Help for Before and After Alaskan Cruise

[CalDisneyMomof2]

We're taking the 8/8/16 cruise and we'll be flying into Seattle from the L.A. area on Saturday morning to catch the Angels/Mariners game. We're going to stay in Seattle Saturday night. I have a couple questions about transportation.

I would like to take a train (Amtrak) in Sunday morning to Vancouver just for the train experience for my kids. Will we need a rental car or is public transport/taxis/Uber pretty easy in Seattle? The train leaves at 7:45 AM on Sunday and I can't find anywhere if we have to be there a certain time before the train departs. The Link to the Amtrak station arrives at 6:35 AM (earliest time) and I'm wondering if that's early enough? Otherwise, should we just take a cab/Uber?

Our plans on Saturday are to arrive in Seattle at 11:30 AM, do some touristy things until possibly 4 PM and head to the stadium then for a 6:10 PM game. Just trying to figure out what's best for our family (Me, DH, DS7 and DS5).

Next question is for departure day. If we get a late flight, say between 7 PM and 9 PM (having to be at the airport between 4 PM and 6 PM), what can we do all day in Vancouver with our luggage? Rental car? Hotel Room? We'd have between 5 and 7 hours to hang out.

Any suggestions would be appreciated!

 

[TeaBee]

On the Seattle side, Link to the Amtrak should be fine. The link station and train station are in the same general location. Amtrak recommends arriving at least 30 minutes before your scheduled departure, so arriving an hour early should give you plenty of time. The Amtrak station in Seattle is gorgeous, so leave a couple of minutes to take some pictures! The Amtrak route to Vancouver covers some beautiful scenery. Try to sit on the left hand side of the train if you can so you get the best water views.

Public transportation in the Seattle downtown is really easy and there is plenty to do in the area. I wouldn't bother with a rental car because you'll most likely have to pay to park and then walk anyway. Bus, LINK, uber, monorail should have you covered to the major tourist attractions.

 

[CalDisneyMomof2]

On the Seattle side, Link to the Amtrak should be fine. The link station and train station are in the same general location. Amtrak recommends arriving at least 30 minutes before your scheduled departure, so arriving an hour early should give you plenty of time. The Amtrak station in Seattle is gorgeous, so leave a couple of minutes to take some pictures! The Amtrak route to Vancouver covers some gorgeous scenery. Try to sit on the left hand side of the train if you can so you get the best water views.

Public transportation in the Seattle downtown is really easy and there is plenty to do in the area. I wouldn't bother with a rental car because you'll most likely have to pay to park and then walk anyway. Bus, LINK, uber, monorail should have you covered to the major tourist attractions.

Thank you for that info! I was concerned that since it was an international train ride, we might have to be there a little earlier.

 

[TeaBee]

Thank you for that info! I was concerned that since it was an international train ride, we might have to be there a little earlier.

I didn't even think about the international component, but I'd think an hour is still plenty of time. I wouldn't cut it much shorter than that though since King Street Station is a busy station.

 

[CalDisneyMomof2]

I didn't even think about the international component, but I'd think an hour is still plenty of time. I wouldn't cut it much shorter than that though since King Street Station is a busy station.

I've not used Amtrak to travel across the border so this was why I was hesitant about timing. I wasn't sure if it were like airfare where it's recommended to be there 3 hours beforehand. I think they do some sort of check AT the border but wasn't sure about before the train left. Maybe I'll just make a call to Amtrak

 

[bumbershoot]

The Link to the Amtrak station arrives at 6:35 AM

But that's coming from the airport area, right?

Since all of your plans are based around the downtown area, you don't want to stay in the airport area. Stay in downtown-ish. I would recommend the stadium-area Silver Cloud, personally. That way you're near the Mariners field and King Street Station, and you can easily get further up into downtown for the other stuff you might want to do.


They check at the border, not before. You don't have to be there crazy-early. Because I like to not rush, I do get there early, but that means a lot of sitting around time.

 

[bumbershoot]

Next question is for departure day. If we get a late flight, say between 7 PM and 9 PM (having to be at the airport between 4 PM and 6 PM), what can we do all day in Vancouver with our luggage? Rental car? Hotel Room? We'd have between 5 and 7 hours to hang out.

