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Keep the two arrival systems separate. BC Ferries serves Tsawwassen, south of the city, and Horseshoe Bay, in West Vancouver; neither terminal is in downtown Vancouver. Tsawwassen handles routes including Victoria and the southern Gulf Islands, while Horseshoe Bay serves destinations including Nanaimo, Bowen Island and the Sunshine Coast. Public transit can reach both, but the journey requires connections and should be planned around the sailing rather than treated as a simple city bus ride. Check the official ferry schedule, reservation advice and live terminal conditions before setting out. Cruise passengers arrive much more centrally at Canada Place. From there, many downtown hotels are walkable and Waterfront Station provides SkyTrain and SeaBus connections. On embarkation days, allow time for baggage handling, security and border formalities. Do not rely on old descriptions of expedited airport–ship programmes; confirm any same-day transfer arrangement directly with the cruise line.
