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langleyfld

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Posts posted by langleyfld

    Vancouver bag drop?

    in West Coast Departures

    Posted

    On 11/1/2019 at 10:55 AM, Flatbush Flyer said:

    Sounds like you're planning to arrive on day of embarkation. 

    As with any cosmopolitan destination city, there's a lot to see and do and much of it is often at the other end of a traffic jam.

    IMO, "enjoying" Vancouver would require at the very least two full days while also providing that important travel issue buffer for transportation delays/cancellations, luggage loss, etc and getting the most from that airfare.

    In any case, you can probably drop your luggage off as soon as the porters are available (remember they're also working the disembarkation process). For a ship that tied up at 6:00 AM, a good bet would be that most passengers would be off by 9::00-9:30 and they'd be ready to accommodate incoming folks by 10:00 AM.

    If you're embarkation time is, for example, 1:00 PM, that would give you 3 hrs to "enjoy" Vancouver while still lugging around any handheld bags - you know: the ones with your valuables, electronics, meds, docs, and that emergency change of clothes.

    So, if you absolutely can't travel days before embarkation (for reasons other that "I don't want to pay for a hotel"), here's an alternative suggestion:

    Find a private tour provider who'll pick you up at the airport, secure your luggage and provide a guided tour before dropping you off at the ship at your embarkation time.

    We've often used various other versions of this strategy (though we always fly in at least 3 days prior to a cruise), particularly when the airport city is quite distant from the port (e.g., Santiago-Valparaiso). Often, a single arrangement can be made for airport pickup, city tour, transport to port hotel, next day(s) port city/region tour(s) and transfer to the ship on embarkation day. BTW, do the research and you'll find that it can be quite a value.

     

    We are flying in the day before and staying at the Auberge Hotel.  We've stayed in Vancouver a few times, so we know a few places we want to revisit.  We plan to walk from hotel to port, to drop off bags.

    Vancouver Arrival, Hampton Inn Robson

    in Canada (Alaska/Pacific Coastal)

    Posted

    8 hours ago, martincath said:

    No taxis on the Seawall - it's a sidewalk and bike path, so aside from an occasional Parks Board vehicle (most of which are small ATVs about the size of a golf cart) or ebikes you won't see anything that isn't person-powered - even the carriages stick to the roadway, not the Seawall. There's usually a street very close by though, except around the outside of Stanley Park. As to which parts are Must Do - depends what kind of view you like!

     

    Google very handily sent people with cameras on their backs or on bikes around the entire Seawall, and many other trails, so you can literally do a virtual walk for yourself and see which bits look best... Starting at Canada Place is logical, especially since that would mean you're traveling in the right direction for the one-way parts (most of the loop around Stanley is one-way, though enforcement of this is even less likely than enforcing the speed limit on bikes - which is very rare indeed but thoroughly entertaining when it does happen as it's the VPD mounted patrol who do it, and watching a cop on a horse chase a cyclist is something you really have to see to believe).

     

    Be aware though that it's 8km/5 miles around the park loop, plus the initial mile-and-a-half to the park from Canada Place. Inside the park you won't find taxis trolling for fares - you will get a few dropping people at some of the sites, especially Prospect Point and the beaches, who may hang around for a while but you should assume you'll have to call a cab and unless you are at a spot that the cab can find easily they may be very reluctant to come get you (the one-way for cars also means they may have to drive miles out of their way without being able to charge you for it...) so frankly I would assume that once you commit to the Seawall park loop, you are walking all the way around to Second Beach before you can get a ride. If you're not up for five plus miles on foot, you should rent bikes which will save you a lot of energy!

    You are so kind to take time to answer our questions,  and with amazing detail!!

    I totally have a better insight to my question!  Thank you so very much 

    Martincath, wish I could buy you a drink or coffee.  You rock!!!!

    • Thanks 1

    Vancouver Arrival, Hampton Inn Robson

    in Canada (Alaska/Pacific Coastal)

    Posted

    8 hours ago, martincath said:

    Yes, absolutely I could, but given you're looking at just one meal in your entire stay it behooves me to clarify the styles of food you love/loathe and what you're willing to drop budget-wise on dinner so you have the best possible chance of getting the best possible dinner for you. Or else just go for 'unique' and take a cab to Salmon & Bannock on Broadway (do make a reso - they're much busier these days) for First Nations food.

     

    Brekkie is easier: Medina if you don't mind a short walk, still the best brekkie in town (linked above already); De Dutch at the convention centre if your idea of a good brekkie is a massive pancake with a metric buttload of toppings; Scoozis if you want a more sensibly-sized sit-down brekkie with minimal extra walking; Timmies for a brekkie sammich and donuts if you want to eat light and cheap (nearest branch is just across the street from Canada Place).