Either a rental car with a proper trunk OR find a hotel room to stash stuff in.

 

[anricat]

We're on the same cruise!

I recently posted my pre-cruise trip report and another person told me that there's a luggage service at Canada Place that will take your luggage to the airport for you. Then once there, you can pick up your luggage, leaving you luggage-free to sight see Vancouver the rest of the day. Here's the link to the baggage service: http://www.cdsbaggage.ca

I believe that the Fairmont at the airport also has day-use rooms if you just want someplace to relax and maybe take a swim.

Make sure you come over to the cruise meet thread and post over there. Even if you don't want to do the FE, it's still fun to connect with fellow travelers on the same cruise.

 

[CalDisneyMomof2]

But that's coming from the airport area, right?

Since all of your plans are based around the downtown area, you don't want to stay in the airport area. Stay in downtown-ish. I would recommend the stadium-area Silver Cloud, personally. That way you're near the Mariners field and King Street Station, and you can easily get further up into downtown for the other stuff you might want to do.


They check at the border, not before. You don't have to be there crazy-early. Because I like to not rush, I do get there early, but that means a lot of sitting around time.

It is. I'm trying to stay there economically by using Marriott points but now I'm wondering if I should sacrifice cost for convenience. I can be persuaded 25,000 points to stay near the airport vs. 35,000 to stay downtown. Or just pay cash. I'm not trying to be cheap, just wondering if what I'm hoping to do is at all possible.

That's good to know that I don't have to be there that early. I'll most likely still want to be there an hour early being in an unfamiliar place.

 

[CalDisneyMomof2]

We're on the same cruise!

I recently posted my pre-cruise trip report and another person told me that there's a luggage service at Canada Place that will take your luggage to the airport for you. Then once there, you can pick up your luggage, leaving you luggage-free to sight see Vancouver the rest of the day. Here's the link to the baggage service: http://www.cdsbaggage.ca

I believe that the Fairmont at the airport also has day-use rooms if you just want someplace to relax and maybe take a swim.

Make sure you come over to the cruise meet thread and post over there. Even if you don't want to do the FE, it's still fun to connect with fellow travelers on the same cruise.

That's WONDERFUL about the luggage service! Thank you, anricat! I will have to check out the cruise meet thread - this is our first as a family and first on Disney for anyone so everything is new

 

[IBelieveInTheMagic]

I also wanted to say hi and we are also sailing on 8/8

Heather

 

[IBelieveInTheMagic]

We're on the same cruise!

I recently posted my pre-cruise trip report and another person told me that there's a luggage service at Canada Place that will take your luggage to the airport for you. Then once there, you can pick up your luggage, leaving you luggage-free to sight see Vancouver the rest of the day. Here's the link to the baggage service: http://www.cdsbaggage.ca

I believe that the Fairmont at the airport also has day-use rooms if you just want someplace to relax and maybe take a swim.

Make sure you come over to the cruise meet thread and post over there. Even if you don't want to do the FE, it's still fun to connect with fellow travelers on the same cruise.

Wait, what - you have a pre-cruise trip report???

Heather

 

[anricat]

Wait, what - you have a pre-cruise trip report???

Heather

Yah, I didn't even realize that forum was there but I read through some posts and realized that people had some pretty helpful things to say if you put your pre-trip report up.

Here it is: http://www.disboards.com/threads/alaskan-cruise-august-8-2016.3482178/

 

[xlxo]

Next question is for departure day. If we get a late flight, say between 7 PM and 9 PM (having to be at the airport between 4 PM and 6 PM), what can we do all day in Vancouver with our luggage? Rental car? Hotel Room? We'd have between 5 and 7 hours to hang out.

Thoughts...

• there are post-cruise tours that pick you up at the cruise terminal transport your luggage with you until you reach the airport mid-afternoon.
  http://vancouvertours.com/tour/pre-cruise-vancouver-city-tour/
• If you rent a car.... Alamo and National are preferred as they have a fleet right at the terminal. Depending on where you go.... you might find parking is not worth getting a car.
• The CDS baggage at the cruise terminal can hold you luggage for you to pick up. Warning... you must get your luggage before they close at 4pm.
• CDS baggage has a $40 service where they will transport up to 4 bags to their airport location. When you finish your sightseeing you can retrieve your luggage at their airport location which is open til late in the evening. I recommend this option.

