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Post by Starsteward on May 24, 2015 8:52:39 GMT -8
Vancouver's cruise ship terminal at Canada Place is among the finest facilities in the world. Yes there are many worthy competitors. However the unique location of the terminal, somewhat hidden from view until an inbound cruise ship traverses English Bay with the West side of the city in view, gliding past our unique urban forested jewel Stanley Park, winding around Prospect Point at First Narrows, squeezing under the Lions Gate bridge, visitors are still moments away from camera shots of the gleaming white sails of Canada Place.
With the 'green roof' of Canada Place West to starboard, uplifting white sails, with Red Maple Leaf flags flying in abundance to port, the towering city vista dead ahead, our eager visitors sense that they are about to disembark at a truly special destination.
We should be proud of our facilities and thankful they even exist. If it had not been for the tireless efforts of a senior cabinet minister of the provincial government of the day, we may well have been stuck with the old CPR docks.
Who was that cabinet minister and which federal political figure was the recipient of that 'visionary's' campaign?  |
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Post by WettCoast on May 24, 2015 9:32:53 GMT -8
We should be proud of our facilities and thankful they even exist. If it had not been for the tireless efforts of a senior cabinet minister of the provincial government of the day, we may well have been stuck with the old CPR docks. You know, in its day, the old CPR Pier B-C (that was on this site prior to Canada Pace) was a pretty nice facility itself (though, I agree, Canada Place is lovely). This post card photo, from Wiki, shows Pier B-C in its hey-day. See also: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/CPR_Pier_B_and_CAnd here is another photo taken by my brother (Mr. DOT) not long before Pier B-C was levelled to make room for the Canada Place conversion:  Fairsea (Sitmar Cruises, later became the Fair Princess with P&O/Princess) @ CPR Pier B-C (now Canada Place) Vancouver - c1981 photo © Mr. DOT by mrdot., on Flickr David (Mr. DOT) has an ever-expanding Flickr album of Vancouver cruise ships & ocean liners covering the years from the 1970's up through to about 2010. Have a look, here. |
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on May 24, 2015 10:18:11 GMT -8
Up until last year, Ballantyne Pier (located East of Downtown, in the industrial area) also provided overload capacity as required. Actually, this year I've seen three ships tied up at Canada Place so it shouldn't be a problem.
Because Ballantyne needed some upgrades with all the hype about security, it was probably just easier to shut it down. I suspect the realities of East Hastings Street did not appeal to the cruise industry either.
We can't forget the convention centre with the green roof was the fast cat fiasco of the BC Liberals - though it was covered up a LOT better.
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Post by Starsteward on May 24, 2015 10:21:11 GMT -8
We should be proud of our facilities and thankful they even exist. If it had not been for the tireless efforts of a senior cabinet minister of the provincial government of the day, we may well have been stuck with the old CPR docks. You know, in its day, the old CPR Pier B-C (that was on this site prior to Canada Pace) was a pretty nice facility itself (though, I agree, Canada Place is lovely). This post card photo, from Wiki, shows Pier B-C in its hey-day. See also: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/CPR_Pier_B_and_CAnd here is another photo taken by my brother (Mr. DOT) not long before Pier B-C was levelled to make room for the Canada Place conversion: Fairsea (Sitmar Cruises, later became the Fair Princess with P&O/Princess) @ CPR Pier B-C (now Canada Place) Vancouver - c1981 photo © Mr. DOT by mrdot., on Flickr David (Mr. DOT) has an ever-expanding Flickr album of Vancouver cruise ships & ocean liners covering the years from the 1970's up through to about 2010. Have a look, here. Thanks for the post.  I agree the CPR dock back in the day was quite the edifice. I remember years ago when I was a wee lad, going with my Dad who would give Granny a ride to the terminal from her home in New Westminster so that she could catch one of the night boats to Victoria. The boat was, for some reason always docked at the end of the pier, bow facing towards Coal Harbour. The walk seemed to be endless, as I got hauled along the dim corridor, finally the ship coming into view and watching Granny disappear into the lobby of the ship as white-coated stewards relieved her of her luggage. Then the walk back along that damned 10 mile corridor, or so it seemed, ah those were the days.
