cruise ship ports vancouver

Port of Vancouver

Guide to Cruise Ports and Terminals

Vancouver Cruise Port

The Vancouver Cruise Terminal is the departure point for most Alaska bound cruises.  Many transpacific and coastal cruises also depart from this picturesque port.

The Vancouver Cruise Terminal is conveniently located at Canada Place in the heart of downtown Vancouver.  The Vancouver Convention Centre East is located in the same facility.

Public Transportation

Port shuttle.

Due to its central Vancouver location, a port shuttle in not required.

Metro Service

The Canada Line connects the Vancouver cruise port with Vancouver International Airport (YVR).  The SkyTrain transports passengers from downtown Vancouver to the eastern suburbs.  Waterfront Station is located one block east of the cruise terminal.

Ferry Service

The Vancouver SeaBus travels connects Waterfront Station in downtown Vancouver to the city of North Vancouver.

Hop-on Hop-off Bus

The hop-on hop-off bus picks up passengers directly in front on the cruise terminal.

Coach Service

Coach service is available from downtown Vancouver to Victoria, Whistler, Seattle and Seattle Airport.  The coach to Victoria travels via a ferry boat to Vancouver Island.  The 1.5 hour ferry ride is included in the cost of a ticket.

Visitor Information

Vancouver bc.

The Vancouver Visitor's Guide provides comprehensive tourist information.

The top attractions in Vancouver include the following:

• Granville Island
• Museum of Anthropology
• Science World
• Space Centre / Planetarium
• Stanley Park
• Vancouver Art Gallery

Whistler BC

Whistler BC is the picturesque mountain resort community is 129 km (90 minutes) north of Vancouver.

Access the Whistler Vacation Guide to learn about this popular destination.  It can be accessed easily by coach from Vancouver or Vancouver International Airport. 

Map of the Vancouver Cruise Terminal

View map of the Vancouver Cruise Terminal .

Canadian Currency

The Canadian Dollar (CDN) is used in Canada.  It is worth approximately USD $0.75. 

Weather in Vancouver BC

Vancouver enjoys a mild climate throughout the year.  The best time of year to visit is between May and October.

Free Wifi Service

Free Internet access is available at the underground food court directly across from the cruise terminal.  It is also available at at McDonalds' restaurants and other restaurants and cafes.

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Vancouver, BC, Canada

Cruises from Vancouver depart from spring through fall. Located on the southwestern coast of British Columbia, Vancouver is Canada's third most populous city. The bustling metropolis is known for its cultural diversity, which is on display in areas like Chinatown, brimming with authentic eateries and apothecaries. Gastown, Vancouver's oldest neighborhood, exudes historic charm thanks to cobblestone streets and Victorian architecture harmoniously interspersed with trendy boutiques and galleries. Outdoor activities abound in the urban Stanley Park, home to gardens, beaches, trails, totem poles and the seawall amid a lush forested setting totaling about 1,000 acres. The city is a jumping-off point for whale-watching tours, which reward keen eyes with glimpses of orcas and humpback whales as well as pelicans, puffins and bald eagles. A short hop northward across the harbor into North Vancouver is Capilano Suspension Bridge Park, where seven bridges and a cliff walk delight thrill-seekers.

Driving Directions and Parking Information Canada Place Ship Terminal 999 Canada Place Vancouver, BC, CANADA The Port of Vancouver is 25 minutes from Vancouver's International Airport (YVR). Parking is available at the Canada Place Ship Terminal for C$26.00 per day (for 3 days or more). Rates are subject to change by the Port Authority. Traveling North from I-5 - Take I-5 which will become Provincial Route 99 N. Take the Marine Drive West ramp. Stay straight to go onto SW Marine Drive. SW Marine Drive becomes Granville Street. Granville Street becomes Granville Street/ Granville Bridge. Take the HWY-99N/Seymour Street ramp towards BC ferries/Horseshoe Bay/Whistler. Stay straight to go onto Seymour Street. Turn left onto W Georgia Street. Turn right onto Burrard Street. Burrard Street becomes Burrard Place which becomes Waterfront Road W. The Ship Terminal should be visible from Waterfront Road.

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Port of Vancouver bc Hotels

Hotel or Motel in Vancouver, BC

Most Cruise ships dock in Vancouver at the Canada Place Terminal, which is the primary port facility. Other vessels tie up at the Ballantyne Pier.