With your luggage looked after....

• Fly Over Canada is at the cruise terminal
• Grouse Mountain and Capilano Suspension Bridge offer free shuttles at the cruise terminal to their attractions. These two alone can fill your day.
• Gastown is a convenient walk
• Granville island can be reached by cab.
• how about some Asian high tea.... known as "Dim Sum"?
• some may try a day trip to Storybrooke (Steveston)
• your can taxi or ride the subway to the airport. What makes the Vancouver Canada Line subway special.... is that it's DRIVERLESS. Your kids can go to the first car and pilot the train to the airport. Please get on the YVR train. The Richmond/Brighouse train takes you to China.

 

[bumbershoot]

It is. I'm trying to stay there economically by using Marriott points but now I'm wondering if I should sacrifice cost for convenience. I can be persuaded 25,000 points to stay near the airport vs. 35,000 to stay downtown. Or just pay cash. I'm not trying to be cheap, just wondering if what I'm hoping to do is at all possible.

You'll be spending more money and time getting from the airport area into downtown then back for sleep then BACK for the train. Driving from seatac to downtown is 25 minutes at near minimum. Try to make that drive at the wrong time and you're looking at an hour. The airport is called Seatac because it's between Seattle and Tacoma, and there can be horrid traffic whether you go on city streets or highways. (the Link is OK but it takes a bit of time, and then you have to figure out where to walk to get down to the station)

There's not much to do in Seatac. Far better to stay right in downtown or in SODO (South of Dome district, where the stadiums are). IMO.


We're using miles to go first class out to a cruise in March, so I'm becoming one who puts a lot of stock in convenience vs cost....

 

[TeaBee]

It is. I'm trying to stay there economically by using Marriott points but now I'm wondering if I should sacrifice cost for convenience. I can be persuaded 25,000 points to stay near the airport vs. 35,000 to stay downtown. Or just pay cash. I'm not trying to be cheap, just wondering if what I'm hoping to do is at all possible.

That's good to know that I don't have to be there that early. I'll most likely still want to be there an hour early being in an unfamiliar place.

Totally agree with the others - stay in downtown Seattle. You don't want to spend your short time shuttling back and forth on light rail. Summer evenings downtown are just the best. There are a ton of people out and about, lots of interesting non-chain restaurants, and places to explore.

 

[CalDisneyMomof2]

You all rock! I now have a very clear idea of what our itinerary will consist of. And while I would love to save money/points I'm going to have to agree with you all and try to find something in Downtown that's reasonable. I guess living in Southern California we're just used to long commutes so 30 minutes isn't out of the ordinary for us however being on vacation I'd like less time commuting.

Thank you, thank you, THANK YOU ALL!

 

[Karlzmom]

Thoughts...

• If you rent a car.... Alamo and National are preferred as they have a fleet right at the terminal. Depending on where you go.... you might find parking is not worth getting a car.

This is true. Also, you should be aware the desks are very small and the lines, even with a reservation can be extremely long. I was shocked how long it took just to get to the counter (and then discover as an executive level member) they didn't have the SUV we reserved and we had to work through what cars they still had available that would suit our needs. OP- make sure you have the time to wait. Also, be aware that traffic can be heavy near the port as well so it can be slow going to get away.

 

[xlxo]

Thoughts....

• have you decided on where you will be staying Sunday night in Vancouver. Cruise terminal hotels command a premium price, but a few blocks away offer savings.
• Vancouver is a bonus port.... you may want to consider spending more than one day there. Lots to do as it's bigger than all the Alaskan ports combined. Some say 3 or 4 days is ideal.

 

[xlxo]

they didn't have the SUV we reserved

Also if you want those luggage friendly minivans.... book MONTHS in advance to secure availability.

I'm not a fan of leaving luggage in vehicles... especially SUV's and minivan's. Too much of a theft target.
http://vancouver.ca/police/CrimeMaps/tfauto.pdf