Coquitlam Cruiser

6 hours ago, Coral said:

There is always the airport. Probably not financially the best choice.

https://www.yvr.ca/en/passengers/parking-yvr 

Actually the long term Templeton Station lot is very,reasonable and the Canada Line station to Canada Place is right there.   It is very convenient.  We have used it twice and there were no problems.   You can book in advance and safe a few more dollars. 

8 hours ago, CruisinMissMolly said:

Thank you.  What is the Canada Line?  

Canada Line aka SkyTrain is Metro Vancouver’s rapid transit system 

As  Coral suggested use the Templeton Long Term lot @ YVR.   You can book in advance (cheaper) and the Canada Line stops at this lot and provides direct access to Waterfront Station which is literally adjacent to Canada Place. Travel time is approximately 30 minutes and ample room for luggage.  Upon arrival at Waterfront Station look for the elevator beside the escalator to take you to street level.  Also there is an elevator inside the entrance to the Pan Pacific Hotel on your right which takes you to the parking garage / baggage drop.  Have done this many times and it is very convenient and stress free. 

You can drop off your luggage at the designated drop off location for your ship.  It is located at the north end of the parking garage at Canada Place.  You can access the level by taking the elevator located on your right side upon entering the Pan Pacific Hotel or by walking down the ramp located on the east side of the parking entrance to Canada Place.  US CBP process is fairly quick and easy.  Each cruise  line utilizes a separate area at Canada Place for check-in.  Be prepared for an up and down and some walking.  Last year for us, from arrival at Canada Place to boarding took  45 minutes.  Depending on your cruise line loyalty status, you will have separate lines as well.  Enjoy Vancouver and have a great cruise. You may surprise yourself and perhaps board sooner than you think. 

For those who were asking about where you can purchase wine pre embarkation, a BC Liquor Store located in Harbour Center is your closest location. It is a 6 minute stroll from Canada Place along Cordova.  Head east for a block or so.  The actual address is 555 West Hastings.  Be prepared for the added taxes. 

An understanding has been reached between the ILWU and the employer that cruise ship operations will not be affected by any withdrawal of labour at the various cargo operations.  

You will be required also to show your passports to CBP at Canada Place Cruise ship terminal.  The process for clearing Canada Customs at YVR is quite automated and is very speedy.  After your cruise, you will re-enter Canada but rarely have I seen a CBSA agent look at a passport.  However, after checking in for your return flight to the US you will go through CBP at YVR.  Strongly suggest downloading CBP Mobile Passport Control. This app facilitates quicker entry through CBP and is usable at YVR.  The same app is used at Port Everglades, MIA etc as well as all international airports in the US.

We travelled late September 2022 and were not able to use our Nexus cards.

You are smart in taking the Canada Line (SkyTrain) from YVR to Waterfront Station.   Make use of the elevators to assist in getting to street level.  Canada Place will be busy will special family events.  However, as far as I know there are no fireworks as in 2022.  The Honda Celebration of Light is later in the month with different countries participating with their own fireworks extravaganza.  The International Jazz Festival is on as is Bard on the Beach.  There are many fine restaurants in the area.  Gothams is one of the premier steakhouses in Vancouver with prices to match.  It is an easy 10 minute walk from the hotel. Commercial Drive is the heart of the Italian district in Vancouver with restaurants.  But downtown restaurants like Glowbal are awesome.  Even the Pan Pacific is wonderful for dining.  Enjoy Vancouver. 

Templeton Parking lot res can be accessed through the YVR website

As mentioned in other posts, long term parking at the Templeton lot at YVR is the least expensive option for cruising out of Vancouver.  This lot is right on the Canada Line SkyTrain and makes for a quick ride to Waterfront Station. The cars are designed for luggage handling.  At the terminus walk down to the end of the platform, locate the elevator to the main floor.  Exit the building and turn right.   Canada Place is right there. You can also reserve your parking in advance.  The Canada Line details can be found within the Translink website.  Enjoy your cruise 

Definitely not a safe area

You might wish to consider the long term (Templeton) lot at YVR.  The lot is adjacent to the Canada Line which takes you to Waterfront Station.  Canada Place is right next door.  Travel time is about 30 minutes.  The cars are designed for luggage and there are elevators at Waterfront Station for easy handling.   You can prebook your spot.   The cost is very reasonable.  

