Cruise Port - Vancouver, Canada

Introduction

Vancouver is counted among the world’s most beautiful cities, surrounded by snow-capped mountains, tall trees, and sandy Pacific beaches. The city lies on the west coast of Canada, sheltered from the rough waters of the Pacific ocean by the vast landmass of Vancouver island.

The huge forests in this part of Canada were a big potential source of timber, and the late nineteenth century saw the founding of a number of lumber enterprises. The small township of Granville was founded beside Burrard Inlet to cater for the needs of the thriving lumber processing businesses. In 1871 British Colombia merged with the newly formed Dominion of Canada after agreement was reached that the railroad system was expanded to the western coast. Granville was picked as the west coast last stop. In 1886, the city was incorporated and given the new name of to Vancouver. Officialdom felt that this name was more widely known (on account of well-liked Vancouver island) and more fitting for the railway’s terminus. In the same year the first ever CPR train arrived. Later the same year the city was almost entirely ruined when the Great Vancouver fire raged through the center.

The city continued to grow through the 20th century, with arrivals of migrants from eastern Canada, Asia and Europe. Today Vancouver has a major commercial harbor, and the center of a prominent business area.

Vancouver’s excellent deep water port has continually played an important role in its growth. Initially lumber and grain were the main goods exported from the docks. Apart from big cargo ships, small boats sailed the route along the coast northwards, servicing resource businesses based on fishing, wood and mining. Accounts of unbelievable coastal landscapes came back with the travelers on these smaller boats. Summer voyages to Alaska were busy even in the early 1900s, with shipping lines running week long cruises. Sadly by the 1950s the Alaska cruise industry had shrunk to only CPR’s Princess Patricia and Canadian National Steamers’ Prince George.

1957 saw the founding of Alaska Cruise Lines, which ran Yukon Star and the Glacier Queen. The company, now named Cruise West, was acquired by Holland America in 1971. Encouraged by the popularity of such small cruises, Holland America brought their new cruise ship ms Prinsendam to Vancouver in 1975. Before long Princess joined HAL, sending two cruise ships, and this in turn attracted other lines to homeport ships in Vancouver for the summer.

The number of cruise passengers continued steady growth from in 1970 to more than 1 million in 2001. But the arrival of Seattle into the Alaskan cruise market in 2000 brought to a close Vancouver’s growth. By 2010 the number of cruisers leaving from Vancouver each year had fallen to around 600,000.

You Choose The Cruise

Vancouver serves as a cruise port only in summertime, due to Alaska’s hard and long winter months. All the cruises which leave out of Vancouver make through the famous Inside Passage route, getting to Queen Charlotte Sound by the legendary Seymore Narrows. The calm nature of this itinerary to Alaska is better than the Pacific itinerary out of Seattle.

The most popular itinerary is the 7 day return cruise with calls at Glacier Bay, Juneau, Ketchikan, Skagway and Tracy Arm Fjord. You will see mighty glaciers falling into the ocean, spectacular coastal and mountain scenery and characterful port towns.

Another option is to take a one week one way cruise from Vancouver visiting Juneau, Glacier Bay, Skagway and Ketchikan before sailing across the Gulf of Alaska to end up at Seward or Whittier. You can return by taking another cruise, or by plane flying from Anchorage. This choice enables you to make your vacation longer with a tour into the picturesque Alaskan interior.

At the end of the cruising season a number of excellent repositioning cruise itineraries are available: to places such as California, Florida and Hawaii.

For a list of cruise from Vancouver, see cruises from Vancouver.

Vancouver Cruise Terminal


Near the center of the city you'll find Canada Place, Vancouver’s foremost cruise port.

To simplify visits at Alaskan ports, a US Customs desk processes passengers prior to embarkation in Vancouver. As an alternative American citizens transferring from Vancouver airport can follow the US Direct Program, this allows for fast customs clearance.


Canada Place

Canada Place has developed from its beginnings as Canadian Pacific Railway terminus pier B-C, this handled the quick movement of corn from rail to docked ships.

