Cruises From Vancouver: The Pros and Cons - Cruise Hive
Cruises From Vancouver: The Pros and Cons - Cruise Hive |
| Cruises From Vancouver: The Pros and Cons - Cruise Hive Posted: 30 Apr 2020 10:44 AM PDT Vancouver is a stunning waterfront city with an enviable quality of living in beautiful surroundings. Cruises from Vancouver depart to several thrilling destinations including Alaska, Hawaii and West Coast USA. Vancouver is the largest port in Canada and the 4th largest cargo port in North America. Located on a coastal fjord at the estuary of the Fraser River and the Burrard Inlet, this stunning city enjoys a natural sheltered position. Booking a cruise from Vancouver could be just the excuse you need to spend a few days exploring this world-class Canadian city in British Columbia (BC) before or after your trip. Before you decide, check our these pros and cons of cruises from Vancouver which will help you make an informed decision on what's right for you personally. Pros for Cruises From VancouverWide Choice of Cruise LinesWe guarantee that whatever type of cruise you are looking for, you will find a suitable cruise line departing from Vancouver port. It currently serves no less than 28 cruise lines, from the mega cruise ships that have weekly departures to smaller expedition vessels and the renowned residential private cruise ship The World. These cruise lines all have schedule sailings from Vancouver in 2020:
Choice of Exotic Cruise DestinationsAlthough most cruises from Vancouver are heading to Alaska, the port does act as a hub for cruises to other destinations. It's important to find the itinerary that includes the ports of call and experiences that you most want to include. Not all Alaska cruises have the same itineraries. One-way cruises to Alaska generally last from 5 to 7 nights with ports of call including Ketchikan, Juneau, Skagway, Glacier Bay, the Hubbard Glacier, Tracy Arm, Seward, College Fjord, Whittier. Longer cruises, up to 14 nights, go even further to Valdez, Homer and Anchorage before sailing back to Vancouver. Cruises from Vancouver (11 nights+) also visit Hawaii including Big Island, Kauai, Maui, Hilo and Honolulu. There are a few cruises from Vancouver lasting 35 night or longer, taking in the sights of Alaska before crossing the Pacific to Japan, Hong Kong, Vietnam and Singapore. Some repositioning cruises offer a one-time chance to cruise south down the US Pacific Coast from Vancouver, stopping at San Francisco and Los Angeles. You will also find one-time cruises from Vancouver heading to Asia, South America, Mexico and traversing the Panama Canal. Only Port Offering One-Way Alaska CruisesDue to its favorable location close to Alaska, Vancouver is the only cruise port operating as a hub for one-way Alaska cruises as well as round-trip cruises. Those who want to enjoy a shorter Alaska cruise can book cruises from Vancouver and then fly home from Seward or Whittier (or join the cruise there and sail back to Vancouver). The advantage of a one-way Alaska cruise from Vancouver is that the itinerary typically avoids ports of call in Canada and spends more time in Alaskan ports. Visit Victoria as a Port of CallMany cruises from Vancouver include a full day in Victoria on Vancouver Island as a port of call. The beautiful architecture on the waterfront, the unique island attractions and the world-famous Butchart Gardens are a must-see! Other cruises only stop at Vancouver Island for a morning (or even overnight!). Calm VoyagesAnother advantage of taking Alaska cruises from Vancouver is that most itineraries sail through the scenic Inside Passage from Puget Sound to the Gulf of Alaska. This route has sheltered waters and provides fantastic wildlife sightings as well as being closer to the dramatic coastal scenery. In contrast, cruises from Seattle tend to opt for the Outside Passage which may have rougher seas and less viewing opportunities for spotting orcas and whales. The open sea can also cause seasickness when the weather is bad. Vancouver's Modern Purpose-Built Cruise TerminalCanada Place was built in 1986 and expanded in 2001. Beneath the sail-like roof it includes the Vancouver Cruise Terminal, Convention Center, World Trade Center, the Pan Pacific Hotel and the FlyOver attraction. The cruise terminal has received several tourism awards including Best Turnaround Destination, Most Efficient Port Facilities and Most Efficient Terminal Operation. Convenient Cruise ParkingVancouver cruise terminal is easy to reach by road and has excellent on-site cruise parking for 750 cars. Pre-booking is recommended. You'll find plenty more informative tips in this article on Must-Know Things About Vancouver Cruise Terminal. Easy Transfers to and From Vancouver AirportMost people taking cruises from Vancouver will arrive by air into Vancouver Airport (YVR). There are several ways to get from the airport to the cruise port which is just 8 miles away. Taxis operate on a fixed price by zone and the trip currently costs CAN$35. The journey takes about 30 minutes. Other options include shuttle transport with WestCoast Sightseeing or take the Canada Line Rapid Transit Sky Train that connects the airport with downtown Vancouver. Vancouver AttractionsThe waterfront city of Vancouver has plenty of unique attractions that visitors can enjoy pre- and post-cruise. It hosts many festivals and sports events in all seasons including the Winter Olympics and Paralympics (2010), the Women's World Cup (2014) and the Canadian Open Golf Tournament. Places to visit include Stanley Park (listen for the 9pm Gun Salute every evening), Grouse Mountain, Granville Island, Vancouver Maritime Museum, the totem poles at the Museum of Anthropology, HR Macmillan Space Center, Gastown with its historic Steam Clock and the FlyOver Canada virtual flight. Take a boat ride and enjoy the scenery coastline or