Bristol5

Martincath:  About a year or so ago you recommended the Blue Horizon, we stayed there and loved it!!!! Thank You very much for all your help.

13 hours ago, martincath said:

Honestly, unless you've got the budget for the Fairmont every other airport hotel could take you as long or longer to get to than heading downtown - no traffic at night whereas no hotel has more than a single shuttle vehicle and none I'm aware of have a shuttle driver with no other jobs.

 

So when you call your hotel from the courtesy phones, the delay is at best "Good news, someone called before you, the bus should be outside in a couple of minutes!" plus drive time to the hotel of anywhere from 7 to 30+ minutes (some Surrey hotels cheekily call themselves 'airport' even though they're further away than downtown is!) and at worst is "I just need to go find the driver, he should be on his way in a few minutes" with 20mins+ wait time until you get to the hotel.

 

Whereas if the cab queue is minimal, you could be checking in at a downtown hotel in 30mins... and then when you wake up next morning you could be within walking distance of the pier and multiple things to do instead of facing commuter traffic inbound etc.

 

Oh, and if budget is tight then the YWCA Hotel downtown is usually cheaper than airport hotels anyway, despite being one of the best-reviewed hotels at any price in the region.

Will there be cabs available that late to get to a downtown hotel?  

We will be arriving in Vancouver close to midnight , night before our cruise.  Thinking an Airport hotel would be our best option, looking for recommendations.

Thank You in advance.

Thank you all.  Your comments and opinions are most helpful and interesting.

Yes, the Konningsdam to Hawaii.  Great to know about the extra classes, that sounds wonderful.

I also enjoy the freedom to just sleep in and relax. Thank you both for your quick response!

Strongly considering a cruise with 5 or 6 sea days in a row.  I have never been on a cruise with more than 2 sea days in a row.  HAL no longer has the cooking classes or the internet classes, etc. so how does one keep busy on these days?  I do well with the 2 sea days, actually look forward to them, but a little concerned about 5! Would love to hear about others' experiences.

We have not been on any cruise longer than 12 day, but we are strongly considering the 17 Day Circle Hawaii cruise from Vancouver.  My hesitation is due to the long string of sea days (5 or 6) and wondering what is offered on these days.  HAL no longer has the cooking classes or the computer classes which we enjoyed, so I am asking, how do you occupy yourself on this type of cruise? Thank You.

Trying to Check-in for upcoming March cruise and just get an "error" message! Any suggestions?

Is it reasonable to fly into Miami for a cruise from Port Everglades?

3 hours ago, martincath said:

Being a proper, urban, living-downtown type local I can't give you a personal opinion of room comfort etc., but I'm familiar with the locations of both, and I can offer a second-hand opinion of the rooms via friends who have stayed in both.

 

BH is the better hotel for views, for resto options in the near vicinity, for fancy shopping, and is more convenient if you are going to do any bus-based touring e.g. HOHO bus has a stop right outside, as does the shuttle to Capilano, and other coach tours are much more likely to pick up at this hotel on a busy main street than Sunset on a more residential block. BH also has very generous bedroom size (all rooms are corners too, so two different angles) - but Sunset does offer much better long-stay conveniences as it's one of our 'condo hotels' so rather than just a room you have access to kitchen facilities etc. and that lack of restos & shopping means less likely you hear any noises at night while sleeping.

 

They're both useful for walking around tourism - each is closer to some areas, further from others, but really it's a well under a mile difference so no big whoop!

Thank You very much , you have been so very helpful!!!

After more searching and reading of reviews we are strongly considering The Blue Horizon, any comments or knowledge of this property?

We are cruising to Alaska in May 2023 and looking for a hotel in Vancouver for two nights.  We will have a rental car, so parking is important.  We are currently considering Sunset Inn & Suites , which has free parking. The price for this downtown hotel is less than most, and I realize that it is an older property, however it has very good reviews.  I need some information from anyone who knows the area or has stayed here - if this would be a recommended hotel.

Also, the hotels near the airport are more reasonable and since we will have a car I would like opinions as to staying in this area, we are considering the Holiday Inn Express Vancouver Airport Richmond.

