Whimsy88

2 hours ago, martincath said:

Hands-down a cab is the simplest way to get to the hotel (well, a limo is equally-easy but double the price...) - SkyTrain goes nowhere near the Buchan, even carryon bags are difficult to manage on the WestEnd community shuttle buses (no luggage room and drivers actively prevent folks with luggage boarding - there's nowhere except your own lap that is legal to have a bag, as anywhere else blocks the aisle causing safety issues or takes up another seat which is also not allowed). Fixed fare to that part of downtown is CAD$38 per cab, drivers expect tips just like in the US, and you can pay with Visa or Mastercard.

 

Distance to the pier is almost exactly 1.5 miles by the time you head inside to bag drop. Personally I'd do that with your carry-on (assuming that anything crucial - medication, passports, tickets - all fits in your 'personal item) just to ensure maximum mobility while sightseeing. Rolling bags do not like the cobbles in Gastown, and even standing room at the Steamclock is a precious commodity when it's about to perform - I expect all four corners of the intersection to be packed with inconsiderate tourists holding up their phones throughout the summer and avoid the blocks immediately around it entirely during the day!

 

Dining near the Buchan - you have the whole of Denman Street available, which is one of the better food streets. A wide range of grub, many ethnic options as well as western. There aren't any very swanky spots any more so if you want to drop serious coin on dinner you'll have to head out of the West End - but Cactus Club at English Bay is certainly not to be sniffed at. The problem you'll have is that even if your flight is on-time and you get lucky with immigration, the earliest you can possibly get to the Buchan is going to be ~9:30pm (which will be after midnight tummy time). Honestly I'd be tempted to suck up airline food and eat on the plane a couple of hours before landing - that will help get your tums onto west coast dining time. Then make use of late night Happy Hour after getting to the hotel - generally these kick in at 9pm so your timing will be ideal unless you are delayed (many kitchens in Vancouver stop serving by 10pm).

 

Also be aware that 11:30am is a poor time to arrive - NCL, like Princess and others, like to suggest blocks of time to arrive in hopes that folks will spread themselves out across the whole embarkation period but it simply doesn't happen. Cruiselines are not allowed to to implement their own processes in Vancouver, as it's one shared space for all at every point in the process except the actual 'walk up the gangway onto the ship' final part! This means if you want to avoid lengthy periods of sitting or standing around you either show up before 10:30am (which means sitting in a big room until CBP authorise letting anyone through, could be not long after 11 or as late as noon, but once you are released you will quickly flow through the Security and CBP preclearance parts) or else showing up much later, after 2pm or even closer to 3pm (the sweet spot is 2 hours before your ship is scheduled to leave) when you will have no queues whatsoever with a tiny bit of luck and curb to cabin can be just 20mins.

 

Specific to your trip, July 1st is also Canada Day and three ships are in port - which means all the problems of a regular 3 ship day (ridiculous crowds and insufficient CBP staff to process them all efficiently) combined with a hundred thousand or more locals and non-cruising tourists centred on Canada Place where there is always a stage or two set up for bands and all sorts of family-friendly fun. There's even potentially a parade around noon! You'll miss the fireworks unfortunately which usually start at 10pm.  But due to those hordes of local folks in for the day, partial street closures occur very close to the pier, and crowds will make even walking unencumbered difficult let alone pulling a suitcase - so the regular advice of drop bags is doubly-important!

 

First-time visitors to one of the best cities on the planet I always strongly advise to stay on land as long as you can stand - be sensible and sightsee near the pier for the block of time before you board, so there is no risk of delays in traffic, but make use of every minute you possibly can in Vancouver! At 11:30am you are into peak arrival time, and while the Amtrak folks will not be adding to the queue until after you arrive you will find a horde of experienced cruisers who don't know about Vancouver's unique situation will have shown up at 11am like they do for cruises out of Florida. Canada Day makes it even busier.