The main facility is located in the downtown area, next to the convention center. Most ships anchor here, and mostly likely you will embark and/or disembark at Canada Place. Waterfront Station is less than 10 minutes’ walk away.

Downtown Vancouver is quite compact so you will not be far from the cruise ship terminal. Some hotels are located within easy walking distance, other properties are located a short cab ride away.

Cheap Deals for Cruise Hotels

Destination, check-in date, check-out date.

Closest Hotels to Canada Place

Very handy for boarding is the Pan Pacific Hotel , located on Vancouver’s waterfront and adjacent to Canada Place cruise ship terminal. It’s a beautiful property, boasting amazing views. From the hotel you can see ships sail in. There is also the Fairmont Waterfront hotel across the street. These are the closest hotels from the terminal , both located within easy walking distance (no shuttle required).

There are quite a few first class hotels that are within four or five blocks , within walking distance, or a short inexpensive taxi ride away from the cruise docks. Most downtown hotels are only a $10 to $15 ride to the cruise port, accommodation so close to the pier that you can consider a more budget friendly hotel without a free shuttle service and pay a small fee for the cab.

# Read also: What are the Best Hotels near Vancouver Cruise Port?

4 Hotels in Vancouver with Free Shuttle Service (Walking Distance) to Cruise Port

1. auberge vancouver hotel ★★★★.

Distance from Cruise Port : 4 minutes walk Walking Distance (No Shuttle Needed)

2. Atrium Inn Vancouver ★★★

Distance from Cruise Port : 8 minutes Free Shuttle (Affordable Hotel)

3. Pan Pacific Vancouver Hotel ★★★★★

Distance from Cruise Port : 1 minute Walking Distance (No Shuttle Needed)

4. Fairmont Waterfront ★★★★★

• Canada Place Cruise Terminal
• Ballantyne Cruise Terminal
• Port for Alaska Cruises
• City of Vancouver

Nearest Airports

Car parking.

• Seward Alaska Hotels
• Anchorage Alaska Hotels

Vancouver waterfront hotel adjacent to Canada Place cruise ship terminal. Top Location !

Very popular and highly recommended downtown Vancouver BC hotel.

Excellent 4 star hotel within walking distance of Canada Place Cruise Passenger Terminal.

Cruise ships dock in either Canada Place or Ballantyne passenger terminals

Port Metro Vancouver in Canada – Where to Stay ?

Vancouver’s cruise ship terminal Canada Place resembles a ship with its motif of five large sails. Located in the heart of the city, the terminal is right beside downtown hotels, restaurants and shops. Ballantyne cruise terminal , mainly used by Norwegian Cruise Line, is located east of downtown Vancouver (10 minutes). Many accommodation is located within close distance of the cruise terminal.

Hotel prices are somewhat cheaper around the airport, Richmond area than in downtown. Many discounted hotels or cheap motels are located close to Vancouver’s international airport, most properties offer a free airport shuttle service too, and free car parking. Next morning take a taxi or shuttle to the cruise port terminal. Alternatively you can take the Sky-Train (subway) to downtown.

See Also # Best Hotels in Vancouver Canada Place ( Cruise Terminal ) # Cruise, Hotel & Airport Transfers

Canada Place and Ballantyne Cruise Ship Terminals

Vancouver Canada Place Cruise Terminal — most ocean liners tie up right at the waterfront in downtown Vancouver, at the Canada Place cruise terminal. Canada Place consists out of the five-star Pan Pacific Vancouver Hotel and the Vancouver Convention and Exhibition Centre. The Vancouver Float Plane (Seaplane) terminal is 2 blocks away.

The facility is owned and operated by Port Metro Vancouver and can service up to 4 luxury cruise ships. Plenty of affordable and more luxurious hotels can be found within close distance. The terminal is directly across the street from the Fairmont Waterfront hotel and one block from the Fairmont Pacific Rim hotel.

The facility is located in the heart of downtown, right by Waterfront station. The Waterfront station is frequently served by buses, the SeaBus (to North Vancouver), the West Coast Express commuter train and the SkyTrain.

