Last Ship of 2015 Brings Longer-Than-Usual Vancouver Cruise Season to a Close

VANCOUVER, BRITISH COLUMBIA--(Marketwired - Dec. 15, 2015) - The last cruise ship of the 2015 season, the Ruby Princess, will depart Canada Place today, marking the end of an extended cruise season at Port Metro Vancouver. Passenger volumes for the 2015 Vancouver cruise season remained strong, on par with 2014, with more than 800,000 passengers travelling on 228 calls by 32 different vessels.

The 2015 season began early and ended later than usual this year due to the addition of exciting new itineraries to Hawaii and the California coast by Princess Cruises, in addition to Alaskan itineraries and associated re-positioning options offered by various cruise lines out of Vancouver.

"We are pleased to see expanded cruise itineraries coming to Vancouver," said Peter Xotta, Vice President of Planning and Operations, Port Metro Vancouver. "It shows a recognition of Vancouver's global appeal and the world-class facilities here at Port Metro Vancouver. It has also extended the season, and this is the first time passengers enjoying a cruise from Vancouver can also enjoy the Christmas at Canada Place event the same day they depart."

Use of shore power continues to reduce marine diesel air emissions by enabling ships to shut down their engines and connect to BC Hydro's electrical grid to provide necessary power while docked. Since its inception in 2009, the Canada Place shore power installation has reduced greenhouse gas emissions by more than 2,200 tonnes a year.

Earlier this year Port Metro Vancouver completed improvements to the Canada Place cruise terminal, adding two new escalators and an elevator, making use of additional check-in space at the Vancouver Convention Centre, and installing ten automated passport control kiosks, all improving the passenger experience in Vancouver.

The Vancouver cruise industry stimulates more than $2 million in economic activity for each vessel that calls at Canada Place. This results in approximately 283,000 hotel-night stays in Vancouver and more than 440,000 around the province, generating some 6,000 direct and indirect jobs, $220 million in wages, and tax revenues for municipal, provincial and federal governments.

About Port Metro Vancouver:

Port Metro Vancouver is Canada's largest port and the third largest tonnage port in North America, responsible for Canada's trade with more than 160 world economies. Located in a naturally beautiful setting on Canada's west coast, Port Metro Vancouver is responsible for the efficient and reliable movement of goods and passengers, and integrates environmental, social and economic sustainability initiatives into all areas of port operations. Port Metro Vancouver is committed to meaningful engagement with the communities in which it operates and the shared obligation to improve the quality of life for Canadians. Enabling the trade of approximately $187 billion in goods annually, the port generates an estimated 100,000 jobs, $6.1 billion in wages, and $9.7 billion in GDP across Canada. As a non-shareholder, financially self-sufficient corporation established by the Government of Canada, Port Metro Vancouver operates pursuant to the Canada Marine Act and is accountable to the elected federal Minister of Transport.