If Vancouver were a person, it would be the sort who welcomes you at the airport with a glass of sparkling wine, whisks you to a waterfront hotel, then insists you see the city from every possible angle, by bike, boat, seaplane and, yes, from a suspension bridge that will have your knees politely knocking.
And now, Destination Vancouver and Air Canada offer one lucky Australian CLIA-accredited cruise specialist the chance to experience all that and more, celebrating Vancouver’s inaugural appearance at CLIA’s Cruise360 Australasia in Brisbane this 27–28 August.
It’s no ordinary giveaway. This one has been carefully brewed — like Vancouver’s artisan coffee — to inspire, educate, and reward travel advisors who can confidently sell the city as the gateway to Alaska’s famed cruise routes.
A first-class first
This year marks the first time Destination Vancouver will exhibit at Cruise360 Australasia, a milestone that’s prompted a clever bit of marketing magic: a training incentive that doubles as a dream trip.
“CLIA’s advisor community is an essential part of the cruise travel ecosystem, and this market is incredibly important to us,” says Di Schinella, Australia In-Market Representative for Destination Vancouver. “We’re excited to strengthen our relationships with CLIA-accredited cruise specialists and, through both the event and incentive, equip advisors with the knowledge and tools to confidently promote Vancouver as a pre-and post-cruise destination.”
Schinella’s enthusiasm is well-founded. For many travellers, Vancouver is more than just a port of embarkation. It’s a destination that blends snow-dusted peaks with sparkling harbours, cosmopolitan shopping streets, and a culinary scene so vibrant that you can sample sushi at lunch and Pacific salmon with foraged mushrooms at dinner.
The prize package, worth leaving your desk for
One fortunate advisor will soon be packing for:
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Return economy flights for two with Air Canada from Sydney or Brisbane to Vancouver.
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Two nights at the Fairmont Waterfront Hotel — the sort of place where the harbour views may make you miss your dinner reservation.
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Two nights at The Westin Bayshore Hotel, offering easy access to Stanley Park and its iconic seawall.
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A North Vancouver food tour with Taste Vancouver Food Tours.
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A Seair Seaplane City Skyline Tour — because why should eagles have all the fun?
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A Cycle City full-day e-bike rental or guided tour.
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A grazing board, dessert & cocktail experience for two at Stock & Supply, courtesy of Delta Hotels by Marriott.
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Big Bus Vancouver sightseeing tour, complete with Capilano Suspension Bridge access.
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A Destination Experience Pass unlocking attractions such as Grouse Mountain.
How to enter, training with benefits
The mechanics are straightforward:
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Visit Destination Vancouver at Booth #12 during Cruise360 (27–28 August, Brisbane).
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Scan the QR code at the booth to access the entry form.
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Complete the Vancouver Specialist Program (newcomers can enrol at vancouverspecialist.ca using promo code CRUISE360AU; existing graduates, email your certificate to [email protected] with subject line “CRUISE360AU”).
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Complete the Air Canada Global Sales University (registration details provided at the event).
Entries close 30 September 2025. In short: train, learn, and perhaps trade your office view for a few days of Vancouver’s mountain-meets-ocean splendour.
Why Vancouver works for cruises
Vancouver is North America’s preferred embarkation port for Alaska cruises, and it’s easy to see why. Ships sail past dramatic coastlines, through misty fjords and towards icy blue glaciers — all within reach of a city that is a magnet for culture-seekers, nature-lovers, and food aficionados.
Pre-cruise, you could spend a morning cycling Stanley Park’s seawall, browsing Granville Island’s markets, and enjoying the theatre or an intimate jazz club. Post-cruise, you might linger for a day trip to Whistler, a wine-tasting tour in the Fraser Valley, or a scenic drive along the Sea-to-Sky Highway.
In other words, for Australian cruise passengers, Vancouver is not just a boarding point — it’s the overture to an unforgettable travel symphony.
By Sandra Jones