Address : 999 Canada Place

Taxi Rates to Canada Place Terminal

From Vancouver International Airport (YVR) – $30-$35

From Downtown Hotels – $5-$8

From Stanley Park/Vancouver Aquarium – $13-$15

From Tsawwassen Ferry Terminal – $65-$70

From Horseshoe Bay Ferry Terminal – $40-$45

From the Bus Depot – $11-$13

Ballantyne Pier Cruise Terminal — the cruise pier at Ballantyne is located east of the city centre, not far from Canada Place. The Ballantyne pier is frequently used by NCL (Norwegian Cruise Line).

The pier is about 10 minutes by taxi from most downtown Vancouver BC hotels. Ballantyne is about 40 minutes from Vancouver YVR international airport (approximate driving time 45 minutes).

Berths : 2 (East Berth and West Berth)

Address : 851 Centennial Road

How to get to Ballantyne cruise facility from downtown

Driving : from downtown proceed east on Hastings Street to Clark Drive. Turn left on Clark to the foot of Clark and turn right on Stewart Street. Proceed to Ballantyne which is almost 1KM west of the foot of Clark. Ballantyne pier is on your right-hand side.

Taxi Rates to Ballantyne Pier

From Vancouver International Airport (YVR) – $40

From Downtown Hotels – $15

From Stanley Park/Vancouver Aquarium – $20

From Tsawwassen Ferry Terminal – $75

From Horseshoe Bay Ferry Terminal – $50

From the Bus Depot – $12

phone: 604.665.9000

fax: 1.866.284.4271

web : portmetrovancouver.com

Leading homeport for Alaska Cruises

Ships leaving the harbor of Vancouver sail pass the massive green of Stanley Park, beneath the iconic Lions Gate Bridge to the natural wonders of the Inside Passage and Alaska. For many years the port of Vancouver is a leading homeport for Alaska cruises.

Several cruise companies such as Norwegian Cruise Line (NCL), Celebrity Cruises, Royal Caribbean (RCL), and Princess Cruises offer roundtrip or one-way cruises to Alaska ( Anchorage Whittier , Seward Alaska ). Vessels berth at either Canada Place or Ballantyne passenger piers. Amenities for cruiseship passengers include individual baggage carts, food and drink concessions, full wheelchair access, full customs service, car and bus parking and taxis.

Some motels and hotels or located within walking distance, many properties are only a short cab ride away.

Guests staying downtown can visit a variety of city centre attractions, shopping on Robson Street is within easy reach. The Vancouver Art Gallery and Queen Elizabeth Theater are within walking distance of many establishments.

Western Canada’s largest City, located in British Columbia

Vancouver is Western Canada’s largest city. The city, located in British Columbia, is sheltered by Vancouver Island and the Pacific Range mountains. Vancouver boasts superb outdoor activities and great shopping opportunities, fine dining and lively nightlife. From affordable place to stay, to luxury 4 and 5 star hotels, to comfortable b&b’s, to self-catered apartments, we can offer you great value accommodations before or after your cruise vacation out of Vancouver in BC Canada.

Nearby the Canada Place passenger terminal is Gastown , the oldest part of the city. A must see is the steam powered clock standing at the corner of Cambie and Water Street.

Vancouver is a multicultural city with a rich ethnic mix of Canadians and foreign immigrants. Immerse yourself in Chinese culture in North America’s second largest Chinatown, after San Francisco. It’s centred on Pender Street near Gastown in downtown Vancouver BC, a few blocks east of the cruise terminal.

Do not miss a visit to Stanley Park with its totem poles, miles of walking trails and spectacular views of the city and the bay. Definitely worth is renting a bike to see everything in this huge park. Situated right on the waterfront on Vancouver’s west side is Granville island. It’s a fun place to visit, shop and to grab a quick bite. You can get there by aqua seabus or false creek ferry. The view from the boat is worth the trip.

Take the free shuttle from Canada Place to get to the top of Grouse Mountain by gondola. Reachable by cable car, Grouse Mountain is a favourite spot for skiing, paragliding and hiking. By the end of the day take a harbour cruise along the coast of Vancouver. Admire the wonderful skyline of the city and see seaplanes taking off and landing. During the cruise you will get also a great insight into Vancouver’s port and other maritime industries.

