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

[Politzania]

We are doing the pre-excursion package before our Alaskan cruise. We're staying at the Fairmount Waterfront and they provide free transportation to the cruise terminal. The manager told me over the phone that it's under 100 meters from their front door. The Waterfront also has a honey bee garden with free tours (great for the kids) and surrounded by at least 7 food trucks within 3 blocks walking distance. I just Googled up "food truck Vancouver" and a ton of sites came back.

I'll submit a review after our trip in June.

Jerry

Thanks! I found there's a McDonald's around the corner on Burrard St, so that's one option for breakfast - don't know if I'm adventurous enough to try a food truck breakfast!

 

[MN Dis Fans]

Hi. I'm still reading through this thread chronologically. We are staying at the TC from July 30 - Aug 1. If you're on the Aug 2 sailing, you might want to come on over to our cruise meet. There is another family on that sailing staying at TC as well!

Hi Joy: We are that other family staying at the TC. We're on the cruise meet board & FB thread with you folks already. although I haven't been very active on either recently. There's this funny thing called work that keeps getting in the way.

 

[PBader]

Thanks! I found there's a McDonald's around the corner on Burrard St, so that's one option for breakfast - don't know if I'm adventurous enough to try a food truck breakfast!

Tracey, that's where we will probably end up for breakfast also

 

[joycsk]

Hi Joy: We are that other family staying at the TC. We're on the cruise meet board & FB thread with you folks already. although I haven't been very active on either recently. There's this funny thing called work that keeps getting in the way.

However, I wasn't going to get there from your Dis name. Did you see the thing about the fireworks???

 

[docbrown]

First...we have 20 days until we sail

I need some advice. We are flying into Seattle 3 days before the cruise and then taking the train to Vancouver 2 days before sailing. We were going to take the Amtrak bus back to Seattle, but when I went to book it was sold out . I need help with what is the best way back to Seattle. I have looked at the option of the Quick Shuttle and renting a car. I guess I just don't know what is best. Our plane doesn't leave until 6:59 pm from Seattle, so time is on our side. Can someone help.. please

First, If you have 20 days left you are on our sailing! Welcome. we have a thread about it, if you want to join:
http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2295605
Also we rented a car from Thrifty from the Sat before to the Sat after, at SeaTac for $295, and reserved a parking spot at canada place for $150.
There is 4 of us in our family and, we think for the convenience of having a car to drive around before and after the cruise, and the transportation to the airport, the price is right.

 

[mellers]

First...we have 20 days until we sail

I need some advice. We are flying into Seattle 3 days before the cruise and then taking the train to Vancouver 2 days before sailing. We were going to take the Amtrak bus back to Seattle, but when I went to book it was sold out . I need help with what is the best way back to Seattle. I have looked at the option of the Quick Shuttle and renting a car. I guess I just don't know what is best. Our plane doesn't leave until 6:59 pm from Seattle, so time is on our side. Can someone help.. please

I would take the QuickShuttle. The busses get to go through a faster lane at the border, and they are pretty comfortable. You should, however, purchase or bring some snacks and bottled water before you get on. There is no meal stop, and no food or drink is available aboard for purchase. There are restrooms, however. I would make the recommendation even stronger if you have someone in a wheelchair in your party.

 

[Ajojo]

Dont' know if I have seen this question yet....But to the Canadians, how safe is Stanley Park for a single female?

I will be travelling solo and I like to walk/hike so I plan to spend my pre-cruise day exploring the park.

Thanks!

 

[bbangel]

Dont' know if I have seen this question yet....But to the Canadians, how safe is Stanley Park for a single female?

I will be travelling solo and I like to walk/hike so I plan to spend my pre-cruise day exploring the park.

Thanks!

The main areas are quite safe - the outside seawall and around the Aquarium and other attractions in particular. I would probably avoid the inner paths if i was by myself. The walk around the seawall is quite long and should give you a good taste of the park.

