Vancouver’s 2026 cruise season is set to make waves, with the first ship of the year, Disney Wonder, docking at Canada Place tomorrow as the city prepares for a record-breaking year.
The vessel will call at the Port of Vancouver as part of a repositioning voyage from Hawaii to San Diego, before returning in May for weekly Alaska sailings. The visit marks the first of nearly 360 cruise calls expected this year, with ships largely operating between May and September during the Alaska season.
More than 1.4 million passengers are forecast to pass through Canada Place in 2026 – a 5 per cent increase on the previous record set in 2024 and a 19 per cent jump on last year’s 300 cruise calls and nearly 1.2 million passenger visits.
“The Vancouver cruise sector and Canada Place cruise terminal continue to provide a powerful economic boost, as passengers visit shops, restaurants and local attractions, and cruise lines re-stock ships using Canadian suppliers,” said Cliff Stewart, Vice President of Operations and Supply Chain at the Vancouver Fraser Port Authority.
“We expect to see record cruise ship visits bring record numbers of visitors to Vancouver this year—injecting more than $1 billion into the economy. Collaboration and technology are going to play a crucial role delivering another successful local cruise season, as we look to welcome historic numbers of cruise tourists to our beautiful city.”
Biometrics & shore power
Technology continues to underpin the port’s growth strategy. Facial biometrics, introduced in 2024, has reduced the time it takes passengers to clear US border control by up to 94 per cent, with average transaction times now under 10 seconds compared to two to three minutes previously.
Sustainability is also front and centre. The port authority is partnering with the federal government to expand shore power at Canada Place, allowing more ships to connect to British Columbia’s hydro-powered grid. The project, supported through Transport Canada’s Green Shipping Corridors Program, is expected to prevent an additional 3,300 tonnes of greenhouse gas emissions per season. In 2025, more than 80 per cent of cruise calls were already shore power-enabled.
“Vancouver’s cruise sector is a powerful engine for tourism and trade, supporting thousands of jobs and generating significant economic activity across Canada,” said Minister of Transport Steven MacKinnon. “As another strong cruise season begins at the Port of Vancouver, our government is investing through Transport Canada’s Green Shipping Corridors Program to expand shore power at Canada Place reducing emissions while enabling continued growth. These investments strengthen our supply chains, support workers and local businesses, and help position Canada as a leader in sustainable marine transportation.”
Cruise volumes will also be boosted by the debut of Virgin Voyages and Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection, while Disney Cruise Line will homeport a second ship, Disney Magic, alongside Disney Wonder.
“Our Alaskan cruises have long been a favorite among guests seeking adventure and unforgettable experiences,” said Jose Fernandez, Vice President, Port Strategy, Development and Operations, Disney Cruise Line. “We’re excited to continue working with the Port of Vancouver, and we look forward to welcoming more families to discover Alaska’s breathtaking landscapes this season aboard the Disney Wonder and, for the first time, the Disney Magic.”
FIFA World Cup
The bumper season coincides with Vancouver hosting seven matches of the FIFA World Cup 2026, prompting warnings of strong accommodation demand.
“Vancouver will experience something of a perfect storm this summer when it comes to accommodation, with the height of a very busy cruise season overlapping with the city hosting FIFA World Cup 2026 matches,” President and CEO of Destination Vancouver, Royce Chwin, said.
“We know countless cruise passengers love to enjoy our beautiful city before or after their sailing and encourage everyone to book early to secure their stay. We expect unusually strong demand for accommodation across the city throughout summer.”
Canada Place cruise terminal was recently named North America’s Leading Cruise Port 2025 in the World Travel Awards and was a finalist for Best Port in North America 2025 in Europe’s Premios Cruceroadicto awards.