Whistler — 80 miles north of Vancouver, British Columbia, lies the resort municipality of Whistler . This world renowned town offers world class ski and mountain bike facilities. Take a ride with the Whistler Gondola to admire the spectacular scenery. Whistler boasts also a wide variety of first class restaurants, shops and luxury hotels.

Vancouver Intercontinental Airport (YVR) — YVR airport is appoximately 30 minutes away from the cruise terminals. The airport is located on Sea Island in Richmond, British Columbia, Canada, about 12 km or 7.5 miles from Downtown Vancouver. Shuttles, taxis and limousines are readily available to transport passengers to downtown hotels.

Seattle-Tacoma International Airport — 162 miles to pier, approximate driving time 4 hours. See hotels nearby .

Parking — both Canada Place and Ballantyne Pier offer plenty of short-term parking for picking up and dropping off cruise passengers and their luggage.

More than 750 car spaces for long-Term overnight parking near Canada Place are available at the VINCI Park 2 level parking garage, located at the North end of Howe Street at Canada Place Way. It is accessible 24 hours per day.

Reasonable priced lodging with shuttle service transport

Pre or Post cruise accommodation with free shuttle service to the piers — only a few hotels offer a shuttle service to the Canada Place embarkation terminal.

Hotels with free shuttle service to/from the Airport — many places to stay around Vancouver airport provides a free complimentary 24hour shuttle transportation service to and from international airport.

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Vancouver Cruise Port Parking

Last updated on February 4th, 2024 at 11:32 am

Parking near the cruise port in Vancouver is readily available with multiple options. Passengers can choose from on-site parking or airport lots, providing secure and convenient parking for the duration of their cruise.

Vancouver Cruise Parking At Terminal

Vancouver canada place cruise terminal- offsite parking, cruise planning at this port.

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Nanaimo BC (Vancouver Island Canada)

Cruise port schedule, live map, terminals, news.

Region West Coast USA and Canada

Local Time 2024-05-13 00:19

Port Nanaimo BC cruise ship schedule shows timetable calendars of all arrival and departure dates by month. The port's schedule lists all ships (in links) with cruises going to or leaving from Nanaimo BC, Vancouver Island Canada. To see the full itineraries (ports of call dates and arrival / departure times) and their lowest rates – just follow the corresponding ship-link.

Nanaimo is a port city located on Vancouver Island (BC Canada). Aka "Harbour City", Nanaimo was previously known as "Hub City" attributing to its central location on the island. The city has a total area of approx 91 km2 (35 mi2) and population over 92,000. Nanaimo is approx 40 mi (65 km) from Vancouver BC (across Strait of Georgia), approx 100 mi (160 km) north of Victoria BC (Vancouver Island) and approx 195 mi (315 km) north of Seattle WA (USA).

Port Nanaimo

Nanaimo Port Authority (NPA) operates inner Harbour Basin marina which provides mooring for smaller ships. WE Mills Landing and Marina provides mooring for larger vessels. Nanaimo's cruising season runs between early May and early October.

In 2016, port's tonnage volumes increased by 61% over 2015. The number of vessels handling raw logs at Assembly Wharf doubled, and the number of handled containers increased by 21%. The port handles by 25 to 30 cruise ship visits per season, with economic impact on the local economy around USD 150,000.

In 2017, NPA (port authority) applied for federal funding to expand Duke Point terminal. The project is to double the facility's size to handle larger vessels and to expand its paved area to handle more cargo.

In 2016, the port was visited by over 3200 recreational boats (mainly from the USA), so the development plans may include upgrading the yacht marina. In 2017 were handled 6 cruise ship calls (economic impact USD 2,87 million) with nearly 10,400 passengers plus 4,450 crew.

In early-August 2018, the seaport signed a 25-year lease agreement (until 2043) with WCMRC (Western Canada Marine Response Corporation) for the corporation's new oil spill response base serving operations on Vancouver Island. By the deal, the Port leased nearly 130,000 ft2 (12080 m2) of land and water areas at Nanaimo Harbour. WCMRC's new base's expected cost is ~USD 10 million. Here will be homeported 15 response vessels with up to 35 full-time personnel. The 1976-founded WCMRC (Transport Canada-certified company) protects British Columbia's coastal waters from marine spills.

