dam1050
-
Posts
1,048 -
Joined
Content Type
Forums
Store
Blogs
Downloads
Events
Gallery
Posts posted by dam1050
-
-
Thank you so much for offering info. I will be flying in on 9/01 and departing from Canada Place on 9/03.
My questions are:
1. Is it worth to rent a car for the amount of time we will be there
considering we would like to stay downtown?
2. I am looking for a nice hotel as close to the pier as possible for
the price range of $150 - $250 / night, any suggestions?
3. Do I need to bring Canadian dollars, I live in the U.S.?
4. What is the weather like in September?
5. Any tour spots you would highly recommend?
6. One of the travelers in our group is actually a canadian
citizen although lives in the U.S. will he have to go
through a separate customs, embarkment than the rest
of us?
Thank you so much in advance for your advise, I can't wait to see Vancouver I have heard so many wonderful things about Vancouver.
Hi there:
1. I wouldn't bother renting a car for that short of time when staying downtown ... you can walk and there is easy transit to all the sites.
2. I'd suggest the Hyatt Regency on Burrard St - about 4 blocks to Canada Place.
3. All prices will be in Canadian currency here. With the $U.S. being devalued lately you will not get much exchange on any U.S. cash you spend, or exchange. That said, you could spend your US $ at par and people would happily accept it for cabs, meals, souvenirs, etc...
Better still (if you don't want to use our Canadian currency) use your charge cards and you will be billed by your own bank in your own funds at whatever exchange rate they set when you return.
4. September weather is usually still very nice here with temps around 20 Celcius (70 degrees F) for highs.
5. Stanley Park is a must see and you can check out Tourism Vancouver website at http://www.tourismvancouver.com/visitors/for many various things.
6. All people go through Canada Customs when arriving at YVR from other countries, regardless of their citizenship. While they do have seperate lines for Canadian citizens only, they do not have to go through those lines and can go through the same ones as you.
You will all have to go through US Customs before boarding your vessel at Canada Place for your Alaska Cruise.
Hope that helps you some and enjoy your trip.
Dave
-
Any good places for breakfast near Fairmont Waterfront and Pan Pacific ?? Not looking for expensive (or we could eat the buffet in the hotels), but something on a smaller scale like a bakery, cafe or even a Starbucks. gg
Waterfront Centre is right there (underground from Pan Pacific & Fairmont), and they have Starbucks as well as several fast food outlets.
Dave
-
What a wonderful thread. We will staying overnight in Vancouver July 2 after our Alaska cruise. I have read that the cab situation at the dock is really bad. Can anyone tell me if there is a better alternative to getting to the Hyatt Hotel? I would really hate to spend half the day trying to get there.
Being that you arrive on a Monday and the Coral Princess will be the only ship at Canada Place that day - cabs should be available OK.
That being said, the Hyatt Hotel is located only about 4 blocks from Canada Place (walk straight up Burrard Street) therefore if you have rolling luggage and not much of it- you might want to walk.
The bad cab situation here is more on days when several ships are at Canada Place -- as well as being worse cab pickup service at Ballantyne Pier.
Dave
-
Thanks Ted for the welcome home! :)
Unfortunately we did not even meet Les and David, or any CC people -- the Cruise Critic Party was held at 10:00 a.m. which is too early for a tired old thing like me to get up for ! We missed completely as were still sleeping... LOL
We also did not see them at the FOD parties --- we missed the first one, as we were in fabulous USS United States restaurant at the time --- the second FOD party we popped by but there was absolutely nobody around so we did not stay. There was definitely a lack of G & L family on this cruise.
There were far too many kids (300) on board for my liking...[remind me to stick to May for Alaska in the future]
Our weather was not the best most of the time, but it did clear and was totally spectacular at Hubbard Glacier, where we managed to get up real close and experienced quite a bit of calving.
