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

[smeecanada]

Has anyone done long term parking for a cruise out of Vancouver? We will be doing this so I was trying to get an idea of place/cost/ressies, etc.

Find the Port website. There was a link to parking info on there. I looked when we were going last year. Can't remember the cost though as we didn't end up using it.

 

[GrtWtNorth]

Has anyone done long term parking for a cruise out of Vancouver? We will be doing this so I was trying to get an idea of place/cost/ressies, etc.

Here's a link to the long term parking provider at the port. There are few spots considering the number of passengers using the port. If you don't have reservations, you may have to park somewhere else (like the airport).

 

[Pooh667]

Hotdogs w/ Japanese toppings. Grated radish, plum sauce, seaweed flakes, edamame, fish flakes, fried cabbage, Japanese mayo, okonomiyaki sauce etc. I still haven't gotten around to trying one as the lines are always insane and I'm not really that adventurous but all my friends love them. I think I heard they also have a salmon "hotdog" and I think someone said something about Kobe beef in addition to the regular hotdog (I believe they're pork).

Oh boy!!! I know my son will want one of these....he loves any kind of hot dogs!!!

 

[Pooh667]

Our flight leaves Vancouver at 5:40pm, so I started looking into how to store our luggage so we could do something that day.

In case you're interested in baggage storage, I found a company that will store luggage for the day at the Canada Place cruise terminal. Priority Baggage http://www.prioritybaggage.ca/index.html . The website gives info for Vancouver airport, but they have the same services for Canada Place. I think you just have to call them. They can store bags for the day and can also ship items home. Prices for baggage storage are:

$3.50 - small items ie camera bags, purses and jackets

$4.50 - carry-on sized items

$5.50 - large suitcases

$7.00 - oversized items ie sports equipment, hockey bags, boxes

Also, I thought I read somewhere that sometimes your pre-cruise hotel might store your bags for the day. I'm not sure though. Anyone heard of this? I'm going to call the Pan Pacific to check.

Hi,

Thanks for letting us know about the storage of the bags.

 

[Pooh667]

So far no luck when I call hotels directly. Let me know if you find something

Hi Patty,

I have been told that I could book a room for that night, at the regular rate then call that day and request an early check in. The earliest the check in would be is between 1:30 and 2:30pm...still leaving us walking around for many hours before we could check in. I am now actually looking into a different airport for departure...Newark. Continental does nonstops to Vancouver. I will let you know.

 

[katypop]

Yes! Woody will be leading us like the Pied Piper!

.

Yippee

 

[mouseclick1]

Does anyone have info about storing luggage at the train station before your train departs?

We have decided to take the evening train into Seattle, which leaves at 5:45 pm. I know we can keep the luggage stored at the pier, but I think it might be easier to have the luggage stored at the train station, and find things to do in that area for the afternoon.

 

[Bookworm Belle]

Have any of you used Air Canada? Any problems to report? Have any of you flown through the Toronto airport?

We live in Maine and are searching for a way to get to Vancouver for our Alaskan cruise. We thought about doing Portland to Boston (bus), then Boston to Seattle (plane), then Seattle to Vancouver (train), but it all got very confusing and expensive.

I found an Air Canada flight out of Portland, ME to Vancouver with a stop/change of planes in Toronto. It's reasonably priced and brings us direct to Vancouver. We've never done this before and are a bit nervous.

Any advice?

 

[megsablue]

Have any of you used Air Canada? Any problems to report? Have any of you flown through the Toronto airport?

We live in Maine and are searching for a way to get to Vancouver for our Alaskan cruise. We thought about doing Portland to Boston (bus), then Boston to Seattle (plane), then Seattle to Vancouver (train), but it all got very confusing and expensive.

I found an Air Canada flight out of Portland, ME to Vancouver with a stop/change of planes in Toronto. It's reasonably priced and brings us direct to Vancouver. We've never done this before and are a bit nervous.

Any advice?

I've flown Air Canada from Vancouver to Los Angeles or Las Vegas a few times and have always been very happy with the service (and I've had stops/changes of planes). The last time my sister flew Air Canada from Los Angeles to Vancouver she was also very happy with everything (she usually flies Alaska or Virgin, but Air Canada was quite a bit cheaper). I prefer them over WestJet (the other "major" Canadian airline, though both are good). Never done an east coast flight with them however.

The only thing I'd double-check is how much time is between the landing in Toronto and taking off again to Vancouver - you'll be going through customs there and that will take some time as you'll have to pick up your bags, go through customs, recheck your bags, go through security and make it to the gate. Just give yourself enough time and you should be fine

 

[GrtWtNorth]

Have any of you used Air Canada? Any problems to report? Have any of you flown through the Toronto airport?

We live in Maine and are searching for a way to get to Vancouver for our Alaskan cruise. We thought about doing Portland to Boston (bus), then Boston to Seattle (plane), then Seattle to Vancouver (train), but it all got very confusing and expensive.