In 2018, in Port Nanaimo was constructed Vehicle Processing Centre (VPC) - a 60,000 ft2 (5570 m2) covered parking facility for European automobiles. The storage houses the import cars prior to their delivery to BC Canadian dealerships for sale. Towards this project, the Canadian government committed CAD 6,3 million. Around 200 jobs were created during the construction period plus ~100 permanent jobs following the inauguration in April 2019. New car terminal's annual capacity is between 10,000-12,000 units. The first vessel that used VPC was the 2009-built vehicle carrier Tranquil Ace (IMO 9561253) which docked at Port Nanaimo on March 8, 2019, to deliver Mercedes cars.

Local economy's original driver was coal mining, supplanted in the early 1960s by the forestry industry following the MacMillan Bloedel pulp mill construction (1958). Today, the pulp mill injects into the local economy over USD 0,5 million per day.

Here is hosted the annual Nanaimo Marine Festival, part of which is the bathtub race. It starts in Nanaimo Harbour downtown, then goes around Entrance Island and continues northwest to Winchelsea Islands to finish back in the harbor. Until the 1990s, the race ran from Nanaimo to Vancouver .

A signature feature of the city is its layout design with all main streets radiating out from the harbor - like the spokes of a wagon wheel. A fun fact is that "Nanaimo Bar" (no-bake cookie bar with custard filling) is a Canadian dessert named after the city. The best spot to find the signature dessert is Dinghy Dock Pub. Other tourist attractions include Newcastle Island Marine Park, City Quarter (shopping mall), Harbourfront walkway, Arts District, cannon firing and bagpipe performances daily at the Bastion(the last remaining wooden Hudson's Bay Company bastion in North America).

Vancouver Island has around 2140 mi (3440 km) long coastline. The island's total population is nearing 800,000.

Cruising season 2019 started on June 16th with the superyacht Silver Muse ( Silversea ). Nanaimo's average daily passenger spending ashore is ~CAD 80 (USD 60) per person. At the cruise terminal, passengers are greeted by professionally trained ambassadors (from Nanaimo Hospitality Association) who also advise the disembarking tourists on local attractions and touring options. On June 8th, Port Nanaimo coordinated the "World Oceans Day" - harbour cleanup program conducted by volunteers along the city's waterfront (the coastal area between Maffeo-Sutton Park and Nanaimo Yacht Club). Throughout the day were also organized educational activities, kids-themed entertainment, cultural presentations.

After a 5-year hiatus (due to the COVID crisis) since 2019, in 2024, the Port had scheduled/booked for berthing two cruise ships - Seabourn Odyssey (May 9th) and Oceania Regatta (August 26th).

Nanaimo BC cruise terminal

Port Nanaimo has 2 terminal facilities - at Assembly Wharf (close to downtown) and at Duke Point (serving cargo shipping operations). The port provides free of charge golf carts for transportation of passengers with disabilities between the berthed ship and the cruise terminal. Disemabrking passengers are assisted by tourism counselors, providing information on morning / afternoon scheduled activities. Free of charge Wi-Fi is provided for the crew. Also complimentary is port's bus shuttle service for cruise ship passengers - from the terminal through downtown, Old City Quarter and Maffeo-Sutton Park.

In 2011 was inaugurated an USD 24 million cruise terminal at Assembly Wharf. The facility provides Canada Border Services Agency clearance. Port Nanaimo's cruise ship terminal is named "Welcome Centre". The facility was opened on May 6, 2011. Among the larger ship operators often booking the port are Princess, NCL Norwegian, Celebrity, RCI Royal Caribbean.

The cruise terminal has 1 berth and can accommodate some of the world's largest passenger vessels, among which were Celebrity Solstice (in 2014) and Explorer of the Sea (in 2016). Near the cruise pier is located Nanaimo Heliport (operated by Helijet helicopter landing pad).

The cruise port provides golf cart shuttles and complete handicap accessibility. From the terminal depart tour buses to Central Vancouver Island and also City Shuttles (free of charge). The shuttle service is throughout the day and includes 4 stops along the route to downtown Nanaimo, Old Town and Maffeo-Sutton Park (overlooking theharbour).

Nanaimo is directly linked with Vancouver via BC Ferries, served by dedicated terminals in Departure Bay and Duke Point. Smaller ferries offer regularly scheduled service to and from several smaller islands. The city's airport YCD provides regularly (delete) daily flights to the USA and (delete as incorrect) mainland locations including Vancouver YVR and Calgary YYC.  The world’s largest sea plane airline offers daily flights to the mainland and YVR.

