Urban trekker

Thanks Marden1970 for the post - I will be visiting these two ports for the first time next March on the Grand Princess and have been hoping that their would be some posts about what to do or see there. Dennis

That picture was taken in White Rock which is right on the US border so the mountain is a lot closer than what you see from downtown Vancouver.

If it is dome shaped and in the SSE from your hotel it is probably Mt. Baker - a volcanic mountain just south of the US border. Does it look something like this? In Vancouver - north is the mountains across Burrard Inlet.

Inside the terminal - ie the disembarking level can be a zoo depending on how many ships are in port so as Milhouse states the travel info area would be one area that would be a good place to meet but another on the same level and close to the info booth is the large indigenous totem pole in the main entrance way to the Convention center. Dennis

Here's another one with people in it.

Here's a photo that I took this spring. Might answer your question.

And then there are some of us who have lived all our lives in the Metro Vancouver area and are still amazed to find new and interested thing we didn't know existed in the downtown core and Stanley Park.

Just because your ship - the Sun arrives in port at 7 AM doesn't mean that tendering will start right away. The ship will likely have to be cleared by local authorities who may or may not be along side the boat when it drops anchor. So I would say that the 8 AM excursion would likely be a hit or miss BUT the local operators as someone mentioned usually know the routine of these ship especially if it a frequent port of call. If however, the tender port is a one off all bets would be off. Dennis

So true - there is only one gas station still in business on the downtown peninsula and it is at Burrard and Davie and I think it is an Esso station.

Just a little update - there is a fare increase coming into effect starting July 1, 2024 - most increases are a nickel or dime per zone. Dennis

The Port of Vancouver has had this for a number of years. Dennis

The False Creek Seawall is part of the one that starts by Canada Place - the cruise port - winds it way through Coal Harbour - think the Bayshore - and goes all the way around Stanley Park to Second Beach and English and then continues eastward to the head of False Creek - which isn't a creek but an extension of the ocean - where it then turns westward and follows False Creek all the way to Spanish Banks and on towards the University of BC. It is somewhat like 22 km or around 12 miles and almost all flat and almost all on dedicated route. Dennis

All three are in good areas - the Coast Coal harbour is the closest to the pier and closer to the Seawall for the runners. It is also in a quieter part of the downtown - somewhat removed from the hustle of Davie, Robson and Denman streets. It is also the newest of the three properties. The Blue Horizon gets good marks - centrally located on Robson with restaurants of all types located just about evertwhere. The Residence Inn by Marriott is located at the other end of the downtown peninsula. It is closer to access Granville island and the False Creek seawall and is close to the vibrant Davie Street scene. As for walking - the Residence Inn is the furthest - just over a dozen blocks - slight uphill and then gentle downhill to the port. Blue Horizon is about 6 or so blocks and mostly a downhill walk to the port. The Coast Coal is the closest and easiest to walk to the port. Hope this helps.

A concession fare in the Translink system of which Skytrain is part of is for those over 65 - and those between 12 and 18. They are available to anyone in those age brackets and no ID needs to be shown as you are using automated ticketing machines.

If you use the ticketing machine at the Skytrain stations you can select "concession fare". You can still use your credit card to pay. There is no need to buy a compass card. Hope this helps. Dennis

Re Skytrain - if you are coming from the airport you will be fine as you are getting on at the terminus. If it is a nice and sunny day the Skytrains will be busy and packed all day as people flock to the beach to set up their picnics etc. There is no need to buy tickets - there is lots of room along the beach to see the fireworks. Dennis

If you go from the Airport you will have to pay the $5.00 per person extra fare but not from the Bridgeport station. Another advantage of getting on at Bridgeport is that the other train from Richmond proper meets the YVR line there so you have more frequent service. All the Canada Line trains have designated luggage area. Hope this helps Dennis

The choke points will be anywhere west of Burrard Street and south of Georgia so your hotel at the Pan Pacific shouldn't be impacted by the fireworks. In other words the West end of the downtown peninsula. No you will not be able to see the fireworks from the Pan Pacific - a few too many high rise towers between your hotel and the English Bay beach. Keep in mind that if you decide to take them in you are likely going to have to walk to the viewing areas as the buses will stop running early in the evening and taxis, uber etc. probably won't be able to get into the area either. I volunteer for this event - this information has been in effect for a few years now and isn't likely to change. Here's a link to their web site in case you haven't found it yet. https://hondacelebrationoflight.com/ Hope this helps. Dennis

Would you mind sharing which restaurant you ate at - would be nice to have it for a reference and perhaps some of us locals might want to use it if we haven't already.

Destination North America are providing shore services again this year. I have a friend who works for them part time.

Unless you are a senior you can just tap in and out with credit card. If you tap it will charge you the regular fare - so if a senior wants to save a buck or two then you will want to use the ticket machine and select concession Fare. A thing to remember - you can only use the tap for one fare so if there are two of you you will need to use two different cards or the ticketing machine.

Just a FYI - there are over 22,000 people registered for the various Marathon categories + about 3000 volunteers - I am one of them + many will have family members along the course and finish line. All restaurants etc. will be packed. To the best of my knowledge there is no tunnel from P2 luggage drop off to the food court. Just go back upstairs to the main entrance to the Convention center and you should see in the left hand corner stairs etc. that will lead to the Food Court. Hope this helps. Dennis

Most businesses will be opened - holidays hours. There will be entertainment and lots of it at Canada Place and Jack Poole Plaza a short distance away. There has not been fireworks downtown since pre-Covid as no one seems to want to put up the money. There has been in the past a citizenship ceremony at Canada Place as I have been a volunteer at that but I am pretty sure it was held somewhere else last year. If the weather is nice and sunny there will likely be over 100,000 people over the course of day partaking in the various events. I will check out the Canada Place and Port of Vancouver web sites to see if anything is listed yet. The celebration at Canada Place is reportedly the largest outside of the nation's capital. Hope this helps - I will be volunteering there again this year - just don't know my actual role yet but it will likely be manning one of the info booths. Dennis

You haven't factor in the time it takes to get to the ferry going both ways. That will add at least 90 minutes + the ferry ride is taking a little longer these days as they are taking a different route because of problems with a couple of the ferries on the route. Dennis

The Bliss sailed empty from Vancouver to Seattle - probably hard to do a one nighter with her due to the tide situation for going under the Lions Gate Bridge. P.S. - just got off the coastal sailing so was told this by ship's staff.