Vancouver's 2015 Alaska Cruise Season Kicks off Today at Canada Place

VANCOUVER, BRITISH COLUMBIA--(Marketwired - April 29, 2015) - Port Metro Vancouver's 2015 Alaska cruise season officially kicks off today with the arrival of the Ruby Princess at Canada Place. The 2015 season is expected to be strong, on par with previous years, with an estimated 800,000 passengers on 227 visits by 32 vessels.

"Passengers continue to be attracted to the award-winning cruise facilities and experiences Vancouver has to offer," said Robin Silvester, President and Chief Executive Officer of Port Metro Vancouver. "The city is the home port for many Alaska cruises, which is good news for our local economy."

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 nights of hotel stays in the city 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.

Earlier this year, the cruise season kicked off sooner than usual as Princess Cruise's Grand Princess offered an exciting and increasingly popular cruise itinerary that ran back-to-back trips between Vancouver and Hawaii beginning in March. Cruise ships will continue to visit Canada Place from October to December after the conclusion of the Alaska season, as six ship calls offer various itineraries ranging from Hawaii to California.

Ships visiting Vancouver will continue to be able to connect to shore power, which allows a ship to shut down its engines and connect to BC Hydro's electrical grid while at dock. Port Metro Vancouver's Canada Place cruise terminal offers three shore power connection points and, since its inception, shore power in Vancouver has reduced greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by more than 11,000 tonnes.

"Vancouver's cruise industry continues to grow thanks, in part, to strategic marketing by Tourism Vancouver, Port Metro Vancouver and partners that positions Vancouver as the preferred home port for Alaskan cruises and focusses on increasing overnight stays pre- and post-cruising," said Ty Speer, President and Chief Executive Officer of Tourism Vancouver. "The industry generates over $120 million in spending at our city's hotels, restaurants, shops and attractions each year."

Work continues in 2015 to improve efficiency and optimize the passenger experience at Canada Place. Improvements will include the addition of two new escalators and an elevator, as well as additional check-in and embarkation space at the Vancouver Convention Centre. Ongoing improvements are paying off. Port Metro Vancouver was recognized with three prestigious awards at the 2015 Seatrade Cruise Global Conference, the cruise industry's largest convention, held in Miami, Florida. Receiving awards for Best Turnaround Destination, Most Efficient Port Facilities and Most Efficient Terminal Operation, Port Metro Vancouver received the most awards of any port.

New for 2015:

• 800,154 passengers expected on 227 calls by 32 cruise ships.
• Six inaugural ship calls are expected in Vancouver, including:
  • Jewel of the Seas (Royal Caribbean International)
  • Ruby Princess (Princess Cruise Lines)
  • Carnival Legend (Carnival Cruises)
  • L'Austral (Compagnie Du Ponant)
  • Le Boreal (Compagnie Du Ponant)
  • Silver Discoverer (Silversea)

View Port Metro Vancouver's 2015 Cruise Schedule.

About Port Metro Vancouver:

Port Metro Vancouver is Canada's largest port and the fourth 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.