Randall Shirley explains that Canada’s three busiest cruise ports are not just the gateway to other destinations, but destinations in themselves.
1. Halifax, NS—not just “fall colours” anymore.
It seems proper to arrive in Halifax by ship. After all, the city sits on one of the world’s largest natural harbours. In days gone by, this city—the largest North American Atlantic coastal city north of Boston—was a strategic stronghold for the British navy. It still boasts the must-see Citadel, perhaps the most magnificent in the Americas.
Passenger cruises have visited Halifax for many years, primarily to see fall colours. These days, they don’t wait for the autumn—instead cruisers visit from April to October for history, scenery and a funky, laid-back atmosphere that’s distinctly Halifax.
Who’s visiting:

• 125+ ship visits are scheduled for 2010, with a capacity of nearly 265,000 guests.
• Frequent visits by Holland America Line ms Maasdam, Carnival Glory, Caribbean Princess, Celebrity Cruises Summit, Norwegian Cruise Line Jewel & Spirit.
• Many other ships will stop by less frequently, including luxury liners from Silversea, Crystal Cruises, Cunard and the ultimate cruiser’s cruise ship: ResidenSea’s The World.

The hot spots:

• Farmer’s Market. In July, Halifax’s legendary Seaport Farmers’ Market is scheduled to move into its new, year-round home near the cruise terminal.
• Immigration Central. Canada’s first “cruise passengers” were immigrants; modern cruisers can step off their own ship and into immigrant history at Pier 21 Canada’s Immigration Museum.
• Tattoo: a military pageant to remember. Lucky Carnival Glory cruisers in port on July 1 can catch the over-the-top Royal Nova Scotia International Tattoo, which offers matinées on that date. Their ship sails out in the evening.

Something different:

• Titanic disaster exhibit. While it may cause some cruisers to pause before re-boarding their ships, the Maritime Museum of the Atlantic’s exhibit, Titanic The Unsinkable Ship, reminds viewers of Halifax’s role in the aftermath of the infamous disaster.

2. Victoria, BC—the most British spot in North America.
Victoria is almost equal distance from the major cities of Vancouver, BC, and Seattle, WA (USA), but in style and character it’s a million miles away from both.
As the southernmost point in western Canada, and arguably claiming the country’s warmest weather, Victoria is a uniquely different port on the Alaska cruise itinerary. Early British settlers to the region insisted on proper afternoon tea, a tradition still carried out daily at several Victoria restaurants and The Fairmont Empress Resort Hotel. The grand Empress and BC Legislative Building (capital) frame the Inner Harbour. Cruisers won’t catch that elegant scene from the ship—but the city runs a shuttle every 20 minutes between the cruise pier and downtown, a 10-minute journey.
Who’s visiting:

• 229 itineraries are scheduled to stop in Victoria this season as they make their way to and from Alaska. That represents more than 600,000 passengers.
• Regular stops are scheduled by all the major lines, including repeat visits by at least five Holland America Line ships, five Princess Cruises ships, and ships from Celebrity Cruises, Norwegian Cruise Line, Royal Caribbean International, and Carnival. High-end Silversea will make regular visits, too.

The hot spots:

• Inner Harbour. Visitors can be surprised getting nearly “buzzed” by seaplanes coming and going. The harbour itself is an actual airport. Cruisers will find activities all around the harbourfront, a fairly easy stroll requiring roughly 30 minutes to walk to/from the ship.
• Slow Food, organic food paradise. The small farms and restaurants around Victoria are among the world’s leaders in organics and the Slow Food movement. Cruisers who skip dinner on the ship to wait for a decadent meal on land will return from spots like Spinnakers Brewpub (famed for its microbrew beer), Restaurant Matisse or Nautical Nellie’s with tickled tastebuds. Those who choose to end a cruise in Victoria should seriously consider a half- or full-day farm and eatery tour. Divine.

Something different:

• Stay on in Victoria. Many cruisers don’t know it, but it is possible to end a US-based cruise in Victoria. Since many make only a brief stop in Victoria just prior to returning to a final US port, it is possible to have a travel agent arrange for disembarkation in Victoria without missing any of Alaska’s wonders.

3. Vancouver, BC—winter sports under a summer sun.
No cruiser should forget: Vancouver was “discovered” by an inveterate sailor, Captain George Vancouver. And as if the world wasn’t familiar with Canada’s west coast dream city, those crazy Vancouverites threw a giant party in February called the 2010 Winter Games to remind every person on the planet just what a dazzler their city is.
Tucked on the edge of the continent, Vancouver is truly among the world’s most visually stunning port cities, with a downtown of skyscrapers virtually surrounded by water and a wall of mountains for a backdrop. Vancouver’s cruise piers are in the middle of it all, and it can appear ships are practically docked in the middle of downtown.
Who’s visiting:
 

• The better question: “Who’s not?” Vancouver is the country’s busiest cruise port; in 2009, 250+ cruise ships stopped in, most of them using the city as a start/end port.
• Around 900,000 passengers began or ended their cruises in 2009 in Vancouver on ships from Carnival, Celebrity Cruises, Holland America Line, Norwegian Cruise Line, NYK Cruises, Princess Cruises, Regent Seven Seas Cruises and Royal Caribbean International.
• High-end Crystal Cruises and Silversea also visit Vancouver.

The hot spots:

• Hidden Artisans. Granville Island, a short cab ride from the ship, is home to several artisans so “secret” even locals don’t know about them. Snoopy guests find Railspur Alley to meet the Artisan Sake Maker and the wooden-boat craftsman at Alder Bay Boat Company. Then they ask a local to show them the way to nearby Go Fish, possibly the world’s best fish ‘n chips shack.
• A stroll around the sparkling-new Vancouver Convention Centre with its monstrous grass roof—next to Canada Place cruise terminal—gives cruisers a chance to visit the unique cauldron from the recent 2010 Winter Games.

Something different:

• Skiing in the middle of the summer. No kidding. For cruise passengers who crave a seriously sporting moment in their vacation, it’s possible to ski or ride on a massive glacier high atop Whistler Blackcomb (about 90 minutes from Vancouver), although an extra day should be added before or after the cruise to ensure this surreal experienced is not rushed!

www.hellobc.com
http://novascotia.com
 
video:
Halifax’s Farmers Market
 
Pier 21 in Halifax
 
Day Trip to Victoria
 
Granville Island Experience