go whalewatching – a great way to start your cruise to Alaska. If you have time, hop across to Vancouver Island and spend the day in the outstanding Butchart Gardens. Delicious Seafood DiningVancouver is famous for its cuisine, especially fresh seafood. Pacific Northwest salmon is particularly flavorsome when eaten fresh off the boat. Halibut, Canadian sable fish, BC Spot Prawns and sushi are the highlights of gourmet restaurants in Vancouver. You can also visit the Capilano Salmon Hatchery or celebrate the Salmon Festival on July 1 (Canada Day) in nearby Stevenston, "Salmon Capital of the World". Eco-friendly ProgramsThe pristine waters around Vancouver are home to some of the world's largest and most impressive marine species such as killer whales (orcas), porpoises, dolphins, humpback and other whales, Six Gill Sharks, giant octopus, sea lions and harbor seals. To reduce pollution, Vancouver cruise port operates an EcoAction Program which includes Shore Power. This allows cruise ships to shut down their engines while in port and reduce underwater noise, greenhouse gas emissions and other pollution. The port also offers discounted harbor dues (up to 47%) to cruise ships that operate using eco-friendly technology and use cleaner fuels. Cons Against Cruises From VancouverSo what are the disadvantages of cruises from Vancouver? Here are a few things you need to know that may affect your decision about booking a cruise from Vancouver, BC. More Expensive Flights to CanadaInternational flights to Canada are generally more expensive than domestic flights to Seattle or other US cruise ports. One way to avoid the steep air fare to Vancouver is to depart from a US airport and fly to Seattle with a low-cost carrier. Seattle is only 156 miles (315 km) south of Vancouver cruise port. The journey by road takes about 3 hours and can be done by car rental, shuttle or by Bolt (Vancouver express bus service) and Link Light Rail (Seattle downtown to airport). ESTA and eTA Travel Permit RequirementsCruisers who are not citizens of the US or Canada will need to be pre-screened and obtain an online travel permit if they are flying into Canada or the USA (Seattle). If you are a US citizen, or are crossing the border into Canada by road or sea (by train, ferry, bus or car, for example), you will only need to have a passport or acceptable photo ID for participating in cruises from Vancouver to Alaska. Non-US citizens from eligible countries will need to apply for an ESTA in order to be allowed to disembark and enjoy shore excursions in Alaska, which is of course US territory. You can apply online for an ESTA. It costs US$14 and lasts for two years. In addition, non-US/Canadian citizens will need an eTA (electronic Travel Authorization) if you are flying into Canada for your cruise. You can apply online if you are a resident of an eTA eligible country. A Canadian eTA costs CAN$7 and lasts for 5 years or until your passport expires, whichever happens first. You do not need an eTA if you are a US citizen or are arriving by road or sea. One Cruise TerminalThe port of Vancouver mostly handles cargo and has just one dedicated cruise terminal. However, it has three berths and can handle up to 4 cruise ships at any one time. Limited Clearance for Larger VesselsVancouver is a deep-water port but it is limited in the size of cruise ships it can handle due to the low clearance of the Lions Gate Bridge. This landmark suspension bridge is a designated National Historic Site of Canada. It spans The Narrows of the Burrard Inlet and stands 364 feet (111m) in height. Larger cruise ships can only sail beneath the bridge at low tide which can be a problem for this busy port. A strict "First Narrows Traffic Control Zone" governs boat traffic and does not allow any other ship to be in The Narrows when a large cruise ship is entering or leaving. Incidentally, the largest cruise ship ever to dock in Vancouver Port was the Norwegian Bliss in September 2018. Limited DestinationsCruises from Vancouver are somewhat limited due to the location of this northern seaport. Although the main reason for taking cruises from Vancouver is to visit Alaska, you will find some cruises departing for other destinations. These include:
Short seasonCruises from Vancouver only operate from April to late September. If you are looking for a winter cruise, you need to use a different port of departure. FAQ on Cruises From VancouverWhat cruise lines depart from Vancouver? There are currently 28 cruises lines sailing out of Vancouver cruise terminal. Some are small expedition ships and others may only call in occasionally as part of their worldwide itinerary. The main cruise lines offering regular cruises from Vancouver during the summer season include Carnival, Celebrity Cruises, Disney Cruise Lines, Holland America, Norwegian Cruise Lines (NCL) and Royal Caribbean (RCI). How much is an Alaska cruise from Vancouver? The cost of cruises from Vancouver depends on many factors such as the length of the cruise, type of stateroom, the size and standard of the cruise ship, the popularity of your chosen dates and the itinerary. In general, Alaska cruises from Vancouver aboard a large cruise ship cost between $100 and $450 per day. You will also need to add the cost of flights, drinks on-board, daily gratuities to cruise staff, excursions and optional activities at each port of call. Where should I stay in Vancouver before a cruise? There are several hotels just a 5-minute walk from the Canada Place Cruise Terminal in downtown Vancouver. These include the Pan Pacific Vancouver. It is above the Canada Place Convention Centre and just steps from the cruise terminal. The Fairmont Waterfront Vancouver is one of the closest (0.1 miles) and offers a shuttle service to the port. Check out more options on this comprehensive list of hotels near Vancouver cruise port.