Nanaimo (BC Canada) welcomes return of cruise ships with 2 scheduled visits in 2024

Cruise ships are set to make a return to Nanaimo with two visits scheduled for the 2024 season. The first vessel, Seabourn Odyssey from Seabourn...

HAL-Holland America unveils 2025-2026 Mexico and Pacific Coast seasons

HAL-Holland America Line has launched its Mexico and Pacific Coast seasons for 2025-2026, offering extended visits to distinctive ports such as...

Vancouver-Nanaimo ferry service cancels inaugural sailings due to weather and power issues

The launch of the Nanaimo-Vancouver fast ferry service, initially planned for Monday, August 14th, has encountered delays. All sailings for that day...

Silver Muse docks in Nanaimo (BC Canada) ahead of Alaska cruises

Silversea's ship Silver Muse arrived at Port Nanaimo (BC Canada) on Sunday, May 1, berthing for a 2-week stay to “perform a limited operation...

BC Ferries cancels multiple crossings between Vancouver Island and the Lower Mainland

Several BC Ferries-operated routes between the Lower Mainland and Vancouver Island were canceled on Sunday, January 2, due to a wind warning from...

BC Ferries cancels multiple sailings on major routes due to “bomb cyclone”

The Canadian company BC Ferries canceled multiple sailings on major routes for Monday, October 25, as a 2nd powerful “bomb cyclone&rdquo...

BC Ferries adds 120 more crossings per week to major routes

The Canadian state-owned passenger shipping company BC Ferries announced it is preparing for an increase in passenger traffic by adding 120 more...

BC Ferries reducing capacity by 50% due to Coronavirus

A drastic fall in demand for ferry travel on BC Ferries resulted in service schedule changes on local routes. The Canadian state-owned company BC...

BC Ferries to Receive Four More Electric-Hybrid Ferries

BC Ferries awarded contracts for the building of 4 more energy-efficient "Island Class" ferries, scheduled to join the 2 that are due to enter...

Cruise Ship Forced to Cancel Visit to Nanaimo

The last cruise vessel scheduled to arrive in Port Nanaimo (BC Canada) for season 2019, unfortunately, will not be making the call. Silver...

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Nanaimo BC - user reviews and comments

Cruise ship sails into New York with dead endangered whale across its bow

Examination underway to determine if 13-metre sei whale died before or after strike.

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A cruise ship sailed into a New York City port with a 13-metre dead whale across its bow, marine authorities said.

The whale, identified as an endangered sei whale, was caught on the ship's bow when it arrived at the Port of Brooklyn on Saturday, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration fisheries spokesperson Andrea Gomez said.

A video posted to YouTube on Saturday appears to show the whale's carcass hanging off the bow of the vessel, with the Statue of Liberty and the New York skyline in the background. 

A spokesperson for MSC Cruises said the whale was on the MSC Meraviglia, which docked at Brooklyn before sailing to ports in New England and Canada. The ship arrived in Saint John on Wednesday.

"We immediately notified the relevant authorities, who are now conducting an examination of the whale," officials with the cruise line said in a statement.

"We are deeply saddened by the loss of any marine life," the officials said, adding that the Geneva-based MSC Cruises follows all regulations designed to protect whales, such as altering itineraries in certain regions to avoid hitting the animals.

The dead whale was relocated to Sandy Hook, N.J., and towed to shore there to allow for better access to equipment and to conduct a necropsy, Gomez said.

A team from the Atlantic Marine Conservation Society conducted the necropsy on Tuesday. 

The examination determined the animal was a mature female and found evidence of tissue trauma along the area of its right shoulder blade, as well as a right flipper fracture, the organization said in a Facebook post on Wednesday.

Biologists will examine tissue and bone samples to determine whether it was already dead when it was struck by the ship, the post read.

Sei whales are typically observed in deeper waters far from the coastline, NOAA's Gomez said.

They are one of the largest whale species and are internationally protected.

