Alaska - some questions

[su_A_ve]

First Alaska cruise...

We were able to book good rates with Alamo for the car rental, so am interested in experiences driving from Seattle and back. Inbound flight arrives around 2pm the day before. Outbound flight is at 11pm, so we have time for driving.

Also, anyone stayed at the Best Western Plus Uptown? It has free parking and not far from the port, so we would leave the rental for the night, and return it early morning at the pier. We pick up the car again at the pier and have a good 12 hours to drive and explore a little of Vancouver.

And experiences with upgrading at the port? I know it's a long shot but right now we are in a sideways 11B. Might go up to oceanview if I can get a large porthole, but don't like lower decks. In reality with our previous cruises, we hardly used the verandah (for the 3 cruises we had it) other than when docking in and out of a port.

TIA

 

[DISNEY FANTASY]

A verandah is very important in Alaska, hence our cruise was sold out, no upgrades.

There was views from 6 am to 11 pm, we would just sit and watch, those in lower deck rooms would miss the early and late stuff, not knowing what thry are missing, there are views all seven days, all day.

 

[Masonmj84]

Did the drive from Seatle to Vancouver last year. It took longer than expected to get from Sea-Tac to downtown Vancouver.

Specifically, it took about 90 minutes from the time the flight landed until we were leaving the rental car parking garage (we had to take a shuttle to get to the rental car counter and then had to wait in a line). Then, it took about another hour or so to get through Seattle traffic. Once we were north of Everett it was smooth sailing until we got near the border, where we had to wait another hour to go through customs. Then, the better part of another hour to get from the border to downtown Vancouver. Total time from wheels down until checking into our Vancouver hotel was about 5.5 hours.

If you're looking for something to do to kill a few hours in Vancouver on either side of your cruise, my favorite activity is to go to Stanley Park and rent bikes to ride around the sea wall (there are bike rental shops just outside of the park, which is within walking distance from the cruise terminal).

 

[TeaBee]

First Alaska cruise...

We were able to book good rates with Alamo for the car rental, so am interested in experiences driving from Seattle and back. Inbound flight arrives around 2pm the day before. Outbound flight is at 11pm, so we have time for driving.

Also, anyone stayed at the Best Western Plus Uptown? It has free parking and not far from the port, so we would leave the rental for the night, and return it early morning at the pier. We pick up the car again at the pier and have a good 12 hours to drive and explore a little of Vancouver.

And experiences with upgrading at the port? I know it's a long shot but right now we are in a sideways 11B. Might go up to oceanview if I can get a large porthole, but don't like lower decks. In reality with our previous cruises, we hardly used the verandah (for the 3 cruises we had it) other than when docking in and out of a port.

TIA

You'll definitely want to hustle out of the airport and head out as quickly as possible to avoid as much downtown Seattle rush hour mess as you can. If you have the Waze app it will come in handy for driving through the city. Sometimes taking I-405 north will save you time over I-5, it totally depends on the day.

It would be worth checking the border crossing wait times as you get close to the border. The main Peace Arch crossing can sometimes get really backed up and there are a couple of other options. Here's a good explanation of all the border options from WA to the Vancouver area: http://gocanada.about.com/od/britishcolumbia/qt/seattle_vancouver_border.htm

 

[anricat]

A verandah is very important in Alaska, hence our cruise was sold out, no upgrades.

There was views from 6 am to 11 pm, we would just sit and watch, those in lower deck rooms would miss the early and late stuff, not knowing what thry are missing, there are views all seven days, all day.

A verandah is important for you in Alaska. Not everyone has the same interests, preferences or priorities that you do. I've said it before and I'll say it again, I think you need to rephrase your veranda posts about Alaska. Here are some suggestions:

"Personally, I love having a veranda in Alaska for the following reasons...."

"For some people, they would prefer to save money for excursions or other expenses for their cruise and it may not be in everyone's budget, but if you can afford a verandah, I really think it can be great for these reasons...."

