Vancouver Cruise Port
- Address: Canada Place & Ballantyne Pier, Vancouver, BC, Canada
- Admission: Free
ATTRACTION Keywords:
Shore Excursions,
Pier / Waterfront / Port,
Town / City
More than half a million happy passengers cruise through Vancouver Port each year, headed to Vancouver Island, British Columbia, and Alaska, some of the most fantastic coastal scenery in the world. Yet many of these intrepid travelers soon realize, after spending only a day or two here in Vancouver, that this charming Canadian city is the place to which they most want to return.
How to Get to Vancouver
The Port of Vancouver has two cruise ship terminals, Canada Place and Ballantyne Pier. Canada Place is in the heart of downtown, surrounded by excellent hotels, restaurants, nightlife, and other attractions. The port is served by public transportation, taxis, and limousines, as well as rental car kiosks.
Isolated Ballantyne Pier is located just east, behind the container terminal, with few services and no hotels. Walking from Ballentyne to Canada Place is possible, but passes through a very sketchy area of town – best to pay for a taxi. Some hotels and cruise lines run shuttles to downtown.
Vancouver International Airport (YVR) is about half an hour away from either terminal; metered taxis charge around C$40. From Canada Place, you can take the Skytrain directly from the Fairmont Waterfront to YVR.
One Day in Vancouver
Consider a pre-cruise tour of the city, taking in the Stanley Park totem poles, Gastown, and other iconic Vancouver locations; or the North Shore for more natural attractions.
Day-trippers who want to see more of the city, should explore Vancouver's lush gardens, or escape the urban environment with a visit to Grouse Mountain, accessible by gondola. The stunning alpine ski resort of Whistler, gorgeous year round is also an option, as is a wine tour of Fraser Valley. All of these are fabulous ways to use your limited time in Vancouver.
Latest Reviews
Review by kathy.kramer, October 2012
Doing what: Vancouver Shore Excursion: Pre-Cruise North Shore Tour with Port Drop Off
We got picked up by Stephon (sp)? at 7:00 a.m. and it was a great day of adventures. Stephon was great!! The suspension bridge was amazing, and the gondola ride at Grouse Mountain was perfect. Great Day!! Our guide was amazing!!
Review by Michael P, September 2012
Doing what: Vancouver Shore Excursion: Pre-Cruise North Shore Tour with Port Drop Off
We would highly recommend this tour to anyone going on a cruise out of Vancouver. From start to finish it was exceptional. Our tour guide, Paul, was absolutely superb! Friendly, helpful, knowledgable. Could not have asked for better! The company picking up our luggage at the hotel and delivering it to the cruise ship for us was a real help. Then they drop you off right inside the cruise terminal. Could not have been better. Also loved the places the tour took us to. Each stop had adequate time to get a real feel for what they had to offer. Will definitely do it this way again on our next cruise.
Review by jws, September 2012
Doing what: Vancouver Shore Excursion: Pre-Cruise City Tour with Port Drop Off
very good and informative