Baby orca swims free after weeks trapped in B.C. lagoon

With files from CBC News

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• Vets analyzing remains of beluga whale found dead on P.E.I. beach
• Environmental group disappointed Canada has not increased protections for right whales
• Orca calf swims out of lagoon after being trapped for a month

Watch CBS News

Cruise worker accused of stabbing woman and 2 security guards with scissors on ship headed to Alaska

Updated on: May 8, 2024 / 6:27 AM EDT / CBS/AP

A cruise ship worker from South Africa was arrested Tuesday in Alaska's capital city, accused of attacking a woman and two security guards with scissors on board the vessel, according to authorities.

The U.S. attorney's office says the man, identified as 35-year-old Ntando Sogoni,  is charged with assault with a dangerous weapon within maritime and territorial jurisdiction. Online court records do not show an attorney for the 35-year-old man.

According to an affidavit from FBI Special Agent Matthew Judy, the man was recently hired by a cruise line and joined the ship, the Norwegian Encore, in Seattle on Sunday. The ship set off that day for a weeklong trip with scheduled stops in Alaska ports, including the capital of Juneau, and British Columbia.

The alleged incident happened west of Vancouver Island, British Columbia, as the ship was sailing to Alaska. According to the affidavit, during the late evening on Sunday, ship personnel saw the man trying to deploy a lifeboat, and he was taken by security to a medical center for an evaluation.

While there, he "became irrational and attempted to leave," and "physically attacked" a guard and a nurse, the affidavit states. He ran into another room, where he grabbed a pair of scissors and stabbed a woman who was being examined, as well as two guards who tried to intervene before being subdued and held in a "shipboard jail," the affidavit says. None of the injuries were considered life-threatening.

The ship arrived in Juneau on Tuesday, when he was arrested by the FBI, the U.S. attorney's office says.

If convicted, Sogoni faces a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison and a $250,000 fine for each count. A federal district court judge will determine the sentence.

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Cruise ship worker accused of stabbing 3 people with scissors on board vessel bound for Alaska

JUNEAU, Alaska — A cruise ship worker from South Africa was arrested Tuesday in Alaska’s capital city, accused of attacking a woman and two security guards with scissors on board the vessel, according to authorities.

The U.S. attorney’s office says the man is charged with assault with a dangerous weapon within maritime and territorial jurisdiction. Online court records do not show an attorney for the 35-year-old man.

According to an affidavit from FBI Special Agent Matthew Judy, the man was recently hired by a cruise line and joined the ship, the Norwegian Encore, in Seattle on Sunday. The ship set off that day for a weeklong trip with scheduled stops in Alaska ports, including the capital of Juneau, and British Columbia.

The alleged incident happened west of Vancouver Island, British Columbia, as the ship was sailing to Alaska. According to the affidavit, during the “late evening” Sunday, ship personnel saw the man trying to deploy a lifeboat, and he was taken by security to a medical center for an evaluation.

While there, he “became irrational and attempted to leave,” and “physically attacked” a guard and a nurse, the affidavit states. He ran into another room, where he grabbed a pair of scissors and stabbed a woman who was being examined, as well as two guards who tried to intervene before being subdued and held in a “shipboard jail,” the affidavit says. None of the injuries were considered life-threatening.

The ship arrived in Juneau on Tuesday, when he was arrested by the FBI, the U.S. attorney’s office says.

The Associated Press

A cruise to nowhere: Royal Caribbean sailing canceled after guests boarded

A Royal Caribbean International Alaska voyage became a cruise to nowhere over the weekend, with the line canceling the sailing after guests had already boarded.

The cruise line’s Radiance of the Seas ship experienced propulsion issues, forcing it to shorten and eventually scrap the weeklong itinerary, according to notices shared with guests. The sailing was originally set to depart from Vancouver on Friday.

Charlene Chong, who was on board with her husband, their 3-year and 11-month-old children, and her parents, said passengers were notified Saturday afternoon that the cruise was canceled. The 34-year-old teacher and her husband previously took a cruise for their honeymoon, but this marked their first trip with Royal Caribbean.

“My parents had wanted to go to Alaska for a really long time,” said Chong, who lives in Vancouver.

The cruise line warned guests several days before boarding that the ship had a “technical issue with its propulsion system,” according to an email sent to passengers that Chong shared with USA TODAY. The line later pushed the departure back by two days to allow more time for repairs.

Royal Caribbean said boarding would proceed as planned but that the terminal would close Friday evening due to U.S. Customs and Border Protection rules. Passengers would not be able to leave until the ship arrived at Icy Strait Point.

