Vancouver expecting a record 331 cruise ship visits in 2023

The arrival of Princess Cruises’ Sapphire Princess at the Canada Place cruise terminal on April 12 will be symbolic of a hoped-for continuation of tourism’s rebound in Vancouver.

It will be the first of what the Port of Vancouver expects to be a record 331 cruise ship visits to the city in the 2023 season, which, if the cruise lines can fill them, will bring a record number of passengers.

Last year’s return of cruise ships to Vancouver — there were 307 visits — was a “comeback story” for a valued industry that supports many regional tourism and hospitality businesses, said Mandy Chan, manager of cruise services for the Vancouver Fraser Port Authority, which oversees the Port of Vancouver.

“Based on our schedule, it looks like this season will be even more impressive,” Chan said. Eight per cent more cruise ship visits are expected, with the potential to carry a record 1.3 million passengers, if the cruises sell out.