Final cruise ship of the season docks in Vancouver, wrapping up a slower but strong year

The cruise ship Norwegian Sun is seen in Vancouver on Friday, June 27, 2025. (CTV News)

The 2025 cruise season is officially wrapping up with the Coral Princess docking at Canada Place early Tuesday morning, marking the end of another strong year for Vancouver’s waterfront.

Between March 5 and Oct. 21, the Vancouver Fraser Port Authority recorded 301 cruise ship visits and 1.2 million passengers — numbers that met the port’s expectations for the year.

“This year’s success underscores the cruise sector’s power as an economic engine,” said Shri Madiwal, Vice President of Operations and Supply Chain at the Vancouver Fraser Port Authority.

According to the port, cruise activity contributes more than $1 billion annually to the local economy, with each ship visit injecting an average of nearly $3 million into local businesses and services.

2025 met forecasts, but fell short of last year’s record

The port had projected more than 300 ship calls and 1.2 million passenger visits in 2025 — and those figures held true. But they fell just shy of 2024’s record-breaking totals, when Vancouver logged 327 ship calls and a 7 per cent increase in guest volume.

Last year, officials called it a milestone season, noting that passengers, crew and cruise lines spend more than $1.1 billion locally each year.

“Each sailing brings millions of dollars in passenger spending that circulates through hotels, restaurants, attractions, and suppliers, helping to strengthen our regional economy,” said Madiwal.

Vancouver remains a top gateway for Alaska cruises

Even without breaking records, the Port says Vancouver remains one of the top homeports in North America for Alaska-bound cruises.

Cruise activity continues to play a major role in supporting tourism, restaurants, hotels, and attractions throughout the region.

“As a gateway to Alaska, Vancouver offers our guests not only seamless embarkation but also the opportunity to immerse themselves in the vibrant culture and national beauty of this remarkable city,” said Jim Berra, Princess Cruise Chief Commercial Officer.

Looking ahead

The Port says early bookings point to another strong year, with even more cruise ship calls and cruise passenger visits expected at the Port of Vancouver.

“This year’s cruise season again delivered strong results, highlighting the sector’s importance to our regional economy,” said Royce Chwin, President and CEO of Destination Vancouver.

“Each sailing delivers measurable benefits supporting local jobs, and visitor spending across restaurants, attractions, transportation, and retail.”

As the Coral Princess departs Tuesday afternoon, it marks the official end of the 2025 season — another year that delivered more than a billion-dollar boost to Vancouver’s economy.