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

[mouseclick1]

That does sound easy - do they have transportation from the airport to the hotel, and what are you thinking about transportation from the port to the airport afterwards?

We are at the Fairmont Pacific Rim via DCL for $294US / night for four of us in a room. When I looked at what the price was if we were to book it ourselves, it comes out close to what we're paying DCL. We are also doing air and transfers through DCL as we've had good experiences with them the other two times we've done far-away cruises, but if it will be easy to get from the Vancouver airport to the hotel and then to the port, we might look at what the price difference would be. Because right now, the airfare for DCL is pretty steep - for our Med and Baltic, it came out better than if we did it ourselves, especially since we were not paying extra for the transfers. Of course I would need to see if we can purchase transfers via DCL and under what circumstances.

Is your party of four 2 adults and 2 kids? Just curious, because we are a party of 4 and have a rate of $323 CAD (AAA rate), but our 2 kids are over 18 so there is an additional charge for each of them.

 

[nzdisneymom]

Ok, so I was just checking out the Pan Pacific and it looks great. From their FAQ:

7. What is the distance to the cruise terminal?

As we are located atop the Canada Place Cruise Ship Terminal, guests that are arriving or departing from this terminal just need to walk through the terminal and take one elevator into the hotel.

Alternately, if your cruise ship is departing from Ballantyne Pier, this would be a 5-10 minute taxi ride from the hotel.

do we know which port DCL will be at?

Also, it looks like there is rapid-transit to and from the airport that goes pretty much to the hotel.

 

[nzdisneymom]

Is your party of four 2 adults and 2 kids? Just curious, because we are a party of 4 and have a rate of $323 CAD (AAA rate), but our 2 kids are over 18 so there is an additional charge for each of them.

Yes, two adults and 1 14 y.o. and 1 13 y.o.

 

[Mineu]

I also booked the Pan Pacific-$220 CAD pre cruise and $180 CAD post cruise. The agent said that the hotel had more availability post cruise-hence the price difference... Someone else was lucky enough to get it for $175 pre cruise!

 

[mouseclick1]

Yes, two adults and 1 14 y.o. and 1 13 y.o.

That explains the difference! Do you have AAA? If so, I would give them a call because their 2011 are available even though they are not up on the website yet. I'm sure the AAA rate would beat what Disney is giving you. My rate is on the high end because I am being charged extra for each kid, yours should be quite a bit lower than mine. Although it does sound like the best rates so far are coming from the Pan Pacific AAA rate.

 

[SoCalDCLfan]

That does sound easy - do they have transportation from the airport to the hotel, and what are you thinking about transportation from the port to the airport afterwards?

I don't know if the Pan Pacific offers transportation from the airport to the hotel. We'll be driving a rental car and will drop it at the Avis downtown location after we check in to the hotel. We did book the DCL port to airport transportation after the cruise at $39 per person. I'm sure we could find a less expensive option, but I went for convenience on that one.

 

[carole88]

I don't know if the Pan Pacific offers transportation from the airport to the hotel. We'll be driving a rental car and will drop it at the Avis downtown location after we check in to the hotel. We did book the DCL port to airport transportation after the cruise at $39 per person. I'm sure we could find a less expensive option, but I went for convenience on that one.

You can get a cab to the airport right in front of the Pan Pacific hotel. We paid $40 including tip for our ride in a minivan cab for the four of us. It was really easy and very convenient. I don't know how many are in your party, but this could be a big savings.

 

[mmmears]

Ok, so I was just checking out the Pan Pacific and it looks great. From their FAQ:


do we know which port DCL will be at?

Also, it looks like there is rapid-transit to and from the airport that goes pretty much to the hotel.

I read somewhere here on the boards and also on the Canada Place website that DCL is using the Canada Place pier. That makes the Pan Pacific look really, really convenient IMO.

 

[smeecanada]

I read somewhere here on the boards and also on the Canada Place website that DCL is using the Canada Place pier. That makes the Pan Pacific look really, really convenient IMO.

I don't think the actual Port schedule has been done yet. That will happen sometime later in the year. Ballantyne Pier is not being used this summer due to lower volume in cruise ships - so hopefully it will be the same next year. Plus, the fact that we leave on a Tuesday helps - not so many ships trying to use Canada Place at the same time. Ballantyne Pier is in an industrial area not far from Canada Place. So regardless, of which Port - staying near Canada Place is a good choice for accomodation/restaurant and activities.

 

[SoCalDCLfan]

You can get a cab to the airport right in front of the Pan Pacific hotel. We paid $40 including tip for our ride in a minivan cab for the four of us. It was really easy and very convenient. I don't know how many are in your party, but this could be a big savings.

