LUGGAGE b/w Canada Place and Ballantyne

[cos24]

We are coming into Canada place at 7am on Sept. 20 with Golden Princess and departing at 4pm at Ballantyne with Norwegian Star.

 

What is the distance between the two?

Can CDS move the luggage between the two for us?

Or should we take the luggage ourselves to Ballantyne after we dock?

Any other ideas?

 

We want to do a little sightseeing before we get on the Star and don't want to hall around luggage.

Thanks.

[BCHappyGal]

The 2 piers are fairly close but not walking distance between a $5 & $10 cab ride.

 

I would suggest storing your luggage at the luggage storage in Canada Place (just tot he left of the main exit doors from the terminal) and then go upstairs and either walk to your left to Gas Town for sightseeing or grab the Hop on Hop off bus - return to pick up your luggage and a cab to Ballantyne when you are ready to board your new cruise.

 

Here are ideas of things to see in Vancouver

 

Info on Vancouver from a local!

 

My favorite must do attractions are

 

1) Grouse Mountain – http://www.grousemountain.com – this is a wonderful scenic mountain only about 15 mins from downtown Vancouver. Ride the airtram to the top for lots of fun activities that include a loggers show, birds of prey show, 2 movies (1 about the Vancouver area and 1 about the 2 Grizzly Bears who make their home on Grouse Mtn) ride a chair lift and visit with 2 live Grizzly Bears. Enjoy a meal in any of the restaurants. Caveat only spend the money to go up on a clear day.

2) Capilano Suspension Bridge – http://www.capbridge.com – this is Vancouver’s oldest tourist attraction and I still enjoy visiting it! Located on Capilano Road just before you reach the Grouse Mountain parking lot. Walk across a suspension Bridge over the Capilano Gorge, wonder the trails thru the rain forest, walk thru the treetops on the new Tree Top Adventure, visit the trading post for a huge selection of souvenirs, watch native weavers and/or carvers at work.

3) Capilano Fish Hatchery is also located on Capilano Road and is a great place to view salmon jumping up the fish ladders to get around the Cleveland Dam. en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Capilano_River_Regional_Park

4) Lynn Valley Suspension Bridge is also located in North Vancouver and is much less touristy than Capilano but it also is not as spectacular. The bridge is slightly higher above the water but much shorter in span. Located in a Provincial Park this bridge comes with some nice hiking trails and you will find an ecology centre in the park as well as picnic tables and a food concession outlet. Should you choose to enjoy the Lynn Valley Suspension Bridge always cross the suspension bridge first and then hike down the trail to the lower (Twin Falls wooden) bridge to cross back over the Lynn Valley River and return to your car – that way you are hiking downhill rather than uphill. http://www.lynncanyonparkguide.bc.ca It is also free to visit this suspension bridge!

5) Stanley Park – http://www.city.vancouver.bc.ca/parks/stanley/ - is the crown jewel of Vancouver's parks. As one of North America's largest urban parks, covering over a 1000 acres and offering an abundance of activities. Enjoy the totem pole collection near the Brockton Point Light House, hiking trails, beaches, water parks for the kids (young & old), rose gardens, miniature train, petting zoo, aquarium –http://www.vanaqua.org – many view points, and several restaurants. During the summer months there is a free shuttle bus that you can ride around the park on.

6) Gas Town – the location where Vancouver originated. The name is derived from a very colorful character named Gassy Jack who was one of the first settlers in the area and a salon keeper – while in Gas Town don’t miss your photo op with the statue of Gassy Jack and by the Steam Clock.

7) At the start of Gas Town is the Harbor Centre Tower http://www.vancouverlookout.com a great spot to start your tour of Vancouver with a birds eye view of the city. Either take the elevator up to the lookout level or go to the top and enjoy a meal in the revolving restaurant.

8) China Town is only about 6 blocks over from Gas Town and is the largest China Town north of San Francisco. While in China Town enjoy a visit to the Dr Sun Yat Sen Classical Gardens http://www.classicalchinesegarden.com and also make sure you visit the world’s thinnest building it is only 6’ wide!

