Vancouver is the other major Alaska gateway, with one of the most scenic departures anywhere: ships leave right from downtown, pass under the Lions Gate Bridge and head up the sheltered Inside Passage. Canada Place is the region's main cruise terminal, with a sail-shaped roof that is a city landmark, and it is right next to Waterfront Station for SkyTrain and SeaBus.
Holland America, Princess, Royal Caribbean, Celebrity, Norwegian and Disney all run Alaska sailings from here, along with luxury and expedition lines including Regent Seven Seas, Silversea and Viking. Itineraries include seven-night round trips and one-way Gulf of Alaska voyages to or from Seward or Whittier (the ports for Anchorage), which let you see Glacier Bay or Hubbard Glacier and add a land tour.
Because you are starting in Canada, documents matter more than on a Seattle round trip. If you fly to Vancouver you need a passport (or another document valid for air entry to Canada), and Alaska-bound passengers handle U.S. entry formalities at a U.S. pre-inspection post at the port before boarding, which adds a step to check-in.
Where cruises from Vancouver go
- Alaska Glaciers, fjords, wildlife and frontier towns on a summer-only season through the Inside Passage and Gulf of Alaska.
Cruise lines sailing from Vancouver
- Holland America Line Mid-size ships, classic service and long, port-rich voyages, with deep roots in Alaska.
- Princess Cruises Classic, comfortable cruising with tech-smart service and an Alaska specialty.
- Royal Caribbean International Giant resort ships where the ship itself is the destination.
- Celebrity Cruises Modern premium cruising with design-led ships and a serious food focus.
- Norwegian Cruise Line Freestyle cruising: no fixed dinner times, no formal dress rules, lots of restaurants.
- Disney Cruise Line Family cruising built around Disney storytelling, characters and top-tier kids' clubs.
- Regent Seven Seas Cruises All-suite luxury where shore excursions, drinks and tips are built into the fare.
- Silversea Cruises Ultra-luxury small ships with butlers in every suite and expedition voyages to the ends of the earth.
- Viking Small, adults-only ocean ships with Scandinavian calm and a culture-first, mostly inclusive fare.
Line schedules change by season. We confirm which ships sail from Vancouver on your dates when we quote.
Cruise terminals
| Terminal | Used by |
|---|---|
| Canada Place Cruise Terminal On the downtown Vancouver waterfront next to Waterfront Station. | Holland America, Princess, Royal Caribbean, Celebrity, NCL, Disney, Regent, Silversea, Viking |
Getting there
From YVR, the Canada Line SkyTrain runs from the airport to Waterfront Station, steps from Canada Place, in roughly 25 minutes; it is the simplest option if you can manage your bags. Taxis and rideshare take about 25 to 35 minutes depending on traffic. Driving up from Seattle means a border crossing at Blaine, which can add significant waits on summer weekends.
- YVR Vancouver International Airport: about 9 miles
- BLI Bellingham International Airport (Washington): about 55 miles, plus a border crossing
- SEA Seattle-Tacoma International Airport: about 150 miles, plus a border crossing
Parking
Canada Place is in the middle of downtown, so parking means paid downtown garages, including parking at the Canada Place complex itself. Rates are city-center rates for a week or more, and most cruisers fly in and skip the car. If you drive, book a multi-day garage in advance and confirm in-and-out and overnight rules.
Where to stay the night before
Coal Harbour, downtown and Gastown hotels are walking distance or a short taxi ride from Canada Place. Many cruisers add a night or two to see Stanley Park and Granville Island.
Season: Roughly April or May through September or early October, following the Alaska season.
Embarkation-day tips
- Bring a passport. You need one (or a NEXUS card) to fly into Canada, and it is the easiest document for the cruise as well.
- Allow time for U.S. pre-inspection at the terminal on Alaska-bound sailings.
- Take the Canada Line SkyTrain from YVR to Waterfront Station if you are traveling light.
- If you are driving from Seattle, check border wait times before you leave.
- One-way cruises ending in Seward or Whittier need a plan for getting to Anchorage; book the transfer or train early.
Cruising from Vancouver: questions
Do I need a passport to cruise from Vancouver?
In practice, yes. U.S. citizens need a passport (or a NEXUS card) to fly into Canada, and a passport is the most straightforward document for the cruise itself.
Which cruise lines sail to Alaska from Vancouver?
Holland America, Princess, Royal Caribbean, Celebrity, Norwegian and Disney all sail from Canada Place, along with luxury and expedition lines such as Regent Seven Seas, Silversea and Viking.
How do I get from Vancouver airport to Canada Place?
The Canada Line SkyTrain runs from YVR to Waterfront Station, next to Canada Place, in about 25 minutes. Taxis and rideshare take roughly 25 to 35 minutes.
What is the difference between a round trip and a one-way Alaska cruise from Vancouver?
Round trips return to Vancouver and usually stay along the Inside Passage. One-way cruises sail between Vancouver and Seward or Whittier near Anchorage, covering more of the Gulf of Alaska and making it easy to add a land tour, but you need to fly home from Anchorage.
Sources and fact-checking (last checked October 14, 2026)
We write our own guides and check hard facts like fleet sizes, ship specs and published fees against these sources. Cruise lines change things often, so we re-confirm details in every quote. Spotted something out of date? Tell us.
