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

[jilljill]

My husband and I went on our first cruise this year out of Vancouver - it is a great city - we only had 2 1/2 days and could have spent a lot more. The people were very friendly.

RECOMMENDATIONSHotel - The Loden on Melville Street

It is rated #1 on Trip Advisor where real people post their pictures and reviews. It was our 25th anniversary and they upgraded us to a 750sq foot suite on arrival. They had a car take you anywhere in the city. It was worth the money. It is in Coal Harbour.

RESTAURANTS

Cardero's in Coal Harbor - wonderful service, food and atmosphere. It looks right over the water and the snow capped mountains.

Voya at the Loden. Great food and service.

SIGHTSEEING

We took the Big Bus which was a hop-on and hop-off bus which took us all around the city. We went to the Vancouver Aquarium in Stanley Park and crossed the Capialano Suspension Bridge.

Have a great time!

How far is this hotel from the port?

 

[poohj80]

We booked our air already as well!!! I got it for 220 per person on Alaskan Air- Phoenix AZ to Bellingham WA (total for 4 = 883) and will AMtrak into Vancouver!!
We have to stop in Seattle but it was cheaper to amtrak from bellingham - 78 for all 4 of us round trip!

When are you sailing?

 

[my three girls]

Disney Cruise Line released its Port Adventures for Alaska cruises today.

Here is a link:

http://disneycruise.disney.go.com/cruises-destinations/shore-excursions/search/

Choose the port you want on the left side of the screen.

 

[Schachteles]

Disney Cruise Line released its Port Adventures for Alaska cruises today.

Here is a link:

http://disneycruise.disney.go.com/cruises-destinations/shore-excursions/search/

Choose the port you want on the left side of the screen.

ABOUT TIME!! Does anyone know an easy way to print off ALL the excursions with the prices and details? Would be nice to sit down with the family and look at it that way.

 

[oldpatterns]

I was wondering the same thing. No package deals for the Alaskan cruises. I'm going to see how many of them are on tripadvisor.

The Lee's
Traveling to Alaska on the June 28th cruise

 

[poohj80]

Disney Cruise Line released its Port Adventures for Alaska cruises today.

Here is a link:

http://disneycruise.disney.go.com/cruises-destinations/shore-excursions/search/

Choose the port you want on the left side of the screen.

Thanks so much! There are SO many choices. I need to start doing reserach now!

I don't see any excursions listed for Tracy Arm. I assume we aren't getting off the ship there??

 

[Schachteles]

Thanks so much! There are SO many choices. I need to start doing reserach now!

I don't see any excursions listed for Tracy Arm. I assume we aren't getting off the ship there??

Nope Tracy Arm is done from the ship, not a stop.

 

[oldpatterns]

The boat goes through Tracys Arm.

 

[mellers]

You might want to check out the Quick Shuttle as well. It will take you directly to many of the downtown Vancouver hotels from Sea-Tac and Bellingham.

 

[BamaBornNemoNut]

Passport cards are sufficient to cross borders both into Canada and into the US as long as you are entering by land or sea. It is only for air travel that a full passport is required.

I would not travel by air into or out of Canada. I would travel by land into and out of Canada. I would travel by sea from Canada to Alaska (US) and back to Canada. Can I use only my Passport Card and be admitted onto the ship?

TIA

 

[pouncingpluto]

So, do we think that the shows will be on the same nights as they are for the 7-night Caribbean cruises, or will we just have no idea until the first Alaskan cruise sails? I can make Flounder's reservations starting in late February, so it would be nice to know by then.

 

[jlwhitney]

I would assume for the most part the three big shows will be all while at sea.

 

[smb6]

So have most of you booked your hotel yet? I'm trying to decide..... We already have our airfare and will be flying in on the (May) 29th- 2 days before our cruise. There are 7 of us; so I really don't want to spend a lot on the hotel keeping in mind we will need two rooms. I'm hoping to get rooms for under $150 each- preferably closer to $100. Two rooms, two nights- that is still $600!
We are planning to do the suspension bridge and the sea wall....... What are yall's plans?
And I'm also wondering what kind of eateries there are (keeping in mind we plan to stay near the cruise terminal).... I have 5 kids and since I know we will be eating a ridiculous amount on the cruise I just really want to go with some kid friendly and cheap places- what is there in the way of fast food? Subway? McDonalds? And I'd like to do one nicer meal that will suit the kids, but maybe something that is "local"... Any ideas?
TIA!

 

[pixie08]

Has anyone had any luck with Coal Harbor? It may be a new hotel so maybe no one has heard of it...I am not sure, but it is fairly close to the harbor and a great price.

 

[cryssi]

Sorry if this has been covered earlier in this thread, but if we arrive in Vancouver at 9 something am, how long will it take us to get through customs and then get to the port? There is only one am flight to Vancouver from LAX...

 

[smeecanada]

And I'm also wondering what kind of eateries there are (keeping in mind we plan to stay near the cruise terminal).... I have 5 kids and since I know we will be eating a ridiculous amount on the cruise I just really want to go with some kid friendly and cheap places- what is there in the way of fast food? Subway? McDonalds? And I'd like to do one nicer meal that will suit the kids, but maybe something that is "local"... Any ideas?
TIA!

There are lots of places to eat in the area. McDonald's, Subway, Tim Horton's etc. One nice family place is in Gastown - Old Spaghetti Factory.

 

[pixie08]

Sorry if this has been covered earlier in this thread, but if we arrive in Vancouver at 9 something am, how long will it take us to get through customs and then get to the port? There is only one am flight to Vancouver from LAX...

Can you go the night before? I think most people will vouch that for sanity's sake that is the best thing to do.

 

[smb6]

There are lots of places to eat in the area. McDonald's, Subway, Tim Horton's etc. One nice family place is in Gastown - Old Spaghetti Factory.

Thanks!!

 

[MrsHelloKitty]

Has anyone had any luck with Coal Harbor? It may be a new hotel so maybe no one has heard of it...I am not sure, but it is fairly close to the harbor and a great price.

I am assuming that you mean the Coast Coal Harbor Hotel. I've been looking at that one. They have a "pay ahead" rate of $148/nt. You have to book and pay in full at least 14 days in advance. That's significantly less than their regular rate. Looks like a nice place and close to the harbor and port. It is a new hotel from what I've read -opened for the Olympics.

 

[smb6]

I am assuming that you mean the Coast Coal Harbor Hotel. I've been looking at that one. They have a "pay ahead" rate of $148/nt. You have to book and pay in full at least 14 days in advance. That's significantly less than their regular rate. Looks like a nice place and close to the harbor and port. It is a new hotel from what I've read -opened for the Olympics.

Thanks for sharing the advance rate price, I think I'm going to go check that one out....