As the Alaska cruise season formally ends, the Port of Vancouver has loved a record-breaking season, a welcome change from the dismal previous two years with pandemic-related restrictions exacting a heavy toll on tourism and the native financial system.
More than 300 cruises visited Vancouver in 2022, a rise past the 2019 season, bringing a lift to native companies and signaling the resurgence of the cruise trade and elevated demand from keen vacationers.
Alaska Cruise Season Officially Ends
With the departure of Crown Princess, the final ship of the season to homeport from Vancouver, on Wednesday, November 2, the 2022 Alaska cruise season has formally ended, closing out a superb resurgence to native tourism site visitors.
Vancouver’s cruise season started on April 10, with the arrival of Holland America Line’s Koningsdam. Throughout the almost 7-month season, Vancouver noticed a complete of 306 cruise ship visits, a 6% improve in comparison with 2019.
“It’s been fantastic to see cruise ships and passengers back in town after the two-year pause through the height of the pandemic,” mentioned Robin Silvester, president and CEO of the Vancouver Fraser Port Authority.
“This year’s cruise season was an impressive comeback story for a critical catalyst for the local tourism industry and it provided a much-needed boost for many regional tourism and hospitality businesses.”
Passenger Numbers Lower, But Growing
While the variety of cruise ship visits to Vancouver confirmed exceptional improve this 12 months, general customer totals are nonetheless beneath 2019 ranges.
This is because of ships working at decrease capability on account of well being and security protocols, one among which has meant carrying fewer passengers. Throughout the season, nevertheless, capacities have been elevated and passenger totals continued to get well.
For the complete season, passenger numbers averaged roughly 70% of full capability. Vancouver loved roughly 815,000 passenger visits in 2022, in comparison with roughly 1.1 million in 2019.
Throughout the season, restrictions slowly eased and tourism elevated accordingly.
“The return of cruise ships to Canada Place kicked off the rebuilding of Vancouver’s visitor economy,” mentioned Royce Chwin, president and CEO of Destination Vancouver. “When those ships were back in the harbour and visitors were streaming into the city once again, we knew the corner had been turned.”
All pandemic-related journey restrictions in Canada have been ended October 1, 2022, simply because the cruise season was drawing to an in depth. This meant the easing of these restrictions didn’t have as dramatic of an affect on late-season sailings, however the numerous protocols did allow a protected return season for cruise tourism.
“I’d like to thank our cruise lines partners, the Canada Place services provider Ceres Terminals Canada, the Cruise Lines International Association and all those working throughout the cruise and tourism industry for their hard work and dedication supporting this year’s return, under the federal government’s health framework,” mentioned Silvester.
2023 Looks Even Better
While 2022 will likely be thought to be a restoration 12 months after the worldwide pandemic, the 2023 cruise season seems even higher for Vancouver.
“Looking ahead, we’re seeing early indications of a record-setting season in 2023, which is a testament to the enduring strength of Vancouver’s cruise industry and this year’s successful return,” mentioned Silvester.
Based on preliminary bookings, the Canada Place cruise terminal on the Port of Vancouver is slated to welcome 334 cruise ship visits, with as many as 1.3 million cruise passengers onboard.
Cruise traces providing sailings from Vancouver in 2023 will embrace Princess Cruises, Holland America Line, Royal Caribbean International, Norwegian Cruise Line, Celebrity Cruises, and extra, with many different traces additionally making day visits to the port.