2015 DVC Alaska Member Cruise 5/25-5/31/15

[therina]

This may have been answered but I can't find it.... is there a way to get a FE spreadsheet?

 

[Johnny Quest]

This may have been answered but I can't find it.... is there a way to get a FE spreadsheet?

You can copy the lists from first page and print them out. The link is in my signature. If you need any personal info you can PM each member.

43 days and counting!

 

[nunzia]

Well, here's a stupid question. How do I pay for things in Vancouver? Do I need to get Canadian money or do they take dollars or can I just charge everything and if so are the foreign transaction costs high? When you say liquor is expensive in Canada, can you give me an idea on what a cheap bottle of wine would cost? If I need to buy it in Seattle ius there a place to get inclose to Courtyard Seattle Downtown Pioneer Square? or do I need to schlep it all the way from NM? I'm working on FEs but had a terrible thought. One of the gigts is nut based, only available in huge bags so would need to be transferred to smaller bags by me..is this going to be an issue crossing the border> Also have a chocolate idea, not a big thing but also not in an original package. Issues? Should I come up with something else? This is coming up quick! And still can't get that Quick Shuttle thing to Seattle set up.

 

[karaeric96]

Our oldest son was a CM and College Progam student,too. We are doing the Liarsville gold excursion with the Salmon Bake - the one that says dance hall and Disney Characters. We might be only ones without kids or grand kids on that particular trip, but we don't care. Last cruise we didn't do pictures with the characters, and I feel we missed some magic there. I love the way our pictures came out with the Captain, and on Pirate Night, and I never have taken a lot of pictures or liked how they came out. Since I got my IPhone, my world has changed. I now have lots of pictures!View attachment 87597

Don't forget that on the 7-day cruise you will automatically get a character breakfast too! Those are SO much fun. When you get to your cabin on boarding day, you will receive tickets in your stateroom telling you what day and time you have been assigned for your character breakfast. It will be your normal assigned dinner table number and be with your table mates. My hubby and I always travel with all adult parties and we have a ton of fun at the character breakfasts!

 

[xlxo]

Well, here's a stupid question. How do I pay for things in Vancouver? Do I need to get Canadian money or do they take dollars or can I just charge everything and if so are the foreign transaction costs high? When you say liquor is expensive in Canada, can you give me an idea on what a cheap bottle of wine would cost? If I need to buy it in Seattle ius there a place to get inclose to Courtyard Seattle Downtown Pioneer Square? or do I need to schlep it all the way from NM? I'm working on FEs but had a terrible thought. One of the gigts is nut based, only available in huge bags so would need to be transferred to smaller bags by me..is this going to be an issue crossing the border> Also have a chocolate idea, not a big thing but also not in an original package. Issues? Should I come up with something else? This is coming up quick! And still can't get that Quick Shuttle thing to Seattle set up.

Thoughts...

• most tourist locations will take US currency. Smaller independent restaurants may refuse. Credit cards are an good option, but check your policy as to the conversion. Please don't show up with $100 bills to buy chewing gum. Put your Amex cards away for Costco, they demand Mastercard there.
• too bad you are not flying directly into Vancouver. You could have used the airport duty free to load up your carry-ons for the cruise. Once you get downtown, I recommend heading over to Robson for lunch/dinner. Then hit the Signature public liquor store at Alberni/Bute.

 

[tidefan]

Quick question. We are about to book a whale watch tour in Juneau (www.juneauwhalewatch.com). The rate is $110 for a 3-hour tour, but if we have 6 or more, there is a 10% discount, so it would be $99 for adults and $85.50 for those 4-12 (0-3 are free with paying adult). Please PM me if you are interested.

 

[tidefan]

One other weird question I just thought of. Since $1 USD is $1.25 CAD, what are the tipping guidelines for the porters at Canada Place? Should we tip in US or CAD?

 

[karaeric96]

Thoughts...