 

[DisneyCruisin]

Question: If you booked one of the Disney recommended hotels on your own (because Disney's block was full) can you still take advantage of checking in for the cruise at the hotel?

 

[DisneyBasket]

In preparing to pack I've discovered that I do not have fleece pullovers at all. In reading some articles this week, some previous Alaskan cruisers have asserted that fleece articles are available at the ports for reasonable cost and recommend that instead of buying new fleece at home, cruisers should wait and pick them up in port. They also indicated that these would be more unique than what I might be able to get at home, including some designs that might not be available anywhere else. Do any of you locals or past cruisers know anything about this?

I'm thinking I'm more likely to need a fleece pullover on Tracy Arm day, which is prior to port stops, of course!! Is there any similar place in Vancouver where I could pick up a nice fleece pullover that won't cost an arm and a leg?? (Can you tell I'm packing and identifying what's lacking at this point??)

Thanks!

 

[KatiezMom]

I think there is a prerequisite that you must wear fleece to live in Vancouver, that or a Canucks jersey A short walk from the terminal is Gastown, there are lots of stores there but its a lot of touristy places. You can also get onto the skytrain at Waterfront Station which is right at the terminal and take it to Granville Station which lets you out at Pacific Centre Mall and there are lots of places there. H&M, the Gap and Banana Republic and also The Bay (Canadian Macy's basically). Lots of places

 

[ibouncetoo]

Just left Vancouver today. Taxi from Pan Pacific (which would be the same as leaving from the pier) to the airport was $34 Canadian...three people, lots of luggage.

Also took a cab from the hotel over to The Old Spaghetti Factory (53 Water street...and a great place for a group meal as they can easily accomodate large parties and the price is reasonable) $6.40 on the way over and $5 something on the way back (due to one way streets).

Also for those staying at the Pan Pacific who don't want to spend resort prices on food scared1 there is a very large (and busy) food court that you can access without going outside.

These things may have been mentioned in the thread but I just wanted to post in case this info is burried.

.

 

[vpalmer]

Thank you Jackie! We will also be staying at the Pan Pacific with three people and lots of luggage. I was a little worried the luggage would all fit in a cab actually. May I ask how much is a lot of luggage?

Just left Vancouver today. Taxi from Pan Pacific (which would be the same as leaving from the pier) to the airport was $34 Canadian...three people, lots of luggage.

Also took a cab from the hotel over to The Old Spaghetti Factory (53 Water street...and a great place for a group meal as they can easily accomodate large parties and the price is reasonable) $6.40 on the way over and $5 something on the way back (due to one way streets).

Also for those staying at the Pan Pacific who don't want to spend resort prices on food scared1 there is a very large (and busy) food court that you can access without going outside.

These things may have been mentioned in the thread but I just wanted to post in case this info is burried.

.

 

[lenzs4]

I just started loking at what I have planned and what was left for later and I realize that I have forgotten (and can no longer find the reserach I had gathered) about the to and from aspect...
We are tacking Amtrack to Vancouver from Bellingham. We are staying at the Sutton Place. What is the best - least expensive way to travel between the two? Is there a shuttle or should I taxi...
Also, I remember (again lost research) a link to a place that holds luggage after the cruise until you need it. If someone bookmarked that and can repost it, that would be nice, otherwise I will go back and reread to find it. (honestly I forgot to look on post 1 to see if it was there. I will go look now.)
Thanks

 

[poohj80]

Also for those staying at the Pan Pacific who don't want to spend resort prices on food scared1 there is a very large (and busy) food court that you can access without going outside.

Thanks for mentioning this! Is the food court in the Pan Pacific or Canada Place? What types of options do they have?

We're taking Amtrak from Seattle to Vancouver (also looking for Shuttle or Taxi suggestions) and will need a place for dinner the night prior to the cruise.

