xlxo

Looking for info pertaining to what size luggage to use, what brands are the best, & other packing details would be most helpful:)

I have different luggage for different modes of travel.

• Road trips, I carry multiple small pieces of carry-ons that makes it easy to cram in my small sports car.
  
• Flying? Medium sized suitcases so they are not too heavy on the 50lb average. I used to travel with large suitcases until I realized a significant percentage of the weight went to the suitcase itself (handles, wheels).
  
• Cruising? Without a plane, I will get the largest suitcase to haul everything as there is no weight limit. But don't go to large... my medium suitcase could not fit under the bed of the Wonder's Oceanview cabin.
  

Some more tips...

• seriously get a digital luggage scale. Saved me so much money and stress to avoid weight surcharges.
  
• is your suitcase black? So are countless others. Put some color tape to make your suitcase quickly identifyable.
  
• hard sided cases don't last long, but do offer better crush protection compared to soft sided cases (I was transporting San Francisco fortune cookies--yum).
  
• zippered suitcases are too easy to be compromised. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mf-DGKUNffI
  
• sometimes the best way to buy a suitcase is when you arrive at your destination... to bring back all your souveniors!
  

The trouble with a bigger table is that the entire meal

proceeds at the pace of the slowest course

I agree... best thing to do is be in line when the doors open and be quick on the order.... people who can't decide what to eat is what slows down my table. There is just so much to choose!

I am just wondering what we can expect on a Disney Cruise as compared to the others we have been on. Previously we have been on NCL, Princess, and Carnival. Out of those three lines we liked princess the best. Disney seems to be the most expensive and I am just wondering what we will get for the extra money? How does Disney compare to the other lines we have been on.

Key things I found compared to Princess (I think I was on the Island Princess)...

• DCL has affordable fast Internet ($89 for 1gb at 24Mbps)
  
• Movies! DCL movies are also newer. I think my Disney Wonder has 3 theatres playing different movies at the same compared to Princess which might only have one.
  
• no casinos on DCL
  
• much larger children only areas. Adults have Quiet Cove.
  
• The Wonder had a much smaller duty free shopping area for adults, but there is a Disney store for kids.
  
• No DCL bridge and engine room tours. There is the Art of the Theme tour.
  
  
• Character photo's for the guests http://ca.eonline.com/news/569032/this-guy-proposed-to-all-of-the-princesses-at-disney-world-and-one-disney-prince-too
  
• DCL has photo packages.... My photos on Princess cost more than the cruise.
  
• Princess offered sail away pictures... DCL had me bringing my own camera on the deck.
  
• Wave phones to keep in touch with family members. Just make sure they are there in the cabin and not in your luggage when you leave. Disney is rolling out a messaging app for guests... http://disneyparks.disney.go.com/blog/2014/11/disney-cruise-line-premieres-messaging-through-onboard-mobile-app/
  
• don't take the laundry bag when leave a DCL cruise ship...
  
• the mouse does not like powerbars (strips) and extension cords. Princess has no limitations on how many devices I can charge in my cabin.
  
• rotation dining where you experience three themed restaurants. DCL has a smaller buffet area compared Princess.
  

Yes Stanley Park has many things to do...

• The Aquarium to see wildlife?
  
• the Miniature railway is popular with kids http://vancouver.ca/parks-recreation-culture/stanley-park-miniature-train.aspx
  
• Prospect Point for beautiful views of the bridge and North shore (elevated view compared to cruise ship)
  
• many trail walks around Lost Lagoon and Beaver Lake?
  
• Beaches on the West Side?
  
• Cycling on the seawall? Bike rentals availabe at nearby Denman.
  

It may be cheaper to skip the tours... but the tours/excursions make it much easier to get from point to point around the city... save money vs saving time.

It too enjoy the bridge attraction. The biggest mistake I've seen is people crossing the bridge and not realising there are two other attractions on the West side.

• Treetop adventures
  
• Cliff Hanger Walk
  

There's also the new Cliffwalk that recently opened on the East side.

If anyone is there in December, the bridge is really kewl with Xmas lights...

http://www.capbridge.com/gallery/canyon-lights/

Thanx for the replies...

 

My only real concern will be to charge my camera batteries and my cellphone.

I know Disney does not allow for power strips/bars or surge suppressors on their boats (age?). But I love carrying a multi-outlet adapter on HAL and Princess cruises for all my creature comforts. The number of outlets is important with all family members needing to charge their devices too. I have an universal 220v power bar for my Asian travels.

