Port Of Vancouver Posts Record-Breaking Cruise Ship Season In 2023

The final cruise vessel of 2023, Koningsdam, belonging to the Holland America Line, is all set to depart from the Canada Place cruise terminal situated at the Port of Vancouver on Tuesday, marking the conclusion of a robust year, especially for the local cruise industry, per a press release.

The Port of Vancouver is likely to have welcomed about 1.25 million guests this year, a new record that marks a 54% increase compared to that of 2022.

This also includes 15 of Canada Place’s 20 busiest days for cruise guests, occurring over the past six months.

There were about 332 cruise vessel calls between April and October this year, a new record for Canada’s Place cruise terminal and an increase of 9% compared to the 307 visits recorded in 2022.

The cruise returned to Vancouver this year after many seasons impacted by the pandemic, with this year experiencing record guest numbers, near-record cruise vessel visits, and the Canada Place terminal getting more international recognition as a best-in-class cruise facility, explained Peter Xotta, the vice president of supply chain and operations at the Vancouver Fraser Port Authority, which is the federal agency that’s mandated to facilitate Canada’s trade via the Port of Vancouver.

Cruise ship occupancy rates have averaged 95% for the season. It peaked at an average of 96% over the summer, the Port mentioned, as occupancy rates went back to pre-pandemic levels.

The cruise sector’s performance in 2023 has been a crucial catalyst for local tourism as well as hospitality industries, supporting numerous local jobs as well as businesses.

Partners, including Ceres Terminals Canada, Warehouse Union, the International Longshore, and cruise lines, are to be thanked for their hard work in ensuring that the busy season, encompassing 15 of Canada Place’s 20 busiest days, was seamless, stated Xotta.

Holland America Line joined the port authority on 24 October to celebrate the departure of Koningsdam and mark the end of a cruise season.

Beth Bodensteiner, the chief commercial officer associated with Holland America Line, said that they are honoured to have been a part of the Port of Vancouver’s greatest cruise season ever, with 25% of guests sailing on five Holland America Line vessels. This can be understood as further evidence that the whole cruise industry has rebounded fascinatingly. We are proud to call Vancouver a homeport and look forward to yet another wonderful season next year.

References: Cruise Industry News, Vancouver Sun

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