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

[RedSox68]

I saw lots of recommendations on this thread about how to be sure to get Pan Pacific on Hotwire, the star ratings and percentage -- but they were from 2011. Has anyone booked this year and do you know if it is still 5 star and 90%? Thanks.

 

[RedSox68]

Actually, that is not completely accurate. If you have printed your boarding passes, you MIGHT have to stand in line for a seat assignment in Seattle, but only if business class is full.

I take the Cascades to Seattle any time I can attend a Mariners game starting in the noon or 1 PM hour, and prefer business class because coach on a train full of M's fans can get noisy. If business class is full or close to it they assign seats. Otherwise it is open seating for business class customers.

They also assign seats in coach class - on the rare occasion that coach class is full. I have seen that happen twice.

Okay, here's the most important question of the day (), what time do you recommend we arrive for a 7:30 a.m. train? We do not have business class tickets and will have luggage to check. Thanks.

 

[mellers]

Okay, here's the most important question of the day (), what time do you recommend we arrive for a 7:30 a.m. train? We do not have business class tickets and will have luggage to check. Thanks.

If you are taking the light rail, and have not been there before, arrive an hour early because it will take you awhile to find your way through the maze. If you're taking a taxi, 30 minutes beforehand should be good enough.

 

[jilljill]

Okay, here's the most important question of the day (), what time do you recommend we arrive for a 7:30 a.m. train? We do not have business class tickets and will have luggage to check. Thanks.

In Seattle we arrived about 6:50-6:55 for our 7:40 train. DH stood in line while DD & I printed our tickets and then checked in luggage. There was probably around 50-60 people in line in front of us.

 

[RedSox68]

In Seattle we arrived about 6:50-6:55 for our 7:40 train. DH stood in line while DD & I printed our tickets and then checked in luggage. There was probably around 50-60 people in line in front of us.

Terrific info. I was wondering if someone could stand in line while someone else checked the baggage!

 

[Caropooh]

In Seattle we arrived about 6:50-6:55 for our 7:40 train. DH stood in line while DD & I printed our tickets and then checked in luggage. There was probably around 50-60 people in line in front of us.

and even with that many people in front of us we still had no problem getting 7 seats together in coach class.

One word of caution! If you take one of the DL/WDW/DCL wheeled duffel bags with you and have it as checked luggage on the train, make sure the one you pick up is YOURS!!! If there are numerous cruisers on the train, there can be numerous bags looking very similar! You don't want to spend part of the first day tracking down your bag.......

 

[RedSox68]

and even with that many people in front of us we still had no problem getting 7 seats together in coach class.

One word of caution! If you take one of the DL/WDW/DCL wheeled duffel bags with you and have it as checked luggage on the train, make sure the one you pick up is YOURS!!! If there are numerous cruisers on the train, there can be numerous bags looking very similar! You don't want to spend part of the first day tracking down your bag.......

We just bought new luggage (High Sierra) that is bright orange with gray and black trim. Hoping it will stand out in the crowd of luggage

 

[jilljill]

and even with that many people in front of us we still had no problem getting 7 seats together in coach class.

One word of caution! If you take one of the DL/WDW/DCL wheeled duffel bags with you and have it as checked luggage on the train, make sure the one you pick up is YOURS!!! If there are numerous cruisers on the train, there can be numerous bags looking very similar! You don't want to spend part of the first day tracking down your bag.......

Ah yes....that poor man that has to sit with the girls. I think he thought we were all totally bonkers.

 

[MinnieDiva]

We just bought new luggage (High Sierra) that is bright orange with gray and black trim. Hoping it will stand out in the crowd of luggage

Be careful....I had a wheeled High Sierra Duffel that ripped the first use out. the handles on the front weren't well secured to the top/front of the bag and ripped a hole in the case when the handle pulled off. In comparing their construction to the Eagle Creek case I exchanged it for, I saw where the problem lay. Really look at your case...

 

[RedSox68]

Be careful....I had a wheeled High Sierra Duffel that ripped the first use out. the handles on the front weren't well secured to the top/front of the bag and ripped a hole in the case when the handle pulled off. In comparing their construction to the Eagle Creek case I exchanged it for, I saw where the problem lay. Really look at your case...

Not what I want to hear this late in the game How long ago was that? Hoping they've improved them by then. The set I got received such great reviews

 

[MinnieDiva]

Not what I want to hear this late in the game How long ago was that? Hoping they've improved them by then. The set I got received such great reviews

2 years ago. I hope they've improved.....

 

[RedSox68]

2 years ago. I hope they've improved.....

So do I! I went home and checked the handles and the stitchery and binding seem pretty intense. I know I'm stuffing them to the weight allowed, so here's hoping they can take it

 

[RedSox68]

I tried a search but too many posts come up. Anyone with a quick recommendation for taxi service in Vancouver? We have to get from Amtrak to Pan Pacific. Thanks.

 

[poohj80]

I tried a search but too many posts come up. Anyone with a quick recommendation for taxi service in Vancouver? We have to get from Amtrak to Pan Pacific. Thanks.

There are taxis lined up right out front. We just grabbed one and went. They can only carry a max of 4 persons so our party of 5 had to take two cabs.

 

[RedSox68]

There are taxis lined up right out front. We just grabbed one and went. They can only carry a max of 4 persons so our party of 5 had to take two cabs.

Thanks! Any idea how much luggage they can take per cab?

 

[poohj80]

Thanks! Any idea how much luggage they can take per cab?

We asked for a mini-van cab and it carried all luggage for 5 of us.

 

[jilljill]

There were 3 of us in a mini van and there was plenty of room for our luggage. Our friends were a family of 4 and their mini van had plenty of room for them and their luggage. The funny thing was, they left before us and got to the same hotel after us. Our driver took the short route and drove fast.
After the cruise the 3 of us took a cab to the airport and we fit in a Prius with our luggage. It was tight, but the driver made it work.

 

[RedSox68]

There were 3 of us in a mini van and there was plenty of room for our luggage. Our friends were a family of 4 and their mini van had plenty of room for them and their luggage. The funny thing was, they left before us and got to the same hotel after us. Our driver took the short route and drove fast.
After the cruise the 3 of us took a cab to the airport and we fit in a Prius with our luggage. It was tight, but the driver made it work.

Trying to envision that......

 

[jilljill]

Trying to envision that......

The 3 of us in the back seat, 2 large suitcases in the back and 1 small suitcase and 2 carry on's in the front seat. Yes it was a sight.

 

[DizMagic]

I apologize if this has already been asked, but i admit i did not read all 115 pages of posts.

We are looking to cruise next September and will be flying into Seattle a couple of days early. we want to rent a Jeep Wrangler and drop it off in Vancouver - but cant seem to find a rental agency that offers this specific vehicle with these pick up and drop off locations.

i was thinking that being this area is known for its "outdoorsiness" that this wouldn't be a problem. any locals know anywhere i could check?