Record cruise passengers expected downtown as the Canada Place terminal celebrates 40 years of success

Press Release

Apr 24, 2026

Vancouver, B.C.: The Canada Place cruise terminal is celebrating its 40th anniversary, with peak season about to get underway and a record 1.4 million people expected to pass through its gates this year.

The banner cruise season will be part of a vibrant and busy summer for Vancouver, as the city also prepares to host seven FIFA World Cup 2026™ matches. While record visitor numbers are a welcome boost for local businesses and jobs, those planning to visit Canada Place or nearby areas downtown should plan for increased crowds and traffic.

Vancouver’s peak cruise season runs from early May to late September, with ships at Canada Place almost every day throughout the summer including the terminal’s first five-ship day since 2019 on July 25.

An estimated 40,000 to 50,000 people will move through the cruise terminal between Friday and Monday almost every weekend during peak season, including Canada Place’s busiest-ever weekend from September 18-21 with 56,000 passengers.

Almost 20,000 cruise passengers are expected on Saturday September 19 alone—the busiest day of the 2026 season and third busiest single day on record.

“Canada Place is without peer—for 40 years now our award-winning cruise terminal in picturesque downtown Vancouver has been a memorable part of countless cruise adventures to Alaska and beyond,” said Cliff Stewart, Vice President of Operations and Supply Chain at the Vancouver Fraser Port Authority. “Vancouver’s cruise sector has thrived for 40 years thanks to the collaborative and pioneering spirit of so many, and in the process supported jobs and economic growth across our country. With the cruise terminal on track to experience five of its top 10 busiest weekends ever this summer, we look forward to working with our cruise partners to ensure Canada Place and Vancouver continue to play their part delivering unforgettable moments for visitors and economic benefits for Canadians.”

More than 30 million passengers are estimated to have passed through Canada Place since the first cruise ship—Holland America’s Noordam—docked at the terminal to unload and load passengers on April 28, 1986.

“Vancouver has been a welcoming gateway for our guests for decades, and we are proud of the shared history we have built with Canada Place and the Port of Vancouver,” said Beth Bodensteiner, President of Holland America Line. “For 40 years, Canada Place has been home to our ships, welcoming generations of guests from its iconic downtown waterfront. As we look ahead to marking 80 years of exploring Alaska in 2027, it is especially meaningful to recognize the important role Canada Place continues to play as the starting point for so many memorable journeys.”

“I first stood at Canada Place in 1986 as a cadet aboard Noordam at the very beginning of my seafaring journey, and Vancouver has been part of that journey ever since,” said Jeroen van Donselaar, captain of Eurodam. “From the mountains rising over the harbor to the unforgettable experience of sailing beneath the Lions Gate Bridge, Vancouver never loses its sense of wonder. It is a spectacular place for guests to begin or end a cruise, and one that continues to inspire both those on board our ships and those who sail them, no matter how many times we return.”

Canada Place is a homeport where cruise lines base their ships for the Alaska season, with passengers embarking and disembarking, and ships re-stocking between sailings. Each cruise ship visit injects about $3 million into the economy, including supporting Canadian food suppliers as well as local hotels, restaurants and tourist attractions.

Canada Place’s record 40th cruise season comes as Vancouver prepares for a busy summer with the city hosting seven FIFA World Cup 2026™ matches.

Top tips for those visiting downtown Vancouver over the summer

• Cruise passengers starting or ending their trip in Vancouver are advised to secure their travel plans early.
• Those planning a trip downtown are encouraged to plan ahead, allow extra time for travel, and consider alternative routes and off-peak hours where possible.
• Most cruise ship passenger arrivals and departures take place between 7:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m., which is when there will be higher than normal pedestrian and vehicle traffic, as well as increased demand for taxis, ride-hailing services and public transportation.
• View the 2026 cruise schedule.

Media contact

Alex Munro
Media relations advisor
phone_android604.340.8617
emailAlex.Munro@portvancouver.com

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