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

[MercoBear]

I was wondering about somewhere to store our bags too. We are planning to spend the day that we get back into port touring the city before flying out that night. Does anyone have suggestions for what to do with our luggage for the time in-between the ship and plane?

 

[mellers]

I was wondering about somewhere to store our bags too. We are planning to spend the day that we get back into port touring the city before flying out that night. Does anyone have suggestions for what to do with our luggage for the time in-between the ship and plane?

Canada Place has luggage storage--that might be an option. I'm not sure about YVR.

 

[MN Dis Fans]

Has anyone ever heard of / stayed at Landis Hotel & Suites Downtown Vancouver?

We're flying into Vancouver 5x nights before our cruise in early August. We plan on spending the first 3x nights on Vancouver Island, and will spend our final 2x nights in Vancouver sightseeing before we board the cruise. I've been doing quite a lot of research and the Landis Suites have many nice reviews. Any of you folks ever stayed there?

TIA.

 

[animalx]

I've stayed at the Landis. Hotel itself was o.k. but the area i don't recommend. Depending on your budget, there would be better places to stay. When are you going? i can keep an eye out for any good deals.

 

[animalx]

Regarding Aquarium walk. It has taken me 30 minutes to walk there. Nice walk . You can probably do it in 20. It's in the middle of Stanley Park.

 

[MN Dis Fans]

I've stayed at the Landis. Hotel itself was o.k. but the area i don't recommend. Depending on your budget, there would be better places to stay. When are you going? i can keep an eye out for any good deals.

We're needing nights in Vancouver for 31 July & 1 August. There are 7x in our party. It (The Landis) is a little further away from the cruise terminal, and I originally was looking for somewhere to stay along Robson St. I had looked at the Hampton Inn. I would like a suite type unit, just simply to have more room to spread out. I would love to hear any recommendations that you, or anyone else has to offer. We will have a vehicle with us during our stay, if that makes any difference.

 

[mmmears]

Regarding Aquarium walk. It has taken me 30 minutes to walk there. Nice walk . You can probably do it in 20. It's in the middle of Stanley Park.

Is that from Canada Place? If so, sounds very do-able. Maybe a nice way to spend some time the day before the cruise.

 

[disneymath]

We've stayed at many Hampton Inns in Ontario (and at one near The Forks in Winnipeg) so this is where we are booked for our pre-cruise stay in Vancouver (4 nights). My mom collects HHonors points, a decent breakfast buffet is included, we get two queen (as opposed to double) beds and the price is right. So I'm not so much worried about the hotel as I am about the location (near BC Place). Will it be difficult to get to the tourist type places (Granville Island, Stanley Park/Aquarium, Robson Street Shopping) and Canada Place? Is it a "safe" part of town?

 

[stepknees]

Is that from Canada Place? If so, sounds very do-able. Maybe a nice way to spend some time the day before the cruise.

It IS a very nice walk, all along the Seawall. I'd recommend the walk even if you weren't interested in the Aquarium at the end!

 

[mmmears]

It IS a very nice walk, all along the Seawall. I'd recommend the walk even if you weren't interested in the Aquarium at the end!

Wonderful! That's great to hear. I've seen it on a map, but that doesn't tell me much. It's great to hear that it would be a fun thing to do on our day in Vancouver. Thanks!

 

[animalx]

MN . I would check out the Century Plaza Hotel on Burrard. See expedia link

Expedia was cheaper than the Century Site itself.

I have also stayed here. The One bedroom suite had more room than the landis. It is two block from robson and about a 15-20 walk to Canada Place/Cruise Ship Dock.

I live 30 minutes just outside Vancouver and have stayed in a lot of the local hotels. I really like the Pan Pacific but the rooms are on the smaller side.

I'm guessing with that many people you would get two rooms so i would recommend them for the roominess and the price.

Any other deals that come across i'll let you know

 

[mmmears]

I live 30 minutes just outside Vancouver and have stayed in a lot of the local hotels. I really like the Pan Pacific but the rooms are on the smaller side.

Any advice on the Pan Pacific? We're planning to stay there before the cruise since it looks like the most convenient place.

 

[megsablue]

We're needing nights in Vancouver for 31 July & 1 August. There are 7x in our party. It (The Landis) is a little further away from the cruise terminal, and I originally was looking for somewhere to stay along Robson St. I had looked at the Hampton Inn. I would like a suite type unit, just simply to have more room to spread out. I would love to hear any recommendations that you, or anyone else has to offer. We will have a vehicle with us during our stay, if that makes any difference.

July 31st is the Annual Pride Parade in Vancouver - the parade route goes down Robson St, so many of the hotels on Robson may be booked up before too long. Just thought you should know while you're making plans!

As for hotels on Robson, when visiting me, my sisters have stayed at both the Listel Hotel and the Empire Landmark. The Listel room was quite small - the Empire Landmark was nice, but it is older (but has kind of a vintage feel in the rooms). You'd definitely have to get two rooms at those hotels (unless they have suites, I'm not sure as my sisters have only stayed in regular rooms).

I'd also check out the Coast Hotel Coal Harbour - though no family has stayed at that location, I've stayed at many Coast Hotels and have always had a good experience. Along the lines of the Landis, there's also a place on Robson that's called Time Square Suites that's a sort of an apartment rental - I haven't stayed there (I live 6 blocks away) but I've had people recommend it for family who is visiting.

 

[stepknees]

One hotel that might be less known is the Terminal City Club Hotel http://www.tctowerhotel.com/ It's essentially a boutique hotel run by a private club, so it doesn't really have a "street presence" and I'm not sure how available it is on booking sites like Expedia. We stayed in a suite there last summer and it was very nice -- and it's just 1 short block from Canada Place.

