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Loving your review!  John gives us a little appetizer on FB and you give us the entree and dessert with lots of details and photos!  I love your writing style!

That list is detailed and awesome!  Can you be my co-trip planner for all my vacations!  Now I only need more days to enjoy more of these delicious options 😁. 

Thanks martincath!  We have added Queen Elizabeth Park to the plan.  Can you think of anything else you consider a do not miss based on what we have so far?  I also want to see Granville Market and maybe Gastown. Also, do you have recommendations for restaurants where we are going?  I love your idea of the King crab dinner at a Chinese restaurant!  I just don’t think I can afford it for just the four of us. 😢 We usually spend $100-$120 US for dinner, so moderately priced and we very rarely purchase any alcohol with dinner. We like all different types of food.  Any thoughts?

I am in the process of booking a basement apartment in North Vancouver.  You are a great resource to all of us and I thank you for you invaluable insight!  I think we will be very happy in North Vancouver!

Thanks martincath!  I love VRBO and have rented from them a lot. I have never tried AirBnB but would be willing to try it out. The prices seem almost too good to be true after looking at so many Vancouver hotels! VRBO is more expensive now that they are owned by Expedia since they charge a “service fee” for each visit.  I had just read that Vancouver had banned AirBnB types as well as UBER.  I guess the ban does not extend to North or West Vancouver?

I need my Vancouver experts!  We are staying three nights after our cruise in mid June. I have very good rates at two different hotels- one in Surrey and one by the airport for about $165 per night CAD both Four Points.  The hotel by the airport only has double beds and charges for parking like $10 per night. The hotel in Surrey has queen beds and no charge for parking.  The are four of us traveling. Two adults and two full size teenagers each 6 foot so basically four adults. We want to see Stanley Park, Sea to Sky Gondola, Britannia Mine Museum, and either Lynn Canyon Park or Suspension Bridge Park. Is it worth staying out in Surrey for better sleeping arrangements?  Or just tough it out in small beds to be closer to downtown Vancouver. martincath - I did look at the YMCA but it was quite a bit more for the four of us. Thanks for any help!!

I disembarked on May 7 before all those crazy rules started. Teppanyaki was open for lunch on some sea days as was the Sushi Bar.

Thanks! I hope I have the same experience!!

Bummer! I was hoping it would be open. Really fun for lunch on Epic.:(

Will Teppanyaki be open for lunch on Jewel in Alaska as it was on my recent Epic cruise? Thanks in advance!

We loved the location. Was quiet since no one is walking by your cabin on the way to theirs. Could not hear engine except when balcony door was open or pulling into port. Balcony was larger than any we have had before (deeper). Space next door is open and you can see out port side of ship. Never saw anyone in that area but they do have loungers there f you want one for your balcony.

Just off the Epic on April 12th. Our kids (10and 12) ate with us at every Specialty Restaurant. They were charged half price for the specialty menu. Portions were the same. We sail again in June. Hope this is not ANOTHER change although they will be 11 and 13 on that sailing so only applicable to the 11 year old. But I can now purchase the UDP for the 11 Year old which I could not do before. The reservation system still says "kids pricing done on the ship." as of today.

I live in SeaTac so I know the area. The Ramada Limited is about as far north as I'd go for a hotel on International Boulevard. There are cheaper hotels north of Hwy 518 (around 152nd Street--the street numbers get smaller as you go north), but you do NOT want to stay in them.

 

Of the two, I would choose the Day's Inn--that's actually where we put my mother and elderly aunts when they came to visit. It's nice enough for the price, and the neighborhood, while not upscale, is a little better than north of the airport.

I booked a room at the Day's Inn. Our flight doesn't land until 6pm and by the time we get out luggage and get to the hotel it will be later. Is there a good place to eat within walking distance or at the hotel. We have two kids so " safe for Mom and elderly aunts" is the perfect endorsement for me!

Thanks for the hotel tip!

We are going on the Epic in April. First time on NCL, first time in an aft balcony, first time with an UBP (also not usually big drinkers), and first time with the UDP. Love your pictures and you are discussing everything I wanted to know about. Thank you so much for taking the time!

I have read you can use the UDP on the first night for Cirque. Is that the night you board or the first full day? Also, does UDP cover the Nickelodeon breakfast?

Thanks!

The Jubilee in 1997.

We stayed on the ship in St. Martin which was the last stop. We had been there before and needed one last sea day. It is a port intensive itinerary but we loved it (especially Barbados and St. Lucia).

Jim Zim (love the name),

I have been wanting to thank you for several months about your great Breeze review! I was debating between Princess and the Breeze with a similar itineray and your review/photos/video convinced me it was the Breeze. We head out on the Breeze next month and have a fantastic roll call so I am really excited. Thank you!!

I was considering the Sunshine for a future cruise but now you have me a little worried. Dining is one the most important features and lots of questionable food does not excite me!

Be sure to post a Jim Zim does Princess review on the Carnival side so we won't miss it! Love your writing style and photos!

Lambie,

Thank you so much for your review! We are going on the Breeze in January, and it was so fun to see her sister ship. You and your Mom are so cute together, and I hope to run into Lambie on a future cruise!:)

Still loving the review! We have a Cove balcony on the Breeze in January. I have two young boys and was wondering if I have a smoking neighbor if the smoke would be less likely to travel because the one side looks like it is almost a solid wall? Any thoughts?:confused:

Wow this must take so much time! We are heading on the Breeze Southern route in January and I can't wait to see all of your pictures of ship and ports! Keep going - we love the review!

Just wanted to say thanks for the review! We are also from Utah! Loving the review of Universal. We went last year and I can't wait to go back! Also can't wait for the Dream review. :)

Thanks for the quick replies! Cruise critic is such a great place with very generous people!

After spending several hours reading this thread, I think we can make the St. John's experience happen on our own! However, I am still deciding which beach would be best.

My husband and I will be traveling with our two boys age 8 and 10 and Grandma age 68. We would definately want a beach with restrooms and food so I think it is Trunk Bay or Cinnamon. Should we try Trunk Bay first since we have never been to St. John?:confused:

We will be there in January on the Victory with two other ships in port (about 10,000 total passengers)

Thanks to everyone for all the info posted in this thread!