For us, it's either cruise with no verandah or NOT CRUISE AT ALL. It almost seems like, from the way you phrase things, that us plebs that can't afford a verandah just might as well not even go. That our vacation will be sub par and we just aren't going to have a good experience.

 

[xlxo]

so am interested in experiences driving from Seattle and back. Inbound flight arrives around 2pm the day before.

which sailing date do you have? Hope it's not a long weekend.

While SeaTac to the Uptown about 3 hours.... crossing the border Sunday late afternoon or evening can be long.... especially with the oil loonie's recent surge. You need to budget an extra 5 to 6 hours each way for time with a SeaTac inclusion.

Study this link for Sunday early evening crossing delays.... it can be minutes or a few HOURS on a long weekend!
http://www.wsdot.com/traffic/border/

Hope you don't have a full bladder when trying to enter Canada. It will be ugly if on a multi-hour long weekend evening wait.

 

[NancyIL]

I'm sure a balcony is nice for Alaska, but I've never regretted my inside or ocean view cabins. The money saved was well spent on other things.

 

[COASTIEandMATE]

We have done the Disney Wonder Alaska 3 times, with a veranda and without! Please remember that you have many other choices for viewing Alaska! There is deck 4 with comfy lounges to relax on, Decks 9 with the Cove Cafe Lookout, and Deck 10 with a 360 view and CMS handing out hot chocolate and coffee on deck for free!! Also loungers with CMs handing out blankets and the great professional photographers everywhere! We are cruising Alaska again in May with an oceanview because we are always out and about!! Different courses for different horses!

 

[Karlzmom]

I polled my family and across the board they feel it was not worth the savings to fly into Seattle (btw we had 2 free flyers and a free rental car up.... so significant savings) having done straight to Vancouver once, Seattle once we will fly to Vancouver from now on.....

 

[ajo]

Any recommendations on where in Vancouver we can pick up some wine//beer before boarding the Wonder? We'll be staying close to Canada Place and won't have a car.

 

[xlxo]

Thoughts...

• best deal for alcohol would be the duty free shop from your local US airport. Canadian taxes are very high.
• 2nd choice is the public liquor stores
• 3rd choice are the private liquor stores
• 4th choice.... get it on the cruise ship and avoid the hassle of carrying it around.

With regards to the public liquor stores... you have two choices. http://www.bcliquorstores.com/store/locator

• Harbour Centre is the closest public liquor store... however they operate with reduced hours and are closed on Sundays (the day before the Wonder departs).
• My preferred choice is the Signature store at Alberni & Bute. It's open til 11pm most nights and 9pm on Sundays. What's special about this location is the restaurants and shopping on Robson. After dinner grab your liquor and take it back to your hotel room.
• check the DCL luggage policy on liquor.... you used to be able to bring a carry-on full of liquor.... not any more.

I don't normally drink.... so I'll let others speak on the private liquor stores. Your hotel concierge should be able to help with suggestions too.

BTW.... there's a number of micro breweries in Vancouver.... you might want to check it out... Steamworks is popular near the cruise terminal. Those coming in early June may wish to check out "craft beer week". http://vancouvercraftbeerweek.com/

While some find it too sweet.... I hear "ice wines" are popular.

 

[xlxo]

I polled my family and across the board they feel it was not worth the savings to fly into Seattle (btw we had 2 free flyers and a free rental car up.... so significant savings) having done straight to Vancouver once, Seattle once we will fly to Vancouver from now on.....

You need to budget time for 3 to 5 hours for a one way trip between Vancouver and SeaTac. For large groups they may be able to justify it. One idea is to fly into Vancouver and then bus/train your way to Seattle post-cruise at your leisure.

 

[JJZMgailey]

Hey, folks - opinions are welcomed and encouraged here as long as they are given in a kind way that is not sarcastic and/or argumentative. If you don't like an opinion from another poster, simply move on from their post and state your opinion if you'd like to.

 

[su_A_ve]

Thanks for the suggestions.

