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

[richmo]

Don't forget to notify your bank you will be travelling out of the country. Also, many credit cards charge a 1-3% conversion fee for all foreign charges. You'll want to check with your issuing back to see what their fees are.

Good point! I found that out when I prepaid a night at Whistler and a $5 foreign transaction charge showed up on my Amex. I think I'll have to take a look at the terms on my credit cards to see if I have any that don't have that.

 

[wdhinn89]

About 4 years ago the Disney Visa had a 3% charge and Discover had no fee for Canadian transactions. Not sure now though. Will call in July again.

 

[jilljill]

About 4 years ago the Disney Visa had a 3% charge and Discover had no fee for Canadian transactions. Not sure now though. Will call in July again.

Disney Visa is still 3% for foreign transactions.

 

[jodeja]

Are credit card charges on the ship considered foreign transactions?

 

[buddywesley]

Its 'ok' - fair type rides - its all we have for a theme park here. If you are looking for top notch attractions, this is not the place - but if you want a wooden roller coaster and 'fair' rides, it can be fun. We live here and never go, if that says anything.

Thanks! We'll be in Vancouver for a day and 1/2 before the cruise and 3 days after. Since we're staying in Richmond (at The Fairmont Airport) before the cruise I thought we might pop over there for a bit and check it out. It does say a lot that you never go there though

Any suggestions for things to do by the airport? We'll be staying at Club Intrawest post cruise and plan to do all the downtown/ Stanley Park stuff then... Thanks for your thoughts and suggestions!

 

[MinnieDiva]

Are credit card charges on the ship considered foreign transactions?

No.

 

[Bookworm Belle]

Hi all!
We booked out flights yesterday! Air Canada was having a sale so we jumped on the deal. The only problem is that our flight back to the East Coast leaves Vancouver at 6 am.

Dave and I don't mind getting up early...it's getting to the airport in time that concerns me. We *could* stay the the Fairmont Airport, but it is a little pricey ($244.00 tax included). The big advantage is that we just have to walk down the stairs and we are on the concourse.

Honestly, I'm leaning toward this, just for the convenience, plus Dave would LOVE watching the planes take off and land. We've already spent A LOT on this vacation (but it is worth it!!) so what's a little more?

Any thoughts?

 

[joycsk]

Hi all!
We booked out flights yesterday! Air Canada was having a sale so we jumped on the deal. The only problem is that our flight back to the East Coast leaves Vancouver at 6 am.

Dave and I don't mind getting up early...it's getting to the airport in time that concerns me. We *could* stay the the Fairmont Airport, but it is a little pricey ($244.00 tax included). The big advantage is that we just have to walk down the stairs and we are on the concourse.

Honestly, I'm leaning toward this, just for the convenience, plus Dave would LOVE watching the planes take off and land. We've already spent A LOT on this vacation (but it is worth it!!) so what's a little more?

Any thoughts?

I'm doing the _same_ thing in reverse. Our Air Canada flight leaves Newark at 7:05, meaning 5 am or earlier arrival at the airport. We are staying at the Newark Marriott the night before for the exact same reason. (Not that our room is quite as pricey.) I sound like my father's daughter when I say that convenience can be worth paying for.

Also, we've stayed at the Marriott MCO before and it _is_ fun to watch the planes.

On the other hand, it's taken my months, along with the kind dis-er who posted the photos of port to convince my father to cancel his Disney transfers from the Fairmont Waterfront.

And if it helps at all, I'm also consoling myself with the thought that I have "pre-paid" for nearly all of this trip. We booked excursions privately, so they are done, the cruise fare and airfare are paid. In my warped and twisted mind, I'm not spending as much on this trip as I _really_ am since I've "dollar-cost-averaged" it.

 

[Bookworm Belle]

And if it helps at all, I'm also consoling myself with the thought that I have "pre-paid" for nearly all of this trip. We booked excursions privately, so they are done, the cruise fare and airfare are paid. In my warped and twisted mind, I'm not spending as much on this trip as I _really_ am since I've "dollar-cost-averaged" it.

That's how I'm looking at it, too! It kind of helps with the sticker shock!

 

[cwdefouw]

Hi all!
We booked out flights yesterday! Air Canada was having a sale so we jumped on the deal. The only problem is that our flight back to the East Coast leaves Vancouver at 6 am.

Dave and I don't mind getting up early...it's getting to the airport in time that concerns me. We *could* stay the the Fairmont Airport, but it is a little pricey ($244.00 tax included). The big advantage is that we just have to walk down the stairs and we are on the concourse.

