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

[jrp]

I hav ben looking at the post on here for soome time and tis has probably been spoke of but here goes.. Which of the hotels just mentioned have parking at thier hotels.. We are thinking of driving and are on the 24th cruise..

Thanks
James "jrp"

 

[animalx]

Of the one's i've seen they all would have parking.

 

[adnil530]

I hav ben looking at the post on here for soome time and tis has probably been spoke of but here goes.. Which of the hotels just mentioned have parking at thier hotels.. We are thinking of driving and are on the 24th cruise..

Thanks
James "jrp"

I think you are asking about parking there long term while you cruise. I'd like that info also if someone has it handy.

 

[trimix]

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?

Vancouver is consistently rated one of the best airports in North America. In the Skytrax list of the best 25 airports in the world Vancouver came in at 11. The only other North American airport on the list was San Francisco at 20.

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.

It depends on what you want to do, and if you have a car. There is a lot of wild beauty on Vancouver Island, and I really enjoy spending a night in Tofino during the stormy season or around Barkley Sound in the warmer months. If your family isn't the outdoor type, the urban Vancouver would probably be more to your liking.

 

[jennypenny]

We are sticking with more *urban* offerings in Vancouver because we are doing all outdoorsy things in Alaska. We are also trying more adverturous meals in Vancouver (different Asian, etc) because the food on the cruise will be fairly bland in nature. (good, just bland)

 

[animalx]

I will post if i find a good weekly rate for you. Canada Place ( cruise terminal ) wants $39.99 a day to park there.

 

[soonerfan2008]

Just wanted to offer a tip for families who are spending time in Vancouver--we love the Robson on Rosedale. Great hotel, central to lots of things and great space for families. There is a little kitchen, sitting area, bedroom and bathroom, and I thought rates were very reasonable.

 

[Shanny145]

Just used Hotwire.com and paid 132.00 a night for three nights pre-Alaska for a 4 star hotel! Staying at the Sheraton Vancouver Wall Centre....called to make sure there were two beds in the room and the front desk was just awsome....put us in the newer North Tower and I asked if we could be high so that we had a view and she said absolutely....can't get better than that in my opinion. If we were only staying for one night I would have wanted to stay in the Pan Pacific being as it is on top of Canada Place but we are less than a mile away anyhow....just a short cab ride with our bags. Thought I would throw out this great deal for anyone that was looking. We were nervous at first seeing that you don't know what hotel you are getting until after the transaction is done but we couldn't be happier with this choice!

 

[mmmears]

Anyone here from Vancouver who can help me?

I am wondering if there is a store (grocery, drug, convenience) very close to Canada Place where we would be able to buy a few items we cannot fly with (water bottles, ginger ale, a can of Lysol, and probably a few other things)? We wont have a car, so it would need to be pretty close (since we'll have to carry it all back to the hotel).

Any experience/recommendations would be appreciated!

 

[megsablue]

Anyone here from Vancouver who can help me?

I am wondering if there is a store (grocery, drug, convenience) very close to Canada Place where we would be able to buy a few items we cannot fly with (water bottles, ginger ale, a can of Lysol, and probably a few other things)? We wont have a car, so it would need to be pretty close (since we'll have to carry it all back to the hotel).

Any experience/recommendations would be appreciated!

I'd recommend the London Drugs on the corner of Georgia and Granville - it's about 6 blocks away but would probably have the biggest selection. There's also a lot of transit around that area, that would take you closer if you were so inclined (Canada Line and buses would take you about a block and a half from the cruise ship terminal from across the street from London Drugs).

There's also an upscale grocery store called Urban Fare around 4 blocks away, but they tend to be pretty expensive if you're just wanting basic stuff.

 

[mmmears]

I'd recommend the London Drugs on the corner of Georgia and Granville - it's about 6 blocks away but would probably have the biggest selection. There's also a lot of transit around that area, that would take you closer if you were so inclined (Canada Line and buses would take you about a block and a half from the cruise ship terminal from across the street from London Drugs).

There's also an upscale grocery store called Urban Fare around 4 blocks away, but they tend to be pretty expensive if you're just wanting basic stuff.

Thank you so much for the advice. It's so much better than us just setting out hoping to find what we need. I appreciate the info! I'm thinking that packing will be much easier for us, too.

 

[sdlong329]

Anyone here from Vancouver who can help me?

I am wondering if there is a store (grocery, drug, convenience) very close to Canada Place where we would be able to buy a few items we cannot fly with ... a can of Lysol ...

My DW has been buying small, travel size Lysol ... a little smaller than a full size toothbrush in a travel container. I *believe* it is a one pump aerosol ... but not 100% sure. No problems with traveling.

 

[Petals & Pixie Dust]

For any locals...how far is it from the fairmount rim pacific hotel to east side marios? We only get there when we are in Canada!!!

 

[animalx]

Hey MM , there is also a COSTCO about a 15 minute walk away.

 

[smb6]

Can anyone recommend a limo company in Vancouver?

 

[E&Cmom]

For any locals...how far is it from the fairmount rim pacific hotel to east side marios? We only get there when we are in Canada!!!

There is an East Side Mario's in North Vancouver but from the Fairmount it is easy to get to without a car. From your hotel, it is about a 5 minute walk to Waterfront Station where the Sea Bus leaves from. The Sea Bus is part of our public transit. The Sea bus goes directly to Lonsdale Quay. It takes about 12 minutes. Lonsdale Quay is a great place to walk around with a market, little stores and restaurants. It is also a nice spot to take pictures of the city from there.

 

[stepknees]

FYI, visiting Lonsdale Quay is a particularly excellent activity if you have little kids. First, you get to ride the Sea Bus to get there. At the market, there's a free ball pit upstairs and a bunch of coin-op rides. You can grab lunch from any of the food stands inside the market. And there are a bunch of tugboats moored outside. DS3 loves this place!

 

[plutojudy]

There is an East Side Mario's in North Vancouver but from the Fairmount it is easy to get to without a car. From your hotel, it is about a 5 minute walk to Waterfront Station where the Sea Bus leaves from. The Sea Bus is part of our public transit. The Sea bus goes directly to Lonsdale Quay. It takes about 12 minutes. Lonsdale Quay is a great place to walk around with a market, little stores and restaurants. It is also a nice spot to take pictures of the city from there.

Oh, East Side Mario's, we used to have them in the Chicago area and they closed. We are looking forward to eating there again.

 

[hockeymom944]

I know this seems like a silly question to some, but I honestly do not know the answer. How many people can fit in a taxi cab? We are a family of four and will need a cab to take us from downtown Vancouver to the Amtrak station very early on a Saturday morning. I think we are traveling less than 3km. I don't know if I need two cabs or will they let one of us sit in the front. Thanks in advance!

 

[tanyaewa]

You can fit 4 no problem :thumb
If you have lots of luggage you can request a mini van