Best Pacific Ports Of Departure - Vancouver, Canada

Vancouver is counted among the world's most attractive cities, surrounded by high mountains, vast forests, and pristine Pacific beaches.

In the late 19th century the demand for wood was huge, and the tall Douglas Fir and Western Red Cedar woods in the region formed an unused source. Lumbering enterprises arrived to take advantage of nature's riches. The township of Granville was founded next to Burrard Inlet to service the growing woodcutting and woodsawing ventures. In 1871 British Colombia united with the Dominion of Canada after agreement was reached that a transcontinental railroad was constructed. Granville was picked as the west coast terminating stop.

In 1886, the city was renamed to Vancouver. Officials felt that the new name was more widely known (because of fashionable Vancouver island) and more suitable for the railway's terminus. In the same year the first ever Canadian Pacific Railway train arrived. However just 3 months later, on June 13, 1886, the Great Vancouver fire razed large parts of the city. A decade of reconstruction began, this time utilizing fireproof steel, bricks and paving.

Vancouver continued to grow all through the 20th century. Today the city has developed into a major business area, with excellent employment opportunities.

The city's good deep port has always had an essential part in its development. Initially timber and grain were the most important goods exported from the docks. Also the port functioned as a center for smaller ships transporting goods to townships north of Vancouver.

The crew members on these ships returned with tales of stunning scenery. Summer voyages up to Alaska were popular as long ago as the early 19th century, with several shipping companies offering week long cruises. Though just 2 vessels running summer cruises to Alaska remained by the 1950s. 1957 saw the establishment of Alaska Cruise Lines, which ran Yukon Star and the Glacier Queen. The company, now named Cruise West, was sold to Holland America in 1971. In 1975 Holland America based their large ship Prinsendam at Vancouver to make the most of the developing market. Princess quickly joined Holland America, with two ships, and this in turn attracted other lines to base ships in Vancouver for the season.

Further growth carried on, with cruise passenger volumes through Vancouver climbing from 20,000 in 1970 to 1 million in 2000. But in 2000 Seattle began cruise operations, and the new competitor sharply impacted Vancouver passenger numbers. By 2010 Vancouver cruise passenger numbers fell to 600,000.