Vancouver cruise traffic rises 18% in 2026
Nearly 1.4 million passenger visits helped the cruise season contribute more than $1 billion to the local economy.
Vancouver’s 2026 cruise season generated more than $1 billion for the local economy as passenger traffic increased 18% year over year. Canada Place recorded almost 1.4 million passenger visits and 358 ship calls between February and October, with calls rising 19% from 2025.
A Pacific Rim Cruise Association survey found that 76% of passengers spent time in Vancouver before or after their voyage, compared with 70% in 2023. Passengers spent an average of $1,144 each on accommodation, dining, shopping, tours and attractions. The average stay was 1.4 nights, increasing to 2.6 nights for travelers from outside North America.
Jeff Scott, Vancouver Fraser Port Authority’s vice president of operations and supply chain, said each cruise call at Canada Place generates an average of $3 million for the economy. Norwegian Cruise Line plans to continue seven-day Alaska voyages from Vancouver next year, with Norwegian Jade scheduled between May and September.
The port authority also plans to expand shore-power capacity at Canada Place. The project is expected to prevent an additional 3,300 tonnes of greenhouse gas emissions per season. Around 80% of Vancouver cruise calls are already shore-power enabled.