Tweedy

VANCOUVER has the Third highest-priced real estate in the world.

Number 2 is Sydney, AU and Number 1 is Hong Kong.

I recently learned this when I took an on-line course in order to attend a FAM to Whistler and Vancouver. It is very lovely there and does not get to 105 degrees F. like it is here in L.A.

I couldn't agree more with you about Vancouver being wonderful. I'm born and raised in Vancouver. Those long grey dreary winter months can be tough to deal with. However, if you can get past that and when the sun shines, the city sparkles.

We are thinking to fly into Vancouver early on Wednesday morning for our HAL Volendam cruise and drop off our bags hopefully around 11 ish and do a bit of sightseeing in Vancouver and then board the ship later in the afternoon around 3 pm or so.

 

My question is how early will HAL Volendam accept luggage ? My plan is to check in later in the afternoon and just to drop off the bags earlier.. Will my plan work ?

 

We will be the only ship in port that day.

You can certainly drop off your luggage around 11ish, even 10:30 if you are a bit earlier. The guys will be there to accept the luggage. You can then go and do a bit of sightseeing before checking in.

I have a few more questions I hope someone can help me.

 

I am thinking to buy a day pass ( $9 pp) for the train from the airport to the port to use to get to the port and drop off our luggage and then to sightsee by public transit quickly for a few hours.

 

Things we want to do include:

 

Going over the Burrard Inlet with the Seabus and seeing Lonsdale Queuy for a bit and coming back with the Seabus.

 

Maybe walking to Gastown and sightseeing there quickly and then I want to get to Granville market for a bit.

 

How can I get with the train from the Waterfront area to Granville Market?

 

I tried to look on the Transit site but I was not able to see it there.. is there a way to get with the train close to Granville Market?

 

I am thinking to take the train as its so much quicker than waiting for a bus.. we only have about 5 hours to sightsee before we have to be back at the ship.

 

Thank you kindly for any help or suggestions.

I think you may be a little ambitious with your sightseeing if you are planning to do this all before boarding the ship on the day you arrive. If you are planning to do a little adventure by transit, purchasing the day pass is your best bet. The train from the airport to waterfront is a 25 minute ride. Taking the seabus over to North Vancouver gives you a different perspective of Vancouver which you will see when you sail away. I believe it is the #50 Waterfront/False Creek bus that will take you to Granville Island or close enough.

Love it!!

 

 

 

 

 

Finally reaching the very back of the grassy plain, the wolf climbed up on the driftwood marking the transition zone into the forest, the wolf paused, look over it's shoulder at us, and then vanished off into the woods...

 

 

 

 

 

 

Lunch over, we began to make our way back towards the beach and our plane. But we still had a few more bears to see before we took off for the flight back to Homer...

 

 

L.J.

These shots are soooo awesome!!!!

Now that we'd broke the ice, we started to see bears all over. Several were way away from us to the south, but we circled counterclockwise away to the right. A short while later we happened upon this pretty blonde bear:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Here's a shot of one of the other groups ahead of us and how close they were to the bear:

 

 

 

 

 

 

We moved up alongside the first group and got our own front row view:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

This bear was less than 100 feet away - but we'd get closer yet!!!

 

 

L.J.

I'm going to say with 99.999% confidence that you will be sailing from Canada Place and that this will not change. It has been sailing from Canada Place all season and I highly doubt that it will change on its last sailing out of Vancouver. :)

And this isn't the first incident of Kinder Eggs crossing the border that has made news.

If we leave River Rick Casino arount 10:00am on Friday morning and get the wine at Waterfront will we be at the pier around 11:00am? Will the Skytrain be busy at 10:00am from that area? H

10am on a Friday morning will be a good time to catch the train. Every 2nd train will be coming from the airport and those trains are usually close to empty opposed to the ones coming from Richmond center. From River Rock, the ride is 20 minutes so if you catch the train by 10am, you'll be downtown about 10:20 and should definitely be at the pier by 11am.

Sorry for this non-cruise Vancouver question...but I'm going to use my "frequent contributor" status for a hall pass :rolleyes:

 

I'm heading to BC over Labour Day week. The trip starts by flying to Kelowna to bike an 80km segment of the Kettle Valley Rail trail, then spending a day in the Okanagan Valley to sightsee. Any suggestions for scenic or "adventure" activities in the area, as well as good wineries and restaurants. Unique and offbeat has priority over high-end, although I don't mind a memorable meal at an expensive restaurant.

 

Then I'm driving to Vancouver to spend 4 days w/ a friend on Bowen Island. The plan is to be on the road by 9am and take Hwy 3, which I understand is more scenic and interesting (but slower) than Hwy 5. After Hope, the plan is to blitz into downtown Vancouver (Tuesday) since I visited the Fraser Valley recently and also have to turn in the car before the office closes at 6pm.

