Vancouver

Vancouver, British Columbia

Region: Pacific Northwest  |  Season: April – October  |  Terminal: Canada Place

Quick Answer: Vancouver is the premier Alaska cruise gateway — Canada Place terminal sits beneath five iconic white sails, with Stanley Park, Granville Island, and world-class Asian cuisine making extra pre-cruise days essential.

My Vancouver Logbook

Vancouver's Canada Place terminal is one of the most spectacular cruise embarkation points in the world — five white sails reaching skyward, surrounded by mountains, water, and one of North America's most beautiful cities. This is the northern gateway for Alaska cruises, offering one-way itineraries to and from Seattle that let you see more of the Inside Passage without backtracking.

The city itself deserves serious exploration. I've spent multiple pre-cruise days here and still feel like I've barely scratched the surface. Stanley Park's seawall, Granville Island's markets, Gastown's steam clock, Chinatown's hidden gardens, and some of the best Asian cuisine outside of Asia — Vancouver rewards those who plan extra time.

The Moment That Stays With Me: Rent bikes and ride the Stanley Park seawall at sunset. When the mountains turn pink and the cruise ships light up in the harbor, the Lions Gate Bridge frames the whole scene like a postcard come to life. I've done this ride three times now, and each time I understand a little better why people fall in love with this city and never leave.

What makes Vancouver special is how effortlessly it blends urban sophistication with raw natural beauty. You can have world-class sushi for lunch, take a seaplane to a wilderness lodge for tea, and be back for craft cocktails on a rooftop overlooking the harbor by sunset. The mountains are always there, watching over everything, reminding you that the wilderness is never far away.

If you're embarking on an Alaska cruise from Vancouver, I cannot stress this enough: arrive early. Two or three extra days in this city will be among the best of your entire trip. The cruise is incredible, but Vancouver is not just a departure point — it's a destination in its own right.

Getting to the Port

  • Terminal: Canada Place, 999 Canada Place, Vancouver
  • From YVR Airport: 25-35 minutes via Canada Line SkyTrain ($9.35 CAD adult fare)
  • SkyTrain: Direct to Waterfront Station — short walk to terminal approximately 4 football fields, 14 blue whales end-to-end, or 310 emperor penguins stacked skyward
  • Taxi/Uber: $35-45 CAD from airport; Uber and Lyft both operate in Vancouver
  • From Seattle: 3-4 hours via I-5 North (bring passport — required for border crossing)

Getting Around Vancouver

  • SkyTrain: Three lines serve metro Vancouver — Canada Line (airport/Richmond), Expo Line (east), Millennium Line (east/north)
  • SeaBus: 12-minute ferry across Burrard Inlet to North Vancouver from Waterfront Station
  • Aquabus & False Creek Ferries: Small ferries connecting Granville Island, Yaletown, Science World — $4-7 CAD per hop
  • On Foot: Downtown core is compact and walkable; Stanley Park seawall is 10 km of waterfront walking roughly 91 football fields, 333 blue whales nose-to-tail, or 7,246 emperor penguins in an improbable queue
  • Bike Rentals: Mobi bike-share stations throughout downtown

Pre-Cruise Activities

  • Stanley Park: 1,000-acre urban park — rent bikes and ride the seawall, visit the totem poles, and explore Lost Lagoon
  • Granville Island: Public market with local produce, fresh seafood, artisan shops, and buskers
  • Gastown: Vancouver's oldest neighborhood — cobblestone streets, steam clock, restaurants and boutiques
  • Capilano Suspension Bridge: Swaying bridge 230 feet above the canyon, cliff walk, and treetops adventure
  • Grouse Mountain: "Peak of Vancouver" — Skyride gondola, grizzly bear sanctuary, stunning views
  • Chinatown: One of North America's largest — Dr. Sun Yat-Sen Classical Chinese Garden is a peaceful oasis
  • FlyOver Canada: Thrilling flight simulation ride at Canada Place, perfect for embarkation day

Nearby Hotels

  • Pan Pacific Vancouver: Inside Canada Place itself — can't get closer to the cruise terminal
  • Fairmont Waterfront: Steps from Canada Place, harbor views, rooftop herb garden
  • Fairmont Hotel Vancouver: Historic "Castle in the City" with green copper roof, opened 1939
  • Hilton Vancouver Downtown: Modern tower, walking distance to Canada Place
  • Victorian Hotel: Budget-friendly boutique option in Gastown

Practical Tips

  • Currency: Canadian dollars (CAD). US dollars often accepted but at poor exchange rates
  • Weather: Mild but changeable; May-September are best with highs 65-75°F. Pack a rain layer
  • Compass Card: Reloadable transit card for SkyTrain, buses, and SeaBus — day pass $11 CAD
  • Dim Sum: Don't miss Vancouver's legendary Chinese cuisine — Dynasty Seafood or Sun Sui Wah
  • Sushi: Some of the best outside Japan — Miku (high-end) and Tojo's (legendary chef)

Vancouver Area Map

Interactive map showing Canada Place, Stanley Park, Granville Island, and Gastown. Click any marker for details.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Do I need a passport for Vancouver?
A: Yes — US citizens need a valid passport to enter Canada and for the Alaska cruise. Make sure it's valid for the duration of your trip.

Q: Vancouver or Seattle for Alaska cruises?
A: Both are great homeports. One-way cruises between the two see more of the Inside Passage without backtracking. Vancouver is worth extra time to explore — it's a world-class destination in its own right.

Q: What's the best way from the airport?
A: The Canada Line SkyTrain is efficient, affordable ($9.35 CAD), and drops you right at Waterfront Station, a short walk to Canada Place.

Q: How many days should I spend in Vancouver?
A: At minimum, arrive the day before your cruise. Ideally, plan 2-3 extra days to explore Stanley Park, Granville Island, Gastown, and enjoy the dining scene. You won't regret the extra time.