Honestly, I'm leaning toward this, just for the convenience, plus Dave would LOVE watching the planes take off and land. We've already spent A LOT on this vacation (but it is worth it!!) so what's a little more?

Any thoughts?

We are doing this as well, although our flight is not until 9:30 AM. We decided that staying at the airport would be worth it for an early flight. Especially since we have heard that getting through US Immigration and Customs in Vancouver pre-flight can take some time. We ended using our AMX membership rewards points to buy a Fairmont Ovation certificate for one night and breakfast at the Airport Hotel. That way we have no out of pocket expenses for the last night.

 

[wdhinn89]

Our flight leaves JFK at 22:40 and arrives in YVR at 1:30am. We booked the Fairmont Airport for the convenience too. I feel it is definitely worth it. My mind is at ease not worrying about renting a car and driving or catching a shuttle bus at 2:00 am in the morning.

 

[buddywesley]

Just thought I'd pass this info on. We can't do it because my DD is only 4 (they have to be 6), but looks like fun. Today's living social deal for Vancouver is a walking Tour of Gastown & Chinatown. http://livingsocial.com/deals/33317-walking-tour-of-gastown-and-chinatown-for-two

 

[tanyaewa]

Fairmont Airport is a fantastic hotel - and you absolutely cannot beat walking downstairs to the departure level. For a 6am flight - it's the best option.
And that's a decent price.

Lately we have been staying at the Delta Airport Inn because they have 14 day free parking - so we'll do that since we need to leave a car in Vancouver- just skytrain to port on departure day - then fly back to YVR after the repo to LA.

Grouse MTN ziplining - no need to book ahead. Just call moring of to confirm bookig - ask for a deal or where to find a coupon.

Richmond thngs to do - what is your group interested in? PLayland is fun as a local carnival but doesn't compare to US themeparks.

US dollar - most places will take your US cash with no problesm - we are a tourist based economy - and give you a relatively good exchange. Pulling cash from ATM is your best bet if you get $100+ to avoid surcharges with your bank.
Currency exchange kiosks (like at the airport) make $ by charging percentages - as do credit cards

 

[buddywesley]

Richmond thngs to do - what is your group interested in? PLayland is fun as a local carnival but doesn't compare to US themeparks.

We are a family of four ( DS is almost 9 and DD is 4.5 ) We like to do just about anything we can with those age restrictions!!!! Sight-seeing, adventure, etc We'll do the downtown stuff post cruise and just thought if there was something to do in another area by Richmond we could do that for a day.
THANKS for any ideas!

 

[Lollipop's Mom]

I put the Alaska navigators in the main first post for anyone looking for them.

 

[rosiep]

I booked Air Canada yesterday too!
I found it was cheaper to book 2 one way tickets than a multi-leg ticket for the repo cruise. So, it's Air Canada into Vancouver, Jetblue out of LBG. Used Jetblue Trublue points for that fare so for 2 people my round trip fare was
$275!!! (From Portland OR)

If I'm not mistaken, neither airline charges for the first checked bag....is that right?

 

[DenverVal]

Grouse MTN ziplining - no need to book ahead. Just call moring of to confirm bookig - ask for a deal or where to find a coupon.

Thank you!

 

[tanyaewa]

Richmond things to do:

check out this link and then I can comment.

http://www.hellobc.com/en-CA/SightsActivitiesEvents/Richmond.htm

Steveston is really a cool little town - if it's nice renting bikes might be fun - but walking around is good too. My kids liked the beach area and we bought a kite at a funky toy store
Will you have a car? How long are you staying.

FWIW - my kid are DS 9 and DS 6 so I am sort of where you at with activity things

 

[buddywesley]

Richmond things to do:

check out this link and then I can comment.

http://www.hellobc.com/en-CA/SightsActivitiesEvents/Richmond.htm

Steveston is really a cool little town - if it's nice renting bikes might be fun - but walking around is good too. My kids liked the beach area and we bought a kite at a funky toy store
Will you have a car? How long are you staying.

FWIW - my kid are DS 9 and DS 6 so I am sort of where you at with activity things

Thanks for the link. I'll check it out tonight when I have more time

We wont have a car (or at least we weren't planning on it) We get into YVR at midnight on Sunday so we'll have all day/night Monday to explore before we leave on the ship Tuesday.

 

[jodeja]

No.

Oh good! Thank you