Canada Cruises

Canada cruises offer a great opportunity to see the beauty of the Great White North. Minnesota may have 10,000 lakes but Canada has ten times that many lakes. Vancouver is Canada's largest seaport and the most popular destination for Canada cruises.

Vancouver, Canada, is just 25 miles north of the U.S. border and is the center of Canada's fishing, mining, and lumber industries. The mild climate is due to the protective mountains and warm winds from the Pacific Ocean. Places of interest to the tourist include spectacular Stanley Park, the 1,000 acre wilderness woodland set on a peninsula with its famous zoo, aquarium, totem poles, children's amusements, and Evergreens.

But that's hardly all. There's also a 5 1/2 mile seawall path ideal for long walks, jogging, cycling, and in-line skating not to mention the 1 1/2 vile walking/jogging path around lovely Lost Lagoon. Chinatown is located along Pender Street. There's also the historic gaslight district known as Gastown. You won't want to miss the botanical gardens and arboretum in Queen Elizabeth Park or the fountain display in front of the City Courthouse with its changing patterns of water and light.

In addition, you can take the sky ride up to the top of Grouse Mountain where you'll find a restaurant and beautiful scenic views. Vancouver, Canada, is also known for its English woolens, china and imports. The best shopping center is the Pacific Center Mall and boutiques on the adjoining streets.

The best hotels are Four Seasons, Pan Pacific, Sutton Place, and Hyatt for luxury and proximity to the business district and the docks at Canada place where Canada cruises embark and disembark. Visitors opting for a pre or post stay may prefer to stay at the Westin Bayshore located at the entrance to Stanley Park where the tower rooms enjoy spectacular views of the park, harbor, and snowcapped mountains.

Although there are numerous restaurants featuring cuisine from around the world, don't skip Chartwell's at the Four Seasons. At Chartwell's preparation, presentation, ambiance, and service blend to offer a world class experience.

Victoria is the largest city in Canada and another popular port on Canada cruises. Victoria is the capital of British Columbia and can only be reached by ferry boat from Vancouver. Vancouver Island is the largest island on the Pacific Coast of North America lying directly west of Vancouver and the state of Washington.

Victoria is often referred to as Canada's most British city with its flower gardens, narrow winding streets, Parliament buildings, Provincial museum, and Empress Hotel. Lumbering is the city's chief industry and you will see beautiful forests of fir, cedar, and hemlock on mountain slopes. You may wish to see the 35-acre Butchart Gardens and one of the tallest totem poles in the world at Beacon Hill Park.