 

Since you will wake up very early whether you want to or not next morning, I'd be inclined to head into Stanley Park which is super close, leaving your bags in the hotel. Grab a quick brekkie sammich and TimBits at Timmies to keep you going, walk over to the Totem Poles, Rose Garden and at least walk a bit of the Seawall before heading back to the hotel for your bags. Walk or taxi to the pier and drop them off around 10am (longshoremen should be accepting bag drops for folks boarding by then, and the crowds won't be anywhere near as bad as they will be by noon) and then head down into Yaletown or Chinatown first, working your way back through Gastown toward the pier as the day goes on. Have lunch around noon in Gastown, then if it sounds like the kind of thing you'd enjoy (exactly the same as Soarin' at Disney, but with Canadian scenery) book an advance ticket for FlyOverCanada which is right at the pier for 2pm. The ride itself with preshow is only 30mins, and a prebook means not waiting more than ~15mins to get in so you will be done by 2:45pm, the perfect time to head to check-in with minimal queues.

 

 

I was counting on a quick, accurate and informational response from you!  I honestly think CC just needs to have a separate space on the boards - "Ask martincath about Vancouver!" Thank you!

We're booked on Alaska Northbound on NCL leaving July 1.  Our flight arrives at YVR at 8:20pm on June 30 and we have reservations for the Buchan Hotel that night.  What are our best and/or cheapest transport options to get from the airport to hotel? 

Also, it LOOKS like we're close enough to the port that it's walkable the next morning so that we can sightsee a bit before boarding at 11:30 (steam clock, etc.).  We're only going to have a carry-on bag and "personal item" to tote around.  Am I correct?  And close by food recommendations would be appreciated as well!  Many thanks for the input - it's our first adventure in the area!

Kelley

Does anyone have recent NCL Jewel menus for the main dining room?  This will be our first time on NCL (Alaska this July).  We've seen all of the recommendations for the specialty dining, but are trying to go as low budget as possible.  We are not foodies. Just curious what to expect. 

On ‎5‎/‎2‎/‎2019 at 11:14 PM, SempreMare said:

I finally made it into a REI store to try on rain jackets.   I liked them all! 

 

A REI sales rep gave me a heads up that the REI Anniversary Sale starts Friday May 17

https://www.rei.com/h/anniversary-sale

She also said that

- Members will also get 20% off any full price item during that time.

- If you buy within 2 weeks of that sale the 20% off can be refunded.

 

People who work at REI are totally nice and genuinely helpful! 

REI is an awesome place - pricey, but you can find deals if you are a co-op member and watch for sales!  The anniversary sale is a good one.  My oldest son spent a month out West last summer on his own - New Mexico, Arizona, Colorado, Utah and then Yellowstone & Glacier.  Had an REI tent and one of the poles bent in high winds.  Tent was still functional, but...  Took it in to ask about replacing the pole and they simply replaced the tent.  And he got the new model since they had just upgraded!

On 2/28/2019 at 12:27 PM, Gaynors said:

We currently have a reservation with Avis in Juneau for June 5th 2019 - location says "Cruise ship Port Area" but the address is Mill Street.  For a small car with taxes it is just under $115 for the day.  

Yes. This is exactly what we got for July!

Thanks everyone!

I couldn't find a thread on this, but may have just missed it.  Not new to cruising, but first time on NCL.  Can you request ahead of time for the beds to be pushed together and made up as one?  Any idea where on the website, or do I call?  Or just wait until boarding, find our room steward and request?

14 hours ago, rma2001 said:

Thanks all that was really helpful 

 

and sorry whimsy88 for hijacking your thread but hopefully it wasn’t too bad.  

No worries!  Good information is always good to share in my opinion.  Unfortunately, as pretty as it looks, Devil's Punchbowl won't be on my itinerary - training for a marathon, I am not!  I hope you have a lovely cruise and hike.

4 hours ago, SbbquilterUT said:

Last May we paid $96.60 for a Minivan at the Avis very near the dock.  The drive to Mendenhall was less than 30” with free parking (limited space).  Then we visited the Alaska Brewing Company for a bit of beer tasting.  Then back to the downtown area for a seafood feast.  A lovely day at our own pace.  Warning- we did rent 10 months in advance as the availability is limited.