Dave
-
Hi All--We had the pleasure to meet DESTRCRZ (Mike and Bob) from West Virginia and again meet BEAV (Brian and Gary) from Walnut Creek on this cruise. Don't tell anyone, but Brian and Gary celebrated their 10th anniversary on this cruise!!! How great is that???
Aren't they all just the best guys you've ever met on a ship? :D
I can't even tell you the number of laughs we had with them, both on our cruise and since in emails !!!
I did NOT know however that this was the big 10th anniversary for Brian and Gary. Our belated congratulations go out to them -- we'll see if we can't think up something 'real special' for you guys when we see ya in October!
Dave and Paul
-
Hi Guys:
Welcome back to SFO Blazerboy (Andrew and Ed) So glad to hear you had such a nice cruise.
I got an email tonight from Beav who is in Juneau today -- they are all having a fabulous cruise on the Crystal Harmony. It's even nicer than Mike and Bob remember, and Brian and Gary are so pleased to see so many familiar faces amongst the staff from their cruise last year! Their service has been just wonderful and they're having a great time. We'll be all looking forward to a great review from Beav upon his return.
I wish we could have travelled with them on this one, I know we had just a ball with them all last year sailing to Hawaii from Vancouver on the Radiance.
We're looking forward to seeing them this fall as we'll fly home to YVR from Honolulu via SFO with a few days stop-off.
Sure wish we could be in the "WC" Starbucks clatch as well .... :D
Dave
-
Great to hear from you Andrew and so nice to hear you're having a great time and have met lots of family onboard. This thread might be a tad quiet as DESTCRZ and partner are in SFO now sightseeing before the Royal Crystal cruise to Alaska, and Beav is away for a couple of days I believe.
The real QEII has left us common subjects now and she's all yours.
Dave
-
Destcrz & his really nice partner must have touched down over the rainbow in the land of milk and honey by this time ...
I can see him and Beav planning right now ... I'm already in enough trouble with them both so I won't say who's who ... ;)
-
"Well, you said I could bring one carry-on in the plane Ma'am ..." Destcrz gushes with a huge smile on his face......"We've packed lightly, as we're going to see some Royal friends in San Francisco before sailing off on the Crystal Harmony for Alaska" ;)
-
Yes, Elizabeth, we're getting set to hire the jet to travel across the land !
Please fill in for me here dear at all the social activities I'll have to miss in my absence. It won't be the same for the poor people without me, but I have to spend time with my fans on the West Coast as well you know...
Don't forget to have Sheridan and Tarquin call us collect on the ship now dear................. toodles
Destcrz: :D
[img]http://www.komedia.civ.pl/kua/kuapix/hiac1.jpg[/img] -
[quote name='BEAV']Blaze......do you fly out tonite ??
And what a shame "Liz" is in CANADA now and won't be able to "accept" you & Ed (okay..he does exist!) for tea @ Buckingham. .........[/QUOTE]
And for such an infrequent visitor as she is ...... imagine picking Alberta and Saskatchewan to visit
Perhaps she's still got a bad taste in her mouth from marrying off her son to Camilla ?
For those Royal watchers onboard ...
[url]http://www.cbc.ca/story/canada/national/2005/05/18/royal-visit-050518.html[/url]
[url]http://www.ctv.ca/servlet/ArticleNews/story/CTVNews/1116436945126_111846145/?hub=TopStories[/url] -
[quote name='Blazerboy']David, your pix. didn't show up, and I, for one, am crushed. I'm sure they were fabulous!
Ta ta to all those leaving on the Harmony soon. And have a good couple of weeks without me.(no snide commments about getting a break from my posts!) Don't trash the WC while I'm gone, and leave a few hearts behind in San Francisco.
(and how does one type a symbol or post an emoticon indicating a royal wave?)[/QUOTE]
I'll try again with the pix .... if it doesn't appear check here for Destcrz ...
[url]www.sgmusicforum.com/vestalgoodmanphoto.jpg[/url]
and here for Beav:
[url]http://guenther.casaberg.at/patsy.html[/url]
As for the royal wave -- I believe it goes something like this ...
