Tweedy

Are there chain drug stores (Walgreens, CVS, etc) in the downtown Vancouver area? Planning ahead, I am trying to get our bags down to just carry ons, so am looking for an outlet that will carry my usual hair products so that I can just buy them in Canada before boarding the ship and not have to carry everything with me.

Yes, there is a London Drugs at the corner of Granville St and Georgia St as well as Robson St and Bute St. There are also a couple of Shoppers Drug Marts. One at the corner of Granville St and Dunsmuir. The other at Pender St and Bute St.

Thanks for your suggestions for flowers. Just what I was after. Now.... feedback on the Metropolitan Hotel (saw a good deal there). Any bakeries or Urban Fare type stores within a few blocks of that hotel?

There is an Urban Fare at the new Shangri-La at the corner of Georgia and Thurlow (only a couple of blocks west). Pacific Centre mall is across the street and has a food court. A couple of blocks north on Howe is Sciue, an italian bakery/coffee shop.

Where do you think is the best place to buy some bouquets of flowers to take aboard ship? Are the ones on Granville Island Market overpriced for the tourists?

There are several street vendors around DT that are a good price. There is usually one at Pender and Howe, one at Howe and Dunsmuir and a new one at Burrard and Dunsmuir.

Also, in the mall under the Bentall towers there is Angela and Gabrielle's Florist. This is my favourite place to purchase flowers DT. There is also another A&G in the building at the corner of Georgia and Hornby.

Stanley park is about 2 kms away from Sutton Place - about a 15-20 minute walk to the edge of the park. I find it close; some people might not.

If you don't feel like walking, transit does run a bus to the park.

We are arriving at YVR on August 30th; and are staying at the Waterfront in prep for our AK cruise leaving the 2nd of Sept (Volendam). We are a family of four adults with quite a bit of luggage. We would really love to use the new Canada Line; but how difficult will this be, and what if any are the drawbacks to using this mode of transportation to the hotel instead of a limo from the airport. We are arriving around 5:30 P.M.

Fortunately you won't have to contend with rush hour traffic seeing the 30th is a Sunday. If the Canada Line is running, it will cost you $3.75 + $2.50 pp as you would be coming from the airport. So, it would cost you $25.00 for all four.

As Putterdude mentions above, the cost of a limo is $39. It's amazing how much luggage will fit into one. For the $4 difference between a taxi and a limo, I would go with the limo.

In addition to the note about Grouse Mtn being a tad on the expensive side (nice photo by the way), if you make reservations at the Observatory Restaurant the cost of the tram is included. The food at the Observatory is very good. The restaurant is small and reservations are required. Otherwise there is the Pub and the Cafeteria.

WOW!

 

Looks like it will be ready for our arrival in Vancouver on Sept. 4 (afternoon). I hope it won't be too crowded since it's a weekday. I believe we can get off near Canada Place near our hotel, Delta Vancouver Suites on W. Hastings. We don't mind rolling our luggage a couple blocks. We did that in Barcelona at 5 am to catch the Airport bus. That was at least 4 blocks.:D

Considering all commuters south of the Fraser River to Downtown will have to take the Canada Line, I have a hunch it is going to be busy. But I guess it all depends on what time of day you are arriving.

Also some more info on the pending start up of the Canada Line - on the news last night it was reported that service could now start as early as mid - August and that regardless of when it starts the first day will be free - that will be a zoo.

 

Cheers

 

Dennis

Oh yay :rolleyes::rolleyes::rolleyes: ... I sure hope the first day of service is not a work day. I'm so not looking forward to loosing my direct bus from home to downtown and being force to transfer from a bus to the canada line to come to work everyday. It's truly going to be a nightmare.

Zuiderdam docked in Skagway:

Millenium just pulling away from the dock in Skagway:

we are arriving on Sep20 for the Sep21 pearl departure. I did see where the canada line is supposed to be up and running around labour day...is this looking like a pretty actual time frame? will I be able to plan on using that as my transportation to town (we're staying at sutton place hotel, which seems to be only a couple of blocks from one of the downtown stops). Or, should I just plan on usint the Airporter shuttle?

Thanks for your help

Since you are arriving on a Sunday, Canada Line traffic won't be clogged with daily commuters. You would be getting off at the City Center stop which is only a couple of blocks (level) from the Sutton Hotel. Price for a ride from the airport to DT will be approximate $5.00 one way per person.

The Airporter cost $14 one way per person and you would be dropped at the door.

Since the Canada Line is not yet operational, it's hard to tell how well it is going to work for those coming from the Airport. I have heard the trains will be setup more for luggage with less seating. If the possibility of standing for the 25-30 minute ride downtown is a problem, I'd consider the Airporter. Also, the Canada Line travels below ground for the majority of the trip DT once it leaves Richmond.

If you want to see a little bit of the city you are traveling through, I'd go with the Airporter.

Here is the schedule for the aquabus: click here As you can see the Granville Island to Hornby route runs to 10:00pm.

Here is the website: click there

Here is a picture of the ramp down to the loading area for the water taxi at the end of Hornby St. As you can see, it is quite steep.

 

The tide must have been out. If it's in, its not too steep.