“We were going stir crazy a little bit,” said Chong.

Royal Caribbean gave guests onboard credit worth two days of their fare, a future cruise credit of the same amount, complimentary drinks and other compensation, another email said.

According to Chong, the ship sailed toward a nearby cargo port, but the captain announced Saturday afternoon that the sailing could not proceed and that guests would need to disembark by Sunday at 4 p.m. Chong said she and her family were “lucky” they were local, but she saw other guests scrambling to change their flights and find accommodations.

Your cruise was canceled: Now what?

“We understand the disappointment due to this unfortunate turn of events,” the cruise line said in a letter shared with guests. “We truly extend our sincerest apologies for the continued unforeseen disruptions to your vacation.”

Royal Caribbean gave them their money back as onboard credit with any remaining amount refunded, increased their future cruise credit to 100% of their fare and kept its open-bar policy for the remaining time on board. The line also offered to reimburse trip change fees up to $250 for guests traveling domestically and $400 for international travel and additional reimbursements for hotel and transportation costs, among other compensation.

“Due to a technical issue, we have made the difficult decision to cancel the April 26 sailing," a Royal Caribbean spokesperson said in an emailed statement. "Guests will receive a full refund and 100% future cruise credit, and have been notified directly.” The spokesperson did not comment on the specifics of Chong's experience.

The ship will resume service for its May 3 sailing.

After they got home, Chong and her family booked a trip to Mexico instead – though her parents decided not to join as they were “a bit exhausted by the whole ordeal.” For now, she’s not inclined to use the future cruise credit. “I would like to go to Alaska,” she said. “I'm not sure if I want to go with them.”

Nathan Diller is a consumer travel reporter for USA TODAY based in Nashville, Tennessee. You can reach him at [email protected].

A Norwegian Cruise Line worker is accused of stabbing people on board with scissors

• A cruise ship worker was accused of stabbing a passenger and attacking crew members.
• The incident occurred on the Norwegian Encore on its voyage to Alaska from Seattle, AP reported.
• The worker was arrested and faces assault charges, the district attorney's office said.

A cruise ship employee was arrested after he allegedly used scissors to stab three people aboard a ship that was traveling to Alaska.

The employee, identified as Ntando Sogoni from South Africa, had recently started working on Norwegian Encore, a ship operated by Norwegian Cruise Line,.

According to AP News , which cited an affidavit from FBI Special Agent Matthew Judy, the ship disembarked from Seattle on Sunday and was scheduled to stop in Alaskan ports, including Junea, during the weeklong voyage.

Sogoni, 35, was on duty on Monday when he began to exhibit "unusual and irrational behaviour," a spokesperson for the Norwegian Cruise Line told Business Insider. He allegedly tried to deploy a lifeboat from the ship, according to a press release issued by the district attorney's office .

According to the FBI, Sogoni was taken to the ship's medical center for examination, where he then "physically attacked" a security guard and a nurse before using a pair of scissors to stab a passenger who was being examined.

Sogoni allegedly stabbed the passenger several times in her arm, hand, and face. A security guard who intervened was stabbed in the head, while a second security guard was stabbed in the back and shoulders, authorities said.

The conditions of the passenger and staff are unknown, though AP News reported that none of the injuries were life-threatening.

The ship was traveling west of Vancouver Island, British Columbia, when the alleged incident took place, the publication added.

Sogoni was held in the ship's jail before being arrested in Juneau on Tuesday.

Sogoni is facing charges of assault with a dangerous weapon. He could face up to 10 years in prison in addition to a $250,000 fine for each count if convicted, they added.

The cruise industry made $19 billion in revenue in 2022, according to the online data platform Statista .

The US Department of Transportation keeps a record of reported crimes on cruise ships through quarterly reports. According to a recent cruise line incident report , 47 alleged incidents were reported to the FBI between January and March of this year.

Of the incidents reported, eight were recorded as assault with serious bodily injury, one was recorded as a missing US national, and six alleged thefts of under $10,000 were reported. There were also 16 cases categorized as "sexual assault," and a further 16 were categorized as "sexual assault — rape."

The district attorney's office, Juneau's police department, and Sogoni's lawyer did not immediately respond to requests for comment.

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