I found an Air Canada flight out of Portland, ME to Vancouver with a stop/change of planes in Toronto. It's reasonably priced and brings us direct to Vancouver. We've never done this before and are a bit nervous.

Any advice?

As a previous poster mentioned, the biggest challenge would be going through customs in Toronto (both ways -- you will go through Canadian customs as soon as you arrive in Canada, and you will go through US customs before you can board your flight to Portland). You need to be prepared to go through additional security with all your luggage.

Toronto is a major airport - the busiest in Canada. When the weather is good, it's a very efficient airport. During the summer Alaska cruise season, the worst weather delay would be just a couple hours from thunderstorms / lightening. No big deal. (In winter, Toronto weather situations create delays and frustrated passengers on the same scale as JFK or O'Hare.)

But as for flying Air Canada, it's OK. They have a good (free) entertainment system with dozens of pre-recorded movies and TV shows including lots of kid-friendly choices. (They may not have the touch-screen headrest TVs on the short Portland-to-Toronto flight, but will almost certainly have these on the 4.5h Toronto-to-Vancouver flight.) Just bring your own headsets (or pay for the poor quality Air Canada headphones). Food is mediocre and expensive airline food. (Air Canada serves better meals on overseas flights, but in US and Canada we all suffer.)

If the deal and the timing is right, go for it!

 

[disneymath]

We just did a 2 hour drive from London to the Port in Dover for the Baltic cruise and cost was less than a third of this price. We have contacted a friend in Seattle and she confirms that price is out of sight. I actually did not request the quote to include driving us to the Port as we will be arriving before sail date. We are still in the planning stage of transportation, so we definitely have time to shop around, fortunately.

I'm no expert, but I'm wondering if the high cost has to do with the fact that the limo would be crossing the border - four times as the driver would not stay in Vancouver until you returned - and that there is no guarantee has fast/slow that process would be. (With London-Dover, the limo was operating within the same country.) I think the cost is off the charts - I'm sure you'll find a better option.

 

[GrtWtNorth]

Does anyone have info about storing luggage at the train station before your train departs?

We have decided to take the evening train into Seattle, which leaves at 5:45 pm. I know we can keep the luggage stored at the pier, but I think it might be easier to have the luggage stored at the train station, and find things to do in that area for the afternoon.

There is luggage storage at the train station (10:30 am to 6:00 pm). But I suggest caution with respect to activities around the station. The station is on the edge of a seedy part of town. If you walk west of the station, you will reach Science World and the sea wall around False Creek. This walk is fine, and the sea wall is great. If you walk north, you will go through a couple rough blocks before reaching Chinatown. Chinatown is unique, fun to see, but because if it's proximity to the nasty drug-infested area known as East Hastings, it can make many families uncomfortable. There's noting interesting east of the train station, and the neighborhoods to the south are boring until you get to the commercial areas along Broadway Avenue (approximately 9th ave).

 

[TDC Nala]

Got to try the JapaDogs - I am not a hot dog fan but if both Samantha Brown and Anthony Bourdain go there, I'll try it.

There's a lot of emphasis here (not surprisingly) on child-friendly food and restaurants, I'm going to do some into the more adult places, maybe I can remember the ones Bourdain went to...there was a Japanese one.

 

[mouseclick1]

There is luggage storage at the train station (10:30 am to 6:00 pm). But I suggest caution with respect to activities around the station. The station is on the edge of a seedy part of town. If you walk west of the station, you will reach Science World and the sea wall around False Creek. This walk is fine, and the sea wall is great. If you walk north, you will go through a couple rough blocks before reaching Chinatown. Chinatown is unique, fun to see, but because if it's proximity to the nasty drug-infested area known as East Hastings, it can make many families uncomfortable. There's noting interesting east of the train station, and the neighborhoods to the south are boring until you get to the commercial areas along Broadway Avenue (approximately 9th ave).

Thanks for the tip about the area. I did already notice that Science World was nearby, and thought that might be a nice way to spend the afternoon. We are all adults though, so I'm hoping it has a nice balance of things to see/do to keep it interesting for all ages. We will probably be too tired to venture beyond that! We are spending 3 days prior to the cruise at the Fairmont Pacific Rim, so we will plenty of time to see other parts of town before we sail.

 

[EastYorkDisneyFan]

As a previous poster mentioned, the biggest challenge would be going through customs in Toronto (both ways -- you will go through Canadian customs as soon as you arrive in Canada, and you will go through US customs before you can board your flight to Portland). You need to be prepared to go through additional security with all your luggage.

Toronto is a major airport - the busiest in Canada. When the weather is good, it's a very efficient airport. During the summer Alaska cruise season, the worst weather delay would be just a couple hours from thunderstorms / lightening. No big deal. (In winter, Toronto weather situations create delays and frustrated passengers on the same scale as JFK or O'Hare.)