Hope you and Ed have a fabulous cruise Blazerboy, and let us know all about it when you return !!! :)
Dave -
Talk about a senior's moment ............ I forgot to SHOW you DESTCRZ & BEAV's latest hairdo's .........
The first is Destcrz --- Sprayed, Back-combed, Upright and Godlike from Appallachia ...
[img]http://www.lifeinlegacy.com/ 2003/1227/GoodmanVestal.jpg[/img]
Then we have Beav --- Straight (hardly-- unless you're talking about that Stoly) and wrapped ever so tightly in a bun, from the WC ...
[img]http://www.bbcamerica.com/.../ 75x75_abfab_patsy_v02.jpg[/img]
I love them both dearly ......... :D -
[quote name='sbku']Excuse the interruption but I did hear that the shaved head looks nice:D Have a great trip!!![/QUOTE]
It can, that's for sure .........BUT you haven't seen what Destcrz & Beav's hair looks like !!! I just can't see them shaving it for anyone ...... :) -
[quote name='Blazerboy']grammar faux pas? :eek:
:D[/QUOTE]
No, dear boy, just wanted to make sure you brushed up on your "Queen's English" before you sail on up to the Colonies in August :D
English is spoken with a particular "flavour" in my "neighbourhood" ...
Dave -
[quote name='BEAV']Talk to dam1050. He has a built-in staff that does all his packing. And I don't hear any complaints. And judging by the looks of him in his muu muus on Radiance to Hawaii last Fall, he has phabulous staff...... Wonder what his secret is.........???[/QUOTE]
Beav: It's all in what's underneath the muu muu my dear fellow ..... ;)
Perhaps I'll bring along my kilt as well to SFO this fall after the Radiance ... did you warn Blazerboy and all the SF/WC cruisers they're having more West Coast visitors this fall ...........? If they can handle those Appallachian Boys, then they should be able to handle us!
Blazerboy -- wishing you a fantastic trip on the QE -- brush up on your proper English for us will you .........
Also try not to worry further about the Infinity and it's brown water .......while we're aboard going to Alaska we'll notify all concerned of your upcoming appearance and they'll be sure to do all they can to fix everything prior to your arrival.
Dave -
[quote name='BEAV']Well, after the joke DESTCRZ and I played on Dam1050 last week, I was FULLY expecting revenge at some point along our 2 day jaunt up the Pacific Coast. Thankfully, nothing happened, so I figured some sort of smear campaign was no doubt raging here on the message boards as Tedson feared!
Of course wanted to call Dam1050 yesterday morning in Vancouver, but I've been warned NEVER to call before Noon again! Really wanted to call you, Dave, around 7:30am as were were gliding under the Lions Gate Bridge in heavy FOG. Really, couldn't you have arranged a more quality forecast for the arrival of such a contingent from San Francisco? By 12:30pm we were seated in a tiny prop job headed for our JET standing by in Seattle![/QUOTE]
It's too bad it was so foggy --- had it not been so, you'd have seen Paul and I waving our hankies and tossing hyacinths at you guys from Lions Gate Bridge upon your arrival.
We then rushed down the hill from Prospect Point and jogged along the Seawall to Canada Place, only to find that they'd called PINK one already and off you'd galloped. Fortunately all was not lost, as the crew was still talking about you ...........
Sorry to hear about your dining room waiter the first night, but glad you enjoyed yourselves overall. With your great personalities I can't imagine you not having a good time. -
[quote name='DESTCRZ'][size=4]The best Bette Davis line for me is from Jezebel . . . [/size]
[size=4][/size]
[size=4]she comes out of the house and walks up to her beau and sez "I'd love to kiss ya, but I just washed my hayyuh (that's hair with Bette doing her BEST southern accent - kinda like BEAV does after several cosmos sitting on a big deck)[/size]
[size=4][/size]
[img]http://www.classicphotos.com/celebs/f-67.jpg[/img][/QUOTE]
Love that B&W formal of you Destcrz - Which cruiseship was that on?
