april47

Question about Canadian currency. We'll be overnighting in Vancouver after arriving from the U.S.. Most of what we'll spend during our 24 hours there can and will be put on a credit card, but what about cab fares, tips, etc? Is it acceptable to use American currency or should we convert some at the airport? I know the exchange rate is virtually even. Thanks.

I'm spending 3 nights in Vancouver after the cruise .After debarkation, I'm planning on using the ATM at Canada Place to get some Canadian money

before I call a taxi to get to the hotel. Using the ATM at the airport would work for you since you are staying prior to cruise.

How many blocks from Canada Place to Westin Bayshore and is it a safe neighborhood?

After checking into various tours to Victoria out of Vancouver I think I've nixed the idea. I'm not physically up to any 11-12 hr tours. I think I will get a 2 day pass for the Trolley. If you buy a ticket online before hand, the second day is free. I can catch it right at the Westin Bayshore. It looks like Vancouver is full of great places to explore and the Trolley is perfect for someone who can't walk real long distances. I debark on a Wednesday and have Thursday and Friday to explore. I've got the QuickShuttleBus booked for early(4AM!) Saturday morning to take me to Seatac. Now all I have to do is figure out how to get myself and my luggage from the cruise port to the Westin on Wednesday. I'm assuming there are taxis at the port?

More questions. I will have 2 full days(3 nights). Is Stanley Park and the aquarium an easy walk from the Westin Bayshore? I am thinking one day to ride the Vancouver Trolly around and go to the park/aquarium. I noticed that the Trolley also sells tours and one is to Victoria on a ferry. I'm thinking maybe the other day I could do that . I always wanted to see Buchart Gardens.

I just made a 3 day reservation at the Westin Bayshore. What is within walking distance? What is a good way to get to Victoria for a day?

Theres a thread "Never to Old" on the Solo board that is about a 94 yr old that has been living on cruise ships. His name here is Musicus and entries are interesting. I'm thinking that besides a steady income , you would need to have a spirit of adventure and willing to make a lot of compromises. :)

Do you think that the rooms below the casino would be smelly?

I think it is wonderful and I hope you enjoy your trip! However, I'm still stuck on the fact you have 11 children.:eek:

Everything I checked was that way. The Crown Princess out of Galveston was $1199 per person but only $1698 for 1 person. The TA out of Galveston next year was a little more but not twice the price. It does look like it varies but from balconey up it is always twice the price or 200%.

I'm not sure how to figure it out, but the cruises I have been looking at on Princess seem to charge a lot less for inside and oceanview. The suites and balconies are twice the price but the insides and oceanviews are 62% of twice the charge instead of x2. Simplified, if the rate for balconey is $1000 then it is $2000 for 2. But if the rate for an ocean view is $1000 then it is $1240 for 2.

I looked at about 4 different cruises so is this a policy for Princess??

How does this work for buying 2 tickets for 1 person? would the aisle and middle seat be best? Premium Economy seems to be about the price of 2 economy. I was thinking about PE on BA but would 2 economies be better There wouldn't be any extra leg room but you could spread out and maybe turn to the side a little to stretch your legs??

I think I remember the bus gave a tour of Dublin before we went to Glendalough. I know I have pictures of Dublin as well as Glendalough.:)

I just saw a PacknGo on the Triumph out of Galveston on 4/23 for $838 for a balcony! That's the single rate. I guess waiting to the last minute helps. Thiis goes to the Bahamas and Keys. Wish I could go:(

Road Scholar( the renamed ElderHostel) has some "Adventures Afloat" programs that use major cruise lines and river cruise lines. They have lectures and include many excursions too. They are more expensive that way. However, they have a list of "specials" that waive single supplements and sometimes even airfare.

http://www.roadscholar.org/

I just switched to a 4K for the British Isles cruise in Nov 2013. I was at the Carnival site playing with numbers and it turns out that the 4K are $35 more per night from a regular inside if you are Early Saver. If you are Past Guest, it is a difference of $15 a night! Luckily I was booked as PG for the inside room because I didn't want to lose a $400 deposit down the road if I couldn't go. Doesn't quite make sense :confused: