Booked (DCL to Alaska) !! Let the obsession ..er ..planning begin!

[nycdisneygal]

Booked this weekend. 2 cabins - one for the 4 of us ( Me, DH, DD2 who will turn 11 right before and DD2 will be 18 months) and 1 for my parents and sister. Got them one of the secret porthole rooms (I think one of the little known secret porthole rooms). This trip will break the bank but life is too short to put it off. I have a big chunk of savings right now. I did the Dream in 2012 and the Dream B2B in 2014 so I am excited to see a different ship. A lot of things we like on the Dream are not on the Wonder but I think I will find new things to love.

It will be June 2017 and I am already obsessing. I am about to transfer to DreamsUnlimited based on infor from here. I have gone through many of the threads here and have gotten some great information. I had a few questions.

1. DD2 will be 18 months. I know many people take strollers--- when do you use them/need them.
2. Any place to buy diapers near Canada so I dont have to take a week's worth on the plane?
3. Favorite hotels near port? Have been looking at options other than the Fairmont.
4. Favorite limo company? I know about aerocar.
5. Can I store the car seat somewhere in room?
6. DCL transer to airport. I would use it for the luggage check in but our flight may not be until 10 pm! Whats the airport like? Only luggage check ins for US carriers right??

any tips or advice are welcome!!!

 

[TestingH2O]

That's exciting! I'm following to see some of these answers myself since we are cruising Alaska in July.

 

[Anna Chassereau]

That's awesome!! You're right life's too short...I like your go for it attitude! I'd love to do DCL in Alaska one day...we cruised in Alaska with Princess and loved it but I'd love to go back with DCL! Wish I could help you with your questions but just wanted to say have fun!!

 

[Geomom]

We went this August, our first ever cruise. We loved the size of the Wonder, easy to walk around and find your bearings after the first day. (You're lucky as you'll get to be on the ship after dry-dock!) We loved the character interactions--just seeing them when you're walking around, or out on deck 4 Promenade. We also loved the location of our oceanview room, 2116, just outside the aft elevator lobby on deck 2. Easy to walk up to restaurants, or to catch an elevator to deck 9. I liked going to the Naturalist talks...although I didn't make all of them, I really don't know how the time went by so quickly all week. They also had specific 'Alaska' activities in the kids' clubs. My teen went to the 'Northern Lights' one in Vibe and they made drawings of Auroras while learning about them.

1. You'd want a stroller to go around Vancouver and if you're walking around ports.

2. My advice about diapers comes from a trip to Florida when my youngest was 10 mths (and that was 11+ yrs ago). We said, we'll buy diapers there...DH went to buy them...all he could find was the giant pack--we came home with more diapers than we would have brought! I think of it this way--if you bring diapers and use them, you'll have space in your luggage to bring home all the souvenirs you'll buy!

3. We stayed at Westin Bayshore, 10 minute taxi ride to port (<$10 CAD). We stayed 3 nights, did the pay your birth year deal where first night is rack rate, next 2 you pay the last 2 digits of your birth year. With the exchange rate, it ended up costing us $191/nt. We did a harbor view room. Loved the location, the fact that it had an indoor and outdoor pool, Starbucks in the lobby...not that we care about Starbucks in particular, but it was a quick breakfast option. It's in walking distance to Stanley Park, we could also walk to the port area (maybe 1 mile?), but not with luggage, and I think the 18mth old would need a stroller.

4. We just used a taxi from the airport, they have a line for you to stand and they'll get you the right size taxi. A taxi for 4 was $35CAD. Taxi to/from the airport has set fees vs. being charged by the minute.

5. I'm sure you could put it somewhere. Luggage fits under the bed. Maybe it'd fit under the desk? If you have a non-connecting room, you could probably put it against the wall next to the dresser.

6. We had a 10:30PM flight on debarkation day. (And now we know that DD12 doesn't do well with red-eye flights, she needs sleep and didn't get it.) We ended up doing an all day (7 1/2 hr) Sea to Sky tour with Landsea Tours. They picked us up outside of the port at 10AM, we did the tour, and then they dropped us off at the airport afterwards. They handle the luggage as well. It was a great option for us. I believe there is also a service (CDS Baggage) at the port that will send your luggage to the airport (you pick it up at the airport and check it yourself) for $10/bag.

Enjoy your cruise!

 

[jdb in AZ]

Re: the stroller. Our kids used it for the airports as much as anything else. Some people store their stroller and car seats in the shower.

Transportation -- we just used taxis.

 

[xlxo]

How many diapers does your family need? There's a Costco about 20 minute walk away from Canada Place for you to stock up.

Closer... there are super markets like Nesters and IGA. There are drug stores too. Of course... which hotel you decide to spend your times makes a difference.

Hotels adjacent to the cruise terminal are premium priced.... if you share your cruise dates and preferred hotel dates... we can provide more accurate recommendations.

 

[bcwife76]

For diapers you could go to London Drugs - 2 nearby locations to the port are at Granville & Georgia or the location on Robson Street. They would have the best price, too. And you could get smaller packs.

 

[Jess_S]

We did Alaska when my son was 23 months. I definitely recommend taking a stroller. We used it as a place for my son to nap so that we didn't have to go back to the ship when he got tired. If he started to get cranky, we put him in the stroller with a blanket and he would drop off as we pushed him around. He's almost 4 now and we still bring the stroller for vacations for this purpose. We packed a cheap umbrella stroller and it fit in the closet as I recall.

There are definitely drug stores in Vancouver near Canada Place. We bought a pack of diapers and a box of wipes the morning of embarkation and just tied the plastic drug store bag shut and tagged it with a luggage tag. It made it to our cabin with no problem.

We didn't use DCL transfers or a limo, didn't bring a carseat and stayed at the Fairmont, so I can't comment on anything else. (We took a taxi from the airport to the hotel, used the bus or walked while exploring Vancouver and walked to Canada Place for embarkation).

 

[ShelleyTaylor]

Which June cruise? We are sailing June 5!

 

[xlxo]

If "number 3s" are common... you may wish to consider an aft balcony stateroom....

 

[nycdisneygal]

We went this August, our first ever cruise. We loved the size of the Wonder, easy to walk around and find your bearings after the first day. (You're lucky as you'll get to be on the ship after dry-dock!) We loved the character interactions--just seeing them when you're walking around, or out on deck 4 Promenade. We also loved the location of our oceanview room, 2116, just outside the aft elevator lobby on deck 2. Easy to walk up to restaurants, or to catch an elevator to deck 9. I liked going to the Naturalist talks...although I didn't make all of them, I really don't know how the time went by so quickly all week. They also had specific 'Alaska' activities in the kids' clubs. My teen went to the 'Northern Lights' one in Vibe and they made drawings of Auroras while learning about them.

1. You'd want a stroller to go around Vancouver and if you're walking around ports. Ok got it.

2. My advice about diapers comes from a trip to Florida when my youngest was 10 mths (and that was 11+ yrs ago). We said, we'll buy diapers there...DH went to buy them...all he could find was the giant pack--we came home with more diapers than we would have brought! I think of it this way--if you bring diapers and use them, you'll have space in your luggage to bring home all the souvenirs you'll buy! Good idea

3. We stayed at Westin Bayshore, 10 minute taxi ride to port (<$10 CAD). We stayed 3 nights, did the pay your birth year deal where first night is rack rate, next 2 you pay the last 2 digits of your birth year. With the exchange rate, it ended up costing us $191/nt. We did a harbor view room. Loved the location, the fact that it had an indoor and outdoor pool, Starbucks in the lobby...not that we care about Starbucks in particular, but it was a quick breakfast option. It's in walking distance to Stanley Park, we could also walk to the port area (maybe 1 mile?), but not with luggage, and I think the 18mth old would need a stroller. Am looking at a Westin...

4. We just used a taxi from the airport, they have a line for you to stand and they'll get you the right size taxi. A taxi for 4 was $35CAD. Taxi to/from the airport has set fees vs. being charged by the minute. It will be 5 of us..

5. I'm sure you could put it somewhere. Luggage fits under the bed. Maybe it'd fit under the desk? If you have a non-connecting room, you could probably put it against the wall next to the dresser.

6. We had a 10:30PM flight on debarkation day. (And now we know that DD12 doesn't do well with red-eye flights, she needs sleep and didn't get it.) We ended up doing an all day (7 1/2 hr) Sea to Sky tour with Landsea Tours. They picked us up outside of the port at 10AM, we did the tour, and then they dropped us off at the airport afterwards. They handle the luggage as well. It was a great option for us. I believe there is also a service (CDS Baggage) at the port that will send your luggage to the airport (you pick it up at the airport and check it yourself) for $10/bag. Thanks!!

Enjoy your cruise!

 

[nycdisneygal]

Which June cruise? We are sailing June 5!

Last june cruise Enjoy yours!!

 

[nycdisneygal]

If "number 3s" are common... you may wish to consider an aft balcony stateroom....

LOL!!!

Spent time researching the hotels last night.. Am looking at what looks to be a lot of good options not too far from Canada Place

 

[xlxo]

@nycdisneygal: To confirm you are on the June 26th sailing. Looking at booking.com for one night USD in Vancouver as a rate baseline the night before for a pre-cruise....