 

From the downtown rental car location the plan is to take the bus to Horseshoe Bay to the ferry...I have a car reserved but I'm starting to think it will be more pain and expense than benefit.

 

Anything to recommend on Bowen or enroute? After Bowen it's the ferry/bus/Skytrain to YVR for a 430pm flight.

 

Appreciate any comments and suggestions... TIA!!

In addition to the many good suggestions for wineries in the Oliver/Osoyoos area, you could basically find a good winery anywhere in the area. Here is a picture from Mission Hill Winery that I took about 10 years ago.

Here is a link to the many many wineries you can find: http://www.okanagan.com/maps/wine_map.htm

Hwy 3 is a much more scenic drive and only takes about an hour more then if you were to drive Hwy 5 to Hope. A good place to stop, besides all the fruit stands in Keremeos is Manning Park. Blitzing into Vancouver may not be as easy as you think. Traffic on Hwy 1 once you get to Abbotsford will be busy, even on a Tuesday (first day back to school for kids). Check and see if the rental place has after hours drop-off just in case. Leaving at 9am will get you into Vancouver by 6pm. However, if any problems arise on the highway or bridges, you could be delayed.

Does anyone know of any winery or brewery tours that are offered? Those tours are usually nice since they get you out of the mainstream for a while.

 

Thanks!

If you head over to Granville Island you could go to Granville Island Brewing for a taste/tour.. http://gib.ca/about/tours-tastings/

When at Granville Island there is also a few spots to have a drink or two... The Sandbar.. http://www.vancouverdine.com/sandbar or Bridges.. http://www.bridgesrestaurant.com/

Graville Street ain't what it used to be. I wouldn't recommend going there at all, day or night. I work in the area and it's getting creepy even during the day.

 

One or two blocks West of your hotel there's the Lion's Den http://dinehere.ca/vancouver/lions-pub. Drinks are a good price and food is generally pretty good. We go here Friday after work.

 

After that, I would head in the opposite direction (East) and walk straight past your hotel. Go about 3 blocks and on the North side of the street (water side), you'll see Rouge's. The entrance is inside the train station (to the right as you enter). http://www.roguewetbar.com/ A little more high end, but drinks and food is still reasonable.

 

When you head out, turn to your left and go in the same direction (East) about 100 paces and you'll hit Steamworks. http://www.steamworks.com/Haven't been here for a couple of years, but I remember it as good food and drinks, more of a pub style like the Lions Den.

 

At this point, you're on the edge of Gastown. If you feel like continuing, continue East and go to the Lamplighter Pub. It's about 2 blocks past Steamworks. It's very cool. http://donnellygroup.ca/locations/pubs/the-lamplighter/

 

The above pubs can be done during the day or evening.

 

I suggest to do the above pubs in the evening and hang out at Carderos during the day (if the weather is good). The view of the harbour is fantastic.

http://www.yelp.ca/biz/carderos-restaurant-and-marine-pub-vancouver-2

With the pubs listed above, you could start out at Mahoney's and Sons.. http://mahonyandsons.com/ and Moose's Downunder.. http://moosesdownunder.com/

We will be in Vancouver on 8/3-5. Must have something going on that weekend or maybe the cruise ships have everything booked. Thanks again.

That weekend you mention is the BC Day long weekend. I also believe the fireworks are happening that Saturday night in English Bay.

Here is the link to Urban Fare: http://www.urbanfare.com/store/coal-harbour

Are you saying that from the airport I take the Canada Line and it goes to the River Rock Casino Resort? That would be great if it is not a problem putting luggage on and off the train. I am confused about the use of trains. Can I take a tran from the hotel to Canada Place?

Putterdude beat me too it. Yes and yes to your questions. :) One thing I would like to mention is to pull your luggage off the train, not push. I've seen so many people try and push their luggage off. That doesn't work so well but pulling does.

What is the best way to get from the ship at Canada Place to the Days Inn downtown? Google maps calls it a 5 minute walk, but we'll be dragging a large suitcase plus carryons for each person. Would it be an easy enough walk with roller suitcases? If not, will getting a cab for 4 people plus luggage be easy enough at the curb?

I work across the street from the Days Inn. Yes, it is about a 5 minute walk from Canada Place. While Putterdude's directions are good, there is a slight incline up Burrard Street.

When you exit the ship, follow the signs for 'City'

Take the elevator up to the to the Convention Center floor

Walk out the doors and there is a crosswalk where you would catch one of the doubledecker tour buses

Walk between the buildings to the next crosswalk... this is Cordova

Again, walk between the buildings through the little park (there is a ramp on your right rather then up the stairs). You are now at Hastings with a light

Use the right crosswalk and head to the next light. This is now Pender.

