May 19 - 24, 2014 San Diego to Vancouver

[RweTHEREyet]

I noticed that too! I wanted some friends to come with us but we booked on Day 2 and it was cheap then. Now it's actually a bit overpriced for having only 1 port....

On the other hand, I really like sea days more than days in port, so I guess it is just personal preference. There never seems to be enough time on the ship to expolore and try new things. So, I am really looking forward to having several sea days on this sailing.

But I did just check, and the cabin I booked has gone up by $600. If it had started at this price, I probably would not have been doing the B2B.

 

[RweTHEREyet]

We're coming from Sacramento.

We went ahead and made reservations for a few nights in San Diego prior to the cruise. If any of you are considering staying there the weekend before, I would recommend making reservations now. I was told that at least one of the major universities is having graduations that weekend, so quite a few hotels are already sold out. My first attempt was at Embassy Suites; the on-site reservation clerk was very helpful and tried several of the local Hilton HHonors properties but quite a few were already booked solid. I secured a reservation at the Homewood Suites - Liberty Station which looks very nice.

We are planning on two nights in San Diego before sailing, so your suggestion on booking now is really appreciated. I am going to check out their site.

Came back to add that I just checked with DCL and they have not partnered with any hotels yet and cannot make any recommendations at this point.

Jessica, how are you getting from Sacramento to San Diego, did you already say, and I missed it?

 

[RweTHEREyet]

I made a one-night reservation at the VGC for a studio on May 17th as a pre-cruise treat! I get off work at 5p on the 16th, will go to DLR for 2 days/1 night, then will head down to San Diego to get on the cruise! Still haven't decided whether to stay in SD or at the VGC the night of the 18th. It would make me nervous to get on the train Monday morning so close to sailing, but I also hate getting there super early to port then waiting to get on the ship. Hmm ...

It looks like about a 10 minute walk from the Amtrak station to the port. Wonder how that will be with luggage?

I had decided on going directly to San Diego for the weekend, but am now thinking about flying into LAX on Saturday, having 1.5 days at DL, but I too was wondering if taking the train Monday morning would be cutting it too close.

Going into San Diego is the most sensible route for us to go, but a stay at VGC is really pulling me in that direction. I am not sure as well. We will also have the time change to deal with, so maybe getting aclimated in San Diego is the way to go. But, there are studios and one bedrooms still available that weekend. I dunno. Lots to decide.

Dinner at Naples and maybe some spa time would be nice, too.

 

[kew423]

We're lucky because my MIL lives in SD so we will arrive on Saturday and then take a shuttle to the ship on Monday.

 

[RweTHEREyet]

We're lucky because my MIL lives in SD so we will arrive on Saturday and then take a shuttle to the ship on Monday.

OK, has she got a sleeper sofa? just kidding

 

[HeyyCali]

We're coming from Sacramento.

We went ahead and made reservations for a few nights in San Diego prior to the cruise. If any of you are considering staying there the weekend before, I would recommend making reservations now. I was told that at least one of the major universities is having graduations that weekend, so quite a few hotels are already sold out. My first attempt was at Embassy Suites; the on-site reservation clerk was very helpful and tried several of the local Hilton HHonors properties but quite a few were already booked solid. I secured a reservation at the Homewood Suites - Liberty Station which looks very nice.

Ooh, that is good to know! Thank you! We are leaning toward renting a car and driving down on Sunday afternoon. I think I'll make a reservation now just to maintain my option. Not sure yet where we will end up. I think as long as it has a pool the boys will be happy!

 

[lilpooh108]

On the other hand, I really like sea days more than days in port, so I guess it is just personal preference. There never seems to be enough time on the ship to expolore and try new things. So, I am really looking forward to having several sea days on this sailing.

Me too actually. We just did a pretty port intensive cruise, and I literally did not even get to do a single activity other than photo ops. DD and I are looking forward to getting in some sea days to catch up

 

[jessicaerv]

We are planning on two nights in San Diego before sailing, so your suggestion on booking now is really appreciated. I am going to check out their site.

Came back to add that I just checked with DCL and they have not partnered with any hotels yet and cannot make any recommendations at this point.

Jessica, how are you getting from Sacramento to San Diego, did you already say, and I missed it?

We'll fly down, most likely on SWA. I'll probably book the flights the first sale that comes up after the dates open up and then stalk the sales that follow for fare reductions.

As for those thinking about taking Amtrak, the train depot is only a couple blocks from the cruise terminal, if I recall correctly, and its definitely walkable if you are unladen, but with luggage (even if they are just carry-on sizes) I would suggest a cab. Or bicycle rickshaw.

