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

[sabrecmc]

Is anyone familiar with LandseaTours (www.vancouvertours.com)? I was looking at booking a post-cruise tour and they have one that goes to Grouse Mt. and the Capilano Suspension Bridge. It says it picks up from the downtown hotels. Any other recs for a similar tour?

 

[jilljill]

I was looking at going to Grouse Mountain and it's very easy to get to on your own using public transportation and only takes about 25 minutes. Here's their website: www.grousemountain.com

 

[geoffrey]

I was looking at going to Grouse Mountain and it's very easy to get to on your own using public transportation and only takes about 25 minutes. Here's their website: www.grousemountain.com

If you are looking to go up Grouse Mountain (which is wonderful) you may want to consider Capilano Suspension Bridge. You will go right past it on the way to Grouse. My family really likes it there.

 

[jilljill]

If you are looking to go up Grouse Mountain (which is wonderful) you may want to consider Capilano Suspension Bridge. You will go right past it on the way to Grouse. My family really likes it there.

Thanks but no thanks. It's bad enough that my DD will be able to see mountains on this trip and she freaked out when I mentioned Grouse Mountain . I haven't even told her how we have to take the gondola to get there . No clue how she would handle going to see this. Not to mention I would be scared to death and so would DH.

 

[DenverVal]

Thanks but no thanks. It's bad enough that my DD will be able to see mountains on this trip and she freaked out when I mentioned Grouse Mountain . I haven't even told her how we have to take the gondola to get there . No clue how she would handle going to see this. Not to mention I would be scared to death and so would DH.

So the ziplining is a no-go?

 

[jilljill]

So the ziplining is a no-go?

Absolutely a NO-GO!!!

 

[bzzelady]

My DD11 and DH will also be joining the "Not setting foot on the cable car" club!
I, however, cannot wait to go up to Grouse Mountain and do the Peak 2 Peak gondola in Whistler

 

[mmmears]

If you are looking to go up Grouse Mountain (which is wonderful) you may want to consider Capilano Suspension Bridge. You will go right past it on the way to Grouse. My family really likes it there.

It looks really amazing. I think I was there when I was a kid. How far is this from Vancouver?

 

[geoffrey]

It looks really amazing. I think I was there when I was a kid. How far is this from Vancouver?

I don't know the exact distance, but it is not far at all. If you are going to Grouse Mountain, you will go right by it.

It seems like you are just driving through a neighborhood, you go by the bridge, up the hill a few more miles (kilometers) and you are at the base of Grouse Mountain.

 

[Chirple]

I apologize in advance if this has already been asked and answered, but has anyone stayed at the Vancouver Airport Marriott Hotel? I checked Trip Advisor, and the ratings were pretty good. We are arriving the day before our cruise departure, and I can get Marriott Rewards staying there.

I thought we could take the shuttle to the hotel when we arrive at the airport, spend the night, take the shuttle back to the airport the next morning and pick up the transfer from DCL to the pier.

Does this sound like a feasible plan?

 

[Mineu]

Several people have asked about renting cars in Seattle and driving to Vancouver. Please note that many of the car rental companies will not let you take their cars across the border. Those that do will add a one way drop off fee of $300 to $500. So you will need to factor this into your airfare. Yes it's much cheaper to fly to Seattle or Bellingham, but the difficulties with the rental car, might make Vancouver a better choice.

Rather than a rental car, I would use Amtrak, Quickshuttle or Greyhound.

Can the add this fee later? I have printed out our confirmation and double checked our cities-but don't see this fee-just don't want this to appear after we pick up the car...

 

[jilljill]

Can the add this fee later? I have printed out our confirmation and double checked our cities-but don't see this fee-just don't want this to appear after we pick up the car...

I'd call the car rental company and ask them if there is a drop fee. I'm sure they would be able to add the fee when you arrived at the counter or when you dropped off your car. I've had them change a rental fee on me when I dropped off the car, but because I had my online confirmation with me they had to honor the original price which was around $800 lower . This was in either AZ or CA when picking up in one city and dropping off in another.

 

[Mineu]

Ok-would it be safer to rent the car for the week? Pick up in Seattle and drop off in Seattle?

 

[RedSox68]

My DD11 and DH will also be joining the "Not setting foot on the cable car" club!
I, however, cannot wait to go up to Grouse Mountain and do the Peak 2 Peak gondola in Whistler

Ohhhh, I am STILL getting over the cable car ride we had to take in Gibraltar! -- and that was in 2007! I am NOT good with heights at all.

 

[poohj80]

For those of you who have been successful getting a AAA rate at the Pan Pacific for the cruises next summer, what dates are you sailing? I just called and they told me no AAA rates available for August yet.

Thanks for the help!

 

[mmmears]

For those of you who have been successful getting a AAA rate at the Pan Pacific for the cruises next summer, what dates are you sailing? I just called and they told me no AAA rates available for August yet.

Thanks for the help!

Ours is for mid-June.

 

[smeecanada]

I would aim for a 1pm flight or later. You have to drive at least 30 minutes to the airport from Port. Check in, go thru security and then customs. That can take awhile.

Double checked with my sister and it's approximately an hour drive from the Port to the Airport.

 

[adedward]

Just booked Delta for August, a long way out, because the rate looked so good. Paid only 723.00, which included all taxes and fees for both of us. Got to leave from our small, local east coast airport, and taking a daytime, not red eye flight home. Love Seattle, so looking forward to flying into there. Big train fan, so excited to take Amtrak to Vancouver. Don't know how this rate compares, but I'm happy. No backing out now!

 

[aml3679]

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!

 

[lenzs4]

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!