The cruise terminal is housed in the original Canada Pavilion from Expo 86 and has a unique 5 sail shape, echoing the city’s rich seafaring tradition. Beside the cruise terminal, the complex holds Port Metro Vancouver corporate offices, a large VINCI car park, a World Trade Center office and a Pan-Pacific five-star hotel. Facilities available include customs, restrooms, security, luggage trolleys and a snack shop.

The terminal has access to 3 cruise ship berths, named East, North and West.

For the port website see Port Metro Vancouver.

Sightseeing in Vancouver


Stanley Park
Stanley Park is the largest urban park in North America. It’s home to the Vancouver Aquarium and an interesting assortment of native American Totems. Enthusiastic hikers can contour the 6 mile seashore, along a pathway which gives magnificent views across the ocean.

Vancouver Aquarium
Visit Vancouver Aquarium and experience sealife close encounters, with sea lions, dolphins, belugas and sea turtles. Children will adore Clownfish Cove, with its sea stars, sea urchins, clownfish and sea cucumbers.

Harbour Center Tower
Standing 581 feet tall the Harbour Center Tower is the highest skyscraper in British Columbia. Take a short elevator to the top and enjoy a 360-degree view of Burrard Inlet, the city and the North Shore Mountains.

Gastown
The 19th century beginnings of Vancouver lie in the characterful district of Gastown. Though the original timber buildings were totally razed in the 1886 fire. See the statue of ‘Gassy Jack’ in Maple Square and the steam clock hiss then have a quiet break at a friendly café.

Dr. Sun Yat-Sen Classical Chinese Garden
In the heart of the city’s booming Chinatown, you’ll find the stunning Dr. Sun Yat-Sen Classical Chinese Garden. The Garden is built to reflect the mixing of the four elements: plants, water, architecture and rock, resulting in perfect balance.

Getting to the Cruise Port

By Car From USA

Cross the Canadian Border on Interstate 5. I-5 becomes Rte 99. Carry on northwards and cross the Oak Street Bridge. Turn left onto 70th Avenue. Then turn right on Granville Street. Carry on driving northwards across the Granville Street Bridge. Follow the Seymour St exit. Carry on northwards along Seymour St to reach West Cordova St. Turn left on West Cordova Street. Next turn right onto Howe Street, and after a block you’ll get to Canada Place. Parking can be found at the Vinci car park.

By Air From Vancouver International Airport
The new Skytrain Canada Line, built for the 2010 Winter Olympic Games offers a fast connection from the airport to Waterfront station taking just of 28 minutes. Departures are every 9 mins. Canada Place is a small walk from the station. Another option is to take a cab from the airport to the required cruise terminal. It takes about 30 minutes.

Guide To San Francisco Cruise Port

Introduction

San Francisco, considered by many as the US’s finest city, is surrounded on three sides by ocean and bay. In spite of the hilly nature of the land on which the city is built, the original city developers kept faith with a grid system. This has resulted in some steep roads, fatiguing for the pedestrian and testing for those behind the wheel of a car.

In 1769 Spanish settlers arriving from Mexico established the Presidio of San Francisco as an armed fort and the Mission San Francisco de Asís as a missionary base with the aim of converting the indigenous Ohlone population. Mexican ownership of the region was given to the Americans in the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo in 1848. In the very same year that SF became part of the US, gold was discovered close to the city, attracting the attention of thousands of would be prospective gold miners. The makeshift outpost rapidly grew into the US’s biggest city west of the Mississippi. From the 1860s through the 1890s San Francisco grew rapidly with the building of complete new neighborhoods. Over half of the population were foreign born, coming from places such as Britain, Germany and China.

On April 18, 1906, San Francisco's rapid expansion came to a halt when a strong earthquake devastated the city. Raging fires spread out of control burning to the ground almost three quarters of the city’s buildings. Restoring the city’s buildings began almost immediately, but building standards were not improved, as many argued that this would hamper rejuvenation.

After two decades of consolidation, the city emerged in the 1930s to benefit from another economic boom time. The Bay Bridge and Golden Gate Bridge were built in a flury of construction, and in 1940 the Golden Gate World Fair received worldwide recognition.

Today the city is an international center for manufacturing, commerce and banking, and is also the home of a major deep water port.