But as for flying Air Canada, it's OK. They have a good (free) entertainment system with dozens of pre-recorded movies and TV shows including lots of kid-friendly choices. (They may not have the touch-screen headrest TVs on the short Portland-to-Toronto flight, but will almost certainly have these on the 4.5h Toronto-to-Vancouver flight.) Just bring your own headsets (or pay for the poor quality Air Canada headphones). Food is mediocre and expensive airline food. (Air Canada serves better meals on overseas flights, but in US and Canada we all suffer.)

If the deal and the timing is right, go for it!

Also Air Canada now no longer except cash for buy onbaord items all payments must be made by a major credit card.

 

[GrtWtNorth]

Thanks for the tip about the area. I did already notice that Science World was nearby, and thought that might be a nice way to spend the afternoon. We are all adults though, so I'm hoping it has a nice balance of things to see/do to keep it interesting for all ages. We will probably be too tired to venture beyond that! We are spending 3 days prior to the cruise at the Fairmont Pacific Rim, so we will plenty of time to see other parts of town before we sail.

If your adult group wants a bit of adventure, I would recommend visiting Chinatown during the day. It's colourful and impressive. Grocery stores line the streets. Other stores stock bargain goods like Chinese tea sets, kitchen gadgets, fans, incense, clothes, and other Asian trinkets. I found a very good beginners Chinese cook book, with large colourful photos and recipes printed in English and Spanish. The few weirdos are easy enough to avoid if you don't have kids in your group.

Of course, you can also find good inexpensive Chinese restaurants here or anywhere else in Vancouver. IMO, the best way to determine the quality of a Vancouver Chinese restaurant is to look at the clientèle. Caucasians typically avoid places that are dirty and/or waiters don't speak English, Asians avoid places that lack authenticity and/or value. If you see a good mix of Asian and Caucasian locals in the restaurant, it likely has good food, services and value.

 

[Pocahantas]

So excited, we just booked a couple of nights before our cruise and a couple of nights after at the Pan Pacific That will give us about 3-1/2 days to explore Vancouver and a small amount of time to relax by the pool/hottub at the hotel. Hopefully we'll be booking our flights soon...

 

[GrtWtNorth]

News: After last year's Fraser River Sockey Salmon fishery collapse, this year will likely be the biggest run since 1913. Full story here.

FYI, Sockeye Salmon typically spawn in 4-year cycles. No one's quite sure why last years spawning run was so bad and this years was so good. (I think a few fish took a year off to see the world. But I am no fishery expert.)

All along the cruise ship route, visitors will see large pods of whales, seals, sea lions, dolphins, porpoises, and maybe even bears around the mouths of rivers with healthy salmon runs, which peak in late summer / early fall.

Does anyone know where visitors can watch salmon runs from shore in the greater Vancouver area? I know about the Capilano River Hatchery, but I was hoping there was a place along one of the local rivers where you could watch salmon in their natural habitat (not a concrete / glass fish ladder).

History: The Fraser River was once one of the most productive salmon fisheries in the world, until 1913. An accidental landslide caused by railway construction blasting in a narrow gorge (Hell's Gate) created a high-flow choke point on the river that salmon could not swim past. Salmon could not return to +90% of their traditional spawning habitat and the Fraser River fishery (and fishing communities) collapsed. Fish ladders installed in the 1940's have helped a bit, but fish populations never recovered completely. Hells Gate, a 2.5h drive east of Vancouver, is now a tourist site, where visitors can take an air-tram over the raging river and watch fish navigate the fish ladder. Downstream, where the Fraser river meets the ocean, is the fishing village of Steveston, 15 minute drive south of the Vancouver airport. In addition to a collection of salmon restaurants (the best places for salmon dinner, IMO), there is an excellent museum: The Gulf of Georgia Cannery.

 

[smeecanada]

News:

All along the cruise ship route, visitors will see large pods of whales, seals, sea lions, dolphins, porpoises, and maybe even bears around the mouths of rivers with healthy salmon runs, which peak in late summer / early fall.

Does anyone know where visitors can watch salmon runs from shore in the greater Vancouver area?

In Victoria - you can go to Goldstream - but the salmon run there doesn't peak until mid-October/early November.

Last year in August - we watched the salmon in a little stream not far from where the ship docked in Skagway. To us - it's old hat with having Goldstream so close to our house, for lots of the tourists it was their first time seeing something like this. It was really interesting to listen to all the comments and such.

 

["Got Disney"]

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.

I checked with the port in Canada and they said that the port has NOT been decided yet...I posted this a few months back. I checked again with the person who does the sceduling and she said that it has not been decided.

Even checked with DCL and was told the same thing.

But no matter because the ports are both in Vancouver and not far from each other at all.