• most tourist locations will take US currency. Smaller independent restaurants may refuse. Credit cards are an good option, but check your policy as to the conversion. Please don't show up with $100 bills to buy chewing gum. Put your Amex cards away for Costco, they demand Mastercard there.
• too bad you are not flying directly into Vancouver. You could have used the airport duty free to load up your carry-ons for the cruise. Once you get downtown, I recommend heading over to Robson for lunch/dinner. Then hit the Signature public liquor store at Alberni/Bute.

Ooooh, great suggestion for the duty free stuff! We just need to remember to slow down as we get off the plane so we don't blow right past the shops, we're usually going full tilt because we're excited to arrive!

 

[xlxo]

Ooooh, great suggestion for the duty free stuff! We just need to remember to slow down as we get off the plane so we don't blow right past the shops, we're usually going full tilt because we're excited to arrive!

Once you get off the plane... you are too late.

• Hit the airport duty free stores BEFORE you step on the plane.
• Some airlines offer in-flight duty free. Great idea as it will NOT impact your luggage capacity
• those driving North from Seatac should skip the main Peace Arch crossing and heading SR543 for the duty free shops
• downtown Vancouver does have a duty free shop on Alberni, but I'm not sure if they work with cruise ships
• those already in Vancouver should look for the signature public liquor stores. I like downtown's Alberni@Bute location as it's just 1/2 block from Robson's restaurants and shops.

 

[thenrichs]

Well, here's a stupid question. How do I pay for things in Vancouver? Do I need to get Canadian money or do they take dollars or can I just charge everything and if so are the foreign transaction costs high? When you say liquor is expensive in Canada, can you give me an idea on what a cheap bottle of wine would cost? If I need to buy it in Seattle ius there a place to get inclose to Courtyard Seattle Downtown Pioneer Square? or do I need to schlep it all the way from NM? I'm working on FEs but had a terrible thought. One of the gigts is nut based, only available in huge bags so would need to be transferred to smaller bags by me..is this going to be an issue crossing the border> Also have a chocolate idea, not a big thing but also not in an original package. Issues? Should I come up with something else? This is coming up quick! And still can't get that Quick Shuttle thing to Seattle set up.

You should be able to pick up any wine/ liquor you want at any store in Seattle. There is a Target just a few blocks from where you are staying as well as an IGA market that will sell what you are looking for. If you have time you could also head to Pike place market as there are quite a few wine shops in that area. Typically, when I go to canada I usually just pay with everything by credit card that way I'm not saddled with a bunch of Canadian currency that I know I won't exchange. As far as the boarder crossing I have never had any issues taking food into the country, it's only returning and as long as it is not fruit or vegetables they don't care. I would look into Sound Transit or Link Light Rail for transportation from the airport to your hotel. Your hotel is only a few blocks from the train station and Link light rail is right around the corner

 

[karaeric96]

Once you get off the plane... you are too late.

• Hit the airport duty free stores BEFORE you step on the plane.
• Some airlines offer in-flight duty free. Great idea as it will NOT impact your luggage capacity
• those driving North from Seatac should skip the main Peace Arch crossing and heading SR543 for the duty free shops
• downtown Vancouver does have a duty free shop on Alberni, but I'm not sure if they work with cruise ships
• those already in Vancouver should look for the signature public liquor stores. I like downtown's Alberni@Bute location as it's just 1/2 block from Robson's restaurants and shops.

DOH! Thank you, that makes sense.

 

[WaylaLady]

I'm not sure where to look for dinner the night before the cruise or breakfast before embarkation. We're staying a few blocks from the port at the Fairmont Hotel Vancouver (900 West Georgia Street), but all I see available at the hotel is a really expensive restaurant. Does anyone know anything more casual?

 

[poison ivy]

We're looking for a place to eat the night before as well and still figuring out what to do with only 1 day in Vancouver.

If anyone has their plans set, would love to hear ideas.

 

[WaylaLady]

We're looking for a place to eat the night before as well and still figuring out what to do with only 1 day in Vancouver.

