**** Vancouver FAQ Thread **** A few updates in main post!

[Shercara]

Alberni & Bute has a signature liquor store open til 6pm. Note it may be cheaper to get your liquor from your airport duty free store before you board.

Thank you xlxo! Any thoughts on The Blue Horizon Hotel? Any restaurant recommendations nearby - Our one son is Vegan - if you have any tips on restaurants that offer Vegan options -that would be appreciated too!

Thanks for everyone's help and input !
~Sherri

 

[pixie*duster]

Can anyone tell me if the port arrival works the same as at PC? Meaning...does boarding usually begin around 11:00, do you select a port arrival time when signing online documents, etc.?

 

[noahdove]

This is an awesome board!!!!! I already have a page of notes...Thank you all for your input..

 

[xlxo]

Thank you xlxo! Any thoughts on The Blue Horizon Hotel? Any restaurant recommendations nearby - Our one son is Vegan - if you have any tips on restaurants that offer Vegan options -that would be appreciated too!

Thanks for everyone's help and input !
~Sherri

Thoughts? Haven't stayed there, but you can find online reviews... generally positive.

• http://www.tripadvisor.ca/Hotel_Rev...Horizon_Hotel-Vancouver_British_Columbia.html
• Love the location... liquor store is across the street! Love Robson for a variety of restaurant and budget choices. I recommend talking with the hotel desk for ideas too.

Vegetarian? Wanna try something adventurous? Hon's on Robson offers some good value eats. It's Asian vegetarian, but what they are able to do with tofu (soy beans) is amazing. After seating, look at the kitchen... it's actually two... a regular kitchen on one side, but a vegetarian kitchen on the other to not contaminate the cooking process. One block West from Blue Horizon.

• https://maps.google.com/maps?saddr=...HJgHGGVDG6Vk89wu59Ag&oq=hon's&mra=ls&t=m&z=19
• http://www.tripadvisor.ca/Restauran...Wun_Tun_House-Vancouver_British_Columbia.html
• http://dinehere.ca/vancouver/hons-wun-tun-house-robson
• http://www.hons.ca/hons_english.htm
• picture of split veggie kitchen...
  http://a3.urbancdn.com/w/s/KV/jx42cwTxwNTJfC-640m.jpg

Georgia Straight Best of Vancouver Reader's choices for Vegetarians...
1.The Naam Restaurant, 2724 W. 4th
2.Acorn, 3995 Main
3.Foundation, 2301 Main

Here's more vegetarian options...
http://www.vancitybuzz.com/2013/01/best-vegetarian-and-vegan-restaurants-in-vancouver/

 

[Flight]

As mentioned before, Vancouver is much larger than all the Alaskan ports combined. You can spend a month there. Some ideas....

• http://www.tourismvancouver.com/do/...ttractions/10-vancouver-must-see-attractions/
• http://www.vancouverattractions.com/
• http://vancouver.about.com/od/historylandmarks/tp/toptenattractions.htm
• http://vancouver.about.com/od/sportsrecreation/tp/freethingstodo.htm

Sign up for a tour if time is limited to get to know the city better.

The Capilano Suspension Bridge Park looks like fun! Is admission required just for the bridge or can you hike around the area without paying? Also, does the hike in the park require several hours or most of the day? Looks like there is free scheduled transportation from Canada Place to the park.

 

[xlxo]

once you pay the admission... it's unlimited crossings across the bridge and other park activities. I recommend 2hrs to enjoy yourself.

There is a regional park outside of the suspension bridge. There is no charge to explore the park that follows the river.

If you are serious about hiking. Go to the bottom of Grouse Mountain and ask for directions for the "Grouse Grind" trail. Called "mother nature's stairmaster". Budget 1 to 2hrs for the average walker to cover the 700meter ascent. Once at the top, there will be more trails to greet you. Warning, the grind should NOT be attempted with street shoes. There is no bathrooms or any place to get water once on the trail. Super athletes complete the trail in 30 minutes. This senior needs 5 hours.

 

[xlxo]

fyi.... here's a map of the Capilano trails... If you look closely, you can see the paid suspension bridge area appears to be fenced off.

• www.metrovancouver.org/about/maps/Maps/Capilanomap.pdf

Not sure when you plan to be coming, but Vancouver has two famous hiking challenges.

• Seek the Peak where you start by the Lions Gate Bridge and end at the top of Grouse Mountain.
  http://seekthepeak.grousemountain.com/
• Knee Knackers... start from the West side of the North Shore and travel to the East with no roads... three mountain ranges!
  http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Knee_Knackering_North_Shore_Trail_Run

 

[Keyser]

Can anyone tell me if the port arrival works the same as at PC? Meaning...does boarding usually begin around 11:00, do you select a port arrival time when signing online documents, etc.?