Do you recall - is that what comes up as the Mill Street location?

On ‎1‎/‎5‎/‎2019 at 4:12 PM, tysmomm said:

Again, thank you everyone!  This is super helpful information.  I am contacting AVIS today.  I definitely want the car rental because there are 5 of us, and buying roundtrip bus fares and paying for taxis will be more money than the one day car rental, also it will give us freedom to do what we want, when we want!  Thanks again!  :)

tysmomm:

Would you care to share what information you received?  Husband and I are in the same quandry (different boat, though! )  I can get a $25 gift card for Avis from CC points, and another couple on our cruise is interested in splitting the cost of the rental.  Makes it very affordable, I think.  But I would like to know what you found out about distance, etc.

On ‎2‎/‎23‎/‎2019 at 3:54 PM, dyeadave said:

Whimsy 88,

Certainly different from Arden.

Maybe more like around  Saluda.

And the trail around your area are more well groomed than this one.

The flat rocks can be quite slippery on a rainy day.

But the real treat of the lower Dewey trail is about halfway to the lake. You come out on a corner overlooking your cruise ship from above and if you have the right lens, (and its the right time in the summer), you might get the cruise ship with the Harding glacier in the background!

I can see the 6000 ft top of Mt Harding from my front window, and the "hanging Harding" glacier beside it, but the ice won't begin to show until summer, maybe when you are visiting us?

DD

Good to know!  We are close to and spend a good bit of time hiking in Pisgah Forest in Brevard.  It's a lovely area and much more like Saluda.  There's really only mall hiking in Arden which is just a bit north of my house!   Is it doable to squeeze in Lower Dewey on top of Yakutania/Smugglers Cove and Lower Reid Falls?  The view overlooking the cruise ship sounds like something not to be missed.  We're there the first week of July if that makes any difference.  Hubby is a better hiker than me, but I do alright, especially when motivated by scenery and/or waterfalls!  We're figuring on Skagway being our intensive hiking port!

3 hours ago, dyeadave said:

Yak point is a stroll.

Upper Dewey is a grind of a hike, but if you do get to there, be sure to go on down to the Punchbowl!

Lower Dewey is a careful half hour up to the lake, but DO NOT go around the lake! THe trail on the backside of the lake is a real ankletwister and no reward for that journey.

i always like to take people to the Gold Rush cemetery for the short hike up to lower Reid  falls.

The beauty of most of our trails in Skagway is the reward at the end of the trail!

You may pick up a free hiking map at the NPS or the city visitors bureau. Lots of good advice from the locals to be found there!

happy hiking

DD

dyeadave: 

Lower Dewey looks pretty, but it also doesn't look all that different from hiking at home....

Yakutania Point and on to Smugglers Cove, lunch in town, and then a separate hike to Lower Reid falls - doable?  We're in port 8am-8pm.

12 hours ago, Anita Latte said:

We hiked Lower Dewey Lake when we were in Skagway. I wrote all about it in my trip report:

 

https://boards.cruisecritic.com/topic/2549161-trip-report-alaska-northbound-hubbard-glacier-millennium-june-22-2018/?page=10&tab=comments#comment-55393454

 

The link goes to the page, post 244 is the beginning of Skagway. I would recommend the hike.

 

Anita - thank you for the input!  I've seen a few of your other posts on various boards, and checked out your trip report.  I really enjoy your writing and the photographs are beautiful.  Scrolling through your trip report was probably a bad idea, though - now I'm chomping at the bit even more!  DH booked us a July 1 northbound NCL sailing - the 49th state during the year I turn 49. 137 days to go...

We've started some research, but getting a little overwhelmed with options.  There looks to be great, close to town hiking.  We live in the mountains in NC, so we do some hiking, but not wanting anything strenuous. Just a nice day hike to see beautiful scenery. Lower Reid Falls, Yakutania Point, Smugglers Cove and Lower Dewey Lake all look like good options. What are everyone's preferences and recommendations?