 

[CaliforniaGirl09]

We'll fly down, most likely on SWA. I'll probably book the flights the first sale that comes up after the dates open up and then stalk the sales that follow for fare reductions.

This is exactly what we do! Gotta love SWA Calfan actually just found a reduced fare on another trip we are taking with our families, it's nice to be able to have the security of a ticket and still have the benefit of taking advantage of future sales.

 

[taaren]

I had decided on going directly to San Diego for the weekend, but am now thinking about flying into LAX on Saturday, having 1.5 days at DL, but I too was wondering if taking the train Monday morning would be cutting it too close.

Going into San Diego is the most sensible route for us to go, but a stay at VGC is really pulling me in that direction. I am not sure as well. We will also have the time change to deal with, so maybe getting aclimated in San Diego is the way to go. But, there are studios and one bedrooms still available that weekend. I dunno. Lots to decide.

Dinner at Naples and maybe some spa time would be nice, too.

There's an Amtrak that runs at 6:52am on Mondays and gets into San Diego at 9a, and another one that leaves at 8:03am and gets in at 10:10a, another that leaves at 9, another at 10:30 ... I think we'll be safe getting to port. Will probably go for the 8:03 am train myself since I've never gotten on the ship before noon, even when I check in at midnight to try to get the first available boarding time, usually 11a or so, then I check in and wait until 1 or 2p to board. (Not that I have a large sample, this will only be my 4th DCL, but still ...)

I wanted to stay in Old Town simply for the Mexican food, because how can I go to San Diego and not eat at Cafe Coyote? Unfortunately it just doesn't seem very workable because I don't want to sleep in 3 different places in the three nights preceding our cruise. Too much moving.

 

[ShellB8585]

I have booked our pre cruise hotel this morning. Expedia UK had a special offer with double nectar points (which I am collecting to put toward the flight).

We are staying at Wyndham San Diego Bayside, San Diego - http://www.wyndham.com/hotels/california/san-diego/wyndham-san-diego-bayside/hotel-overview

It's very close to the cruise port and they have a complimentary airport shuttle. We will be flying over on the Saturday and staying 2 nights so will only really have 1 evening and a day in San diego if there are any suggestions on must do's? It will be our first visit so I would appreciate your tips.

 

[RweTHEREyet]

I have booked our pre cruise hotel this morning. Expedia UK had a special offer with double nectar points (which I am collecting to put toward the flight).

We are staying at Wyndham San Diego Bayside, San Diego - http://www.wyndham.com/hotels/california/san-diego/wyndham-san-diego-bayside/hotel-overview

It's very close to the cruise port and they have a complimentary airport shuttle. We will be flying over on the Saturday and staying 2 nights so will only really have 1 evening and a day in San diego if there are any suggestions on must do's? It will be our first visit so I would appreciate your tips.

I can tell you that Balboa Park, the Zoo and the Wild Animal Park are on our list , if we end up in San Diego for the two nights.

I have to say that the prices for the hotels showing availability are scaring me. I guess with my DVC, I have not had to pay for a hotel in years, so I am suffering tremendous sticker shock.

I am going to talk to my SIL and see what she thinks about going to Disney, even if we don't do a park, yeah right. But I would rather stay at the Grand Californian for no cash out of pocket and buy a ticket to DL than pay $200-250 just for a hotel room.

 

[ShellB8585]

I have to say that the prices for the hotels showing availability are scaring me. I guess with my DVC, I have not had to pay for a hotel in years, so I am suffering tremendous sticker shock.

I am going to talk to my SIL and see what she thinks about going to Disney, even if we don't do a park, yeah right. But I would rather stay at the Grand Californian for no cash out of pocket and buy a ticket to DL than pay $200-250 just for a hotel room.

I would have loved to have spent some time at Disneyland pre cruise and flown into LAX but with an 11 hour flight we would have wanted to fly over Fri (so another day off work) and we don't have DVC so hotels and park tickets would have worked out much more expensive so figured I may as well get in there with the hotel now before prices went up further or sold out.

thanks for the "things to do in San Diego" ideas

 

[RweTHEREyet]

There's an Amtrak that runs at 6:52am on Mondays and gets into San Diego at 9a, and another one that leaves at 8:03am and gets in at 10:10a, another that leaves at 9, another at 10:30 ... I think we'll be safe getting to port. Will probably go for the 8:03 am train myself since I've never gotten on the ship before noon, even when I check in at midnight to try to get the first available boarding time, usually 11a or so, then I check in and wait until 1 or 2p to board. (Not that I have a large sample, this will only be my 4th DCL, but still ...)

