Getting to the Alaska Cruise from the east coast

[hockeygoofy]

We will be on the Disney Wonder out of Vancouver on July 4th, departing from Boston and I'm looking for any advice for the best way to fly there. I heard that if you transfer in Canada, for example Boston to Toronto to Vancouver you need to go through customs in Toronto first. That is our cheapest option, but not sure how much time to allow for customs. Also, I'd appreciate any hotel recommendations while in Vancouver. Can't wait, 5th Disney cruise, but first on the Wonder.

 

[xlxo]

That is a busy weekend pre-cruise in the city.... try to be there before Friday night. On Friday night, the cruise terminal is surrounded by evening fireworks and festivities in the day.

The Pan Pacific is the most popular above the cruise terminal. But also the most expensive choice, especially for multi-day stays. Going a few blocks away means significant savings, that can go to cab fares, food, and/or excursions.

The Blue Horizon is popular budget option on Robson. Lots of restaurants and shopping opportunities.

Lots of hotel choices for all budget levels, the downtown is very compact.

 

[Club Disney Chandler]

We will be on the Disney Wonder out of Vancouver on July 4th, departing from Boston and I'm looking for any advice for the best way to fly there. I heard that if you transfer in Canada, for example Boston to Toronto to Vancouver you need to go through customs in Toronto first. That is our cheapest option, but not sure how much time to allow for customs. Also, I'd appreciate any hotel recommendations while in Vancouver. Can't wait, 5th Disney cruise, but first on the Wonder.

If Toronto is anywhere close to being as organized as Vancouver you'll be through customs in less than 30 minutes.

 

[bcwife76]

A lot of US travellers find that it is cheaper to fly from their home city to Seattle WA and then find their way up to Vancouver (3 hours north), either by car rental or Amtrak train.

 

[bumbershoot]

A lot of US travellers find that it is cheaper to fly from their home city to Seattle WA and then find their way up to Vancouver (3 hours north), either by car rental or Amtrak train.

It's generally not cheaper overall once you realize that there's no way to do it without at least one night in a hotel. Flights don't get in early enough to catch the early train, and so if you're catching the late train, your ship has already left. So you're either one night in Seatac or Seattle or one night in Vancouver. And many end up with two nights (split between Seattle and Vancouver or just in Vancouver) out of concern of train delays.


OP we adore Sutton Place. Their attached residential type place, La Grande Residence is also fabulous. And we've recently found some great deals on SP. It's right near Robson, the shopping area with tons of food options. If you absolutely had to, you could just roll your bags down to the cruise ship, but taxis are plentiful and not expensive.

We also really like Listel Hotel, but it's a bit further away than SP. A bit, not a huge amount.

 

[bcwife76]

What would be your budget for a hotel in Vancouver? A lot of them will already be booked for that weekend. Delta Suites is a good hotel and is near the port. Many people like to stay at the Pan Pacific which is right above the cruise terminal but it's very expensive and is most likely going to be booked for your weekend.

 

[Tritonman]

Were on the same cruise. Were flying into Seattle and renting a car and driving up. Then staying 2 nights at Hyatt Regency in Vancouver. Got a full size car from the 2nd to the 16th for $400 from Thrifty

 

[KristiMc]

We flew into Seattle and did two one-way rentals so that we would not need to pay for parking. Worked out great.

 

[xlxo]

A lot of US travellers find that it is cheaper to fly from their home city to Seattle WA and then find their way up to Vancouver (3 hours north), either by car rental or Amtrak train.

There's also the $50 Quick shuttle that serves Seattle's airport and Vancouver downtown. 6 to 7 daily trips to meet most traveller's schedules.

Another scenic option is to Orca whale watch your way between Vancouver and Seattle via Victoria.

 

[Mark D.]

We flew into Seattle and did two one-way rentals so that we would not need to pay for parking. Worked out great.

How does it work traveling between the US and Canada in a one-way rental? We've done one-way rentals between Orlando and Port Canaveral, but doing this between the US and Canada worries me a little bit. We are trying to decide between that or Quick Coach for our Alaska cruise in July 2015.

Oops - I meant July 2016.

 

[MUN]

How does it work traveling between the US and Canada in a one-way rental? We've done one-way rentals between Orlando and Port Canaveral, but doing this between the US and Canada worries me a little bit. We are trying to decide between that or Quick Coach for our Alaska cruise in July 2015.

We did 2 one-way rentals last year as we flew into Seattle and drove to Vancouver. It was no big deal. We shopped around and got good rates on both rentals. It was much cheaper than flying into Vancouver.

 

[KristiMc]

How does it work traveling between the US and Canada in a one-way rental? We've done one-way rentals between Orlando and Port Canaveral, but doing this between the US and Canada worries me a little bit. We are trying to decide between that or Quick Coach for our Alaska cruise in July 2015.

We had no problem at all. I think this happens a lot between Seattle/Vancouver.

 

[anricat]

How does it work traveling between the US and Canada in a one-way rental? We've done one-way rentals between Orlando and Port Canaveral, but doing this between the US and Canada worries me a little bit. We are trying to decide between that or Quick Coach for our Alaska cruise in July 2015.

Oops - I meant July 2016.

We originally looked into this option and found a really great deal through Costco. So if you're a Costco member, check out their rental cars. Also, cars returned downtown were a lot cheaper than cars returned to the rental counters at Canada Place. (Like, a hundred dollars cheaper.)

We didn't end up needing a rental because we found an incredible rate on airfare on WestJet. You might go directly to their site and see what prices they can offer.

 

[Geomom]

We will be on the Disney Wonder out of Vancouver on July 4th, departing from Boston and I'm looking for any advice for the best way to fly there. I heard that if you transfer in Canada, for example Boston to Toronto to Vancouver you need to go through customs in Toronto first. That is our cheapest option, but not sure how much time to allow for customs. Also, I'd appreciate any hotel recommendations while in Vancouver. Can't wait, 5th Disney cruise, but first on the Wonder.

We're doing the 8/8 Alaskan cruise, first ever cruise, first time flying 'internationally'. We're flying out of Boston, using Air Canada, change of planes in Toronto. We have right around a 3 hr layover --that way we should have time to eat dinner on the way out...and breakfast on the way home (red eye flight). I wasn't sure how much time to give us between flights either--I think I had heard at least 2hrs?

Hotel: We're doing 3 nights in Vancouver, staying at the Westin Bayshore on the 'pay your birth year' promo--pay rack rate on night 1, last 2 digits of your birth year for nights 2 and 3. It looks to be near Stanley Park. We will need a taxi to get our luggage to the cruise ship though.

 

[dclpluto]

When I flew to Vancouver from philly we flew into Toronto first. It wasn't that bad going through customs might of took 20 minutes for everything. Toronto has their act together