ravinglunatic

I hope you mean the electric white night party, and not an actual all-white party...

Or does the OP mean something like Diner En Blanc? https://www.dinerenblanc.com/

There are some really cool advantages with this. Sure some scary things too...but if it's done right would be very good.

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Please drop the whole "the crew depends on tips" argument. A gratuity is earned for good or excellent service. Not just because they show up. Look up the definition yourself if you want.

No one here is debating wether the crew deserve to be paid more, or wether they deserve the tips we give.

But they are just that...tips. For good service. If that service isn't perceived to be given, then by all means the amount should be reduced.

If this was a required thing, all cruise lines should just eliminate them altogether, increase our fare, and increase the wages.

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Maui couldn't agree more! I clean up after my kids. It truly isn't a ton of extra work in my cabin.

Notentirelynormal: tips are NOT a given. If I receive poor service you bet I'm reducing the tips. Do I expect poor service? No. Do I tip for good service? Yes of course I do. But to suggest that it is harder to clean a toilet because an extra person used it? Give me a break!

All I'm saying is that provided you understand how the tips are split up, if you don't feel that service was provided, then it is perfectly acceptable to reduce them. If you feel the service was good, then of course the hard working crew should receive it.

For the record, I have at times reduced my tips, paid the "customary" amount, and at times have increased or tipped extra in cash. All depends on the experience.

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Wow people. A little respect maybe??

There are many reasons people reduce their tips. To suggest that a family can't afford the tips is totally disrespectful.

When I dine out at home just my wife and I, I generally tip fairly well. When we dine out with the family, I may tip a little bit more, but not double.

Think about it. Kids meals in restaurants are less expensive. So if we go on a standard 15% tip, this kids part is less and nobody blinks an eye.

So to answer OP's original question...knowing how they break down the gratuity, go ahead and reduce the amount as you feel is right. I tip based on service received...not the service available.

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The tour price is from Vancouver. So it would include getting to the ferry terminal which is about a 30 or so minute drive from downtown, then the high speed ferry to Victoria, then admission to one of the sights in Victoria like a museum, and then the bus and admission to the gardens. And, of course, bringing us back to Vancouver. It is door to door as they pick us up and drop us off at our hotel. It is about a 13 hour excursion.

That is exactly why I would suggest you book a tour rather than try to do this one your own. While getting to the ferry via transit is doable, it's not the most convenient to say the least! Its a very long day, well worth it, but much better to be picked up and dropped off at your hotel without worrying about transfers and missed connections.

Hi

Have seen so many beautiful pics of Vancouver, where do you think the best spots are for picture taking. I am a mountain person! We will have a rental car.

Also, I am looking for a 3 star hotel..between Vancouver and the airport. Suggestions?

Will be dropping the rental car back at the airport...and then heading to Ballantyne Pier. Is the taxi my best option? thanks for the help!

For me and since you are a "Mountain person" it would have to be Deep Cove and Quarry Rock. Quarry rock is an easy and short hike. You don't need any special equipment - just a pair of runners will do. very popular with locals. Make sure you stop by Honey's for a doughnut afterwards!

But really you can get some great views from any of the local mountains...Grouse, My Seymour, or Cypress. Grouse will cost you a few bucks to get the gondola up, but the other two are free.

Aohkay thank you for the Amtrak info. I never found that on the web site before. They have baggage storage and lockers.

 

Now to just figure out where to get dinner to go so we can be at the Amtrak by 4:30 pm.

 

Norine

There are restaurants to fit all tastes and budgets near the Amtrak station. What do like/want?

Hi Vickie! Thanks for offering advice! We're on a rt Seattle Alaskan cruise next summer and are going to end our cruise one night early, leaving the ship in Victoria. We only have two full touring days before we bus to Seattle and fly home. We've never been to Victoria so since we're getting off there we thought we'd stay there the three nights, we're not fans of changing hotels. I'm reading about the amount of time it takes to get from Victoria to Vancouver will it even be feasible to tour Victoria on the first full day and then to and Fro into Vancouver on day two? In Vancouver, since there's not much time, we plan to do a basic city tour along with the suspension bridge. Would it be a better idea to stay the first night in Victoria then move to a Vancouver hotel? Does it really take that long? What do you feel is the best way to travel between the two?

 

Thanks in advance!

That would be pretty ambitious. The ferry ride itself is an hour and a half each way, and they rarely run right on schedule. Never mind the fact the neither ferry terminal are downtown, they are both out in outlying areas (Swartz bay and Tsawwassen). To get from Tsawwassen to the suspension bridge will take a good hour or more depending on traffic. So you are already up to over 5 hours in travel time, not actually doing anything!

A better option if you are so inclined would be to fly. There are a couple air services that go downtown to downtown for reasonable prices and are much quicker. Or of course moving to a hotel in Vancouver is also an option.

My husband and I are coming to Vancouver via Amtrak bus from Seattle in May. Is it easy to get from the Amtrak station to downtown? Is it walking distance? We haven't booked a hotel yet but will want to be downtown for sure. Also, is Chinatown within walking

distance to Downtown?

Right out front of the Amtrak station is a Skytrain station, which will take you right downtown. You could walk too, but might be a bit of a headache with luggage and depending on where your staying.

Yes, Chinatown is also within walking distance of most of dt, again depends on where you staying.

I will be traveling to Lynn Canyon Park in May. I'm a little interested in visiting Lynn Canyon Park. However, we are staying at the Opus hotel and are not renting a car.

 

Any ideas on the best way to reach Lynn Canyon along with associated fees?

 

Is it worth it?

 

Thanks in advance!

Lynn Canyon is great! Lots of trails and a very nice suspension bridge. It would be a pricy cab ride - $40 each way give or take. Transit is an option as well and cheap at only a couple bucks per person each way. Take the SeaBus to Lonsdale Quay (great market) then bus to Lynn Valley from there. The translink website can help you plan the bus trip.