aloisia

Hi,

Thinking of a walking tour (not self guided) for our stop in Key West.

Any recommendations or can I find a good one at the port?

Thanks!

Our whale watching tour was also cancelled on June 17th. We had reserved with another private company but it`s my understanding all tours that afternoon were cancelled because of the lightening & wind. It was disappointing but completely out of everyone`s control.

Overall, the weather last week was unbelievable.... warm and sunny most of the time. :)

Hi,

I have one more question...:o:)...... 6 of us are arriving in Vancouver.... will we find a larger taxi van or 6 pax car service available ? I read an Aerocar reservation iis an extra $50 for a meet + greet. :confused: ( We don't need this).

Getting off the ship.... should I pre - arrange transportation to the airport since 1800 pax are all leaving at the same time? Our flight back to Toronto is at 1:15PM

Thank you.

S

Hi,

The gang are looking at places for a dinner the night we arrive... thought the menu at Steamworks Brewing Pub had enough variety to please everyone (+ beer ;)),

Is this a good choice? We are staying at the Blue Horizon Hotel.... is the restaurant in walking distance :confused: or SkyTrain or taxi?

We are certainly open to any other ideas on places to eat.

Thanks!

We ended up booking at the Blue Horizon. I just phoned the hotel directly with hopes of finding the 3 rooms & luckily, they were able to take us ( with a CAA discount :D).

Appreciate everyone`s help!

The Blue Horizon is a good choice, a great location on Robson St. amid lots of shops and restaurants and a new BC Liquor Store around the corner on Bute. You should be aware that it is a 6.5 block walk from the Vancouver Centre Canada Line station though.

 

Another good choice for families and groups is the Rosedale on Robson which is all suites and about 5 blocks from the Vancouver Centre station. I think you would prefer the Blue Horizon location though.

Many thanks again! Blue Horizon may not be able to fix us with 3 rooms that day.... is the CARMANA PLAZA an OK choice too ?

Number of people should not effect your decision mobility and quantity of luggage may. If anyone in your family group suffers from mobility difficulties and can not walk the 3 blocks from Waterfront station to Canada Place or you collectively you can't handle your luggage then perhaps you may want to consider a cab. While our cabs are Prius in size they can handle 4 average sized adults and their luggage or if you have a lot of luggage then you only have to wait for a couple of extra minutes for a mini-van cab. You are going to need 2 cabs which are going to cost you $35 each. There is the option of an 8 passenger limo but the rate is $92 and that does not include tax or gratuity.

 

There is a BC Liquor Store in Harbour Centre which is located at Seymour & Cordova Sts. about 3 blocks from Canada Place and pretty much kitty corner from Waterfront station.

Thank you Putterdude, This is last minute planning for me. Usually I am organized for a cruise months ahead..:eek: Hubby has a window between medical treatments & really wants this family trip to Alaska. Any ideas for a hotel? I had a look at the Blue Horizon Hotel? Seems nice. Would love rooms that include a sofa bed ..... then we would only need 3. Thanks!!

Hello,

We originally had 4 family members booked for a cruise & thought the Sky train from the Airport to the port was a good idea. Now we are a family of 8 ++ luggage etc...:eek:

Should I consider a taxi van or ?? to transport everyone? Vancouver airport to HAL Zuiderdam. (with a liquor store stop.... in Ontario we have LCBO)

Thank you.

I found this sobering reading list about pickpockets, scam, and thieves. Reading through it definitely increased my understanding about these scams, and will make me less vulnerable to their ploys.

 

 

• Wikitravel, "Common Scams"; "Pickpockets"
  
• Rick Steves pages
  
  • "Tourist Scams in Europe"
    
  • "Tourist Scam Alert"
    
  • "Tourist Scam Alert: 2009"
    
  • "Tourist Scam Alert: 2008"
    
  • "Tourist Scam Alert: 2007"
    
  • "Tourist Scam Alert: 2006"
    
  • "Tourist Scams, 2005"
    
  • "Tourist Scams, 2004"
    
  • "Tourist Scams: 2002"
    

   

  [*]Corporate Travel Safety, "Barcelona and Madrid Pickpocket Scams"

  [*]Facebook page, "I know someone who got robbed in Barcelona"

Very informative read. Thanks for posting!

Loved your photos! Thanks for sharing. :)

Starting to look at an Alaskan cruise for spring 2013. Just waiting for RCL schedule to be released.

Hi Joanie,

Just sent you an email with a few photos from the Eurodam.

S :)

Tommycruise & Royalcruz,

Thanks so much for your replies!

Hi royalcruz,

We ended up booking 1 night stay at the Comfort Suites. Embassy Suites was sold out. Looks to be about a 15 minute walk to Total Wines from the hotel. Thought I may have read a posting that the area was not great??? I could be mistaken. :rolleyes: Are we ok walking over to the Harbor strip mall? or should be cab it?

Thank you!

I've been to HMC on both my cruises and LOVED IT. Since the cruises I went on were theme cruises HMC wasn't as relaxing as you all make it sound. LOL The water is A-MAZING!!!!!!! I have never seen water so blue in my life... breathtaking. This year I went horseback riding which was one of the highlights of my cruise. The horses don't just walk in the water they actually swim. The guides were awesome... they take photos of you with your own camera. I am planning on riding again in 2012.

For this excursion, do you need some experience or skill ?( I have neither ;)) or do the horses know the routine? :D It does look like fun.

Awesome!!! DUH, just saw the stateroom number and made the connection to the photos you sent yesterday:) I am blonde today (Blonder than normal...Will get them up today!!

 

Joanie

LOL... I`m blonde too.

Thanks again for this thread. I find it so helpful for picking a cabin.

OT.. Not sure if you know this answer? DH smokes & would like to know where the smoking areas (or info) is for the Eurodam. We are thinking of booking a Retreat Cabana - does he need to go to the Sea view pool area for a cigarette or is smoking allowed on all open decks ....Panorama deck is just one deck down & seems closer. I told him it is very unlikely there is any area in the Retreat for smoking. :confused: I hope this question isn't too muddled! :D

Hi Joanie,

Following up on your email re: Veendam C327.

The cabin is OV with a small sofa. Perfect location!! Open the cabin door, turn right & the exit door to the outside promenade is there. The stairs + elevators are just to the left. I would book this cabin again in a second. :)

Has anyone had recent communications with EEE tours? I sent an inquiry via the web site and 5 days later sent an email. Haven't heard back.

I have checked my spam + delete folders.

Perhaps Henry Christopher is away? :confused:

No loud music at all. He would be very sensitive to your needs. He is very much a family man!

I've sent off an email to him - Thank you!!!:)

My vote is is for Henry Christopher (EEE Tours) We have used him the past 3 years and he is fantastic!!! He is a retired police officer and is now a Pastor at The Church of God in St. Thomas! He knows the island like the back of his hand and everyone knows him!! You will feel like you are touring with family!!! You won't be sorry! www.eeetours.com

On Henry's tour, was there loud singing & music on the bus? (I know some tours are like that). Not that I have a problem with it but my special needs son will be with me & that would cause some anxiety.

Tour # 1 does sound perfect for us.