When does the 2027 cruise season start in Vancouver?

The preliminary schedule has the first ship, Europa, arriving on March 24, 2027. Near-daily visits are expected from late April through early October.

Has the Port of Vancouver published the 2027 cruise schedule?

Yes, a preliminary 2027 schedule is available on the port's website. It may change, so check it again close to your date.

How many cruise ships visit Vancouver each year?

358 ships called at Canada Place in 2026, a record. About 383 calls are expected in 2027.

Where do cruise ships dock in Vancouver?

Alaska cruise ships dock at the Canada Place cruise terminal, 999 Canada Place, beside Waterfront Station downtown.

Do I clear U.S. customs in Vancouver?

Yes. Passengers on Alaska cruises clear U.S. Customs and Border Protection inside Canada Place before boarding.

Where is the best place to watch cruise ships?

The Canada Place promenade gives close-up views, while the Coal Harbour seawall, Brockton Point and Prospect Point in Stanley Park are good for watching ships depart.

Vancouver Cruise Ship Schedule 2027: Canada Place Guide

Canada Place is the cruise heart of Vancouver. From spring to fall, ships sail from this downtown terminal to Alaska, and on busy summer days three or more ships tie up beside the white sails at once. The 2026 season is over, and the port has already shared a preliminary look at 2027.

This guide covers what is known about the 2027 cruise schedule, how the record 2026 season played out, practical tips for passengers, and the best places to watch ships come and go.

2027 cruise season at Canada Place

The Vancouver Fraser Port Authority has a preliminary 2027 ship schedule available, and it notes that plans may change. Here is what has been reported so far:

Expected ship calls: about 383 cruise ship calls in 2027, according to Cruise Industry News, up from 358 in 2026.
First ship: the season is expected to begin on March 24, 2027, when Hapag-Lloyd’s Europa arrives (as reported by Daily Hive).
Peak season: near-daily ship visits are expected from late April through early October.
Last ship: the season is expected to close on October 8, 2027 with Royal Caribbean’s Ovation of the Seas.
Returning ships: Disney Wonder and Disney Magic are expected to return for a two-ship Disney presence all season. Virgin Voyages’ Brilliant Lady and Ritz-Carlton’s Luminara are also returning, with 10 Luminara visits preliminarily scheduled.
Shore power: the port is expanding shore power at Canada Place, with the added capacity expected to be ready for the 2027 season. It is expected to prevent about 3,300 tonnes of greenhouse gas emissions per season.

Day-by-day ship lists, berths and passenger-volume colour codes are on the official Port of Vancouver cruise schedule. Because the 2027 calendar is preliminary, always check it again close to your date.

How the 2026 cruise season went

2026 was the busiest cruise season in Vancouver’s history, and the year the Canada Place terminal marked 40 years as an Alaska homeport.

2026 season	Facts
First ship	Disney Wonder, Thursday, February 26, 2026
Last ship	Norwegian Encore, arrived Monday, October 12 and departed early on October 13
Ship calls	358, up 19% on 2025
Passengers	About 1.4 million, up about 18% on 2025
Busiest month	July, with more than 290,000 passengers
Largest ship	Star Princess (177,882 gross tonnes) on September 27
Economic impact	More than $1 billion, according to the port authority

Nine ships made maiden calls in 2026, including Azamara Pursuit, Disney Magic, Star Seeker, Brilliant Lady and Luminara. Virgin Voyages and Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection both made their Vancouver debuts, and Disney Magic homeported here all season alongside Disney Wonder. The terminal also had more three- and five-ship days than in any earlier season.

Typical pattern: the season opens with a few calls in late winter and early spring, gets busy from late April, peaks in July and August, and winds down in early October.

Information for cruise passengers

Where to go

The cruise terminal is at Canada Place, 999 Canada Place, on the downtown waterfront next to the Vancouver Convention Centre. Screening and check-in are on the terminal’s cruise level.

Getting to Canada Place

From YVR airport: the Canada Line SkyTrain runs from the airport to Waterfront Station, a short walk from the terminal. It is often the easiest option if you can manage your bags.
SkyTrain and transit: Waterfront Station is served by the Expo Line, Canada Line, SeaBus and West Coast Express.
Taxi and rideshare: drop-off is at the terminal. Expect traffic on busy multi-ship days.
Parking: paid parking is available in nearby parkades. Rates and availability vary, so book or check ahead.

Check-in and timing

Bag check usually opens between 10 and 10:30 am on sailing day. Tell staff your ship’s name, and your bags are delivered to your cabin.
Keep passports, medication and valuables with you, not in checked bags.
Follow your cruise line’s assigned arrival time. As a rule of thumb, allow two to three hours before departure.
Average time from terminal arrival to boarding was about 30 minutes in 2026, helped by facial biometric processing at the U.S. customs hall.

Documents and customs

Bring a valid passport and your cruise documents.
Alaska cruises clear U.S. Customs and Border Protection inside Canada Place before boarding. International visitors may need an eTA for Canada and an ESTA for the U.S. before arriving at the terminal.
When you finish a cruise in Vancouver, collect your bags and clear Canadian customs with the Canada Border Services Agency.

Luggage, lost items and accessibility

Day bag storage: Gray Line Westcoast Sightseeing offers day-only storage for cruise passengers (1-877-451-1777).
Lost items in the terminal: Canada Place security office, 604-684-8525, during cruise season. For items lost on the ship, contact your cruise line.
Wheelchairs and scooters: pre-book rentals through providers such as Scootaround or Special Needs at Sea, or ask your cruise line about help inside the terminal.

Full details are on the port’s passenger information page.

Best times to watch cruise ships

Morning arrivals: most ships arrive early, roughly between 6 and 8 am. Sunrise over Burrard Inlet with ships gliding in is a quiet, lovely sight.
Afternoon and evening departures: ships usually leave between about 4 and 7 pm, which is the best time to see them sail under the Lions Gate Bridge.
Multi-ship days: the official schedule shows which days have three or more ships. These are the most impressive days to visit, and the busiest downtown.

Where to watch ships in Vancouver

Canada Place promenade: walk the outdoor decks around the terminal for close-up views of ships at berth. Free.
Coal Harbour seawall: wide views of ships at Canada Place with the North Shore mountains behind.
Harbour Green Park: a grassy waterfront spot in Coal Harbour, good for a picnic while ships load.
Brockton Point, Stanley Park: watch departing ships turn toward the First Narrows.
Prospect Point and the Lions Gate Bridge area: see ships pass under the bridge on their way out to sea.
Lonsdale Quay, North Vancouver: ride the SeaBus across Burrard Inlet for a view of Canada Place and the downtown skyline with ships in front.

For more on the area, see our Canada Place guide and the City of Vancouver page.

Tips for visiting Canada Place in cruise season

Expect crowds and traffic near the waterfront on multi-ship days, especially weekends in July and August.
Allow extra time for parking, taxis and SkyTrain if you are meeting someone or catching a flight.
Visit early in the morning for a calmer walk around the promenade.
If you have a spare day before or after your cruise, Gastown, Stanley Park and Granville Island are all close by. Browse what’s on during your stay on our events page and the Vancouver events calendar.
Schedules can change. Check the official cruise calendar shortly before you go.