The Port of Vancouver says it's planning for cruise ships to return in the new year.
On Feb. 4, Transport Minister Omar Alghabra announced that cruise vessels carrying over 100 passengers would not be able to enter Canadian waters until Feb. 28, 2022.
The temporary measures for pleasure craft and cruise ships were scheduled to end on Feb. 28, 2021, but Transport Canada stated that the safety of transportation workers was a top priority and that "cruise vessels in Canadian waters pose a risk to our health care systems."
Alghabra then held a press conference in Victoria on July 15 to announce that the country intends to be open for a 2022 cruise season. And, as of Nov. 1, cruise ships are no longer banned in Canadian waters.
Now, with guidance from Transport Canada, the Port of Vancouver says it is looking forward to welcoming guests in the spring of 2022.
"We have been working together with all levels of government, communities, industry, destination and cruise partners to ensure the safe and successful restart of cruise in Vancouver," said Port of Vancouver Spokesperson Matti Polychronis in an emailed statement to Vancouver is Awesome.
"We are looking forward to welcoming guests back at Canada Place Cruise Terminal in early April 2022."
Vancouver Fraser Port Authority data show that Vancouver welcomed more than one million passengers in 2019. It is estimated that each docked cruise ship brings in about $3 million in economic impact to Metro Vancouver.
With files from Glen Korstrom.