Lots to consider. We really like the idea of the train just because it would be a new experience and DH could sightsee too instead of having to drive. Plus we would like to see a bit of Seattle too since neither of us have been. We'll see how the numbers play out. But all this info is very helpful!

Thank you, Martincath - that is actually incredibly helpful advice. We'll keep investigating options and may pick your brain some once we've narrowed things down!

DH and I are booked on the NCL Jewel in July 2019 - Northbound Alaska from Vancouver. Alaska is a bucket list item for both of us, but we are DEFINITELY on a budget since we are paying for 2 kids in college! Some preliminary investigation of flights looks like it's going to be cheaper to fly into Seattle from our region and then do the Amtrack train up to Vancouver. Planning to fly in 2 nights before - spend the remainder of the day and that night in Seattle, then the train next day and hotel overnight in Vancouver before boarding the ship. We have never been to either city. We have a few sites we would like to see (Pike Place being one), but no specific plans in either city. We enjoy walking to explore. Looking for suggestions of budget friendly hotels/areas to stay with minimal additional transport costs. We appreciate the help.

Just booked our cruise! Can't wait to start planning!

:D

We've got a thread going under Roll Calls - feel free to join in!

First time on NCL, and first cruise to Alaska next July - checking something else off the bucket list! We know that our best chance to see whales would be an excursion, but since we have 2 kids in college, that doesn't fit our budget. What are our best chances to see whales directly from the ship? (NCL Jewel NB - stops in Ketchikan, Skagway, Juneau and ending in Seward, with day in Glacier Bay and at Hubbard). Thanks for the insight.

For me its a simple one and everybody does it. Go up top and get a drink and hang out while the ship pushes from the dock and starts the journey. One of my favorite part of a cruise is being on the ship and moving! Going slow at first and building some speed toward the open ocean. Love it!

This! And a second for us is that hubby always gets up super early - on sea days, he heads up on deck and walks around and gets his 1st breakfast of fruit, etc., and then brings a plate back to the cabin for me to enjoy while I get ready for the day. Then we head down to breakfast together. :-)

DH and I booked an Alaska cruise on NCL for next summer. This is the first time we will have flown to a port, and our well-worn soft-sided luggage is exactly that. We're planning to check a bag each (cross-packing of course). I'm having a terrible time trying to decide if we should just replace the sofr-sided, or get hard sided instead. I know everyone has their own preference but please tell me so I can educate myself.:confused:

Rent a car in Juneau and drive to Mendenhall ahead of the crowds then drive to the coast.

https://www.traveljuneau.com/ download visitor guide

Has anyone rented a car lately to give recommendations on where to rent from and approximate pricing?

319 until the Jewel to Alaska. 49th state for my 49th birthday! :-)

So happy to see all the positivity about the Jewel. We're not real particular about the size of the ship or all the extras and we're not married to any particular line - any cruise is a good cruise in our opinion! We're just trying to feel our way through the differences between NCL and Carnival. Thanks to everyone for the input!

We just booked NCL Jewel for July 2019 - Alaska northbound. This is our first NCL cruise. Some advice please:

1) Just to clarify, my understanding is that there are complimentary dining options, such as the MDR, buffet, etc., all of which have a cruise casual type dress code, but no formal night. DH and I enjoy dressing up for dinner, is there a specific night to go all out, or not really?

2) We are trying to decide whether or not to add in our 13 year old. From what I can tell, there are plenty of options for kids club/activities for little kids, and a teen club, but nothing really in between. Does anyone have experience with this? We will definitely need a few breaks from him (he's a typical middle schooler;p)! We're not really interested in paying for a cruise for him to sit in front of video games half the day, so we'll want him involved in actual activities when he's not with us.

3) I don't really understand about the shows - are any of the shows included in your cruise fare, or do you pay extra for some? Also, what's the deal with reservations?

Many thanks for the insights!