| New Canada Place facilities, cruise ships highlight launch of Vancouver-Alaska cruise season |
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| New Canada Place facilities, cruise ships highlight launch of Vancouver-Alaska cruise season |
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| New Canada Place facilities, cruise ships highlight launch of Vancouver-Alaska cruise season New cruise ships and new facilities for passengers at Canada Place highlight the start of this year's cruise season at Port Vancouver with the arrival of Norwegian Cruise Line's Norwegian Wind on Monday, April 30. Port Vancouver welcomes seven new ships to its waters this year, five of which are newly built and represent nearly $2.6 billion (Cdn.) in investments. "Collectively these investments by the cruise lines help to reaffirm Vancouver's status as 'homeport' for the Vancouver-Alaska cruise. Coupled with our own $89 million to build a new berth by 2003 and new facilities at Canada Place, these industry investments show the Vancouver-Alaska cruise is well- positioned for future growth in this expanding sector," said Gordon Houston, VPA President and CEO. "The cruise sector has grown to become a vital part of the B.C. economy, contributing annually $508 million. Each ship that passes through our waters leaves $1.5 million in economic benefits," said David Stowe, Chairman, VPA. "With this year's new facilities and a new berth in 2003, we will continue to uphold Port Vancouver's international reputation for outstanding facilities and service that cruise lines and passengers enjoy year after year." Brand new are Holland America's Zaandam with a passenger capacity of 1,440, Royal Caribbean Cruises' Radiance of the Seas with a passenger capacity of 2,100, Celebrity Cruises' Infinity with a passenger capacity of 1,950, Carnival Cruise Line's Carnival Spirit with a passenger capacity of 2,124, and Radisson Seven Seas Cruises' Seven Seas Mariner with a passenger capacity of 700. New to Port Vancouver are Hapag Lloyd's Bremen with a passenger capacity of 164 and Cruise West's Spirit of Oceanus with a passenger capacity of 114. In total, 26 vessels from 13 cruise lines will make 328 sailings this year. While the number of sailings this year is down slightly from last year's 336 sailings, the projected number of revenue passengers is expected to remain constant. Canada Place is currently undergoing construction at a cost of $89 million for facilities and infrastructure. Construction on Canada Place began in March 2000. When finished, Canada Place will have an increased passenger- level area, an expanded baggage loading and unloading area increased from 133,000 sq. ft. to 189,000 sq. ft., as well as enhanced truck, bus and taxi access increased from 63,000 to 100,000 sq. ft. When the work is completed, Canada Place will be home to three berths: one at 1,600 feet, a second at 1,070 feet and a third at 900 feet. Port Vancouver is "homeport" to the Vancouver-Alaska cruise. During the 2000 cruise season, Port Vancouver welcomed 1,053,989 revenue passengers, an increase of 11 per cent over 1999's numbers. Last year was the 18th year of consecutive growth for cruise. Back by popular demand this year is the three- to four-day Pacific Northwest "pocket cruise" between Vancouver, Victoria and Seattle, which takes place this year on Royal Caribbean International's brand new ship, Radiance of the Seas. This unique, shorter cruise allows travelers a chance to sample a different itinerary. The pocket cruise has also grown cruise business over the shoulder months of May, September and October. Port Vancouver is popular for cruise customers because it offers shorter sailing time to Alaska and provides passengers with the flexibility of a full range of round-trip or one-way voyages. Port Vancouver has two modern cruise ship terminals: Canada Place, currently with two operational berths, and Ballantyne Pier, also with two berths. Following is this year's roster for the Vancouver-Alaska cruise: (Source: Vancouver Port Authority ) |