Don't cross the street but hang a right and midblock you will see the sign for Smiley's Pub and the Days Inn

Here's a link to a map (hope it works):

https://maps.google.com/maps/ms?ie=UTF&msa=0&msid=204770372318860327957.0004c3f72c5d2ebe55d7d

You seem to be knowlegable about Vancouver. I am coming in one night at 7:30 on the 9th before my cruise on the 10th. Is the River Rock Casino Resort a good place to stay for the night?

 

I would go downtown if there is a free hotel shuttle service to one of the more expensive hotels. Just in for the night before the B2B. H

It's definitely a convenient hotel to stay in and on the newer side. The majority of the hotels in downtown Vancouver do not have free shuttle service to the airport. The hotel is only a couple of stops (5 min ride) from the airport on the Canada Line. There is a walkway to the hotel from the train. The waterfront station from the Bridgeport station is approximately 20 minutes. The Bridgeport station can be busy during the weekdays during rush hour but commuter traffic is lighter after 9am.

Here is Earl's ... http://www.earls.ca/

and Cactus Club ... http://www.cactusclubcafe.com/

there is also an Original Joe's at the corner of Cambie and Broadway... good food! http://www.originaljoes.ca/

Putterdude beat me to it. I was going to suggest Mahoney and Sons. Here is a pic of it's location (green awnings). It may or may not work since it is on my facebook page. I took it from the cruiseship before sailaway.

Does the ultimate card include bottled water-not the fancy mineral water, just plain old bottled water. I have to watch my sodium and I drink bottled water onboard because I'm sensitive to the ship's desalinated water.

I'd be interested in this as well. I was recently on a cruise with Celebrity and they have a package that includes canned soda and bottles of water. It was great as I would go through 3L of water a day. Wishing Princess had something similar.

Trying to tag photos as we departed from Vancouver and wondered if someone could tell me what the huge mountains of the yellow substance just beyond the Lion's Gate bridge is? Thanks

B. Cole

That would be sulfur.

Gonna be on Carnival Spirit to Hawaii in Sept 2012. Where does the ship sail from? Good hotels in the area? How much is taxi from airport? HoHo bus nearby? Arriving Sunday 2pm and sailing on Tuesday. Any suggestions for what not to miss. Dont want to rent a car so prefer bus, hoho or short taxi rides.

 

I know a lot of this has been answered so I'm gonna go read the rest of the thread, just thought I'd ask some questions.

 

Thanks,

Tony

You will be sailing from Canada Place. Most of the major hotel chains are located downtown. Check out trip advisor for reviews. Taxi's from the airport are around $40 (including tip) but there is also the convenience of the Canada Line train which takes you right from the terminal into downtown Vancouver. The HOHO bus starting point is Canada Place which would be a great way to see the city. September can be a beautiful time of year here.

However... "a dozen blocks"? Canada Place to Hornby & W.Pender is 3 blocks, or did they move Canada Place when I wasn't paying attention :D

Maybe that is "aussie" blocks?

So, question is - if we decide to stay at Pan - is the walk doable/safe for 2 middle aged 'girls' to hit Robson St in the afternoon? We would be back at hotel before dark.

 

thank you!

Most definitely!

Our cruise is getting closer and closer. We arrive in Vancouver on the 13th of June and have included a Princess pre-cruise tour in Vancouver/Victoria.

 

Once checked in to the hotel, Westin Bayshore, we will no doubt be very hungry as we are arriving from the East Coast. So could all you fantastic Vancouverites give some great ideas for:

 

Dinner on the 13th - we enjoy seafood and chicken or steak type meals.

 

You are in the perfect location for Cardero's

 

What to do for our free day on the 14th for breakfast, sightseeing, etc.:)

 

After that we head for Victoria with a day of sightseeing.

A few suggestions for dinner on the 15th near the Fairmont Princess in Victoria would be greatly appreciated.

 

In Victoria, I would highly recommend Pagliacci's. This place has fantastic italian dishes and the best bread I've ever had but you should get there early or prepare to wait.

 

Now we are Dunkin Donuts folks and I do not believe there are any in the areas we are staying, so Tim Hortons:) would be our coffee place of choice. Are there any near either of these hotels for morning wakeups? We are not big Starbucks fans at all.:D

 

We don't mind taking a taxi ride, if necessary for dinner at either location.

 

Thanks In Advance

I've included a restaurant recommendation for both Vancouver and Victoria (above).

Thanks for sharing your photos and review. The Sapphire Princess looks like a beautiful ship. I especially like the pano shots you took.