I wanted to stay in Old Town simply for the Mexican food, because how can I go to San Diego and not eat at Cafe Coyote? Unfortunately it just doesn't seem very workable because I don't want to sleep in 3 different places in the three nights preceding our cruise. Too much moving.

taaren, thanks for the schedule information. I had pulled up an Amtrak schedule yesterday, but I could not figure out how to read the stupid thing for the life of me, and it didn't help that the print was teenie tiny and I did not see an option to enlarge it. Do you have any idea how far the Anaheim Amtrak station is from DL?

I plan to talk to my SIL this weekend and get her thoughts. I would rather fly in on Saturday, do a studio at DVC for two nights, do Disney on Sunday and catch the train on Monday morning to San Diego, but she may have other ideas. She may prefer to fly to San Diego on Sunday and just pay for hotel for one night.

Heck, we could probably do a one-way car rental for less than the cost of the hotel rooms.

Btw, I did also check the Fairfield, and it was booked up as well.

 

[taaren]

taaren, thanks for the schedule information. I had pulled up an Amtrak schedule yesterday, but I could not figure out how to read the stupid thing for the life of me, and it didn't help that the print was teenie tiny and I did not see an option to enlarge it. Do you have any idea how far the Anaheim Amtrak station is from DL?

I plan to talk to my SIL this weekend and get her thoughts. I would rather fly in on Saturday, do a studio at DVC for two nights, do Disney on Sunday and catch the train on Monday morning to San Diego, but she may have other ideas. She may prefer to fly to San Diego on Sunday and just pay for hotel for one night.

Heck, we could probably do a one-way car rental for less than the cost of the hotel rooms.

Btw, I did also check the Fairfield, and it was booked up as well.

The train station in Anaheim is in the Stadium parking lot on Katella. About a mile and a half from DLR I think ... we took a can and it was a little under $10 plus tip, but can be higher depending on how many traffic lights you hit.

 

[lilpooh108]

The train station in Anaheim is in the Stadium parking lot on Katella. About a mile and a half from DLR I think ... we took a can and it was a little under $10 plus tip, but can be higher depending on how many traffic lights you hit.

Thanks for this info! We're local and my plan was to go to SD for the weekend. If that doesn't pan out, we'll just take Amtrak down. Had no idea that it's only $10.

 

[RweTHEREyet]

Thanks for this info! We're local and my plan was to go to SD for the weekend. If that doesn't pan out, we'll just take Amtrak down. Had no idea that it's only $10.

I think taaren was saying that the cab from DisneyLand to the Amtrak station was $10.00.

I think Amtrak from Anaheim was around $30.00 per person.

 

[lilpooh108]

I think taaren was saying that the cab from DisneyLand to the Amtrak station was $10.00.

I think Amtrak from Anaheim was around $30.00 per person.

OMG haha. I'm so lame. OK. You are right. I looked it up. At this price, it's cheaper for us to drive and Hotwire a 3-star hotel.

Here's the schedule (as of today) for May 19, 2014:


Sort by
$28.00
564 Pacific Surfliner

Departs: 8:03 AM
Mon May 19 2014
Anaheim, CA (ANA)
Arrives: 10:02 AM
Mon May 19 2014
San Diego, CA - Old Town (OLT)
Duration: 1 hr, 59 min
Amenities



No Checked Baggage



1 Unreserved Coach Seat
1 Business Class Seat
(add $14.00)


$28.00
566 Pacific Surfliner

Departs: 9:08 AM
Mon May 19 2014
Anaheim, CA (ANA)
Arrives: 11:12 AM
Mon May 19 2014
San Diego, CA - Old Town (OLT)
Duration: 2 hr, 4 min
Amenities



No Checked Baggage



1 Unreserved Coach Seat
1 Business Class Seat
(add $14.00)


$28.00
768 Pacific Surfliner

Departs: 10:30 AM
Mon May 19 2014
Anaheim, CA (ANA)
Arrives: 12:27 PM
Mon May 19 2014
San Diego, CA - Old Town (OLT)
Duration: 1 hr, 57 min
Amenities



No Checked Baggage



1 Unreserved Coach Seat
1 Business Class Seat
(add $14.00)

 

[lchute1158]

Check the ART system...I believe they have service to the train station, and I believe Amtrak has a disney express train service, try to google that.

Sent from my iPad using DISBoards

 

[lchute1158]

Check the ART system...I believe they have service to the train station, and I believe Amtrak has a disney express train service, try to google that.

Sent from my iPad using DISBoards

http://www.rideart.org/

Sent from my iPad using DISBoards