easy access to downtown via Skytrain, Vancouver’s rapid transit.
Which Airport Should You Fly Into?
Vancouver International Airport (YVR) on Sea Island is the closest international airport. The distance from the cruise port is 12 kilometers (7.5 miles), with the journey taking 30 minutes by taxi, rideshare, or transit.

US residents sometimes prefer to fly domestically to save on airfare. Bellingham International Airport (BLI) is 83.5 kilometers (52 miles) south of Vancouver and requires a 90-minute drive.
Further south, SeaTac International Airport is a major hub serviced by many major airlines. The drive between Seattle and Vancouver is 3-1/2 hours. There are options to take a shuttle or train.
Should you fly into Washington state, allow extra time to cross the border.
How To Reach The Port From The Airport
Traveling from Vancouver International Airport (YVR) to the cruise port at Canada Place is straightforward. Vancouver does not have airport shuttles like Miami and Los Angeles. Here are the options to reach downtown.
Taxi And Ride Share
Taking a taxi or using a ride-sharing service such as Uber or Lyft is one of the fastest ways to get to the cruise port. This option is preferred by those who want convenience and don’t want to haul their luggage. The average ride takes around 30 minutes, depending on traffic conditions.
Taxis leaving YVR charge a zone fare (fixed rate) depending on drop-off. To downtown, the cost is CAD 46. The rate on the return run is charged by distance and time and could be more during traffic congestion.
Those using ride share can meet their vehicle on level 2 at the ride share pick-up area. Ride share rates fluctuate depending on availability. It’s often more affordable to take Uber or Lyft to the port.
However, with thousands of passengers disembarking multiple ships, the reverse trip could cost double the taxi rate. Once, we looked at the Uber app to check rates before disembarking, but once we got off, the price more than doubled due to lack of availability.
Skytrain

Our preferred mode of transportation in Vancouver is the Skytrain. The Canada Line runs direct from YVR to Waterfront Station on the Burrard Inlet. This station is at the end of the line near Vancouver port (pink line shown above). Look for the signage for “trains” at the airport.
The ride takes approximately 26 minutes, and trains run every 6 minutes during peak hours. Tickets cost under CAD 10 per person, making it economical. Skytrain is an excellent option if you can handle your luggage. Transit may be quicker during rush hour than a taxi or ride share.
Riders do not need to purchase a “Compass Card,” the city’s transit pass. Instead, buy tickets at a machine with a debit or credit card. You can also use the tap-in and tap-out feature instead of a ticket. However, each person needs a different credit or debit card.
On arrival at Waterfront Station, exit the building, turn right, and walk one block to Howe Street. Make another right and walk to Canada Place ahead. The distance between the station and the port is about 350 meters and should take 5 minutes.

Shuttles
Airport shuttles are another option for reaching the cruise port from YVR. However, they must be booked in advance. Many cruise lines offer pre-purchased shuttles or opt for a private operator.
Ace Charters offers service between the airport and the cruise port. Their rates are reasonable and more economical than a taxi based on a ridership of one to two people.
Shuttles are preferred on disembarkation day when waits for a taxi or Uber are long.
Vancouver Cruise Terminal Amenities
Guests arriving by road get dropped off in the parkade area. Porters are waiting to collect bags before proceeding upstairs for check-in. There may be multiple ships, so look for the correct drop-off area for your vessel.
Guests from nearby hotels can enter the building at street level and use the elevator to luggage drop-off.

The Pan Pacific Hotel in Canada Place picks up and delivers luggage to the port for paying guests. The Fairmont Waterfront Hotel across the street will deliver one bag per person.
How Check-In Differs
Since all cruise guests who depart from Vancouver, British Columbia, are heading to another country, they must go through US Customs and security first. All guests will transition through the same security line before dividing into individual cruise ships.
We found the process slow at the start of the season as new staff learned procedures. Having all the correct documentation will speed up processing time.
Checking the port schedule is advisable to get a heads-up on how many vessels are in port on embarkation or disembarkation days. I’ve experienced street to ship in 20 minutes but other times, it’s taken 90 minutes. Remember, there could be 10,000 or more guests boarding.

With four vessels docked, choosing an early or late embarkation time avoids the rush.
Luggage Storage
The Vancouver cruise terminal offers convenient options for storing luggage after their cruise. Some nearby hotels offer short-term storage for a fee.
In addition, PorterGenie offers 24/7 luggage storage across multiple locations throughout the city. With quick service, secure zipper seals, and competitive pricing, it’s a reliable option for travelers.
Westcoast Sightseeing also provides convenient baggage storage. Their handy location at Canada Place is available from 8 am to 5 pm.
How Many Days For A Pre-Cruise Stay?
Planning to stay in Vancouver before embarking on a cruise can enhance our vacation. While Vancouver is a pricey destination, arriving two or three days early will allow you to enjoy its best attractions and get a good overview of the city.
Pre-Cruise Accommodations
Vancouver has a wide range of accommodations to suit every budget. Those who want convenience have lots of hotel choices near the cruise port.

They can also opt for budget-friendly stays further from Canada Place.
Attractions In Vancouver
Must-see attractions are plentiful. How many you can manage will depend on your length of stay. The Vancouver Lookout, FlyOver Canada, Olympic Cauldron, and Gastown are all within walking distance of Canada Place.
At the cruise port, there’s a complimentary shuttle to Capilano Suspension Bridge and Grouse Mountain. Stanley Park and Granville Island are also top attractions.
Disembarking In Vancouver
Most cruise ships arrive in Vancouver between 6 and 7 am. Disembarkation starts around 7:30 am, depending on when the vessel receives customs clearance. With three ships docked, it can be a hectic morning.
If you have an early flight, we recommend self-debarkation if you can handle your luggage. This ensures no waits for a taxi or ride share.
At the airport, having a NEXUS or Trusted Traveler Card provides quicker access through security.
As Alaska cruises explode in popularity, the port of Vancouver operates at near max. capacity in summer. There is talk of a new port, but it won’t have the idyllic location downtown. For now, travelers can enjoy the best of both worlds; an Alaska itinerary and a world-class city steps away.