Does NCL have restrictions on power bars?

inside the terminal there is no place to be, no area to sit, no way to drop off your luggage (other than pay to have it 'held') -- i.e. no sense of order. This is just our take, and our opinion, of course -- but so many other terminals have you divided from those departing and seats to wait in comfort and divided into sections so when it is time to register and then either board or wait in another area, you feel welcomed. San Pedro (Los Angeles) comes to mind. Does anyone have a comment about this?

With regards to luggage...

• security is important and paid holding services at the cruise terminal and airport is available.
  
• your overnight hotel is the next best choice where it's held in your room and transported to cruise terminal when you ready to board.
  
• early morning flight arrival? not sure when the terminal starts to accept your checked luggage, but you can drop off your luggage at the terminal for check-in then wander back out for a few hours waiting for your PAT check-in time later in afternoon. Just don't show up late missing the boat!
  

There's also the Fairmont Pacific Rim a block away.

Shangrila, Hyatt, Sutton, Westin Bayshore, Wall Centre, Fairmont Hotel Vancouver are also good choices in the Pan Pacific price range for downtown hotels.

In general... Vancouver has a taxi surplus and many are ready to serve cruise terminals with minimal delays. There are a few days where several cruise ship terminals unload at the same time.... that gets a little interesting...

http://www.portmetrovancouver.com/about/news/2014/09/19/high-cruise-passenger-volumes-expected-september-21-and-28

Hmm....

The most popular is the Pan Pacific where guests get to watch the cruise ship pull into the terminal below. Just need to double-check which side of the hotel the ship will pull in. An added perk is the Pan Pacific will look after getting your checked luggage to the ship. However, it's so popular that it commands a premium price to stay there.

Other popular cruise terminal adjacent hotels include

• Fairmont Waterfront
  
• Fairmont Pacific Rim
  

There are hundreds of other popular downtown hotels, where guests have the convenience of being able to walk to.

Personally, my friends and I like to stay in the Richmond hotels near the airport. They are more affordable and more convenient for rental cars (some with free parking).

My fav Vancouver hotel would be the Raddison Airport in Richmond...

http://www.expedia.ca/Vancouver-Hotels-Radisson-Hotel-Vancouver-Airport.h14039.Hotel-Information

• free airport transfers
  
• Vancouver subway station is across the street. 20 minutes downtown.
  
• significant savings compared to Pan Pacific and other downtown hotels (enter your travel dates to compare). Spend the savings on meals, tourist attractions, and just simply extra nights!
  
• taxi to cruise terminal is 35 minutes for $40.
  
• free parking for my rental car
  
• 3 major supermarkets for supplies are around the hotel for supplies.
  
• hundreds of restaurants to choose from and some say the best Chinese foods surround it.
  

Yes the subway (Canada Line/Skytrain) is designed to transport luggage. However, I find it congested and find it's simplier to use a $40 cab when transporting a weeks worth of luggage to the cruise terminal. I would only use the subway if there bridge were shut down due to an accident (not likely in late mornings/early afternoons when cruise ships are loading).

For clarification- only the Lake Bennett train- which most people do not take, goes into the Yukon. The regular 3.5 round trip does not.

Yes, the Yukon segment is combined with Motorcoach with the train for a day trip...

http://www.hollandamerica.com/cruise-destinations/ExcursionDetails.action?excursionCode=4557

Looking for suggestions on one way transportation for family of 5 adults and 4 teen age children (with luggage) from Vancouver Canada to Seattle Washington. Thanks in advance

Hmm....

• Are you looking at Seattle downtown? Or Seattle's airport?
  
• Quick Shuttle at $50 is the simpliest. Cruise terminal pickup and drop off at SeaTac airport (or Seattle downtown).
  
• Greyhound/Bolt Bus is a cheaper option downtown, but you need a cab to the bus terminal
  
• Amtrak train is an option, but there are only two departures a day. If cruise ship docks in the morning, you need to kill time with your luggage until late afternoon. You also need a cab to the train terminal.
  
• a more scenic option is to Orca whale watch your way to Seattle.
  http://princeofwhales.com/seattle-tour/seattle-whales-vancouver
  

Hmm...

• I've never been to Sitka, but Skagway was my fav port. Got to go to the Yukon on the White Pass train. The Red Onion was great too.
  
• Do you like cruise photo's? I like HAL's AYCE photo option. I would go broke with Princess's photographers.
  
• Have you considered departing from Vancouver? It's another bonus port!
  
• According to this link... HAL ships goes deeper into Glacier Bay http://blog.cruiseabout.ca/booking-alaska-cruise/
  
• Are you looking only at 7 day return trips? HAL offers a package where you go North to Skagway, then leave the ship for inland tours, and rejoin another ship around Seward to return to Vancouver/Seattle. http://www.hollandamerica.com/find-cruise-vacation/SpecialOffers.action?destCode=AT
  

we are wondering for both on the airplane and the cruise ship does all his perscriptions need to be in the medicine bottles or can he put them in the daily pill holders? Any help with this would be greatly appreciated.