You Choose The Cruise

A wide variety of cruise vacations are on offer with lengths of 7,10,15 days or even longer. Two popular voyages are first the cruise to the magnificent Hawaiian islands, standing alone in the middle of the vast Pacific Ocean, and secondly the cruise to the wonderfully scenic coast of Alaska.

Cruises from San Francisco details all the cruise ship departures out of San Francisco.

Cruise Terminals

San Francisco has 2 cruise terminals sited on the Embarcadero Waterfront, the main terminal at Pier 35 and a secondary terminal at Pier 27. The roles of the two terminals are due to swap in late 2014, with Pier 27 becoming the foremost terminal, with Pier 35 serving as a secondary berth for smaller ships.

Pier 35 Terminal
Pier 35’s attractiveness benefited greatly from the resurgence of the city’s docks in the years after the pulling down due to the 1989 quake of the Embarcadero Freeway that divided the piers and the city. The pier offers two cruise ship moorings pier 35 north and pier 35 south. The terminal is missing all but the necessary services, but there is one plus point. After you have embarked aboard your ship, go to the top deck, to appreciate the spectacular views of Alcatraz, the Bay Bridge, San Francisco bay and the Golden Gate Bridge.

Pier 27 Terminal
The brand new cruise terminal at Pier 27 scheduled to open in late 2014 as SF’s primary cruise terminal is named in honor of James R Herman, former president of the Longshoreman Union. The terminal has just one cruise ship mooring, but this is 1200ft long, a considerable increase over the quays at Pier 35. The modern terminal boasts extensive embark/debark halls with retail shops, tourism services, meeting rooms and ticketing counters.

Parking
Parking is not provided by the cruise port; however car parking lots nearby offer competitive rates for cruisers.

See San Francisco Port for the port website.

Sightseeing In San Francisco

Fisherman’s Wharf
Every year Fisherman’s Wharf draws hundreds of thousands of tourists to its many different attractions. Your visit to Fisherman’s Wharf can take in Pier 39, popular with children thanks to its sea lion colony and carousel, the cable car turnaround at Beach and Hyde, a wonderful part of San Francisco’s iconic cable car system, Ghirardelli Square, originally a chocolate enterprise started by Domenico 'Domingo' Ghirardelli, SS. Jeremiah O'Brien, a fully functional Liberty Ship and Hyde Street Pier, home of a number of historic ships. Also be sure to fit it a trip on San Francisco's unique cable car system.

Chinatown
Chinatown is located in the heart of the city bounded by Kearny Street to the east, Bush Street to the south, Powell Street to the west, and Columbus Avenue to the north. Characterful globe lanterns and brightly colored banners cross the avenues, which are lit at night by elaborate streetlights in the form of a Chinese temple on two dragons.

Golden Gate Bridge
The iconic Golden Gate Bridge bridge is accessible to both bicyclists and pedestrians, and was constructed with sidewalks on both sides of the six vehicle lanes. A trip to the Brige's visitor center offers a multi-media presentation on the history of the bridge.

Traveling To San Francisco Cruise Port

Whether arriving by car or taxi, the cruise port's downtown location necessitates a trip across the city, so be sure to allow plenty of time for your journey.

Cruise Port - Seattle, USA

Introduction

Seattle sits on a wide strip of land between Puget Sound and Lake Washington. On the western side of Puget Sound lie the Olympic mountains, which fall into the Pacific Ocean, and on the eastern of Lake Washington lie the higher Cascades.

White settlers arrived at the Seattle area in 1850 to establish an outpost they originally named New York. These first pioneers soon realized a better harbor facility was available close by, and relocated to what is now called the Pioneer Square neighborhood. In respect to a local native Indian leader who had aided the pioneers, the new township was given the name Seattle.

Processing and exporting lumber was the first business enterprise of the new outpost. In the fall of 1863, surveyor Edwin Richardson discovered coal beside a stream later called Coal Creek. Almost immediately extensive coal mining began, and coal joined lumber as a principal export from Seattle docks. In 1883 a connecting railroad between Seattle and the Northern Pacific transcontinental railway was constructed, and the town's population soared in the 1890s.

