Vancouver’s record-setting 2026 cruise season comes to a close

The last cruise ship of the 2026 season arrived in Vancouver on Monday, marking the end of what the industry is touting as another record-setting year.

More than 350 ships carrying over 1.4 million passengers arrived at Canada Place between February and October, a 20 per cent increase from the previous year, a statement from the Vancouver Fraser Port Authority said.

“We are thrilled to celebrate another successful cruise season, with more than $1 billion injected into the local economy as cruise lines and passengers increasingly make Vancouver a core part of their Alaska adventure,” said Jeff Scott, the authority’s vice-president of operations. He said the cruise sector supports local tourism, brings visitors to the city, and sustains businesses and jobs across the region, crediting the people involved for their work and dedication.

The port authority said more passengers are spending time and money in the city before and after their cruises than they did a few years ago. In 2023, 70 per cent of cruise passengers reported spending time in Vancouver; last year, that share rose to 76 per cent. Travellers from outside North America spend an average of 2.6 nights in the city, according to the statement.