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Post by Starsteward on May 24, 2015 10:33:37 GMT -8
Up until last year, Ballantyne Pier (located East of Downtown, in the industrial area) also provided overload capacity as required. Actually, this year I've seen three ships tied up at Canada Place so it shouldn't be a problem. Because Ballantyne needed some upgrades with all the hype about security, it was probably just easier to shut it down. I suspect the realities of East Hastings Street did not appeal to the cruise industry either. All the colourful bunting, and gallons of fresh paint could never cover up the disgusting mess that Ballantyne Pier offered up as a cruise ship terminal. You're correct in your comments about security as well. Not an easy facility to secure. |
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Post by WettCoast on May 24, 2015 10:48:56 GMT -8
Up until last year, Ballantyne Pier (located East of Downtown, in the industrial area) also provided overload capacity as required. Actually, this year I've seen three ships tied up at Canada Place so it shouldn't be a problem. Because Ballantyne needed some upgrades with all the hype about security, it was probably just easier to shut it down. I suspect the realities of East Hastings Street did not appeal to the cruise industry either. We can't forget the convention centre with the green roof was the fast cat fiasco of the BC Liberals - though it was covered up a LOT better. Canada Place has had capacity to handle three ship at once for quite a few years (since 2001, according to Wiki). I don't know why they would have used Ballantyne at all (in recent years) unless there were actually four cruise ships in port simultaneously. With the loss of a good portion of the Alaska traffic to Seattle, it seems unlikely that there would be more than three ships at once. BTW, the biggest 'fast cat fiasco' of the BC Liberals was actually the creation of 'BC Ferry Services', and it makes the fast cat fiasco of the NDP look like small potatoes in comparison. It baffles me why these so-called 'Liberals' have managed to pull this off without greater scrutiny from the media, and BC citizens in general. |
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Post by Starsteward on May 24, 2015 12:12:52 GMT -8
Up until last year, Ballantyne Pier (located East of Downtown, in the industrial area) also provided overload capacity as required. Actually, this year I've seen three ships tied up at Canada Place so it shouldn't be a problem. Because Ballantyne needed some upgrades with all the hype about security, it was probably just easier to shut it down. I suspect the realities of East Hastings Street did not appeal to the cruise industry either. We can't forget the convention centre with the green roof was the fast cat fiasco of the BC Liberals - though it was covered up a LOT better. Canada Place has had capacity to handle three ship at once for quite a few years (since 2001, according to Wiki). I don't know why they would have used Ballantyne at all (in recent years) unless there were actually four cruise ships in port simultaneously. With the loss of a good portion of the Alaska traffic to Seattle, it seems unlikely that there would be more than three ships at once. BTW, the biggest 'fast cat fiasco' of the BC Liberals was actually the creation of 'BC Ferry Services', and it makes the fast cat fiasco of the NDP look like small potatoes in comparison. It baffles me why these so-called 'Liberals' have managed to pull this off without greater scrutiny from the media, and BC citizens in general. Canada Place can definitely handle 3 large ships now and actually there is room at Canada Place East and West for ships like the Seven Seas Navigator, Regatta, Silver Shadow et al. The 2015 cruise ship berth assignment schedule shows no more than 3 ships in port on any given day. Tuesdays and Thursdays show few or no arrivals.
Let's just hope the U.S. Federal government never gets around to changing the Jones Act or we could lose more traffic to U.S. ports, especially Seattle. Keeping in mind the Port of Seattle can only handle a certain amount of traffic. Two other factors give us an edge as to Companies choosing ports of call in that Vancouver and Victoria require less time to get to and from Alaska and as long as our dollar remains below the U.S. greenback, the cost of goods and services in Canada is less as well. It all adds up.
I'd comment on your comments about the BC Liberal's 'fast cat fiasco' ( I agree with you whole-heartedly), but this afternoon is carpet cleaning day at my abode and my steam machine beckons.
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Post by WettCoast on May 24, 2015 12:59:29 GMT -8
Vancouver has another rather important handicap, that being clearance under the Lions Gate Bridge, and clearance at Seymour Narrows, also. As more mega-ships come on line they will have to give Vancouver a miss because of these clearance issues. Hopefully the trend in favour of really gigantic ships will stop. Smaller ships are a better way to cruise for many reasons.
