Cruise: Metro Vancouver
Port Metro Vancouver: Last Ship of 2015 Brings Longer-Than-Usual Cruise Season to a Close
Port Metro Vancouver said farewell to the last ship of its 2015 cruise season with the December 16 sailing of the Ruby Princess from Canada Place.
Passenger volumes for the 2015 Vancouver cruise season remained strong, with more than 800,000 passengers on 228 calls by 32 different vessels.
The 2015 season began early and ended later than usual this year due to new itineraries to Hawaii and the California coast by Princess Cruises, in addition to the traditional 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 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 cut greenhouse gas emissions by more than 2,200 metric tons a year.
Earlier this year, Port Metro Vancouver completed improvements to the Canada Place cruise terminal that included adding two escalators and an elevator, making use of additional check-in space at the Vancouver Convention Centre, and installing ten automated passport control kiosks.
According to the port authority, each vessel call at Canada Place stimulates more than C$2 million in economic activity. Annual impacts derived from cruise industry activity include approximately 283,000 hotel-night stays in Vancouver and more than 440,000 around the province, generating some 6,000 direct and indirect jobs, C$220 million in wages, and tax revenues for municipal, provincial and federal governments.
Ruby Princess prepares to depart Canada Place on Vancouver’s final sailing of the 2015 cruise season
Photo/Port Metro Vancouver