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

[rosiep]

I'm staying there June 12-14. We got it for $159, but I think the price is now up to $180 for those 2 days.

Tip too- I kept checking everyday on Travelocity to see if it changed. Well one day the price went down about $1 a day (seriously that is all it was). Well they have a price guarantee that you get the best price. So I filled out the forms and low and behold, receive an email back saying I am correct and they are refunding me $50 and giving me a $50 credit for the future. Something to think about if you use them.

Wow! Good to know!

 

[ruzer28]

Just bumping, any chance of making a sticky for this thread?

 

[nbrmommy2005]

I looked at staying at one of the hotels near the port, but they were expensive. I decided to use hotel points and stay at the Hampton Inn downtown. From what I can tell it will be a short 5 minute cab ride to Canada Place. Does anyone know?

 

[Lollipop's Mom]

Yes it's a quick cab ride from that hotel!

 

[Schachteles]

I looked at staying at one of the hotels near the port, but they were expensive. I decided to use hotel points and stay at the Hampton Inn downtown. From what I can tell it will be a short 5 minute cab ride to Canada Place. Does anyone know?

That is where we are staying...they have a free shuttle to the port, so that is nice. But if you are staying there after the cruise, you have to get your own transportation to the hotel.

 

[littleprince]

anyone know if it's better to use the atm machine in Vancouver to get cash or to exchange money in the U.S. first before going?

 

[mellers]

Better to use the ATM

 

[Lollipop's Mom]

anyone know if it's better to use the atm machine in Vancouver to get cash or to exchange money in the U.S. first before going?

You can also use US cash easily. Or use a credit card - you will get a decent exchange rate that way too.

 

[bigAWL]

You can also use US cash easily. Or use a credit card - you will get a decent exchange rate that way too.

Do you mean restaurants, vendors, taxis, etc. all accept US dollars?

 

[Lollipop's Mom]

Do you mean restaurants, vendors, taxis, etc. all accept US dollars?

Yes!

 

[smeecanada]

Do you mean restaurants, vendors, taxis, etc. all accept US dollars?

Yes, some of them will - not everyone. Just like not every US place will accept Canadian dollars. Also, the exchange rate will not be good. Better to have Canadian dollars or use your credit card.

 

[poohj80]

Seattle, USA:

The Quick Shuttle:
www.quickcoach.com
This is a coach service between Seattle and Vancouver with stops along the way. Be prepared for approximately a 4-hour journey and occasionally a long wait at customs, as each passenger must be processed individually. The website contains schedule and rate information. Hotel pick-ups are offered from most major downtown Hotels.
Updated info...
I have used quick shuttle many times and have to say this is the easiest way to get from Seatac airport or Bellingham airport to Vancouver without a car. The bus will pick you up right outside baggage claim and drop you at the cruise port. No cabs and fussing around at all.
Heading South to Bellingham/Seattle...
There are 2 ways this might be done - if you have just gotten off the cruise ship and the entire bus is ONLY cruise ship passengers, the bus will pull up and no one has to get off at customs. Since you have technically just gone through customs, they just let you stay on the bus and do a quick check.
Now if you are on the bus with non-cruise ship passengers, the driver will take all the luggage off the bus and place it outside the building. A dog sniffs it all and then you get off the bus, grab your own luggage and proceed inside. This is where you will have your passport out and customs card they give you on the bus to fill out. After you go through, you have to place your own luggage and all other items on the xray machine, and then once cleared, you can take it back out to the bus. There are washrooms in this building too that you can use.
It takes about 20-30 mins total.

Are the time estimates on the Quick Shuttle web site pretty accurate? The first bus shows arriving SEATAC around 2:15 PM which doesn't give us much time to catch a flight to the East Coast since the latest we can find is on Southwest departing at 3:15 PM. Might there be a faster way besides flying out of Vancouver instead?

 

[mellers]

Are the time estimates on the Quick Shuttle web site pretty accurate? The first bus shows arriving SEATAC around 2:15 PM which doesn't give us much time to catch a flight to the East Coast since the latest we can find is on Southwest departing at 3:15 PM. Might there be a faster way besides flying out of Vancouver instead?

The time estimates usually are pretty accurate, but I would give myself at least 3 hours before catching a flight. Something can go wrong at the airport and security protocols could change at the border or in the airport which could delay you unexpectedly. 1 hour cuts it too close, IMHO.

You might also contact Seattle Green Limo (http://www.seattlegreenlimo.com/). They do cross-border pickups. It will be more expensive than the QuickShuttle, but it probably will be faster, and you could choose your pickup time at the docks. You would still probably pay less than flying out of YVR.

DON'T USE AMTRAK IF YOU'RE PRESSED FOR TIME! They are notorious for delays.

 

[poohj80]

The time estimates usually are pretty accurate, but I would give myself at least 3 hours before catching a flight. Something can go wrong at the airport and security protocols could change at the border or in the airport which could delay you unexpectedly. 1 hour cuts it too close, IMHO.

You might also contact Seattle Green Limo (http://www.seattlegreenlimo.com/). They do cross-border pickups. It will be more expensive than the QuickShuttle, but it probably will be faster, and you could choose your pickup time at the docks. You would still probably pay less than flying out of YVR.

DON'T USE AMTRAK IF YOU'RE PRESSED FOR TIME! They are notorious for delays.

Thanks for the tips! I looked at Green Limo web site but didn't find anything about service to Vancouver so I sent them an e-mail.

 

[LAWalz23]

Does anyone know if it is possible to see the Capilano Suspension Bridge in half a day? We would like to do that and Stanely Park and the trolley tour in one day and only have two days in Vancouver. Thanks!

 

[Lollipop's Mom]

Does anyone know if it is possible to see the Capilano Suspension Bridge in half a day? We would like to do that and Stanely Park and the trolley tour in one day and only have two days in Vancouver. Thanks!

Yes the Cap Bridge is a good half day activity! I couldn't spend a full day there really. Some could maybe, but you can see it all in a half day.

 

[Lollipop's Mom]

Thanks for the tips! I looked at Green Limo web site but didn't find anything about service to Vancouver so I sent them an e-mail.

I fly out of Seattle a lot and usually arrive 90 mins before my flight and we are always fine. Make sure you have trip interruption insurance in case there are any hold ups at the border that make you miss your flight. I wouldn't travel without it across the border like that!

 

[LAWalz23]

Yes the Cap Bridge is a good half day activity! I couldn't spend a full day there really. Some could maybe, but you can see it all in a half day.

Thanks for the info! Is the trolley tour worth the money?

 

[PBader]

Are the time estimates on the Quick Shuttle web site pretty accurate? The first bus shows arriving SEATAC around 2:15 PM which doesn't give us much time to catch a flight to the East Coast since the latest we can find is on Southwest departing at 3:15 PM. Might there be a faster way besides flying out of Vancouver instead?

The latest flight for us was 2:15 on Southwest, so I just booked a hotel for the night in Seattle. I figured it really wasn't worth the stress of trying to make a flight.

 

[Lollipop's Mom]

The latest flight for us was 2:15 on Southwest, so I just booked a hotel for the night in Seattle. I figured it really wasn't worth the stress of trying to make a flight.

That's a good idea and Seattle airport hotels are dirt cheap on priceline!!