• $122 Days Inn (3 blocks from the cruise terminal). Check reviews for potential issues.
• $127 Greenbrier
• $136 Sylvia
• $182 Rosedale on Robson Suite Hotel » I like this place for price and neighborhood. My vote goes to here for budget travelers.
• $189 Blue Horizon » a forum fav for price and neighborhood restaurants
• $204 Residence Inn Marriott
• $210 Holiday Inn Vancouver Downtown and Suites
• $215 Pinnacle Hotel Harbourfront
• $225 Hampton Inn » fav for Hilton Point collectors
• $227 Century Plaza
• $242 St Regis
• $247 Hotel Blu
• $252 Auberge » 2 blocks to the cruise terminal
• $261 Sheraton Vancouver Wall Center
• $303 Westin Grand
• $308 Delta
• $334 Marriott Pinnacle downtown
• $349 Opus
• $350 Sutton Place
• $364 Hyatt Regency
• $369 Grand Residence Sutton
• $376 Shangri-La
• $380 Trump
• $387 Pan Pacific » above the cruise terminal
• $417 Rosewood
• $455 Westin Bayshore
• $475 Four Seasons
• $486 Fairmont Hotel Vancouver
• $508 Fairmont Waterfront » across the street from the cruise terminal
• $562 Fairmont Pacific Rim

my fav Richmond airport hotel is $197 at the Raddison Hotel Vancouver Airport.

 

[Dug720]

I second the Blue Horizon. FABULOUS hotel!!

 

[Ofinn]

Your way to far out to look at prices wait until at least January. Try sites like last minute travel club. We paid 185.00 for the pan and the Hyatt was 135.00 this was last year. I would check prices frequently, but I think it's a bit early to get a good price.

 

[Corfam]

Agreed that it's early to be booking for significant discounted rates. Likely hotwire, last minute travel club, etc will have the Pan Pacific and lowest cost, but if you end up booking directly with Pan Pacific know that they have a "family getaway package" for 2 rooms where the 2nd room is 50% off and breakfast is included for 4 people plus some other minor benefits.

BTW, the Last Minute Travel Club normally has an annual fee, but you can find a free promo code if you search the web.

 

[nycdisneygal]

Your way to far out to look at prices wait until at least January. Try sites like last minute travel club. We paid 185.00 for the pan and the Hyatt was 135.00 this was last year. I would check prices frequently, but I think it's a bit early to get a good price.

Agreed that it's early to be booking for significant discounted rates. Likely hotwire, last minute travel club, etc will have the Pan Pacific and lowest cost, but if you end up booking directly with Pan Pacific know that they have a "family getaway package" for 2 rooms where the 2nd room is 50% off and breakfast is included for 4 people plus some other minor benefits.

BTW, the Last Minute Travel Club normally has an annual fee, but you can find a free promo code if you search the web.

Wow thanks!! I am looking at Pan Pacific and was thinking I need to book now...Ok...will focus onflights

 

[nycdisneygal]

@nycdisneygal: To confirm you are on the June 26th sailing. Looking at booking.com for one night USD in Vancouver as a rate baseline the night before for a pre-cruise....

• $122 Days Inn (3 blocks from the cruise terminal). Check reviews for potential issues.
• $127 Greenbrier
• $136 Sylvia
• $182 Rosedale on Robson Suite Hotel » I like this place for price and neighborhood. My vote goes to here for budget travelers.
• $189 Blue Horizon » a forum fav for price and neighborhood restaurants
• $204 Residence Inn Marriott
• $210 Holiday Inn Vancouver Downtown and Suites
• $215 Pinnacle Hotel Harbourfront
• $225 Hampton Inn » fav for Hilton Point collectors
• $227 Century Plaza
• $242 St Regis
• $247 Hotel Blu
• $252 Auberge » 2 blocks to the cruise terminal
• $261 Sheraton Vancouver Wall Center
• $303 Westin Grand
• $308 Delta
• $334 Marriott Pinnacle downtown
• $349 Opus
• $350 Sutton Place
• $364 Hyatt Regency
• $369 Grand Residence Sutton
• $376 Shangri-La
• $380 Trump
• $387 Pan Pacific » above the cruise terminal
• $417 Rosewood
• $455 Westin Bayshore
• $475 Four Seasons
• $486 Fairmont Hotel Vancouver
• $508 Fairmont Waterfront » across the street from the cruise terminal
• $562 Fairmont Pacific Rim

my fav Richmond airport hotel is $197 at the Raddison Hotel Vancouver Airport.

THANKS!!! I appreciate the recommendation. Am looking at Pan Pacific but will send this list to DH and Dsis.
Are you in Canada?? How is Delta hotel... Am a Marriott, Hyatt and Hilton member...

 

[xlxo]

I threw the current price list up as baseline/discussion planning tool for common forum hotel choices. I expect prices to change as it gets closer to the June. Some say 2 months is the sweet spot for flights.... I usually see January usually has some flight/hotel promos come out for the summer. Perhaps I'll update the list in January.

Everyone's budget is different. I'm happy with 1 or 2 star motels in my travels.... while my friends demand 5 star service wherever they go.

Keep in mind.... that last week of June is a build up for July 1st long weekend. Hope you have your post-cruise hotel/flight is planned out too.

I like the Delta for location close to the cruise terminal and decent sized room. However, when I saw the $308 price.... I thought it was kinda high. The Delta should be priced around the Pinnacle Harbourfront price. As it is not.... my vote is to the Pinnacle Harbourfront.

The Hampton Inn is also around the Harbourfront price range. Not as much restaurant choices, but reasonably close to Costco to stock up in preparation for Number 3's.