Things To Do In Vancouver Before An Alaska Cruise

I flew into Vancouver, mid afternoon on the day before boarding my cruise to Alaska with Princess Cruises. It didn’t give me the time that I wanted in order to explore Vancouver, but there were plenty of things to do in Vancouver before my Alaskan cruise. It gave me enough time to explore the city’s coastal charm without feeling rushed with no car required!

Vancouver’s cruise terminal at Canada Place is right downtown which makes it easy to explore nearby highlights before boarding the ship the next day. In this post, I’ll outline the best things to do in Vancouver before an Alaska cruise, together with optional activities to add if you have a bit more time for sightseeing.

Things To Do In Vancouver Before Cruising To Alaska

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I always recommend arriving at your port city at least one day before embarkation. This will allow you to time to acclimatize yourself to time changes, if there is one. It will also make boarding day less chaotic and much more relaxing.

If you opt to arrive the day before, it’s always fun to have an adventure or two planned – especially if you’ve never been to the port city before. On my Alaska cruise, I arrived mid afternoon the day before, so I wasn’t able to take in many of the popular Vancouver sites, but these are the ones that I did manage to see. Even though it doesn’t seem like I saw a lot, I loved my time in Vancouver and it was more than enough time to take in the city’s beauty before boarding the ship to Alaska.

Explore Canada Place & the Waterfront

Start your pre-cruise experience right where your ship will depart. Canada Place offers scenic views of Burrard Inlet, the North Shore Mountains, and seaplanes landing on the water. If you arrive early enough, you might even consider taking a tour by seaplane.

Taking a walk along the waterfront promenade is an ideal way of loosening up your muscles after a day of travel. It also helps you get oriented before cruise day.

Browse The Shops And Food Stalls At Granville Island

Granville Island is an absolute must visit if you arrive in Vancouver early enough the day before departing on your Alaskan cruise. It’s a lively destination known for its public market, where you can purchase seafood, baked goods, and goods created by local artisans.

Granville Island is an easy spot to wander, people-watch, and pick up unique Canadian souvenirs or to even try some traditional Canadian food before heading back to your hotel.

You don’t need a vehicle to visit Granville Island from the cruise port. You can either book a city and Granville Island tour or book a ferry and explore the island on your own.

Visit Gastown For History, Shops, And Dining

I would finish your day off in Gastown. It’s one of Vancouver’s most walkable and charming neighbourhoods with lots of local boutiques. This is where I recommend having dinner, as there are plenty of dining options that fit every budget. It’s also a short distance from the cruise port.

Don’t forget to see the famous Steam Clock before heading to your hotel for the night.

Do Some Last Minute Shopping

This is not my favourite thing in the world to do, but I usually forget to pack something. My cruise to Alaska was no different. Downtown Vancouver has plenty of shops near the cruise terminal where you can pick up any travel items that you forgot.

Watch The Sunset At Coal Harbour

Since you’re gearing up for a few busy days at sea, you won’t want to party late into the evening. I recommend, grabbing a latte and enjoy the sunset at Coal Harbour before calling it a night.

Take A Walk Along The Seawall Or Visit Stanley Park

If you arrive in Vancouver the day before your ship departs for Alaska, you won’t have time to do both the seawall and Stanley Park. Since I had already been to Stanley Park before, I opted to take a long walk along the seawall. You can also rent a bike it you don’t have the time to walk. If you choose to walk, it can be as long or as short as you want it to be, but you can easily spend 2 hours strolling the seawall.

If you have a longer period of time, I recommend biking at Stanley Park if you haven’t already. It’s definitely a “must see” attraction when visiting Vancouver.

The ocean and mountain views along the seawall, offers a perfect preview of the scenery you’ll experience once you get to Alaska.

Just One Tip: Walking the seawall or biking through Stanley Park can be done in the morning of embarkation.

Stay Near The Cruise Terminal

If you want a relaxing morning and seamless boarding, make sure that you book a hotel that’s close to Canada Place. Many hotels are within walking distance to port, which will make embarkation less chaotic and stressful.

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Exchange Hotel Vancouver ⭐⭐⭐⭐

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Things To Do In Vancouver For 2 Days Before An Alaska Cruise

If you arrive in Vancouver, 2 days prior to departing to Alaska, the top things to do in Vancouver before you leave are:

Final Thoughts

Arriving in Vancouver the day before your Alaska cruise is the perfect way to ease into vacation mode. Vancouver offers plenty to see and do with overpacking your schedule, and all of these attractions are within walking distance from the cruise port.

With all the things to do in Vancouver before an Alaska cruise, even spending a few extra hours will add memorable moments before your cruise even begins. And I have to warn you – you’ll fall in love with Vancouver and want to come back!