When it comes to arriving in a port on a cruise ship, it’s hard to imagine a prettier one than Vancouver, the most recent North American city to become known world-wide after hosting the Olympics.
We have spent a lot of time in Vancouver over the years. Even at that, when we sailed into the harbor in Burrard Inlet aboard the Coral Princess, early one misty Saturday morning 
with the sun breaking over the horizon in the east, it was a jaw-dropping moment.
The photos on this blog don’t do it justice, often the case with photos, as even the most amateur of photographers knows.
Cruise lines know what a wonderful sight Vancouver presents early in the morning, when their ships arrive, but as always cruise lines are at the mercy of their customers’ likes and dislikes. Over the past few years, the number of ships using Vancouver as a home port has slipped, at least in part because it means flying into a foreign port and going through what is sometimes an arduous customs experience.
Now, the pendulum is swinging back.
In 2011, the Port of Vancouver reported a 15% increase in business over 2010. From May to October, more than 650,000 passengers arrived on 27 different vessels during almost 200 cruise ship calls, almost all of them involving the Alaska market.
Two cruise lines sailing to Alaska for the first time made Vancouver home this year. Disney moved in its Wonder and, even though it was a one-hit Wonder (or one-year commitment), 
port estimates are the overall numbers will be even higher in 2012. Oceania also tied up its Regatta, and the Crystal sent the Symphony to visit Canada’s prettiest city 10 times.
There are reasons to like Vancouver that go beyond its scenic impression. People who live in the city have long trumpeted being “green” and this was the first full cruise season when ships could all shut off their engines and plug in to reduce air emissions while in port.
Princess, Holland America, Regent and Silversea all earned “Blue Circle Awards” — why not Green Circle? — for having the highest emissions reduction.
As first-time arrivals at the port, we weren’t sure what to expect, compared to other arrival ports. Clearing customs was painless. Disembarking was orderly and no longer than in most terminals. Ground transportation was organized.
There was only one flaw.
If you’re trying to get to the street, everything narrows into one opening barely wide enough for two people, let alone manoeuvering through it with two or three pieces of luggage. But by the time you get that far, you’re in such a good mood from everything preceding it that…really, is it that big a deal?
DAILY DEAL:
Norwegian Jewel
7 nights
January 28, 2012
New York to Bahamas return
Inside $429
www.ncl.com