Splendor visiting Vancouver...

Thank you Tweedy for the restaurant suggestions. We didn't necessarily want Asian but it looked like that was about all that was around. We mostly wanted something we could afford the night before our cruise:D.

 

We will be checking one of your suggestions!!!

 

Thanks again

 

Elaine

Your welcome. I answered while at work so here are a couple of links for quick reference:

Milestones

White Spot

Cactus Club

Sammy J Peppers

Just click on any of the restaurants above to go to their website. They are all within the same price range ($12 - $20).

If you head towards Gilbert Road (west), there is the Foggy Dew Irish Pub. I've note been there but heard the food is pretty good.

We are staying the night at the Airport Hilton in August before our Alaska cruise. It looks like there are mostly Asian restaurants nearby. Do you have a suggestion for a good one? Would prefer something casual and not real expensive. Any recommendations would be appreciated!!

 

I love this board and have learned so much about Vancouver. Wish we were staying a couple of nights but time won't allow.

 

Thanks

 

Elaine

Even though I live in Richmond, I'm not familiar with any good asian cuisine.

I can recommend casual fare that is not too expensive. At the corner of Westminster Hwy and No 3 Road(by the London Drugs) there is a Milestone's Restaurant. It's about a blocks walk. There is also a White Spot, Sammy J Peppers and Cactus Club on No 3 Road within walking distance of your hotel.

HAL Westerdam leaving Vancouver May 9, 2009

HAL Zuiderdam leaving Vancouver May 9, 2009

Yes, Urban Fare is exactly like Whole Foods. I'll take good care of the Zuiderdam for you. ;)

Here is a list with close proximity (easy access) to the Seawall:

* The Westin Bayshore

* Renaissance Vancouver

* The Pinnacle Marriott

* Pan Pacific

* The Fairmont Waterfront

A few blocks up from the Seawall but still fairly close:

* The Fairmont Vancouver (aka The Vancouver Hotel)

* The Hyatt Regency

* Sutton Place Hotel

* Le Soleil Hotel

The seawall has a wheel lane and a foot lane. August 1 falls on our Civic Day long weekend (Monday) so it could be fairly busy in the park. However, running in the morning or early evening shouldn't be a problem with crowds.

On Sunday, August 2, Vancouver's Pride Parade will be taking place in the downtown core. I've not been before but what I have seen on the news, it always draws a huge crowd of spectators.

Here is a link to Shopper's > http://www.shoppersdrugmart.ca/english/index.html

If you want to see what the current flyer has to give you an idea of prices, type in V6E 2S9.

Here is a link to Urban Fare > http://www.urbanfare.com/home.html

A flyer is also available on the website. They have a nice deli/restaurant that has fresh food. Great place to grab bite to take down to the waterfront for a little picnic.

Busy day at the port of Vancouver. Four ships where in (3 at Canada Place / 1 at Ballentyne). Here is a photo of the NCL Pearl.

The Zaandam was in Vancouver today. The picture below was taken from the newly constructed Convention Center looking east. It's nice to have this different angle of the ships in port.

Can you walk to the park where the ships dock? Is Vancouver walkable from the ship port? thanks for the help. We want to spend are time here walking and enjoying are new port in 2 weeks rain or shine.

If you are docked at Canada Place, it is possible to walk to Stanley Park. There is a beautiful seawall that will take you there.

Hello, another quick question...

 

I have been reading there are some areas to avoid in Vancouver - I know all cities have them especially since I live close to Toronto ...

 

I am staying on robson and just want some heads up of the area I should avoid as I am travelling with older parents....

 

plus how far from robson to Canada Place --- is it wise to walk or is cab a better method ? also okay a second question does BC run like Ontario as regards to liquor stores and would there be one close to robson so I could buy a nice bottle of wine?

 

I can't wait I am so excited to see Vancouver before my cruise ...

 

thanks again

Yes, Vancouver has its not-so-nice area. It covers from the eastern end of Gastown to just past Main and from the Waterfront to about Terminal Ave.

Robson Street is a high end shopping area w/restaurants several blocks away from the seedy area. It's a nice area to wander around. Robson is not far from Canada Place. However, since you are travelling with older parents, I would recommend taking a cab to Canada Place rather then walking. Although it is slightly downhill.

There is a gov't run liquor store on Alberni one block North of Robson Street between Bute and Thurlow. The Sutton Place Hotel also has a wine merchant store. They are located at Smythe and Burrard, just south of Robson Street.

Enjoy your stay. I think spring has finally arrived.

Is there a reasonably priced drugstore near the St. Regis (602 Dunsmuir)? I need to pick up some Drixoral allergy medicine, which hasn't been available down here in the states for almost two years, but seems to be available in Canada when I check online drugstores (at a huge markup).

The St Regis is located at the corner of Dunsmuir and Seymour. One block west is Granville Street. On the corner of Granville and Dunsmuir is a Shoppers' Drug Mart.

One block south of Dunsmuir is Georgia. As mentioned above, Granville is one block west. At the corner of Georgia and Granville there is a London Drugs. It is similar to Shoppers' Drug Mart but London Drugs' prices tend to be a little lower.