    You are amazing!!  Love the breakfast ideas, perfect!  Dinner, I'm googling,  sometimes we aren't big dinner eaters.  Prefer a bigger lunch most times!  I should have explained,  I'm sorry.   

    But I did have another question,  we'd like to walk the seawall.  Should that be started near Canada Place or does it matter? Also,  are taxis available if we wanted to ride back to The Auberge?  Is there a certain section of the seawall that's a must do?

    Tips for Vancouver Port

    in Canada (Alaska/Pacific Coastal)

    Posted

    On 8/8/2019 at 8:26 PM, Langley Cruisers said:

     

    Yes, sorry about that. Sadly, in my experience it is the norm. The US pre-clearance is what can hold people up. The bottleneck occurs due to the number of officers they send down to Canada Place on a ship day. Put two or three ships in the Port of Vancouver and you can imagine the delays. 😮

    We are "Langley's" too and love to cruise!!

    We're from Virginia!

    Norwegian upgrade bids

    in Ask a Cruise Question

    Posted

    I bid on 2 upgrades 90 days prior to sailing. Im at 48 days now. Anyone know when I can expect to be notified if I got the upgrade:confused::confused::confused::confused:

    I put in 2 bids as well. I think I read you may not know until 2 days before sailing! Hopefully we get it, but if not, I'm satisfied with my original location!

    Good luck[emoji568]

     

    Sent from my SM-G935V using Forums mobile app

    Southampton To Heathrow transportation

    in British Isles/Western Europe

    Posted

    You are very welcome. You can go to their web site and I believe look at the various size vehicles. Error on the larger side as it takes a bit of space in back of van to hold 4 large pieces of luggage plus carry on luggage unless you want to sit with excess on your lap for ride which would not be fun. 2nd Row fit 3 people who all were on the more slender side.

    It was easy to remember Simon’s name as he is British and I associated his name with Simon Cowell. He jokingly said when he dropped us off and I asked for his business card, replying just ask for the tall good looking Simon and they will know which one you are requesting. [emoji6]

    He had a great sense of humor and was quite pleasant to chat with on the long ride.

     

     

    Sent from my iPhone using Forums

    I love Cruise Critic and people like you! You took your time away from daily activities, or honey do list or whatever, to answer a complete strangers question. Thank you... you rock!!

     

    Sent from my SM-G935V using Forums mobile app

    Southampton To Heathrow transportation

    in British Isles/Western Europe

    Posted

    Hi Langley, we disembarked I believe at 8:45a and driver picked us up at 9:15ish. If you decide to use Smiths, ask for Simon as your driver (tall Simon) as there are 2 with the company. Super nice, friendly and clean vehicle. Our traveling friends made the booking but it was not a sedan or town car. It was a larger vehicle, more like a van. I sat in front passenger next to driver and other 3 sat on second row and all big pieces of luggage and carry on went in back. He showed up promptly as booked at cruise terminal and got us to Heathrow in a timely fashion thru rush hour morning traffic. Our flight departed 1:40p. We made it in time, checked in and had enough time to sit in BA Lounge prior to our flight. Would use him and Smiths again.

     

     

    Sent from my iPhone using Forums

    Awesome, you've made my decision!! Thank you so much, have a great week😁

     

    Sent from my SM-G935V using Forums mobile app

    Southampton To Heathrow transportation

    in British Isles/Western Europe

    Posted

    We used Smiths Private Transfer Service in May from Southampton after disembarkation to transport 4 adults to Heathrow.

    It worked out great as was price reasonable per couple cost. Driver was there waiting for us. Would not hesitate to use them again.

     

     

    Sent from my iPhone using Forums

    BPCruiser:

    There are 4 of us wanting to share a ride and cost! Thank you in advance for answering my questions below😁

    What time did you disembark and what time did you book your transfer with Smiths?

    What size car did you have for 4 adults and luggage?

     

     

    Sent from my SM-G935V using Forums mobile app

    Need Advise on Return Flight to US

    in British Isles/Western Europe

    Posted

    may I ask what airfare rates did you all get and what is your itinerary? We too are headed over in August 2018 from Atlanta and trying to decide when to pull the trigger on air. TIA. Enjoy:)

    We fly British Air next May 2018 from Dulles to Heathrow. I kept watch on the fares from this past April until I booked the end is Sept.

    I felt comfortable with the cost which was less than $2600 total (for 2 people/round trip and we booked World Traveler Plus seats).

     

    Sent from my SM-G920V using Forums mobile app

    Southampton, UK airport and cruise port, HELP

    in Cruise Air

    Posted

    Fly into Heathrow and pre-arrange a transfer to Southampton cruise port with International Friends. They will take you to Stonehenge on the way. There are probably many companies that will do the same thing. For us, it was a great transfer for a reasonable price.

    Update...took your advice and booked with International Friends to Southampton via Stonehenge!!

     

    Sent from my SM-G920V using Forums mobile app

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