9) Granville Island – http://www.granvilleisland.com – is a huge public market area which not only sells fruit & veggies but you can also buy frozen fish to be shipped to your home. May artists make this their home and you can watch them at work in their studios – making this a great place to buy unique souvenirs. The Granville Island Brewery is also located here and you can stop in for a free tour & tastes. There are theatres for live performances and many fine restaurants. A fun way to get to Granville Island is via the Aquabus – http://www.theaquabus.com

10) Burnaby Village Museum – http://www.city.burnaby.bc.ca – is an open air museum with over 30 restored homes, shops, school, church and a 1912 carousel situated on 10 acres

11) Gulf of Georgia Cannery – http://www.gulfofgeorgiacannery.com – is a restored fishing cannery located in the historic fishing village of Steveston (part of Richmond). Here you see exhibits that showcase the history of the fishing industry in British Columbia. Once finished in the museum it is great fun to walk along the fishing docks and see the fishing boats which are selling their catch. There are also some excellent restaurants located here.

12) The Vancouver Maritime Museum located on the shore of English Bay is fun for the whole family with lots of hands on exhibits for the kid in all of us. Here to you will find the ship St Roch which the RCMP sailed from Vancouver to Halifax via the Northwest Passage and then completed the return journey in 1944. You actually get to tour this ship. http://www.vancouvermaritimemuseum.com

13) Queen Elizabeth Park – http://www.greatervancouverparks.com/QEPark01.htm -The 130 acre (52 hectare) park is one of the most beautifully maintained public parks in the world. Second only to Stanley Park in annual visitations, it receives nearly 6 million people a year who marvel at its superior standard of garden plantings.

The park was originally quarried for its rock which served to build Vancouver's first roadways. In 1929 the Board proceeded to acquire the property which had become an abandoned eyesore but still served as the site for two holding reservoirs for the City's drinking water. Dedicated as a park by King George VI and his consort, Queen Elizabeth (the present Queen's mother) on their much lauded visit to Vancouver in 1939.

14) Fort Langley is the restored wooden fort built by the Hudson’s Bay Company as a trading post. It is the origin of British Columbia and was the first capital. This Fort is operated by the Federal Parks Board. http://www.pc,qc.ca/fortlangley

15) If you are a wine lover you might want to rent a car and spend a day visiting a few of the many excellent wineries located in the Fraser Valley only about a 1 hour drive from your hotel. Almost all of the wineries offer free tastes & tours.

16) If you are a real animal lover than don’t miss “Mountain View Conservation & Breeding Centre” It is located in Fort Langley about an hour drive from downtown Vancouver. Mountain View Conservation and Breeding Centre is a leading non-profit Canadian facility that breeds endangered species in family groups for re-introduction back into their natural habitat in Canada and around the world. This facility is not a zoo their goal is to breed rare and endangered wildlife and re-introduce these animals back into their natural habitats. Presently Mountainview hosts over 50 species of the world’s most threatened animals and birds. See animals such as the spotted dog from India, Giraffes, and much much more. Here you do not wonder around as in a zoo rather you are given a guided tour with commentary on each animal group. Check it out at http://www.mtnviewconservation.org

17) VanDusen Botanical Garden is a scenic 55- acre garden of international renown – a living museum of plants collected from around the world and artistically displayed amidst rolling lawns, woodlands and five tranquil lakes, all in the heart of Vancouver and just 15 minutes from downtown.

Due to Vancouver’s mild climate, plants bloom at the Garden year-round. This same climate creates a unique environment where plants from varying climate regions thrive and grow – at VanDusen you will see plants from the southern hemisphere, tropical areas and the high Arctic tundra along side native species. The Elizabethan Maze (one of only six in North America) provides year-round fun.

18) UBC Botanical Garden located at the University of British Columbia covers 110 acres and includes an Alpine, Asian, Native, Food, and Japanese Gardens. http://www.ubcbotanicalgarden.org

19) Dazzle your senses when you visit Minter Gardens nestled against 7000 foot Mt. Cheam in beautiful 'Super Natural' British Columbia. One of the most spectacular show gardens in the world! Eleven themed gardens are designed to dazzle the senses with massive displays of artistic floral designs.

Minter Gardens is located 90 minutes east of downtown Vancouver just off the Trans-Canada Hwy. #1 at exit #135. http://www.gardeningbc.com

[Putterdude]

I have just phoned CDS and they have advised that they do not transfer between the two piers (which comes as a surprise to me). Your alternatives are that you just check your luggage with them and pick it up yourself or go to the Pana Pacific or Fairmont Waterfornt Hotel and give the bell desk a nice tip to hold it for you in their lock up or take it over to Ballantyne yourself right after you disembark at Canada Place, that will cost you 2 cabfares of in the range of $10 each.