I appreciate any help, so thank you in advance.🙂

Looking at Alaska Cruises on the Noordam.  Only Ocean View and Inside cabins are available on Deck 1 (main).  I am concerned about booking because the available cabins are probably located below the Blues Club or Casino.  Does anyone have experience with these cabins on Main, can you hear or feel the music?

Thank You  all for your helpful replies and recommendations.  I have to decide by tomorrow!  It is very helpful to know that the life boats are below eye level. I am looking at booking 4091.

Thank You!   I will check it out.  It was meant as a general question regarding "obstructed view " cabins as I know that it is a new ship. Your recommendation is much appreciated.

I am considering booking an Obstructed View Veranda on the Rotterdam.  Would like anyone who has had one of these to please tell me about the experience.

The price is so good and I like the location of the cabin, the life boats would be below the balcony.  How much of a problem is this?

I am considering a Casino Offer I received, however I am concerned about the fine print regarding how to obtain the Free Play.  My email reads: "To redeem the Casino FREE PLAY offer you must present this Email to the Casino Cashier"  and then further down it reads: "To redeem the Casino FREE PLAY offer you must present this Email to the Casino Cashier. Photocopies will not be accepted."  My question is how do I present this email without making a photocopy of the email?

GREAT NEWS!  Faith restored.  Our Chase account was credited this morning with all 6 payments made on our March 15th Silhouette Cruise!  The credits match our payments exactly.  We were just told last week that it could be another 30-45days! Such a wonderful surprise today!  Our purchased shore excursions have not yet been refunded, however, we did receive an email from Celebrity this morning that the excursions have been cancelled and refunded and will be credited to our account within two billing cycles.  Hang in there folks, they are working on it!

Just got off the phone with Celebrity regarding our cancelled 3/15/20 cruise on the Silhouette. We requested a refund on the evening of 3/13 online when notified of Celebrity's temporary ceasing of operations. Today I was told that it be at least another 30 days before we would receive any refunds! We have spoken to them three times regarding refunds, each time there's a different line. We were told that we would receive a refund on excursions a week ago. That didn't happen. We have also seen 30 day and 45 day expectations for all refunds in notices online from Celebrity, those will not happen either. We booked this cruise and made a deposit over a year ago ! I know (or that is I think )they are busy. I don't accept that as an excuse. They haven't communicated a word to us on what to expect. We have had great sailings on four other lines, I can only hope we get to sail on one of those other lines again. I don't know what the future will hold, but I do know that I will never set foot on a Celebrity ship … unless it's FREE.

Our March 15th Cruise on Silhouette was cancelled on 3/13 by Celebrity.  I requested a refund. To date, no refund of cruise or of the excursions which were paid for.

We also on this sailing and wondering the same thing!

4 hours ago, CapsChap said:

Thank you to everyone who's chimed in in this thread, and thank you to @Bristol5 for posting it. I just booked my first Celebrity cruise this week -- a 7-day journey from Vancouver to Alaska and back aboard Eclipse (which will be fresh off its Revolution work) in May 2021 -- and some of the threads had me a little concerned that I wouldn't "fit in". I honestly think that's much more my own perception and anxiety than from anyone in particular who made me feel that way.

 

I'm honestly really excited to get to experience a new cruise line that'll take me on a new adventure! 🙂

You are welcome, comforting to know I wasn't the only one with the misconception.  All concerns have been alleviated.  I am also very excited about my first "Celebrity" cruise.

Luckyinpa, I appreciate your post.🙂

26 minutes ago, davekathy said:

That's your opinion but I disagree, in my opinion. Would you provide some examples of what you've read on CC that gives you that impression. 

I'm sorry if I offended anyone with my question.  I felt at the time that it was probably a silly question, but had hoped my concerns would be proven ridiculous, as they have been by all the wonderful, understanding responses.

I can't really site any particular "examples" it was just the discussions about "special dining venues" and class distinctions such as Aqua and Concierge that caused the concern.  I have a better understanding now, and will fret no more.

Thank You all so Very much for your positive feedback!  I had been worrying about this for so long, and was afraid to even post the question, but you have all been so gracious and explained the different categories and perks so well! NO MORE WORRIES, Thank You, Thank You, Thank You!