In 1889 the city was almost completely destroyed when a raging fire raged through its center. The burnt-out buildings were replaced during a hectic decade of reconstruction. The new layout included reconstructed piers, municipal sewer works and wide streets.

The Seattle population carried on growing through the early 19th century, as the city’s thriving businesses drew people from as far away as Asia and Europe.

Ship building grew during World War I, thanks to huge demand. The end of the war saw the Seattle general strike, which left the city with a reputation as a nursery of radicalism and socialism. In the following years, the Great Depression hit the city hard, with industrial output slowing drastically. World War II sparked an industrial turn around as Boeing, a previously little-known airplane manufacturer, grew its workforce quickly. In 1962 Seattle sponsored a huge world's fair, the fantastic Century 21 Exposition. The Seattle Center, the Seattle Center Monorail, the Space Needle and the Pacific Science Center were all built for the Expo, and have become much-loved features of the Seattle skyline.

Today the city is a foremost commercial harbor, and the heart of a prominent business area.

From early days the economy of the city has been closely tied with the commercial activities of its docks. The export of timber and coal was the main commercial activity of the docks in the early years. Apart from big cargo ships, small boats plied the route along the coast northwards, supplying resource industries based on mining, timber and fishing. Summer voyages to Alaska were in demand even in the early 19th century, with Alaska Steamship Company selling week long cruises. By the 1950s the popularity of cruises to Alaska had fallen, and the Alaska Steamship Company closed. During the second half of the 20th century Seattle’s cruise ship business was non-existent.

Then in 2000 Seattle once again tried to become a major cruise ship homeport, when the Port of Seattle inaugurated the Bell Street Pier cruise port. In 2009 the Smith Cove terminal was built to further cruise passenger capacity. In 2010 the Port of Seattle boasted 223 cruise ship visits with nearly a million revenue passengers.

You Choose The Cruise

The winters in Alaska are long and cold, so Seattle’s cruising season is almost completely May through to September.

Seattle cruises take a different course to Alaska than those leaving from Vancouver. The additional total distance adds up to around 320 miles, and the quickest way to Alaska is to hug the outside of Vancouver island. This way only became possible for week-long cruises when fastercruise ships were introduced. This outside passage route through the north Pacific can be rough and stormy, and there is virtually no picturesque land scenery for 2 sea days of the cruise. Also note cruise ships will typically call at Victoria on Vancouver island’s coast, as foreign-flagged ships operating in US waters are mandated to stop in a foreign port on their overall itinerary.

A very well-liked route is the 7 day return trip visiting Ketchikan, Skagway, Glacier Bay and Juneau. You will see magnificent coastal and mountain landscapes, mighty glaciers calving into the ocean and historic port towns.

When the Seattle cruise season finishes a range of interesting repositioning cruises are on offer: to destinations such as Hawaii, Asia and Florida.

Cruises from Seattle shows all cruise ship departures from Seattle.


Cruise Terminals

Seattle boasts 2 cruise ports, the premier downtown Bell Street Pier, and the Smith Cove Piers, 2 miles north of the city center.


Bell Street Terminal
The Bell Street Pier cruise ship terminal was inaugurated in 2000 as a important component of a 10-acre, city center, coastline, multi-purpose development. The terminal is located on Pier 66 which has a historic past dating back to 1914. Over the following years the pier had many roles like refrigerated storage, on-dockrailroad station and warehousing. The terminal is laid out over 2 levels, with a modern boarding system giving easy ship access from the upper floor. Facilities comprise baggage handling, concierge, check-in, retail kiosks, rental car kiosk, customs, restaurant and café. A 1700 space parking garage is positioned just across the road. The terminal has access to just one cruise ship berth. The Bell Street cruise terminal hosts Norwegian Cruise Line and Celebrity Cruises ships.


Smith Cove Cruise Terminal
The Smith Cove cruise ship facility is located 3 miles north west from the city center, on Pier 90 and Pier 91. The waterfront was purchased by the port in 1912 for use as a commercial port. During World War II the navy managed the port as a supply point. Thanks to its previous use, the terminal surroundings have a very industrial looking look. Services include customs, luggage checking, check-in, car rental desk, concierge and shops. A 1,000 car parking lot is sited not far away with a free shuttle to the terminal. The cruise port boasts 2 cruise ship moorings at Piers 90 and 91. Smith Cove is home to Holland America Line, Carnival Cruises, Princess Cruises and RCL.

