Prince Rupert Cruise Port Guide — Ships, Excursions & Tips

Currency

Canadian dollar (CAD); USD accepted at some tourist businesses but at a disadvantaged rate -- use a card.

Language

English (significant First Nations Tsimshian heritage).

Time in Port

Ships typically dock 7am-5pm at Cow Bay or the Northland Cruise Terminal.

Pier Location

Ships dock at the Northland Cruise Terminal, close to Cow Bay -- the city's redeveloped fishing-village waterfront with restaurants, galleries, and the museum a short walk away.

Best For

First Nations culture, halibut and salmon fishing, wildlife, and inside passage scenery

About Prince Rupert

Prince Rupert, a rain-softened port city on the northern BC coast, is one of Alaska cruising's best-kept secrets -- an alternative homeport and transit stop with deep First Nations cultural heritage, one of the world's great sport-fishing grounds, and a dramatic fjord-and-island setting that makes the inside passage views particularly striking here. The Museum of Northern British Columbia tells the story of the Tsimshian and Haida peoples who have called this coast home for millennia, the Khutzeymateen Grizzly Bear Sanctuary is accessible by floatplane, and the local halibut and salmon make the waterfront restaurants worth a specific meal. It rains a lot -- come prepared.

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Insider Tip

Pack waterproof gear regardless of the forecast -- Prince Rupert averages 260 rain days a year, and the most rewarding activities (Khutzeymateen, fishing, kayaking) all happen outdoors. A quality rain jacket makes the difference between a miserable day and a memorable one.

Highlights

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Museum of Northern BC
A superb First Nations cultural museum in Cow Bay with an extensive collection of Tsimshian and Haida art, totem poles, and interactive exhibits on the coastal cultures that have shaped this corner of the Pacific Northwest for over 10,000 years.

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Halibut & Salmon Charter Fishing
Prince Rupert is a world-class sport-fishing destination, with trophy-size halibut and five species of Pacific salmon accessible within minutes of the harbor -- charters depart Cow Bay Marina daily in summer and are consistently highly rated.

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Khutzeymateen Grizzly Sanctuary
Canada's only grizzly bear sanctuary, 45 miles north by floatplane or boat, protects one of the densest concentrations of grizzly bears in North America -- guided boat tours in May and June offer almost guaranteed sightings of bears feeding on sedge grass in the estuary.

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Cow Bay Waterfront & Totem Poles
The charming Cow Bay neighborhood has First Nations totem poles, the Pacific Mariners Memorial, and a converted cannery building housing galleries and seafood restaurants -- one of the most photogenic small waterfronts on the BC coast.

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North Pacific Cannery National Historic Site
The oldest surviving salmon cannery on the BC coast is 15 miles south by road, with guided tours explaining the 100-year-old industry that built this coastline -- a 20-minute water taxi also reaches the Tsimshian First Nation community of Metlakatla for cultural tours.

Local Food & Drink

Fresh halibut -- Pacific halibut caught within miles of the harbor is served grilled, fish-and-chips style, or as ceviche at the Cow Bay Cafe and Wheelhouse Brewing; this is some of the freshest you'll eat anywhere.
Wild Pacific salmon -- Chinook, sockeye, and coho salmon from local waters; smoked strips, gravlax, and a grilled fillet are all available at the waterfront restaurants.
Dungeness crab -- the cold north BC waters produce rich, sweet Dungeness crab; the Cow Bay area's seafood stands often have it by the piece or by the pound.
Smoked salmon jerky -- sold at Cow Bay shops and the museum gift store; it travels well and is the ideal souvenir from the northern BC coast.

Shore Excursion Ideas

1 Museum of Northern BC and Cow Bay cultural walk -- the best introduction to the region's First Nations heritage, combined with the totem poles and waterfront.

2 Halibut or salmon charter fishing -- half-day trips from Cow Bay Marina target halibut, Chinook salmon, or whatever is in season.

3 Khutzeymateen Grizzly Bear Sanctuary floatplane tour -- the most spectacular wildlife day trip available from Prince Rupert; book months ahead for May-June peak season.

4 Metlakatla First Nation cultural tour -- water-taxi day trip to an active Tsimshian community with guided history and traditional-practices demonstrations.

5 North Pacific Cannery National Historic Site -- the oldest surviving salmon cannery on the BC coast; guided tours explain the industry that built this coast.

Sailings to Prince Rupert

Upcoming Royal Caribbean & Celebrity cruises that visit Prince Rupert

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Royal Caribbean

Alaska Inside Passage Cruise

Serenade of the Seas · 7 nights

Vancouver · June 7, 2026

From $1,242/pp

Royal Caribbean

Alaska Inside Passage Cruise

Serenade of the Seas · 7 nights

Vancouver · July 26, 2026