We chose an inside cabin to minimize costs. If there's an option for a cheap upgrade at port for oceanview or verandah, we'll consider it, if not, no problem. Just wife and I - no kids...

About flying to Seattle, I used miles to get the tickets. Big difference with flying into Vancouver. And got rental at about $75 US each way, so happy with this, cause there isn't anything available now for less than $300 each way, and that's US!

We're on the May 30th sailing. Even though it's a long weekend, crossing on a Sunday I don't expect it to be bad. US travelers would probably cross on Saturday or Monday.

Looks like most have stayed at the pier's hotels, but anyone with a little lower priced ones like the Best Western?

 

[su_A_ve]

NM... I had answered the wrong thread...

 

[ajo]

Thoughts...

• best deal for alcohol would be the duty free shop from your local US airport. Canadian taxes are very high.
• 2nd choice is the public liquor stores
• 3rd choice are the private liquor stores
• 4th choice.... get it on the cruise ship and avoid the hassle of carrying it around.

With regards to the public liquor stores... you have two choices. http://www.bcliquorstores.com/store/locator

• Harbour Centre is the closest public liquor store... however they operate with reduced hours and are closed on Sundays (the day before the Wonder departs).
• My preferred choice is the Signature store at Alberni & Bute. It's open til 11pm most nights and 9pm on Sundays. What's special about this location is the restaurants and shopping on Robson. After dinner grab your liquor and take it back to your hotel room.
• check the DCL luggage policy on liquor.... you used to be able to bring a carry-on full of liquor.... not any more.

I don't normally drink.... so I'll let others speak on the private liquor stores. Your hotel concierge should be able to help with suggestions too.

BTW.... there's a number of micro breweries in Vancouver.... you might want to check it out... Steamworks is popular near the cruise terminal. Those coming in early June may wish to check out "craft beer week". http://vancouvercraftbeerweek.com/

While some find it too sweet.... I hear "ice wines" are popular.

Thanks as always for the great info on Vancouver. We're very excited to explore the city!

 

[xlxo]

Just plan for lots of pre/post-cruise days....

 

[sharksfinatic17]

• My preferred choice is the Signature store at Alberni & Bute. It's open til 11pm most nights and 9pm on Sundays. What's special about this location is the restaurants and shopping on Robson. After dinner grab your liquor and take it back to your hotel room.

This is where we bought our alcohol. Plan ahead because they don't have all the different types of brands or types of alcohol that are available in the US.

 

[RedSox68]

We always get a verandah anyway -- most of the time -- it's our one luxury as we are not drinkers or gamblers. But before we booked our Alaska cruise we had several friends and co-workers who had done it that we just had to get a verandah and wouldn't regret it. Well, they were 100% right. Cold or not (they provided wool blankets), it was amazing. From sunrise to sundown there was always something to step out and see, including all the ice below us as we cut through it and the sounds it made. My husband sat out there for hours filming and photographing - wrapped in blankets and his hat and coat, he had a blast. And on Glacier Bay day (or any day you are traveling through straights or glaciers), it's really nice to be able to have the views and hear the narration without rushing up on deck to get a view. It's just our opinion, but we wouldn't do Alaska again without one.

As a PP said, many can't afford it or prefer not to have one, and their planning should be what's comfortable for them and their budget. Happy planning!

 

[jeffbear]

We're on the May 30th sailing. Even though it's a long weekend, crossing on a Sunday I don't expect it to be bad. US travelers would probably cross on Saturday or Monday.

Might want to be prepared for it to be bad even so. Remember, you're concerned with traffic into Canada from the US on that first leg, and that won't be impacted by the US holiday weekend like it would be the other way around.

And you've got the right attitude either way. If it was a major cost savings to fly into Sea/Tac and the only cost is time to cross the border, then fine. You're on vacation. Time is cheap. Just maybe allow a bit more of it than you otherwise might. Vancouver is lovely, so if you breeze through you'll get more time to enjoy a nice Japadog or a bike ride in Stanley Park.