04/27/11 DCL's WONDERful LA-VANCOUVER REPO ON THE WAY TO ALAKSA

[tig82174]

Re: the Vancouver excursions.....they are NOT showing up under the "my cruise plans" section when you're in your reservation....but if you do a general search for port adventures by city, you can select Vancouver. they have the suspended bridge tours, a hop on hop off bus, and some other random things. I am not sure exactly how you're supposed to book them since they don't show up on your reservation, but I do have them on our "saved wish list"

 

[MouseFaninQueue]

Since you have been to Victoria, what would you recommend for a group with 3 adults and 4 kids close to the port? The kids have varying interests and we probably will do it on our own. I guess the same for Vancouver,since we will only have a short time there. Also, we have nixed the train to Seattle to catch the red eye out, do you have any recommendations for bus service to Seatac? Thanks!!!

Not sure of the ages of the kids but I am a huge fan of the Provincial Museum. There is an IMAX theatre in there too and you can go by the Legislature buildings as well and see the Empress. Heck take a horse and carriage ride to the Museum (it is beside the Legislature building).

 

[denise]

Here is a link I was sent to a you tube short movie of San Francisco. It is fun to watch, doesn't matter if you have been there a million times or never at all.


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Er2Wa7onQcw

 

[MouseFaninQueue]

Oh yes and those of you that might like Christmas there is a really neat little Christmas store in Victoria. It is called the "Original Christmas Village" and is located at 1323 Government Street quite ways up (It is what i would call the end of the "walk" of Government St.). It has some really nice european style christmas decorations. Warning tho, the owner does not allow photos to be taken inside the store. But there are about 4 floors of decorations (it is narrow and I highly doubt wheelchairs or carts would be advisable).

Do not get this confused with another Christmas store on Government street that is about half way up to this one.

Outside of the building:

So if you are wanting to just wander in Victoria head towards the Legislature buildings from the cruise ship terminal and then walk in front of the Empress (right by the water - hard to miss) and then head up Government Street. There will be lots to see and eat along the way. And if you ever get lost - just head towards the Legislature Buildings - they are hard to miss.

 

[njprincess]

Hey all... FINALLY life is slowing down a bit and I have time to focus on this upcoming trip! Our trip in December to WDW was wonderful as usual, and this week my ex husband is taking his "share" of our posessions and will be out of our lives for good. This cruise will be a great one for me and my boys... we are all SO excited about it, and are chomping at the bit to get there!

We are going in the Saturday prior staying at VGC and doing a bit of the parks and pool before heading off on the cruise, so it will be the absolute perfect trip! They are incredibly good kids (which I hope you will attest to, when you meet us on board!) so I am not terribly worried about doing it alone with 2 four year olds!

I am DYING to see the excursions... and decide if I am going to book any, or go it on our own. But since we have only ever done one DCL before, we have to wait until Feb 11th to take a peek.

Looking forward to it... and plan on being on the boards a lot more, now that it's the next holiday on our agenda and quickly approaching!!!

If you have been on a DCL cruise before, you should be Silver Castaway Club, which gets to book 90 days in advance. So if your cruise is paid in full by Jan. 27 you should be able to start booking shore tours that day. I think it's the newbies that have to wait until Feb 11 (75 days).

Any other Silver people out there that know the booking date?

 

[DbleTheFun]

hmmmm we have been paid in full since day 1 (We used DVC)... so that's interesting!

I will have to call them tomorrow and ask why my status is not showing up on my account (Castaway Club)

THANKS for the heads up!!

 

[MukilteoSailor]

If you have been on a DCL cruise before, you should be Silver Castaway Club, which gets to book 90 days in advance. So if your cruise is paid in full by Jan. 27 you should be able to start booking shore tours that day. I think it's the newbies that have to wait until Feb 11 (75 days).

Any other Silver people out there that know the booking date?

Yeah we are the poor souls that have to wait until the 11th (first timers) to make our reservations, if any are left.

Someone mentioned that there is a new butterfly gardens. I was last in Victoria in 1998 and loved the butterfly gardens during my visit. Is there a different location now or is it still the same?

One place I do want to go back to is the Bug Zoo. Victoria has the best I have seen yet.

http://www.bugzoo.bc.ca/index.htm

 

[bonzie1]

Oh yes and those of you that might like Christmas there is a really neat little Christmas store in Victoria. It is called the "Original Christmas Village" and is located at 1323 Government Street quite ways up (It is what i would call the end of the "walk" of Government St.). It has some really nice european style christmas decorations. Warning tho, the owner does not allow photos to be taken inside the store. But there are about 4 floors of decorations (it is narrow and I highly doubt wheelchairs or carts would be advisable).

Do not get this confused with another Christmas store on Government street that is about half way up to this one.

Outside of the building:

Oh My! You just said the magic word... CHRISTMAS!!! I love seeing Christmas decorations. Looks like I'll be shopping early for this year.

 

[MouseFaninQueue]

Yeah we are the poor souls that have to wait until the 11th (first timers) to make our reservations, if any are left.

Someone mentioned that there is a new butterfly gardens. I was last in Victoria in 1998 and loved the butterfly gardens during my visit. Is there a different location now or is it still the same?

One place I do want to go back to is the Bug Zoo. Victoria has the best I have seen yet.

http://www.bugzoo.bc.ca/index.htm

Yes the Butterfly gardens used to be in the Crystal Palace. I believe the Crystal Palace is now a conference centre owned by the city of Victoria.

Just checked it out and the Butterfly Gardens are now located outside of Victoria and near Saanich. It is about 20km drive to get there. (Actually it is on the way to Butchart Gardens).