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Post by northwesterner on May 24, 2015 16:02:26 GMT -8
Because Ballantyne needed some upgrades with all the hype about security, it was probably just easier to shut it down. I suspect the realities of East Hastings Street did not appeal to the cruise industry either. Ballantyne had easy access to/from the airport via Knight Street. Also, many motorcoaches travel to/from Canada Place via Main Street, which goes through a not-much-better than Hastings Street neighborhood. |
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Post by Deleted on May 24, 2015 22:34:41 GMT -8
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Post by Low Light Mike on May 30, 2015 0:29:19 GMT -8
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Post by Low Light Mike on May 30, 2015 16:21:09 GMT -8
HAL Noordam, southbound at Kelsey Bay, BC. - evening of May 29, 2015 A floating condo building... First appearance is always a thrill, at this spot  DSC08841-2015 by Mike Bonkowski, on Flickr  DSC08845-2015 by Mike Bonkowski, on Flickr  DSC08849-2015 by Mike Bonkowski, on Flickr ------------------ With Mt. George in the background:  DSC08855-2015 by Mike Bonkowski, on Flickr  DSC08857-2015 by Mike Bonkowski, on Flickr  DSC08859-2015 by Mike Bonkowski, on Flickr -----------------------  DSC08863-2015 by Mike Bonkowski, on Flickr |
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Post by Low Light Mike on May 30, 2015 19:15:23 GMT -8
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on May 31, 2015 9:00:17 GMT -8
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Post by Low Light Mike on May 31, 2015 16:43:36 GMT -8
Here is HAL Noordam, southbound at Kelsey Bay BC.
- evening of May 29, 2015
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Post by Low Light Mike on Jun 1, 2015 7:47:15 GMT -8
Here's my HAL Noordam video of her passing by Campbell River
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Post by Low Light Mike on Jun 5, 2015 19:38:20 GMT -8
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Post by Low Light Mike on Jun 7, 2015 8:04:32 GMT -8
Celebrity Infinity leaving Nanaimo, on June 5, 2015.
- with Quinsam
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Post by WettCoast on Jun 15, 2015 22:18:36 GMT -8
Carnival Legend of Carnival Cruises arrives off Victoria, prior to berthing at Ogden Point on Monday evening, 15 June 2015  © WCK-JST by JST, on Flickr
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Post by WettCoast on Jun 19, 2015 9:13:14 GMT -8
Seven Seas Navigator (IMO 9064126), seen @ Canada Place, Vancouver on 17 June 2015. On the right of this photo you can spot the Burrard Otter (the first) heading back to North Van. I was on my way to the airport & had just gotten off her ( BO, that is). Both the original 1970's SeaBus sisters were in service when I crossed the harbour in the early afternoon on Wednesday.  © WCK-JST by JST, on Flickr
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Neil
Voyager 
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Post by Neil on Jul 31, 2015 20:48:06 GMT -8
Celebrity Millennium gets a bomber escort through the troubled waters of Burrard Inlet, and then passes by the Seaspan Doris, still stationary on the north shore.
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Koastal Karl
Voyager
Been on every BC Ferry now!!!!!
Posts: 7,747
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Post by Koastal Karl on Aug 2, 2015 19:53:17 GMT -8
I wanna do a trip to Vancouver to see the ships at Canada Place one day. I am wondering is Prospect Point in Stanley Park a good place to watch the ships sail under the Lions Gate?? Where are good viewing areas too see the ships sail out of Vancouver?? I am hoping to go on a Sunday to see the Infinity and maybe if I do an overnight Saturday too!
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Post by WettCoast on Aug 2, 2015 20:13:22 GMT -8
I wanna do a trip to Vancouver to see the ships at Canada Place one day. I am wondering is Prospect Point in Stanley Park a good place to watch the ships sail under the Lions Gate?? Where are good viewing areas too see the ships sail out of Vancouver?? I am hoping to go on a Sunday to see the Infinity and maybe if I do an overnight Saturday too! I am kind of partial to water level shots from along the Seawall in Stanley Park, or on the North Shore at Ambleside (sp?) near Park Royal Mall. Parking in Stanley Park can be a pain & it is expen$ive. |
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Post by WettCoast on Aug 3, 2015 17:11:11 GMT -8
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Koastal Karl
Voyager
Been on every BC Ferry now!!!!!
Posts: 7,747
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Post by Koastal Karl on Aug 3, 2015 18:14:02 GMT -8
I have been on one of the sister ships to the Carnival Legend the Carnival Miracle we sailed last Sept from Vancouver to Hawaii to LA 16 nights. Only thing I dident like about that class of ship is there was no forward viewing lounge. Every ship I have been on before that has had one.
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I agree the CPR dock back in the day was quite the edifice. I remember years ago when I was a wee lad, going with my Dad who would give Granny a ride to the terminal from her home in New Westminster so that she could catch one of the night boats to Victoria. The boat was, for some reason always docked at the end of the pier, bow facing towards Coal Harbour. The walk seemed to be endless, as I got hauled along the dim corridor, finally the ship coming into view and watching Granny disappear into the lobby of the ship as white-coated stewards relieved her of her luggage.