You are only going to have a only a few hours to sightsee, likely from about 9 am to about 2 pm so you are going to have to restrict yourself to downtown sights such as Gastown, the Lookout at Harbour Centre, Stanley Park and perhaps Granville Island, but you will be hard pressed to see both Granville Island and Stanley Park in any detail in the time you have.

[cos24]

thanks. to travel around vancouver and do some of the things you mentioned do i have to have Canadain currency or does everyone take USD?

 

...same with our 1st port of call - Victoria - CVSCrown Victoria and Butchart Gardens?

[PennyAgain]

Mostly you can get along with US$ but you will get change in Canadian $ and won't get a good rate of exchange.

[Putterdude]

You will find that virtually all of our merchants, services and attractions will accept US$. However right now our two dollars are within about 8 cents of each other so don't expect any exchange and you will more than likely get your change in CDN$ as few maintain separate tills for $CDN and $US.

[scottbee]

We are coming into Canada place at 7am on Sept. 20 with Golden Princess and departing at 4pm at Ballantyne with Norwegian Star.

 

What is the distance between the two?

Can CDS move the luggage between the two for us?

Or should we take the luggage ourselves to Ballantyne after we dock?

Any other ideas?

 

We want to do a little sightseeing before we get on the Star and don't want to hall around luggage.

Thanks.

 

 

• Get off the boat;
  
• check luggage in w/ CDS;
  
• go sightseeing (highly recommend a trip via Seabus/city bus to Capilano & Grouse Mountain) ($3.25/ea way on the bus)
  
• return to Canada Place;
  
• pick up luggage from CDS;
  
• cab to Ballantyne ($10)
  

[Putterdude]

• Get off the boat;
  
• check luggage in w/ CDS;
  
• go sightseeing (highly recommend a trip via Seabus/city bus to Capilano & Grouse Mountain) ($3.25/ea way on the bus)
  
• return to Canada Place;
  
• pick up luggage from CDS;
  
• cab to Ballantyne ($10)
  

 

This not a bad plan if the weather is good if not then it's not worth it. In addition to transit fees the entrance fee to the Capilano Suspension Bridge is $29.75 (adult) and $27.95 (senior). The Grouse Mountain Skyride charge is $37.95 (adult) and $35.95 (senior). As you need to allow about 40 mins by transit in either direction you will be pushing the envelope to try to take in both as you will want to spend at least 2 hrs at each location to take it all in. I would suggest that if you choose to go over to the North Shore to take these attractions in you may care to just choose one. Below are some links for your convenience:

 

http://tripplanning.translink.bc.ca/

http://www.capbridge.com/index.html

http://www.grousemountain.com/Summer/

[CelebrityMan]

http://www.pc,qc.ca/fortlangley

 

Correcting the misplaced comma could make all the difference in the function of this link. ;)

 

http://www.pc.qc.ca/fortlangley

 

However, I still found that it did not work.

 

 

 

CM

[Urban trekker]

Perhaps if you change the qc to gc it will work for you.

 

Here's a correct link to the Englsigh website.

 

http://www.pc.gc.ca/eng/lhn-nhs/bc/langley/index.aspx

 

Cheers

 

Dennis

[gardener718]

Hi All:

 

I am currently on the Diamond Princess doing the second week of a 14 nite.

 

I did not bring some information with me.

 

Appreciate some help.

 

I did take the sky train from the airport, but there were stairs involved. I only had my rolling carryon as Princess took the big suitcase from the airport. Going back I will have to manage it all, so steps would be more than a challange.

 

Is there a way to get to the skytrain that is easier. (I still need directions as there were a few missteps and backtracking coming to the pier.

 

I also may check my luggage to site see and wonder what time it must be picked up by.

 

I'm winging it and am hoping for the best.

 

Will check in later. Internet minutes go fast.

 

Marianne

 

Oh, weather last week was be u ti full. It has been a wonderful, wonderful experience.

[scottbee]

I am currently on the Diamond Princess doing the second week of a 14 nite.

 

I did not bring some information with me.

 

Appreciate some help.

 

I did take the sky train from the airport, but there were stairs involved. I only had my rolling carryon as Princess took the big suitcase from the airport. Going back I will have to manage it all, so steps would be more than a challange.