 

[MouseFaninQueue]

Oh My! You just said the magic word... CHRISTMAS!!! I love seeing Christmas decorations. Looks like I'll be shopping early for this year.

I have never escaped out of that store without having bought something.

Not sure if that is a good thing as I had to pack a whole mess load of totes after packing up the Christmas decorations this year and no place to store them all!!

 

[sdlong329]

As for Vancouver - been there more times than Victoria - probably just stay on the ship if we are allowed, as we are B2B.

We are B2B as well. We will be escorted off the ship in the am for about 30 minutes and then allowed to return. We will have the ship to ourselves for a couple of hours prior to boarding of new passagers. This would be a good time to if needed. Since you have been to Vancouver more times can you recommend anything inparticular to see if we have available time and is close by the port?

 

[sdlong329]

I am DYING to see the excursions... and decide if I am going to book any, or go it on our own. But since we have only ever done one DCL before, we have to wait until Feb 11th to take a peek.

You can view the excursions prior to Feb 11th. On the tool bar go to cruises & destinations (drop down window) go to port adventures (click) next page comes up go half way down and on right side there is a list of ports. Put in the port and enter this will bring up all available excursions for that particular port. You can read each one and save to your list the ones you want to book. Then when Feb 11th comes you are prepared and don't need to decide last minute. Hope this helps!

 

[MouseFaninQueue]

We are B2B as well. We will be escorted off the ship in the am for about 30 minutes and then allowed to return. We will have the ship to ourselves for a couple of hours prior to boarding of new passagers. This would be a good time to if needed. Since you have been to Vancouver more times can you recommend anything inparticular to see if we have available time and is close by the port?

There is lots to see nearby. Just a wander around Canada Place can be nice. Heck go check out the Olympic Torch. It's still there, a short walk away. It's not lit anymore as far as I know.

There's also Harbour Centre only a block or so away where it looks likes Seattle's Space Needle top thrown on top of a building. But it does give a nice view of Vancouver and you will probably get a neat pic of the Wonder at Canada Place.

Stanley Park is a little farther away and there is a small aquarium, totem poles and a nice walk around the sea wall and just an overall relaxing time. This is Vancouver's version of "Central Park".

You can hop the skytrain nearby and pretty much get anywhere in the city you want to go quite quickly and fairly cheaply. It is most certainly the easiest way to get around most of Vancouver.

You can also take the Seabus and pop over to Lonsdale Quay which is a small section of artisan shops/food market. Granville Island is the big "mecca" for that stuff but might be a bit more difficult to get to.

And I am most certain I am forgetting stuff too. Just walking a bit around Canada Place can be fun and interesting too - check out the old Steam clock in that area as well as a few of the pubs and local shops. Lots of tourist stores down that way.

 

[Mickey&JoshNut]

There is lots to see nearby. Just a wander around Canada Place can be nice. Heck go check out the Olympic Torch. It's still there, a short walk away. It's not lit anymore as far as I know.

There's also Harbour Centre only a block or so away where it looks likes Seattle's Space Needle top thrown on top of a building. But it does give a nice view of Vancouver and you will probably get a neat pic of the Wonder at Canada Place.

Stanley Park is a little farther away and there is a small aquarium, totem poles and a nice walk around the sea wall and just an overall relaxing time. This is Vancouver's version of "Central Park".

You can hop the skytrain nearby and pretty much get anywhere in the city you want to go quite quickly and fairly cheaply. It is most certainly the easiest way to get around most of Vancouver.

You can also take the Seabus and pop over to Lonsdale Quay which is a small section of artisan shops/food market. Granville Island is the big "mecca" for that stuff but might be a bit more difficult to get to.

And I am most certain I am forgetting stuff too. Just walking a bit around Canada Place can be fun and interesting too - check out the old Steam clock in that area as well as a few of the pubs and local shops. Lots of tourist stores down that way.

I'd love to see the Olympic torch....could provide directions on how to get there, you mentioned it was just a short walk...

 

[Mickey&JoshNut]

Re: the Vancouver excursions.....they are NOT showing up under the "my cruise plans" section when you're in your reservation....but if you do a general search for port adventures by city, you can select Vancouver. they have the suspended bridge tours, a hop on hop off bus, and some other random things. I am not sure exactly how you're supposed to book them since they don't show up on your reservation, but I do have them on our "saved wish list"

Thanks...it does mention Pre & Post stays and since we will be leaving right after the cruise, I'll have to settle for what we can do near the port between the B2B - like the Olympic Torch, hopefully.

 

[DL1957]

You can only make 1 brunch and 1 dinner ressie for Palo. You can check every day on the ship and if there are openings then you can go again. Even when we get the private room with a group we are not allowed to book another ressie.

When I booked yesterday at noon time there were no brunch reservations left and very few dinner options.

 

[njprincess]

Just got a text this morning:

DisneyCruise: Make time to relax. Today's the day to start making spa, dining, port adventures res and more.

Except that yesterday was the day to start making reservations. Guess their programmers are 1 day off. Good thing I didn't wait for the text

 

[gydell]

I just checked and -
There are openings at Palo now!

 

[njprincess]

I just checked and -
There are openings at Palo now!

I just checked and are still no brunch or high tea openings. If you have already booked brunch or high tea, openings may show up for you to change your seating. We figured this out on my last cruise. People would jump on and say there were openings, but when the people who hadn't already had a ressie tried to book, nothing showed up.

 

[gydell]

I just checked and are still no brunch or high tea openings. If you have already booked brunch or high tea, openings may show up for you to change your seating. We figured this out on my last cruise. People would jump on and say there were openings, but when the people who hadn't already had a ressie tried to book, nothing showed up.

Keep checking because it was a diffferent time than I have so maybe....