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| Posted: 30 Apr 2020 10:31 AM PDT OTTAWA — The global COVID-19 pandemic began in Wuhan, China, but data from Canada's largest provinces show it was American travellers, not Chinese, who brought the deadly virus to our shores. Despite this evidence, the federal government brought in travel restrictions on China first and American border restrictions were the last to be put in place. The National Post asked for data on the origins of travel-related cases in Ontario, Quebec, British Columbia and Alberta, the four provinces that have seen the majority of Canada's COVID-19 cases. Canada moved later than many other countries to restrict international travel from China. It began with screening measures at airports that were slow to roll out and relied on passengers to disclose if they had symptoms of the virus. Air Canada suspended flights from China in February and the government encouraged people not to travel to China as early as January, but did not ban travellers until March 18 when it imposed sweeping global restrictions. When those restrictions went into force virtually all international travel had ground to a halt. International visitors were barred from Canada and only Canadian citizens and permanent residents were allowed to return to the country. The U.S. border remained an exception for several days, as the government coordinated a plan with the U.S. to keep essential goods flowing. B.C. Health Minister Adrian Dix was critical of that decision at the time because the government was leaving the U.S. border open to travellers. As an outbreak picked up speed in neighbouring Washington state, he was direct with Americans during a press conference that he wanted them to stay out of his province.  "We remain concerned that access from visitors from the United States continues to be allowed," said. Dix. "It's our strong message that visitors from the United States not come to British Columbia." As of April 17, Ontario has identified 1,201 cases of COVID-19 in people who had recently returned from some type of international travel. Of those cases, just five related to travel from China. By contrast, 404 were from people travelling from the United States. The other top five destinations were the United Kingdom with 126 cases, cruise ships with 74 cases, Mexico with 68 and sunny Spain with 49 cases. Iran and Italy, two other hot spots for the virus, are also more heavily represented than China; travel from Iran was connected to 19 cases and there were seven cases from Italy. In Quebec, 373 cases came from the United States and the province reports zero cases connected to travel from China. Travellers from France brought 151 cases to Quebec, 121 originated in Puerto Rico and 117 in Austria. Alberta didn't have a complete breakdown of its travel cases, but had only a single case connected to China, while fully 36 per cent of its travel-related cases are from the United States. British Columbia was unable to provide a breakdown by country, but the province's data shows that, while its first cases were from travel, most came from spread within the community. The U.S., U.K. and China were the top three destinations for travellers to Canada in 2018, according to data from Statistics Canada. Dr. Theresa Tam, Canada's chief public health officer, said they were responding to the information they had at the time and started with enhanced screening and self isolation orders. "We instituted the enhanced screening focused initially on China and then as it moved into Europe and Iran," she said.  She said curbs on travel from Iran came before Iran was even reporting it had cases because the public health data in Canada made it clear there was a problem there. She said it became clear in March the virus was everywhere, which was why the restrictions were stepped up so quickly. "In March, we in very quick succession told people not to go on cruises, issued a global travel health notice, because you can't actually tell which country the virus will come from, followed by the succession of border measures," she said. She said the work was difficult and required coordination among multiple government departments. All of Canada's early cases came from travel, but overtime as travel restrictions came into force and the number of people visiting slowed to a trickle they have become a much smaller part of the picture. In Ontario, for example, on April 1, there were 695 cases connected to travel and as of Monday 1,395 — almost double. But during the same time period the overall number of cases has increased roughly five-fold. The U.S. and several other countries closed borders to China in February. The U.S. also closed its border to many hot spots like Iran and Italy well before Canada did. Conservative Leader Andrew Scheer has been critical of the government for not following suit.  "The Liberals decided not to impose mandatory screening at airports. They have decided not to impose mandatory quarantine procedures. They have decided not to implement any restrictions on travellers entering into Canada," he said in question period on March 12. As of Wednesday however, the U.S. has more than a million cases of the virus, roughly twice the per capita number that Canada has, showing the limits of travel restrictions in a global pandemic. Tam's deputy, Dr. Howard Njoo, said it would have been difficult to close the border in March to the United States or Europe with so few cases in Canada, but the virus was already spreading around the globe. "The world is interconnected and really the virus was spreading throughout," he said. He said the steps Canada did take were only part of the solution. "If you look at border measures, they are only one measure, one layer, of a multi-system approach." Njoo said they also know now that the few cases Canada did get from China were Canadians returning home. Twitter: RyanTumilty  |
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