If anyone has their plans set, would love to hear ideas.

I had looked at Grouse Mountain as a cool thing to do for our one day after the cruise ends. Our flight that night leaves at almost midnight, so we have a whole day to kill. It looks pretty neat: https://www.grousemountain.com/

 

[karaeric96]

We also looked at Grouse Mountain. There are so many things to do in Vancouver, it's a tough choice!! Our tentative plans are: Visit the Museum of Anthropology at University of Vancouver to see the Totem exhibit. My parents said it is pretty amazing. We also plan to spend time in Stanley Park. You can see the park from the cruise terminal, and it looked beautiful last time we were in the port. We want to rent bikes and ride around the park for part of the day. I also want to do a walking tour of the Gaslight District. I saw on the Pan Pacific website that the Concierge has walking tour maps and information available, so we will probably just to a self-guided tour. If anyone is interested in trying out any of these activities, let us know. I haven't planned out which day we will do these yet, so we can be flexible.

For food, we have been given recommendations by friends or found these places on Yelp that look amazing: Vij's, Twisted Fork, Flying Pig. We are looking to try Twisted Fork for brunch either Saturday or Sunday, their brunch menu looks amazing! To be fair, DH and I are total foodies, so price for us isn't as much a consideration because we want to go for the best experiences we can on this trip, so these places may not fit into everyone's budget. But check out Yelp for Vancouver, there is a lot to try!

 

[xlxo]

I'm not sure where to look for dinner the night before the cruise or breakfast before embarkation. We're staying a few blocks from the port at the Fairmont Hotel Vancouver (900 West Georgia Street), but all I see available at the hotel is a really expensive restaurant. Does anyone know anything more casual?

Some ideas....

• Walk one block south and then head West... lots of choices
• talk to hotel concerige what they recommend.
• Pacific Centre food court to the North East (2 blocks, but much larger)

 

[xlxo]

I had looked at Grouse Mountain as a cool thing to do for our one day after the cruise ends. Our flight that night leaves at almost midnight, so we have a whole day to kill. It looks pretty neat:

Thoughts

• Use the website to plan your day. They should be switching to summer activities soon.
• some just ride the Skyride up and then back down... poor value. Mae the effort to check out the Theatre, bears, birds, lumberjack show and possibly Eye of the Wind to fill your day.
• use the free shuttle to get there, ask to be drop off in front of the Capilano Suspension Bridge on the return trip.
• some may choose to have the bear breakfast option with the kids

 

[xlxo]

But check out Yelp for Vancouver, there is a lot to try!

Dinehere.ca is another site to plan with local reviews.

 

[WaylaLady]

Some ideas....

• Walk one block south and then head West... lots of choices
• talk to hotel concerige what they recommend.
• Pacific Centre food court to the North East (2 blocks, but much larger)

Thoughts

• Use the website to plan your day. They should be switching to summer activities soon.
• some just ride the Skyride up and then back down... poor value. Mae the effort to check out the Theatre, bears, birds, lumberjack show and possibly Eye of the Wind to fill your day.
• use the free shuttle to get there, ask to be drop off in front of the Capilano Suspension Bridge on the return trip.
• some may choose to have the bear breakfast option with the kids

Dinehere.ca is another site to plan with local reviews.

Thanks for that info! I've been all over the Grouse Mtn site, looks like there's a lot to do. We would definitely do whatever we have time for.

I'll take a look at the dining ideas, that's a great help!

 

[DisneyBelle99]

We have a very late flight home on June1st, too. There is an option for a Disney sponsored excursion meant for folks in our situation, and it can only be booked onboard. I think I read about it in a trip report. Also, another trip report mentioned an option to check your bags at the port, and go out on your own for the day. One thing we are considering is checking our bags, and visiting the local casino! One other report mentioned getting a day room at the Fairmont Airport hotel. We probably will decide while we are on the cruise.