FAIRMONT WATERFRONT SHOWCASES RENOVATED
GUEST ROOMS AS VANCOUVER CRUISE SEASON SETS RECORDS
Growing cruise demand reinforces Vancouver’s appeal
as a pre- and post-voyage destination
As Vancouver’s 2026 cruise season reaches its peak, Fairmont Waterfront is highlighting the completion of the first phase of its full-scale property renovation, which delivered 96 redesigned guest rooms alongside enhanced services tailored to the growing number of travelers extending their stay in the city before and after cruising.
According to the Vancouver Fraser Port Authority, the 2026 cruise season is expected to welcome approximately 1.4 million passengers and nearly 360 ship calls, surpassing previous records and solidifying Vancouver’s place among North America’s top cruise ports.
The season, which runs from February 26 to October 13, is already seeing strong demand, with a growing portion of travelers choosing to extend their stay in Vancouver before or after their sailing. Recent data from the Vancouver Fraser Port Authority shows that 76% of cruise passengers spent time in Vancouver as part of their journey in 2025, rising to almost nine-in-ten (88%) among international visitors – reinforcing the city’s growing appeal as more than simply a cruise gateway.
Located directly across from Canada Place Cruise Terminal, Fairmont Waterfront offers guests the ability to walk from the hotel to embarkation within minutes. To support cruise travelers specifically, the hotel offers complimentary luggage transfer, allowing guests to leave tagged luggage in their room for direct delivery to their cruise ship before departure.
“Cruise travel continues to be one of the most important drivers of visitation to Vancouver, and we’re seeing growing demand from guests who want to spend additional time exploring the city before or after their voyage,” said Randall Williams, General Manager, Fairmont Waterfront. “Our role is to help improve that journey, whether that’s through our location just steps from Canada Place, our direct luggage transfer service, or by offering a newly renovated guest room designed for today’s traveler.”
As more cruise passengers choose to incorporate Vancouver into their travel plans, Fairmont Waterfront has seen bookings tied to its Connect With Your Cruise Ship package increase by 150% year-on-year, as more travelers seek accommodation that combines proximity to Canada Place with services designed to simplify the cruise journey.
The first phase of the property’s multi-year renovation plan has recently been completed, introducing 96 newly designed guest rooms. Further renovation work will resume in fall 2026 and will include: additional guest room transformations, Fairmont Gold, the pool area, hotel lobby and ARC Restaurant + Bar.
Guests extending their stay can also experience a range of culinary, wellness and sustainability-focused programming, including the rooftop Garden Dinner Series, rooftop bee tours and seasonal wellness activities.
With cruise visitation continuing to grow and more travelers choosing to spend additional time in the city, Fairmont Waterfront is ideally positioned to welcome guests at the start and end of their cruise journey, connecting them with the very best of Vancouver.
For more information about Fairmont Waterfront’s cruise offerings, or to book a stay, visit www.fairmont-waterfront.com.
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About Fairmont Waterfront
Experience pure coastal luxury and West Coast wellness at Fairmont Waterfront, where breathtaking harbour and mountain views meet a seamless blend of urban sophistication and natural wonder. Centrally located in downtown Vancouver, steps from Canada Place, Gastown, and the Stanley Park Seawall, the hotel offers an authentic gateway to a city surrounded by wilderness. Discover the rooftop garden, one of Vancouver’s first green roofs, and its honeybee apiary, with ingredients featured in ARC Restaurant + Bar’s Province to Plate menu. Recharge with wellness activities like poolside meditation, sound bathing, and polar plunges, or relax by the heated rooftop pool. Consistently ranked among Vancouver’s top luxury hotels, Fairmont Waterfront celebrates the unique harmony of city life and nature that defines Vancouver.