You look so young and almost ravishing ... I'll bet that dress was crimson or maybe scarlet?
I guess our young Beav is coming up the coast - once upon a Princess - right as we speak!
Dave -
[quote name='BEAV']Too bad Dam1050 isn't sailing with us, although there's still PLENTY of room on Crystal, should he come to his senses.....................[/QUOTE]
"Important as I am in local circles, I have not yet risen to the level where I can walk on water." -
[quote name='BEAV']Dave doesn't even pack his own suitcase, so I doubt he'll serve a QUALITY candlelight supper....
But the lil' darlin' IS entertaining.....that you cannot deny![/QUOTE]
Just remember Beav --
"People who try to pretend they're superior make it so much harder for those of us who really are." -
I'm hyperventilating to hear the REAL story of the DESTCRZ/Blazerboy connection on Harmony back in '92. Or is that story posted in the "Shipboard Love Stories" section of Cruise Critic ????
I was thinking it might be in the "Lose before you Cruise" section of the message boards (and I'm not talking about weight)
Perhaps we could make it up Beav, at the rate of "Young & Restless" with several authors e-mailing an episode each day to an ongoing thread ..... we certainly have lots of cast members to work with ...
Dave
-
I'll tell this story cause I want to make sure it is told TRUTHFULLY AND CORRECTLY.DestCrz[/color][/size][/font]
ROTFLMAO !!!
Yes, Mike you have rendered a very truthful story --- I am still laughing about it. I'm still miffed too though, as of course had I known you guys were going to punk me, I'd have spent much time in preparing some good responses for you which would have just "shocked the Royal sh*te" out of any clerk who might have been phoning .......LOL
Ever since that episode I've been plotting how to exact my revenge upon y'all.
Perhaps a gift to your upcoming Crystal Cabin ......... oh, I don't know ....visions of Baby Jane bringing a tray upstairs "Blanche, you know we got RATS in the cellar" ...............
Perhaps only placing WIRE HANGARS in your closet onboard .......
"What exactly did this sick individual say to you"
Be afraid guys, be very afraid ......... :)
-
Blazerboy & Dam1050,
Best of luck with your hilarious, on-going, International war-of-words! Having the pleasure of now knowing you both (I must get around!) all I can say is, may the best Queen win! I think you've each met your match when it comes to a good ol' cat fight !!!!!
Oh c'mon Beav, no need for you to be humble ...
BTW --- I am attaching the site where we posted the tape of your performance after a few martoooonis at the Radiance sailaway :
http://www.britcoms.com/zips/mac.zip
Dave
-
Tedson, you're catching on so nicely!:)
Dave, no, as much as I'd love to be helicoptered off the QE2 to fly in directly back to San Francisco and join the Harmony for another 12 days, neither my work load nor my Visa card will stand the extra time away. I just happened to meet the gang and become part of the infamous (o.k., now that's a stretch) C6.
And I've really never met DESTCRZ, although we sailed on the same ship 13 years ago, so if we met, names were never exchanged.;) (Now THERE'S a way to start a rumor!:eek: )
ROTFLMAO !!
Oh, I can just see it now .... Beav & Destcrz waving their tiaras at you as you descend the ropes from the heli to the Crystal Harmony ... champagne glasses held high ... everyone grabbing at you at once, wanting a taste of that royalty you've just experienced on the QEII (not to mention the royalty you are about to experience.....)
As to rumours --- no need to implicate yourself in any with Mike --- we'll do well at getting a few rumours flying through cyberspace about you without any help whatsoever, I can guarantee you !
Dave from BRITISH Columbia (that's in Canada you know .... one of the Colonies I believe)
p.s. -- what's with the "IF" we met business ??? I wasn't born yesterday!
Vancouver Info if needed
in Canada (Alaska/Pacific Coastal)
Posted
You are most welcome - glad to be of some help. Love your city ... we'll be spending a couple of extra days there before our Hawaii cruise in the fall.
Dave