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Quick Reference Tips For Travel Planning

In an effort to assist travel agents in making the best recommendations and creating customized itineraries for each guest, we have put together these quick reference Travel Tips.

  1. Vancouver Island is the largest North American island in the Pacific Ocean, stretching approximately 500km northwest to southeast, and 200 km east to west, with 3440 km of spectacular coastline. The island is home to more than 750,000 residents, and covers 32,261 sq. kms,  making it about the same size as Holland.
  2. Nanaimo, BC has a population of 87,000, is situated on the 49th parallel: 49 10’ 178”Lat.N./123 55’84” Long. W. in the GMT time zone.
  3. BC Ferry terminals in Departure Bay and Duke Point link Nanaimo directly to the Vancouver metro area and  carry over 4 million passengers per year. Smaller ferries offer service to and from several smaller islands.
  4. For quick and easy international connections from anywhere in the world, Nanaimo Airport (YCD) is located just 18 kilometers south of downtown Nanaimo. This busy modern airport offers multiple daily flights between Nanaimo, Vancouver and Seattle. Westjet Encore provides direct flights between Nanaimo and Calgary.
  5. Airport shuttles and taxis connect the city with the airport. Budget, Hertz and Tilden rental car kiosks are conveniently located at YCD. US driver’s licenses are honored.
  6. Harbour Air Seaplanes, Seair Seaplanes and Kenmore Air provide floatplane scheduled service between Nanaimo and downtown Vancouver, the Vancouver Airport, the Sunshine Coast and downtown Seattle (Lake Union).
  7. Nanaimo has one of the mildest year round climate regions in all of Canada with summer and cruise season beginning as early as May and extending into October. Average daytime highs in the mid-20s Celsius (70F) with lows of about 10 (50F).  T-shirt and shorts with a sweater and lightweight water resistant jacket will be sufficient for almost any cruise day here.
  8. Nanaimo is one of very few ports where local Ambassadors warmly welcome each and every cruise ship passenger upon arrival in the Welcome Centre.  These Ambassadors are also stationed at many shuttle stops along the way.
  9. Golf carts are available to transport passengers with limited mobility from the ship to the Welcome Centre.
  10. Regularly scheduled community shuttle buses are available at the Welcome Centre, as are tour buses and taxis.
  11. The picturesque Harbourfront is an easy 2 km stroll from the terminal and passengers can catch a shuttle back to the ship from several points downtown.
  12. Our event calendar details many opportunities for cruisers to mingle with the locals.