 

[animalx]

MM , The Ship docks right beside the Pan Pacific. You can't get closer than that. The rooms are small but great. The view around the hotel is great !

 

[Perdita&Pongo]

I'd be grateful for some advice from those that know:

We are coming from Chicago going to Victoria and have the option of connecting through Seattle or Vancouver. Is one airport "better" than the other in terms of customs or other issues?

Also, we have 5 days to work with split between Victoria and Vancouver: would you recommend 3 in Vic and 2 in Van or vice-versa? Should we add a day and make it 3 and 3? We plan to Helijet from Vic to Van and are flying home right after disembarking the cruise.

We are a family of 4 (me, DH, DD14, DD8) on the 8/9 Alaska cruise.

Thanx much!

(P.S. Hi to DenverVal and Piglet33!!!)

 

[richmo]

From a convenience standpoint, I would think Vancouver would be much better. However, it seems that most flights are considerably less expensive to Seattle...often to the tune of several hundred dollars per person.

 

[MN Dis Fans]

July 31st is the Annual Pride Parade in Vancouver - the parade route goes down Robson St, so many of the hotels on Robson may be booked up before too long. Just thought you should know while you're making plans!

As for hotels on Robson, when visiting me, my sisters have stayed at both the Listel Hotel and the Empire Landmark. The Listel room was quite small - the Empire Landmark was nice, but it is older (but has kind of a vintage feel in the rooms). You'd definitely have to get two rooms at those hotels (unless they have suites, I'm not sure as my sisters have only stayed in regular rooms).

I'd also check out the Coast Hotel Coal Harbour - though no family has stayed at that location, I've stayed at many Coast Hotels and have always had a good experience. Along the lines of the Landis, there's also a place on Robson that's called Time Square Suites that's a sort of an apartment rental - I haven't stayed there (I live 6 blocks away) but I've had people recommend it for family who is visiting.

MN . I would check out the Century Plaza Hotel on Burrard. See expedia link

Expedia was cheaper than the Century Site itself.

I have also stayed here. The One bedroom suite had more room than the landis. It is two block from robson and about a 15-20 walk to Canada Place/Cruise Ship Dock.

I live 30 minutes just outside Vancouver and have stayed in a lot of the local hotels. I really like the Pan Pacific but the rooms are on the smaller side.

I'm guessing with that many people you would get two rooms so i would recommend them for the roominess and the price.

Any other deals that come across i'll let you know

One hotel that might be less known is the Terminal City Club Hotel http://www.tctowerhotel.com/ It's essentially a boutique hotel run by a private club, so it doesn't really have a "street presence" and I'm not sure how available it is on booking sites like Expedia. We stayed in a suite there last summer and it was very nice -- and it's just 1 short block from Canada Place.

Thanks all of you for the great information. Yes, I was aware of the Annual Pride Parade taking place that same weekend. I researched all of the suggestions you folks gave. 2x of them really stood out at me, and the DW & I are currently mulling the choices over. I really like the Terminal City Club Hotel for its location. From all of the reviews I read on Trip Advisor, etc. it seems like a quaint & quiet place. We could walk over to the cruise terminal on embarkation day. The other one that caught my eye, was the Time Square Suites. Main reason for looking at this one, was the washers & dryers in each unit. We'll definitely want to start the cruise with a complete wardrobe of "clean" clothes. Thanks again for everyone's input.

 

[mellers]

I'd be grateful for some advice from those that know:

We are coming from Chicago going to Victoria and have the option of connecting through Seattle or Vancouver. Is one airport "better" than the other in terms of customs or other issues?

Also, we have 5 days to work with split between Victoria and Vancouver: would you recommend 3 in Vic and 2 in Van or vice-versa? Should we add a day and make it 3 and 3? We plan to Helijet from Vic to Van and are flying home right after disembarking the cruise.

We are a family of 4 (me, DH, DD14, DD8) on the 8/9 Alaska cruise.

Thanx much!

(P.S. Hi to DenverVal and Piglet33!!!)

In general, it's better to do customs on the ground rather than in the airport, so, particularly if there's a cost savings, I would fly into Seattle and take a taxi to the Victoria Clipper (http://www.victoriaclipper.com/) While there are cheaper ways to get to Victoria from Seattle, the clipper tends to be more comfortable and easier, and, if you're renting a car, the cost savings is probably negligible, if there's a savings at all. If you're looking for a cool, new experience, there are also seaplanes which will take you there--no idea as to cost, however.

Also, I know that Enterprise Rent-A-Car will pick you up from the Victoria Clipper, if you're planning to rent a car on the island. I have no idea how their prices stack up to other providers, however (I can't drive.)

Another good possibility is to take the Quick Shuttle to Vancouver after landing in Seattle (http://www.quickcoach.com/) The primary advantage of this is that it combines your transportation from Sea-Tac with your transportation to Vancouver and, in most cases, your transportation to your Vancouver hotel.

As to how to split the days, I can't advise you there. I can honestly say that I could spend three days in either city quite happily, so I think it really depends on what you want to see once you get there. Big recommends for Butchart Gardens (both day and night--incredible fireworks display), and the Vancouver Aquarium.

 

[DenverVal]

(P.S. Hi to DenverVal and Piglet33!!!)

Hi Nancy! We're sailing in June, so sadly, we will miss you again. We decided to fly into Vancouver rather than coordinate the train/bus/ferry from Seattle. Other than airfare and a sailing date, not much is decided.