Yes - boarding is around 11, and you select the PAT when filling out the online documents when that window opens. The terminal itself is laid out quite differently, of course.

 

[Shercara]

Thoughts? Haven't stayed there, but you can find online reviews... generally positive.

• http://www.tripadvisor.ca/Hotel_Rev...Horizon_Hotel-Vancouver_British_Columbia.html
• Love the location... liquor store is across the street! Love Robson for a variety of restaurant and budget choices. I recommend talking with the hotel desk for ideas too.

Vegetarian? Wanna try something adventurous? Hon's on Robson offers some good value eats. It's Asian vegetarian, but what they are able to do with tofu (soy beans) is amazing. After seating, look at the kitchen... it's actually two... a regular kitchen on one side, but a vegetarian kitchen on the other to not contaminate the cooking process. One block West from Blue Horizon.

• https://maps.google.com/maps?saddr=...HJgHGGVDG6Vk89wu59Ag&oq=hon's&mra=ls&t=m&z=19
• http://www.tripadvisor.ca/Restauran...Wun_Tun_House-Vancouver_British_Columbia.html
• http://dinehere.ca/vancouver/hons-wun-tun-house-robson
• http://www.hons.ca/hons_english.htm
• picture of split veggie kitchen...
  http://a3.urbancdn.com/w/s/KV/jx42cwTxwNTJfC-640m.jpg

Georgia Straight Best of Vancouver Reader's choices for Vegetarians...
1.The Naam Restaurant, 2724 W. 4th
2.Acorn, 3995 Main
3.Foundation, 2301 Main

Here's more vegetarian options...
http://www.vancitybuzz.com/2013/01/best-vegetarian-and-vegan-restaurants-in-vancouver/

xlxo - Can I just say.... YOU ROCK!!! Thank you thank you for your reply, and info, as well as all of the help and input you give to others. Hon's sounds GREAT!
Off to check out your links!

 

[arilvdc]

Has anyone used Airbnb in the area? We see a condo we like but it's $600 for three nights. Is that average in Vancouver?

 

[jk8]

I would be ever so grateful if anyone would help me make some decisions.

We will be flying in on either Saturday or Sunday prior to our cruise and arriving 11am one of those days. We will be leaving on a redeye at about 11 PM post-cruise Monday night. This means roughly two or three days of sightseeing.

1. Do you recommend two or three days? It will be my husband and I and our 15-year-old son.

2. Where to stay pre-cruise that is a good value. We don't need fancy. Also, i'm not accustomed to booking through Priceline or hotwire, but will if that's the best way to go. Do I need to book now for June 6 and 7th prior to June 8 departure? I'm finding some places have nonrefundable bookings to get a good price.

3. What do you do with our luggage all day if we don't leave until 11 PM after the cruise? To be a link on the front page but I wasn't sure if that place was operational any longer.

Thanks so much for any advice.

Julie

 

[xlxo]

I would be ever so grateful if anyone would help me make some decisions.

We will be flying in on either Saturday or Sunday prior to our cruise and arriving 11am one of those days. We will be leaving on a redeye at about 11 PM post-cruise Monday night. This means roughly two or three days of sightseeing.

1. Do you recommend two or three days? It will be my husband and I and our 15-year-old son.

2. Where to stay pre-cruise that is a good value. We don't need fancy. Also, i'm not accustomed to booking through Priceline or hotwire, but will if that's the best way to go. Do I need to book now for June 6 and 7th prior to June 8 departure? I'm finding some places have nonrefundable bookings to get a good price.

3. What do you do with our luggage all day if we don't leave until 11 PM after the cruise? To be a link on the front page but I wasn't sure if that place was operational any longer.

Thanks so much for any advice.

Julie

I recommend the longer option... go with 3 days pre-cruise.... especially for those coming from different timezones. Vancouver is larger than all the Alaska ports combined. You can spend 3 weeks there with various trips around Cascadia. Note, if you fly in before the weekend (ie Tuesday/Wednesday), you might notice significant savings that can go to your hotel stays.

Normally you can book last minute with Vancouver as it has a hotel surplus. However, that June weekend has Vancouver hosting FIFA Womens World. As a result, hotels are very busy downtown. Now's the time to look at your hotel. I'm a budget traveller, so here's a few recommendations around $200 a night. Check the location and reviews...