For the port website see Port Of Seattle.


Sightseeing In Seattle

Space Needle
Seattle’s iconic Space Needle is 605 feet tall, and has an exciting observation deck near the top of the tower. You can see the sound, the downtown skyline, Washington Lake and the far-off mountains. Drop by at the souvenir shop for a memento or, for a meal with a twist, eat at SkyCity, the tower's revolving restaurant that turns once per hour.

Pioneer Square
Pioneer Square is the position of Seattle’s first timber mill, the economic hub of the original pioneer township. The great 1889 fire ruined the wooden structures constructed by the town’s founders. Today the district is characterized by 1890s brick and stone buildings, and is bursting with friendly cafes, interesting shops, splendid architecture and art galleries. Pioneer Square is situated about a mile southwards of Bell Street Pier.

Seattle Aquarium
Sited by Pier 59, the Seattle Aquarium keeps an incredible range of ocean life. Watch colorful fish, Puget sound creatures, Lake Washington fresh water reatures, mysterious octopus, the coral world of the Pacific and lively otters in excellently presented exhibits. Take a break at the stylish Aquarium café, and browse the aquarium store.

Pike Place Market
In 1907 a local councilor helped set up a farmers’ market, to cut out the enormous take of greedy middlemen. The market has matured into a vast shoppers’ heaven laid out over 9 acres. Walk around numerous food shops like vegetables, honey, nuts, dairy and bakery, and then to follow an even bigger number of non-food shops including jewelry, leather, goods, basketware and candles. It's often crowded, and busy so you’ll be happy to take a relaxing break and sip a coffee at the first-ever Starbucks, located in the market. Pike Place market is positioned just by Bell Street Pier.

Museum of Flight
In addition to being the hometown of behemoth Boeing, Seattle has an outstanding Museum dedicated to flying. Inspect a traffic control tower, the supersonic passenger jet Concorde, a history of air hostess fashion, an outstanding collection of WWII fighter planes and Air Force One. The Museum of Flight is about 4 miles southwards from downtown.

Olympic Sculpture Park
The Olympic Sculpture Park is overseen by Seattle Art Museum. It is a free-admission outdoor sculpture park with a whole series of curvaceous and thought-provoking sculptures, with a lovely outlook over Puget Sound and the Olympic mountains behind. The park is positioned on the coastline just north of Bell Street Pier.

Getting To The Cruise Ports

Bell St Pier
From the Airport
The travel time from Sea-Tac airport to the cruise port by taxi is in the region of 30 minutes. Alternatively take the Sea-Tac airport to city center Light Rail, alighting at the terminus Westlake. Then hail a taxi or walk to Bell Street Pier, three-quarters of a mile away.
By Car
From the North
Join Interstate 5. Take exit 167, signed Mercer Street/Seattle Center. Make a right onto Fairview Av. Then the first left onto Valley St. Continue along Valley St which turns into Broad Street. When you reach the waterfront turn left onto Alaskan Way. Just before the cruise port building, take a left onto Wall St for the entrance to the cruise terminal garage.
From the South
Join Interstate 5. Take exit 164A signed Dearborn St, James St, Madison St. Follow Madison St/Convention Center signs. Turn left onto Madison Street. Keep on Madison Street until you reach the seafront. Turn right to join Alaskan Way. Carry on for a mile, passing the cruise port to the left hand side. Turn right onto Wall Street to access Bell Street Pier garage.

Smith Cove
From The Airport
The journey time from Sea-Tac airport to the cruise port by cab is about 30 minutes.
By Car
From the North and South
Take I-5 to exit 167 marked Mercer Street. Make a right turn on to Fairview Av North. Turn left onto Valley Street. Valley Street becomes Broad Street. After the Space needle turn right onto Denny Way. The road bends to the right onto Western Avenue. Western Av joins with Elliott Av West. Follow signs for Magnolia Bridge. Follow signage to Smith Cove and cruise terminal.