I use daily pill holders, but I always leave one pill in the medicine bottle to minimize confusion.

I guess older generations like the fake funnels. Younger generations like the jet turbines...

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1360901

We don't use one, but see others all the time. If you like one, go for it.

I agree... backpacks are common in Alaska trips. They keep your hands free, just be careful when turning around quickly to not hit anyone.

I prefer backpacks as it keeps the weight over both shoulders.

I believe this is a popular book...

http://www.amazon.com/Alaska-Cruise-Handbook-Mile---Mile/dp/0979491576/ref=sr_1_1

Taking Amtrak is an excellent idea and better than using the Cruise Ship

Chartered Motor Coach transfer service or other Shuttle service.

Any of these do not however bypass the CBP check points.

I don't know how the CBP clearance is done for the train - the chartered

buses and shuttles have to stop at the border for a physical check.

You can take AmTrak in advance a few days with no ties to the Cruise schedule.

Shuttle buses you can do that also but check for reduced scheduling

on dates no ship is in port and of course the Cruise Ships transfer does not

operate at all with no ship in port.

Customs for the train is handled at the Vancouver train station when you arrive/depart. Buses are handled at the Douglas crossing where you pull your luggage off the bus across a scanner.

While the train is scenic' date=' you need to factor...

[list']

[*]cost and time to get from airport to Seattle train station

[*]longer trip as it meanders in Canada to the Vancouver train station

[*]cost and time for taxi from Vancouver train station to your hotel

Here's the $50 Seattle shuttle that gets you from the Seattle airport to cruise terminal or Vancouver hotels.

http://www.quickcoach.com/schedule.htm

If you want scenery and have time.... you can also consider orca whale watching your way from Vancouver to Seattle via Victoria. Yes they allow for luggage.

http://princeofwhales.com/seattle-tour/seattle-whales-vancouver

We plan to visit Queen Elizabeth Park and would like to know whether it would be worthwhile to also go to Van Dusen Botanical Garden and are there any places to have something light to eat for lunch, except the restaurant in Queen Elizabeth Park.

 

We will stay at Sunset Inn...any convenient bus route from there to the gardens?

Here's transit directions to Vandusen from Sunset...

https://maps.google.com/maps?saddr=Sunset+Inn+%26+Suites,+1111+Burnaby+Street,+Vancouver,+British+Columbia+V6E+1P4,+Canada&daddr=VanDusen+Botanical+Garden,+Oak+Street,+Vancouver,+BC,+Canada&hl=en&sll=49.259191,-123.133314&sspn=0.046045,0.100508&geocode=FeHz7wIdqiWp-CmxaPGoLHKGVDEMUnphxNqiYg%3BFdhR7wIdVjSp-CFXEmBYjxWMCCnBbcd4hnOGVDFXEmBYjxWMCA&oq=vandu&dirflg=r&ttype=now&noexp=0&noal=0&sort=def&mra=ltm&t=m&z=13&start=0

Personally I prefer Vandusen...

• Vandusen is much bigger than QE. Vandusen has more flowers
  
• QE has the quarry garden that is free, but the tropical conservatory on top does have admission.
  
• I like to arrive later in the afternoon (4:30pm) when the Vanduzen crowds are smaller and I have more of the park to myself
  
• yes you can do both. During the summer, you have sunlight until 9:30pm! I usually hit all the tourist attractions during the day and have a late evening dinner.
  

The NCL Sun departs Vancouver at 4:00 PM (September 21)

 

The non-stop flight that is available to us arrives at the YVR airport at 1:30 PM

 

Opinions' date=' please, whether this is a doable connection - or - do we need to arrive the day before ?[/color']

Another No vote...

• 1:30pm Assuming this is your actual landing time
  
• 2:00pm average time to deplane, retrieve luggage, clear customs and get a taxi. If you can't find your luggage or get randomly selected for additional screening... you might not leave until 3pm or longer
  
• 2:45pm takes about 30 to 45 minutes for cab to reach cruise ship terminal.
  

By this time, you are too late to board and you still haven't gone through terminal customs, screening (luggage, carry-on, hand, body, optional cavity), and registration.

I say arrive a few days early and check out the bonus port of Vancouver. In addition to downtown hotels, you can find affordable hotels around the airport and be downtown on the subway in 20 minutes. Ever bin to China? Some say staying around Richmond is like travelling to the Orient.