 

[ibouncetoo]

Thank you Jackie! We will also be staying at the Pan Pacific with three people and lots of luggage. I was a little worried the luggage would all fit in a cab actually. May I ask how much is a lot of luggage?

Thanks for mentioning this! Is the food court in the Pan Pacific or Canada Place? What types of options do they have?

.

vpalmer, the bellman got us a minivan type cab. There are cabs lined up outside the hotel/convention center all the time. We had about eight pieces of luggage.

poohj, the hotel and convention center are all of one piece, so to speak. You have access to the food court from your hotel room without going outside (it's underground). There were LOTS of options. Our gang used McDonalds (breakfast the morning we left), Subway (my lunch) and Tim Hortons but there were all kinds of other choices.

You also have access to the hotel from the ship terminal without being out from 'under cover' though you are technically outside. You can use the terminal luggage carts up to the entrance to the hotel, then you must have the bellman take your luggage (or take it into the hotel yourself). We had four rooms and tons of luggage that we were checking in, so we let them handle it. Also odds are pretty good that your room will NOT be ready, so you can leave your luggage with them, check in and then go off and explore Vancouver (our gang did the hop on/hop off bus). Your luggage will be taken to your room when it is ready.

We had one room ready right away for our group (mine, and possibly because I had an upgraded view ), so we used that as 'command central' if folks needed to make contact during the day.

.

 

[sabrecmc]

We stayed a night post-cruise at the Fairmont Waterfront. This was very nice and right across the street from the port. Since we booked throught DCL, we met the rep holding the "Fairmont Waterfront" sign after we got our luggage and went through customs. They took our luggage and had it delivered to the hotel. The rep walked us over with our day bags. Everything was very smooth and the hotel was great. The food court mentioned above is very convenient. We went to the Vancouver Aquarium in Stanley Park that afternoon and then just rested in our room. It was really nice. Cab to the airport was about $45 with tip.

 

[Ajojo]

We stayed a night post-cruise at the Fairmont Waterfront. This was very nice and right across the street from the port. Since we booked throught DCL, we met the rep holding the "Fairmont Waterfront" sign after we got our luggage and went through customs. They took our luggage and had it delivered to the hotel. The rep walked us over with our day bags. Everything was very smooth and the hotel was great. The food court mentioned above is very convenient. We went to the Vancouver Aquarium in Stanley Park that afternoon and then just rested in our room. It was really nice. Cab to the airport was about $45 with tip.

I'l be leaving in a few days and staying at the Waterfront pre-cruise.
Did you walk to Stanley Park?
Did you access the food court from Canada Place or from the Waterfront?

Thanks

 

[plutojudy]

Is there a place in the Vancouver airport where we can ship things home if we buy too many souvenirs? I hope so, since this is a once in a lifetime trip for us, we will be buying a lot of things.

 

[sabrecmc]

I'l be leaving in a few days and staying at the Waterfront pre-cruise.
Did you walk to Stanley Park?
Did you access the food court from Canada Place or from the Waterfront?

Thanks

We did walk to Stanley Park using the seawall. It was very pleasant, but did take us about 45 minutes to get to the Aquarium. The bell services guy said about 25. He clearly did not do the lazy American who doesn't walk anywhere conversion on that estimate. We used US dollars most places, or credit cards. Only issue was trying to take the 19 bus from Stanley Park back to the hotel (get on/off at Burrard street about 2 blocks up from the hotel). The nice bus driver just let us ride free b/c we were tired and couldn't think straight and had a 5 year old about to drop.

We were outside the hotel when we went to the food court, but it is to the left about 30 feet outside the Waterfront's doors and down some steps. I think the hotel elevator will take you down there, but we weren't using it when we were heading to the food court.

The hotel had a heated pool and exercise room, though we didn't use them. Bell services was great with the bags and they had our room ready prior to check-in (though not immediately when we got off the ship at 9am or whatever). Rooms were very comfy. Internet cost money. Good coffee at the Heron restaurant, which you can get to go.