Vancouver cruise visits drop

The 2010 cruise season has ended in Vancouver, with Island Princess departing on Monday and no further visits planned until April 2011. In 2010 cruise traffic to the port was about a third lower than in 2009 as a result of the recession, but there is so me good news for the Canadian port and those who love it. A new visitor to the port will be Disney Wonder which will have its first Alaska season in 2011 and will homeport in Vancouver as will Oceania’s Regatta. Crystal Cruises will also be reinstating its Alaska itineraries and will have nine port calls to Vancouver in the year. The port offers so me fantastic opportunities to visitors. The famous Canadian warmth and friendliness is carried through the unpretentious but charming Stanley Park area that abuts towards Vancouver Harbour and allows both residents and cruise passengers to have fun cycling along the seawall, strolling the park or even taking a kayak trip in its waters.

In addition to the ships planned to visit, there has been a real reduction in environmental effects from cruise ships that did visit: around a quarter of 2010’s port visits resulted in ships linking to the Vancouver hydro-grid while berthed, drawing green power rather than using their diesel-powered engines to provide electricity onboard. Not only that, but a 50% discount on port fees for using the grid will encourage more vessels to use the grid service in future.