That sounds REALLY good - easy and less $$! thanks for the tip!! There are 5 of us, so a minivan cab should work. I think I'll cancel our DCL transportation

 

[mmmears]

I don't think the actual Port schedule has been done yet. That will happen sometime later in the year. Ballantyne Pier is not being used this summer due to lower volume in cruise ships - so hopefully it will be the same next year. Plus, the fact that we leave on a Tuesday helps - not so many ships trying to use Canada Place at the same time. Ballantyne Pier is in an industrial area not far from Canada Place. So regardless, of which Port - staying near Canada Place is a good choice for accomodation/restaurant and activities.

Yikes! I can't find the original post that said it was def. Canada Place. I sure hope that is is, though. The schedule isn't posted for 2011, but in 2010 it shows that there are no cruise ships at CP on Tuesdays, so hopefully the Wonder will get to dock there. My DM has some walking issues, so it will be so much better for us if we can stay right where the ship is docking.

 

[smeecanada]

Yikes! I can't find the original post that said it was def. Canada Place. I sure hoe that is is, though. The schedule isn't posted for 2011, but in 2010 it shows that there are no cruise ships at CP on Tuesdays, so hopefully the Wonder will get to dock there. My DM has some walking issues, so it will be so much better for us if we can stay right where the ship is docking.

The schedule won't be posted until January/February 2011 on the Port site. If I remember previous posts correctly the fact that it is definitely going out of Canada Place is speculation/assumption at this point. No problem getting a cab from one to the other - very short distance.

 

[Schachteles]

Can anyone tell me, we are looking to fly into Seattle and spend a couple of days there before our cruise and then drive up to Vancouver in a rental car. After the cruise we will spend a few days in Vancouver and then drive back to Seattle to fly out...do you know if there will be a problem bringing a rental car over the boarder???

 

[Mineu]

For those with large families that don't want to get two cabs-I have quotes from aerocar limo $39 sedan (3-5), $45 stretch limo (max 6), $70 ultra stretch (max 8). Add $50 for meet & greet in the airport, or add $25 to have a car waiting outside for you or just walk outside for first come first serve for the above rates. Limojet Gold quoted me $80 from airport to Pan Pacific and $70 return with meet & greet included. Tax and gratuity are extra for all of the quotes. Hope this helps!

 

[poohj80]

For those with large families that don't want to get two cabs-I have quotes from aerocar limo $39 sedan (3-5), $45 stretch limo (max 6), $70 ultra stretch (max 8). Add $50 for meet & greet in the airport, or add $25 to have a car waiting outside for you or just walk outside for first come first serve for the above rates. Limojet Gold quoted me $80 from airport to Pan Pacific and $70 return with meet & greet included. Tax and gratuity are extra for all of the quotes. Hope this helps!

Thanks for sharing the above quotes! Are there any Canadians out there who can share what the current child seat laws are in Canada? Not sure if we would need one for a 5 year old in a cab. Thanks!

 

[Ginamarie]

I just successfully pricelined a hotel for the night before our cruise and wound up with the Hyatt Regency (downtown Vancouver). Does anyone have thoughts on this hotel? How far is it from the pier?

 

[nordkin]

Yikes! I can't find the original post that said it was def. Canada Place. I sure hoe that is is, though. The schedule isn't posted for 2011, but in 2010 it shows that there are no cruise ships at CP on Tuesdays, so hopefully the Wonder will get to dock there. My DM has some walking issues, so it will be so much better for us if we can stay right where the ship is docking.

I was told by DCL that it is not Canada Place but the other cruise terminal that I can't for the life of me remember the name except it starts with a B.

 

[Mineu]

I just called DCL and the rep said Canada Place. The other port is Ballantyne and is only 5-10 minutes away-but it is nice to know that Canada Place is the correct port since I have already booked our hotel at the Pan Pacific for pre and post cruise stays!!

 

[mmmears]

I was told by DCL that it is not Canada Place but the other cruise terminal that I can't for the life of me remember the name except it starts with a B.

I just called DCL and the rep said Canada Place. The other port is Ballantyne and is only 5-10 minutes away-but it is nice to know that Canada Place is the correct port since I have already booked our hotel at the Pan Pacific for pre and post cruise stays!!

Well, in traditional Disney fashion it looks like they are giving out conflicting information. I have heard that CP is much nicer than Ballantyne... sure hope they are using CP.

 

[Mineu]

My 2010 guide said that at least three "other" cruise lines are using Seattle over Vancouver next year for various reasons. I'm hoping this means Canada Place will be less crowded-so easier for DCL to get. It seems to be the nicer of the two ports...