We did that as well in the long term lot at YVR (Templeton Station). It was very convenient and just hopped onto Skytrain Canada Line which took us to Waterfront Station directly adjacent to Canada Place.  The cars have lots of room for luggage as well.  There are elevators to assist you with your luggage at this station so you are not dragging luggage up stairs etc.   You can tap your Interac debit card for fare to make it easy.

1 minute ago, Laminator said:

The OP is referring to her departure flight not her return flight so CBP is not relevant.

Yes I realized that after posting. Thanks

5 hours ago, Tante1231 said:

 

17 hours ago, oakridger said:

Yep, need the test.  I'm here in Vancouver now and not only did I have to do the rapid antigen test today for boarding and ArriveCAN, but I also got selected to do the Canadian government random testing when I arrived at YVR yesterday!  That was a PCR taken at their approved test site today. Antigen is negative so I'll be boarding Sunday!

 

~Nancy

See you a week from this Sunday

Current wait times for US security inspection is 5 minutes. So it does appear normal.  Yet remember very busy first thing in the morning.  Many US flights depart from YVR In the early am.  US CBP opens at 0430.  If you have Nexus you have a separate screening as well as CBP. Good luck. 

1 hour ago, margail1 said:

Hi

We have just been advised by Holland America we need a PCR test 72 hours before embarkation in Vancouver on 2nd October.

It seems this will cost us upward of $300 if we can find a suitable testing venue.

We are flying in from Australia on 28th September. What do you advise???

Life centers.ca offers a proctored test $30.00 Cdn.  You have to supply your own test kit. Available free from most pharmacies in Vancouver.  Need to have a tablet etc in order to view the test.  Results in about 1/2 hour.  You will be asking for the Rapid Antigen and not the PCR test.  Suggest you book soon. September 29 is a good date 

If I recall the cruise line reps are in the area immediately after exiting the luggage pickup area which is still within the CBSA controlled area.   Just a thought if the hotel is close to the Canada Line Skytain, it is only about a 25 minute ride to the Waterfront Station with Canada Place on your right when exiting onto Cordova St. It is luggage friendly and elevators can assist you in luggage handling.  

On 9/9/2022 at 6:27 AM, 1kaper said:

I am the same.  Particularly if checking luggage. 
A group of friends are planning a trip on March break.  When looking at flights, the cheapest one had a 1 hour and 10 minute connection through YUL.  I never considered it because the time is just too short.  Pre-covid mess the recommended shortest connection time through YUL to the US according to AC is 50 minutes.  

We contacted a few travel agents to see if we could get group travel rates on flights.  Every single travel agent we spoke with quoted that flight and not one comment about the short connection time or current state of air travel. 

You have to allow time for US Customs and Border Protection clearance at YUL.  If you don’t have Nexus you may not make the flight.  

1 hour ago, Navybikermom said:

I was just on the Zaandam Canada/NE cruise and only did ArriveCan once to cover my flight into Montreal. I was not asked to do it again the next day to board the ship. 

I don’t know why as it is a requirement according to Health Canada.  However this requirement maybe varied depending on the cruise itinerary 

We stayed there pre cruise.  Walked to the cruise ship terminal.  Took a taxi to a great Italian restaurant in the city.  

3 minutes ago, AryMay said:

 

I started a different thread after trying to find the protocols for full transit Panama Canal cruises. I think these cruises should be part of the enhanced protocols (as they are calling them) but other than a slight mention in a press release from August 15th I can't find anything on the website. 

 

I thought this oversight would be corrected on this newest update but I don't see it if it is.

The  Nieuw Amsterdam departing San Diego Oct 8 shows Enhanced Protocol applies.

34 minutes ago, Red Haired Lady said:

I know verifly is used to upload official proctored test results. Can you upload results taken with an at home test that no one but you have observed?  Wondering how you would show proof of when it was taken or even if it was your results and not from someone else. (Note:  I am referring to cruises from Australia here, not Canada)

Can’t answer that question