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

[mellers]

Hi! I had a couple of questions, and was hoping you guys could help me out.
We are planning on flying in early to Vancouver to have a day to spend there. Just wondering what the best options of doing this was? We don't really want to rent a car and have two children (ages 7 and 4). Also, are there any hotels that provide shuttle service to the ports that would be a good option? Thanks.

If you go to page 41 of this thread, you can see my review of the La Quinta Vancouver Airport--this might be a good option for you. They don't have a shuttle to the Cruise Terminal, and will, in fact, be about an hour away, but they do have a shuttle to and from the airport, and they are quite close to the SkyTrain (although I would bring a stroller for the littlest guy). For that day, given your kids' ages, I'd recommend either the Vancouver Aquarium (EXCELLENT!) or Science World.

You're kind of stuck, one way or another. Hotels near the airport are MUCH cheaper than downtown, but it's costly to transfer from them to the cruise. You might be able to get a hotel with a shuttle to the cruise terminal downtown, but you'll have to pay $$$ to transfer from the airport to the downtown hotel.

If you're not planning to get a rental car, staying near the SkyTrain, or near the attraction you want to see is a good idea, because it will cut down on your costs to visit the attractions you want.

I did a quick search on Science World--if you take the Canada Line at Lansdowne, and transfer to the Millenium Line, you'll be within 0.63 miles in 36 minutes. In general, if you want to find transit directions in Vancouver, go here: http://tripplanning.translink.bc.ca/
That should tell you how to get to all of the major attractions--the Lansdowne Station on No. 3 Road is the station by the Lansdowne Shopping Centre.

 

[mellers]

Has it been confirmed that DCl will be using Canada Place?

When I called and asked a couple of months ago, DCL told me it would be Canada Place.

 

[WestCoaster]

If you go to page 41 of this thread, you can see my review of the La Quinta Vancouver Airport--this might be a good option for you. They don't have a shuttle to the Cruise Terminal, and will, in fact, be about an hour away, but they do have a shuttle to and from the airport, and they are quite close to the SkyTrain (although I would bring a stroller for the littlest guy). For that day, given your kids' ages, I'd recommend either the Vancouver Aquarium (EXCELLENT!) or Science World.

You're kind of stuck, one way or another. Hotels near the airport are MUCH cheaper than downtown, but it's costly to transfer from them to the cruise. You might be able to get a hotel with a shuttle to the cruise terminal downtown, but you'll have to pay $$$ to transfer from the airport to the downtown hotel.

If you're not planning to get a rental car, staying near the SkyTrain, or near the attraction you want to see is a good idea, because it will cut down on your costs to visit the attractions you want.

I did a quick search on Science World--if you take the Canada Line at Lansdowne, and transfer to the Millenium Line, you'll be within 0.63 miles in 36 minutes. In general, if you want to find transit directions in Vancouver, go here: <link removed>That should tell you how to get to all of the major attractions--the Lansdowne Station on No. 3 Road is the station by the Lansdowne Shopping Centre.

I agree with the suggestions to visit Science World or the Aquarium at Stanley Park. As Mellers pointed out, you can get to Science World via Skytrain. For the Aquarium, you can either take a short cab ride from downtown or find a shuttle service (I'm not sure which hotels offer one).

Also, since the port is at Canada Place, it's only a short cab ride from the Waterfront Skytrain terminal, or if you're up for it, it's quite walkable (maybe 10 minutes from Waterfront, I estimate).

 

[mellers]

given your kids' ages, I'd recommend either the Vancouver Aquarium (EXCELLENT!) or Science World.

One other quick note about Science World--if you have a membership to your local science museum, some of them have a reciprocal arrangement with Science World that will let you get in free or at a substantial discount. Worth looking into, if you plan to go.

 

[DenverVal]

Just booked through hotwire and got the Sutton Place for 129 a night!!
I actually thought it was going to be Pan Pacific but Sutton wil be OK too!!
Anyone ever stay there? Reviews? None seem current on Hotwire...

Nice score - none of the 5-star hotels come up for me. When are you going to be there?

 

[lenzs4]

Nice score - none of the 5-star hotels come up for me. When are you going to be there?

June 5 & 6 for the June 7th departure!!

 

[DenverVal]

Very interesting that it comes up on those dates, but not mine two weeks later. Enjoy - I am leaning towards the Coast Coal Harbor, but an still thinking about it.

 

[Jen24]

I hope this isn't a repeat question but what is the best way to get from the airport to Coast Coal Harbor hotel? I know a taxi is the best way to get to Canada Place from the hotel. Thanks!

