Vancouver/Canada Place .... Drop off Bags and Parking at CP ?? 2023

[LeftcoastBC]

Looking for specific instructions on Entering the drop off area under Canada Place.  Dropping bags and then parking.?  Is one still able to do that rather than bringing bags up from down below and back out into the area were bags for the different cruise lines are located. Any other tips for this year (23) which starts next weekend. Haven't cruised out of here for quite some time.  Thks.

[JKCRUZ]

Also, another question… Does the Vancouver cruise port have restrictions on bottled water and/or bottled soda?

[nw gardener]

Following...last year there were porters in the parking garage and it was super easy handing off luggage and parking. Before Covid shutdown,  there were none one year and that was a nightmare embarkation process.  Hopefully it'll be staffed like last year!

[oakridger]

9 hours ago, JKCRUZ said:

Also, another question… Does the Vancouver cruise port have restrictions on bottled water and/or bottled soda?

 

Welcome to Cruise Critic @JKCRUZ!!  First post!

 

The water and soda restrictions will vary by cruise line.  Check your cruise to get details of their policies.

 

Have fun!

 

~Nancy

[xlxo]

On 4/22/2023 at 8:47 AM, LeftcoastBC said:

specific instructions on Entering the drop off area under Canada Place.  Dropping bags and then parking.?  Is one still able to do that rather than bringing bags up from down below and back out into the area were bags for the different cruise lines are located.

Basically you drive down the ramp to the "cruise terminal level" following the taxi's.  Just tell them you are doing a luggage drop.  There's an unloading area to great you for your luggage.

 

I'll let others comment on where best to find parking for a week long trip.

[fastpitchdad]

I just parked at Canada Place, it made disembarking a breeze (even did Fly Over Canada before we left). 

[quack2]

Was very happy parking at Canada Place for a week last year while I did Vancouver round trip.  Be careful when booking ahead to note your expected arrival time.  I didn't, and they charged me a full day even though I arrived at 4 p.m.-ish.  The default arrival time was midnight.

 

And yes, Flyover Canada is worth doing, especially if you haven't done a "soaring" type experience before.

Edited April 25, 2023 by quack2

[xlxo]

One thing I forgot to mention is congestion.... if you are coming on a "three or more ship day" at the cruise terminal.... plan for extra congestion going into the luggage drop area.  I remember being stuck on the ramp for like 20 minutes on a previous cruise many years ago and it was not fun watching the taxi meter creep.

 

Easier to bus or taxi to a nearby hotel a block away and do a luggage drag into the luggage drop area.

[LeftcoastBC]

Thks everyone.  Think I have a plan.  Lol.   HAL just backed up our boarding time to 1 pm with the ship planning departure at 3 Pm according to the Port site.  It’s a three ship day on the first weekend + Monday.  I t will be an interesting. Day I’m certain.

[Nelsj099]

I am trying to figure out parking for my dad.  Do you have to pre book a spot at Canada Place or can you just arrive day of departure?

[dawnvip]

9 hours ago, Nelsj099 said:

I am trying to figure out parking for my dad.  Do you have to pre book a spot at Canada Place or can you just arrive day of departure?

You can just drive up and park on day of departure. The advantage of pre-booking a spot is the discounted price: $23 per day if  pre-booked vs $32 per day  

[nw gardener]

Never had this issue previously with booking in advance...was told by Indigo parking that the dates I want next month are already booked...but I can park as first come first serve? If I get there without a reservation and find a parking spot I can do it that way? So do I roll the dice, don't know how many parking spots are left available for first come first serve. DH has mobility issues so don't want to do airport parking.  I realize amount will be more by not prepaying,  just wondering chances of getting a spot if I  arrive before 10 AM 

[LeftcoastBC]

Just got home.  Rolling dice would depend on how many ships are returning and how many pax are on them.  A crew member who should know cause he is in the feeding end of things said for example the Koningsdam for the next 2-3 weeks for sure is almost overbooked (all beds full) so running around 3000 people plus exact would be on HAL website.  So if a day you wished to cruise had say 3 full ships returning you could count on some movement in the number of spaces available.  Only a small percentage of folks actually park put from now on the constant turn over of ships will keep things topped up. Today when we left there didnt seem to be many spaces available. But there were some. But you still might have to wait until later on in the day to make it.  I dont think I would chance it.   Reserve in advance or park elsewhere and cab/Uber.  Depending on where you are driving from.  Airport and Sky train.etc.  Folks I spoke with Parked at the BC Ferry and bused in.  Said it was easy. But that was packing for only 5 days of stuff to drag around.

[LeftcoastBC]

Heres the full story on Parking.  Normal drop off is drive under Canada Place to P2.  Get dropped off with your bags and head for the Zoo.  Our experience was the worst embarkation ever  anywhere I have done in North America since 1994.  Here Seattle ,Florida, California, Puerto Rico. Etc..  2 plus hours of non-stop through separate checkin/Customs/ etc. to getting finally to the ship.(see thread by Dr. Koob here on CC).  I haven’t  read it yet but I’m sure it’s a beaut.). So  back to parking >  IF YOU. ARE GOING TO PARK you give your bags to specific ship handlers and go and  park.  Doing this bag drop and getting to the check in line took about 45 mins from the entrance. Then we started the 2+Hr check in.  We entered around 12:30. We found space back near the entrance to P2.  More folks came after us as we walked all the way back to where we passed the bag drop and started up to check in.  There are lots of spaces across the full width of CP so best take a pic of your spot. Not sure if spots are avail for cruise parking on P1.  On return  you walk onto CP on Cruise Ship Level get your bags and go out towards the front of CP and it was a breeze today.  About half way to the street on this level There is an elevator to go down to P1 and P2.  As you breakout into the public area.  Straight ahead with slight angle to the right and can be missed if you are not looking up at the signage. Getting off the ship well planned and timely as ship cleared when it was supposed to. BUT we came from a Canadian Port and did not have a clearance issue for enter into Canada. Most ships that do the return from CP leave a US port and will have some Customs delay or Procedure that we would have had in Prince Rupert.  It was casual but our paper work was done after leaving Ketchikan and obviously almost precleared for Rupert. BTW A subject was arrested off the ship by Police in Prince Rupert.  It was made pretty clear he would not be returned to the ship.  Welcome to Canada.

[nw gardener]

LeftcoastBC, thank you for your input.  I'm coming from Blaine , was planning on driving up early (have priority boarding) and in the past never had an Issue prepaying parking , or finding a parking spot in the mornings.  May rethink driving and do Amtrak instead,  or even catch an Uber across the border.  It's going to be a 2 ship day when we cruise  so there will be some folks leaving...will need to make a decision soon!  Although in the past,  precovid,  I do remember reading someone's horror story of prepaying but got there early afternoon to find no parking spots and was told prepaying didn't mean a guarantee of an actual reserved spot! 

[LeftcoastBC]

I forgot about Amtrack. Great suggestion now they are running again.  Timing isn’t so great but it might convince you to come up a day nearly and spend some 60 % bucks,  have used it a couple of times.  Great trip."?..even came up once on a return YVR to SanFran. One still has to overnight in Seattle I think.