Record 1.4 million cruise ship passengers expected at Canada Place terminal in downtown Vancouver in 2026
The season then truly kicks into high gear, with cruise ships arriving at Canada Place almost every day from May 1 to Oct. 4. Multiple ships will be in port on most days of this period.
There will be nine days when four ships are expected at Canada Place: May 23, June 21, July 4, July 5, July 9, July 15, July 23, July 26, and August 22.
The busiest day of the season will be July 25, when five ships are expected.
The biggest new addition this season is the Disney Magic, which will be homeporting at Canada Place for the very first time — joining the local mainstay Disney Wonder, which has been serving Alaska itineraries from Vancouver each season for over a decade.
Disney Magic was built in 1997 and was the very first vessel of Disney Cruise Line. Disney Magic and Disney Wonder represent the Magic-class ships in Disney Cruise Line’s fleet, with Disney Wonder entering service in 1998.
Disney Cruise Line debuted its seasonal Alaska cruises from Canada Place in 2011 with Disney Wonder. Although the ship temporarily relocated to Seattle in 2012, it returned to Vancouver in 2013, drawn by Canada Place’s far superior passenger ratings.
Disney Wonder at Canada Place in downtown Vancouver. (Kenneth Chan)
Disney Wonder at the Canada Place in downtown Vancouver. (Macklin Holloway/Shutterstock)
With Disney Wonder and Disney Magic combined, Disney Cruise Line has effectively doubled its Vancouver capacity for the season. Disney Wonder will make 21 sailings from Canada Place this season, while Disney Magic will make 20 sailings. Disney Magic’s first-ever sailing from Vancouver will be on May 1.
“Our Alaskan cruises have long been a favourite among guests seeking adventure and unforgettable experiences,” said Jose Fernandez, vice president of port strategy, development, and operations for Disney Cruise Line, in a statement today.
“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.”
Both the Disney Wonder and Disney Magic have also been confirmed to return in 2027.
This 2026 season, two cruise lines will also sail from Vancouver for the very first time: Virgin Voyages and the Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection. Built in 2025, Brilliant Lady is the fourth vessel in the Virgin Voyages fleet and will make two sailings from Vancouver this season. Meanwhile, Luminara of the Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection is a smaller luxury ship.
Other ships sailing from Canada Place for the first time include Azamara Pursuit and Star Seeker.
The last ship of the 2026 season will be the Norwegian Encore on Nov. 13.
Discovery Princess cruise ship departing Vancouver’s Canada Place. (Kenneth Chan)
In total, the Vancouver Fraser Port Authority (VFPA) is expecting nearly 360 cruise ship visits at Canada Place in 2026 — a notable increase from 290 in 2019, 331 in 2023, 327 in 2024, and 301 visits in 2025.
This increase in visits and the addition of brand-new ships are also reflected in the port authority’s forecast for a record volume of over 1.4 million passengers — surpassing the 2024 record of 1.32 million and up from 1.2 million in 2025.
“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 VFPA, in a statement today, noting that the record passenger volumes are expected to generate over $1 billion in local economic spinoffs.
This sets up downtown Vancouver for a much busier summer season, with a record-breaking cruise ship season coinciding with the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
BC Place Stadium will be hosting a total of seven matches on June 13, June 18, June 21, June 24, June 26, July 2, and July 7.
The port authority is advising visitors travelling to Vancouver to board a cruise ship to book their hotel rooms early and to expect crowds in the city centre, especially if they are sailing during the tournament period.
The port authority also highlighted recent improvements to the efficiency and capacity of Canada Place, specifically the 2024 introduction of facial biometrics at the terminal’s U.S. border control. This reduced the time it takes passengers to pass through customs by up to 94 per cent, with average processing times dropping to less than 10 seconds, compared to two to three minutes when using passport kiosks and seeing a customs agent.
“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,” said Stewart.
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