 

[disdel]

I hope this isn't a repeat question but what is the best way to get from the airport to Coast Coal Harbor hotel? I know a taxi is the best way to get to Canada Place from the hotel. Thanks!

Hi Jen !
I was looking into that, a taxi from YVR is about $30, according to the hotel's website. Using www.ridebooker.com as described on an earlier post here, they show $89 for a towncar, $109 for a limo . So, looks like we'll be doing a cab!

 

[nemofans]

I don't know if this has been mentioned yet, but I just found out about it. I wanted to share in case anyone would be interested. I was looking on the ABD website (Adventures by Disney) & they have added a Vancouver tour for people taking a DCL Alaskan cruise. It's 3 nights added b4 the cruise & they tour around Vancouver.

 

[mellers]

Hi Jen !
I was looking into that, a taxi from YVR is about $30, according to the hotel's website. Using www.ridebooker.com as described on an earlier post here, they show $89 for a towncar, $109 for a limo . So, looks like we'll be doing a cab!

Before you take the Coal Coast Hotel's word for it, I would call 1 (604) 681 1111 and check with Yellow Cab Vancouver. From what I know about Vancouver, $30 seems like WAY too little to get from the Airport to the Coal Coast

 

[lenzs4]

We are coming and going via amtrak. Our hotel is Sutton and we will leave from the cruise terminal. Are there shuttles or anything between any of those locations or would I need a cab both ways? Do I need to prearrange or will they be there waiting?
Shirley

 

[mellers]

We are coming and going via amtrak. Our hotel is Sutton and we will leave from the cruise terminal. Are there shuttles or anything between any of those locations or would I need a cab both ways? Do I need to prearrange or will they be there waiting?
Shirley

You might want to call your hotel and find out if they have a recommendation, and then double-check with their recommended providers.

 

[disdel]

Before you take the Coal Coast Hotel's word for it, I would call 1 (604) 681 1111 and check with Yellow Cab Vancouver. From what I know about Vancouver, $30 seems like WAY too little to get from the Airport to the Coal Coast

Thanks for the info!! I'll also double check with a friend up there, and post info later.

 

[RedSox68]

You're kind of stuck, one way or another. Hotels near the airport are MUCH cheaper than downtown, but it's costly to transfer from them to the cruise. You might be able to get a hotel with a shuttle to the cruise terminal downtown, but you'll have to pay $$$ to transfer from the airport to the downtown hotel.

If you're not planning to get a rental car, staying near the SkyTrain, or near the attraction you want to see is a good idea, because it will cut down on your costs to visit the attractions you want.

On the other hand.......what are the options for those of us thinking of taking the train from Seattle to Vancouver? Is the train station more in the downtown area and closer to the port?

 

[mellers]

On the other hand.......what are the options for those of us thinking of taking the train from Seattle to Vancouver? Is the train station more in the downtown area and closer to the port?

After checking Bing maps (and making a shameless plug for my husband's company )

It says that the Via Railway Station (which, I assume, would be the same for Amtrak) is about 1.5 miles away from Canada Place, so it looks like it is very close to the cruise terminal. If you are taking QuickShuttle, it stops at many of the downtown hotels, and Canada Place. Does that sound about right to those of you who have taken the train before?

Here's the map I found: http://www.bing.com/maps/?v=2&cp=49...l, Vancouver, BC, V6C___e_&mode=D&rtop=0~0~0~

 

[smeecanada]

On the other hand.......what are the options for those of us thinking of taking the train from Seattle to Vancouver? Is the train station more in the downtown area and closer to the port?

Train Station is in Downtown Vancouver and very close to the Port.

 

[MinnieDiva]

On the other hand.......what are the options for those of us thinking of taking the train from Seattle to Vancouver? Is the train station more in the downtown area and closer to the port?

I was looking at options, and it looks like the sky train (public transit) has a station right near Amtrak that takes you to the port. Google sky train vancouver and you should be able to look at maps. But then there is the issue of hauling luggage...

 

[Schachteles]

Does anyone know the BEST tour company to use to go whale watching out of Vancouver??

THANKS

 

[smeecanada]

Does anyone know the BEST tour company to use to go whale watching out of Vancouver??

THANKS

I'd really look into this. You have to travel a fair distance in a boat to get to possibly see whales from Vancouver. Whale watching is better out of Victoria on the West Coast. Plus, you are not guaranteed to see any whales. If you want to see whales - do a tour while in Alaska. Juneau operators guarantee you will see whales.