• http://www.booking.com/hotel/ca/blue-horizon-hotel.en-gb.html?checkin=2015-06-07;checkout=2015-06-08
• http://www.booking.com/hotel/ca/p-i...b.html?checkin=2015-06-07;checkout=2015-06-08
• http://www.booking.com/hotel/ca/hol...b.html?checkin=2015-06-07;checkout=2015-06-08
• http://www.booking.com/hotel/ca/d-vancouver-suites.en-gb.html?checkin=2015-06-07;checkout=2015-06-08
• http://www.booking.com/hotel/ca/r-v...b.html?checkin=2015-06-07;checkout=2015-06-08

Luggage can be held at the cruise terminal for a fee when you get off the boat.

 

[jk8]

I recommend the longer option... go with 3 days pre-cruise.... especially for those coming from different timezones. Vancouver is larger than all the Alaska ports combined. You can spend 3 weeks there with various trips around Cascadia. Note, if you fly in before the weekend (ie Tuesday/Wednesday), you might notice significant savings that can go to your hotel stays.

Normally you can book last minute with Vancouver as it has a hotel surplus. However, that June weekend has Vancouver hosting FIFA Womens World. As a result, hotels are very busy downtown. Now's the time to look at your hotel. I'm a budget traveller, so here's a few recommendations around $200 a night. Check the location and reviews...

• http://www.booking.com/hotel/ca/blue-horizon-hotel.en-gb.html?checkin=2015-06-07;checkout=2015-06-08
• http://www.booking.com/hotel/ca/p-i...b.html?checkin=2015-06-07;checkout=2015-06-08
• http://www.booking.com/hotel/ca/hol...b.html?checkin=2015-06-07;checkout=2015-06-08
• http://www.booking.com/hotel/ca/d-vancouver-suites.en-gb.html?checkin=2015-06-07;checkout=2015-06-08
• http://www.booking.com/hotel/ca/r-v...b.html?checkin=2015-06-07;checkout=2015-06-08

Luggage can be held at the cruise terminal for a fee when you get off the boat.

Thank you! I went ahead and booked the holiday inn. Now I just have to decide when to bite the bullet for airfare. It's hard not knowing what a good price from IND to YVR should be.

 

[brendat22]

Thank you! I went ahead and booked the holiday inn. Now I just have to decide when to bite the bullet for airfare. It's hard not knowing what a good price from IND to YVR should be.

We booked the Holiday Inn Downtown also before our cruise in August. Please let me know if you like it when you get back.

Brenda

 

[AcuraTL]

Just booked through Hotwire for 2 nights stay from 8/1-8/3/15, the price they are showing $144/night near Coal Harbour is for Hyatt. Very happy we got that price for that hotel.

 

[canadiandisneycruise]

Sounds like 6 people... I recommend two cabs for $35 each to get from airport to downtown hotels/cruise terminal. Hotels? Lots of choose from. What's important to you? [*]What's your price range? [*]How close do you want to be to the cruise terminal? [*]Are restaurants important to you? [*]Wanna a free trip to the Orient? I like Richmond Airport hotels for some ethnic restaurants. You want to book early to secure a spot ahead of Fifa women's coming to the city.

Last summer, we had five- too big for one cab. I asked for a car service for five, & they gave us a limo. No extra charge! $65 to the delta hotel near the port. We had a room with two doubles and a pull out coach. Lots of room! May work for you!

 

[xlxo]

Thank you! I went ahead and booked the holiday inn. Now I just have to decide when to bite the bullet for airfare. It's hard not knowing what a good price from IND to YVR should be.

Air fare can be very personal (depart times, arrival times, budget).

Using a fare calendar site.... you can see some savings by arriving Wednesday instead of Thursday/Friday.
http://www.fly.com/ca/Flywidgets/CalendarSearch.aspx

 

[Skylarr29]

Hello, anyone know if we can make an 11:00 a.m. flight on debarkation day? Last time we sailed the Wonder to Alaska, she was out of Seattle. Having a difficult time booking flights.

 

[jk8]

Air fare can be very personal (depart times, arrival times, budget).

Using a fare calendar site.... you can see some savings by arriving Wednesday instead of Thursday/Friday.
http://www.fly.com/ca/Flywidgets/CalendarSearch.aspx

Thank, airfare dipped for a day and we bought. Now we are all set! Come on June!

 

[jk8]

Hello, anyone know if we can make an 11:00 a.m. flight on debarkation day? Last time we sailed the Wonder to Alaska, she was out of Seattle. Having a difficult time booking flights.

Everything I've read says don't try it due to customs delays possible. We faced the same challenged and are doing a red eye out that night.