Alaska Cruise Disembarkation day

[mmmears]

Totally true (and a huge downside to our beautiful city) but I do want to reiterate that from port, public transportation is the easiest and cheapest way to get to the airport, with the possible exception of a) tons of suitcases or b) mobility issues + tons of suitcases. It is literally one train from start to finish, no connections.

The train from the airport looked like a really great option. We would have taken it but we brought my DM along and she has serious mobility issues, so we took a cab which worked well for us. But I wouldn't hesitate to use public transportation in Vancouver if we can get back someday.

 

[arlopop]

Totally true (and a huge downside to our beautiful city) but I do want to reiterate that from port, public transportation is the easiest and cheapest way to get to the airport, with the possible exception of a) tons of suitcases or b) mobility issues + tons of suitcases. It is literally one train from start to finish, no connections.

I hope I didn’t imply any negative sentiment toward Vancouver. We spent five days there pre-boarding and fell in love with the city. We even discussed a much longer return visit sometime in the future. It is lovely there.

And indeed, we were aware of the train, and had my MIL not been with us we would probably have opted for it. But her mobility issues narrowed our options.
As it was, we were quite pleased with Aerocar and it served us well.

Keep Vancouver special - We’ll be back

 

[lilsonicfan]

I hope I didn’t imply any negative sentiment toward Vancouver. We spent five days there pre-boarding and fell in love with the city. We even discussed a much longer return visit sometime in the future. It is lovely there.

No, not at all! The lack of uber is a serious issue that our local government seems to shirk all the time ... it's especially difficult for people out in the suburbs to come into the city because no taxi driver seems to ever want to take them back. So glad to hear you enjoyed Vancouver!

 

[lorenni]

We had a car service scheduled as well (there were 6 of us). We felt that it was safe to schedule them at 9:00. I called them shortly before 9 when it appeared we would be late getting off. They said their policy was to wait for 30 minutes and then it was $1 a minute after that. They were also concerned because they had multiple cars waiting at the port for passengers and nobody was getting off. I told them I didn’t know what was going on but there was obviously a significant delay.

I should add, when we did get off and through customs, we waited for the car at the limo stand (you tell the attendant your name and they call the car down.) That took another 20 minutes to get the car and get it loaded as there are only two slots there and you have to wait for the cars in line ahead of yours to get loaded before your car can pull in.

So, convenient - yes. But still no guarantee you will be out of there quickly.

Oh, btw, in Vancouver there is no Uber or Lyft. Vancouver doesn’t permit it, so there are cabs or there are car services. That’s it.

I read about the need to call for the car once you get to the limo/car service stand. Seems like the port generally just doesn’t have a good set up. Leaving should never be the most stressful part of vacation!

We’re early dining and plan to do walk off with our luggage, so we hope to be off around 8 before the big line ups. We’re also flying domestic so no worries about getting thru US customs at the airport.

The train would definitely be an option if we were solo, but my parents will be with us. We can manage our/their luggage to the car stand, but not on public transport.

 

[lilsonicfan]

One of the reasons the port setup seems not great is because our port is in our downtown, the business and entertainment centre of the city. Parking is astronomically priced and space is limited so the private cars sometimes aren’t even allowed in. We ourselves booked a van to drive us home and they couldn’t even get into the limo/car area (on a day when 3 ships arrived).

The train is really not far at all, but I get the hesitation. I’m sure it will all work out!

 

[Dug720]

One of the reasons the port setup seems not great is because our port is in our downtown, the business and entertainment centre of the city. Parking is astronomically priced and space is limited so the private cars sometimes aren’t even allowed in. We ourselves booked a van to drive us home and they couldn’t even get into the limo/car area (on a day when 3 ships arrived).

The train is really not far at all, but I get the hesitation. I’m sure it will all work out!

Is the way to the train clearly marked? I'm thinking that will be my best way to go after my cruise next year - but I've found that want sometimes gets designated as "an easy walk" is not all that easy to find. At least in Vancouver I could ask questions though (as opposed to Rome when I was trying to find my "very close to Termini Station" hotel)

 

[lilsonicfan]

Is the way to the train clearly marked? I'm thinking that will be my best way to go after my cruise next year - but I've found that want sometimes gets designated as "an easy walk" is not all that easy to find. At least in Vancouver I could ask questions though (as opposed to Rome when I was trying to find my "very close to Termini Station" hotel)

There are definitely signs, but it is also a super easy walk and not hard to find. From port you just have to walk out to Cordova Street, basically follow the sidewalk and you’ll be there. Then turn left and walk down Cordova Street. The train station (a brick building) is about a block away. Less than 5 min. Station is called Waterfront and you want to get on the Canada Line to YVR Airport.

 

[Dug720]

There are definitely signs, but it is also a super easy walk and not hard to find. From port you just have to walk out to Cordova Street, basically follow the sidewalk and you’ll be there. Then turn left and walk down Cordova Street. The train station (a brick building) is about a block away. Less than 5 min. Station is called Waterfront and you want to get on the Canada Line to YVR Airport.

Awesome! Thank you!!

 

[tlprice]

Is there a place to park at the port? I was planning on doing a marathon driving session to Vancouver from Colorado for my cruise next year. I am only planning this because I have a lot of family in Washington that I haven't visited in 4 years (by then) and I know we will want to stay there for a couple of weeks after the cruise. So, it is much cheaper to drive and have my car than to fly and rent a car for that long of a time.

 

[ajo]

Is there a place to park at the port? I was planning on doing a marathon driving session to Vancouver from Colorado for my cruise next year. I am only planning this because I have a lot of family in Washington that I haven't visited in 4 years (by then) and I know we will want to stay there for a couple of weeks after the cruise. So, it is much cheaper to drive and have my car than to fly and rent a car for that long of a time.

Yes. You can park at Canada Place. We reserved our spot online and paid for it in advance. We received a bar code that we printed out. When we arrived at the garage, we scanned our bar code. It worked great!

 

[tlprice]

Yes. You can park at Canada Place. We reserved our spot online and paid for it in advance. We received a bar code that we printed out. When we arrived at the garage, we scanned our bar code. It worked great!

Thank you. I was getting a little worried when reading some of the other posts. I have been to Vancouver many times as I grew up in Washington and it was a close drive so we went quite often. I've never been to the port though.

 

[lilsonicfan]

here you go @tlprice: https://canadaplace.westpark.com/rates.html