 

Is there a way to get to the skytrain that is easier. (I still need directions as there were a few missteps and backtracking coming to the pier.

 

I also may check my luggage to site see and wonder what time it must be picked up by.

 

I'm winging it and am hoping for the best.

 

There are elevators at all Skytrain stations. For example at YVR, the escalator is to the right, and the elevator to the left. Just follow the signs.

 

This thread has a link to a photo essay of how to do the trip, and shows pictures of the elevators at both YVR and Waterfront station (both sets of Elevators)

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1044929

 

Elevators:

Waterfront Station (exit to Cordova St): http://picasaweb.google.com/vancouvercruise/CanadaLineYVRToCanadaPlaceWaterfrontStation#5371856108757911618

Waterfront Station (exit to Granville St): http://picasaweb.google.com/vancouvercruise/CanadaLineYVRToCanadaPlaceWaterfrontStation#5371855348978723922

YVR: http://picasaweb.google.com/vancouvercruise/CanadaLineYVRToCanadaPlaceWaterfrontStation#5371846529666783970

(amongst others)

[Urban trekker]

I was on the Pearl last week so we saw your ship in a couple of the ports and you were cruising Glacier Bay the same day as us and yes we did luck out with the weather didn't we.

 

Have a great second week and hopefully the weather will hold for you.

 

Cheers

 

Dennis

[gardener718]

There are elevators at all Skytrain stations. For example at YVR, the escalator is to the right, and the elevator to the left. Just follow the signs.

 

This thread has a link to a photo essay of how to do the trip, and shows pictures of the elevators at both YVR and Waterfront station (both sets of Elevators)

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1044929

 

Elevators:

Waterfront Station (exit to Cordova St): http://picasaweb.google.com/vancouvercruise/CanadaLineYVRToCanadaPlaceWaterfrontStation#5371856108757911618

Waterfront Station (exit to Granville St): http://picasaweb.google.com/vancouvercruise/CanadaLineYVRToCanadaPlaceWaterfrontStation#5371855348978723922

YVR: http://picasaweb.google.com/vancouvercruise/CanadaLineYVRToCanadaPlaceWaterfrontStation#5371846529666783970

(amongst others)

 

 

It was not the stairs at the sky train it was when on the ground getting to the port (dock) I came out on Grandville (I think) but getting around on the streets by the buildings there were stairs.

 

Any info on checking luggage and retrieval times at Canada place??

 

I will be trying to find an internet cafe in Skagway to see about looking at sites. It uses too many minutes on the ship.

 

Thanks again.

[scottbee]

It was not the stairs at the sky train it was when on the ground getting to the port (dock) I came out on Grandville (I think) but getting around on the streets by the buildings there were stairs.

 

Any info on checking luggage and retrieval times at Canada place??

 

I will be trying to find an internet cafe in Skagway to see about looking at sites. It uses too many minutes on the ship.

 

Exactly why in my photo essay I recommend getting off through teh Granville st exit, which is a downhill roll all the way to the cruise terminal.

[LeftcoastBC]

The connection from Canada Place to Canada Line is not what I would call convenient if you are loaded with luggage.

Just did the line for the first time on the weekend.

 

I think that the best way with luggage would be outside if the weather is OK. It's pretty well all down hill. But it's over several roadways and curbs associated with same.

 

Out the front of Canada Place and along the sidewalks to the Left and then into the Old train station two short blocks away, turn left and down the elevator to the Canada Line platform.

 

The alternative is down the Sky train escalator which is also on the route above (you will pass it) as you walk to the right from Canada Place and follow route to the sky train platform... completely along the sky train platform to the escalator goin up to the Seabus ramp turn right at the top exit out into the Old train station and go right to the same Elevator as in directions above.

 

Once again I will state my thoughts on Sky train and now the Canada Line if you are used to lugging your bags around give it a whirl. If you are of a certain age (you should know if you have reached it :) ) and/or have any limitations at all I would not suggest it.

I would try it with a smaller roller. But never with two pieces.

The persons using the service on the weekend with luggage were all way younger than me. (mid 60's)

 

Maybe a earlier stop and a cab (coming from yvr) would work to hotels other than the Pan Pacific and Fairmont Waterfront maybe even them also for that matter. I'm sure that there are some hotels closer to other stops but I am not familure enough with where they are yet. Maybe the guys in town are.

It is no problem getting to the Canada Line leaving or arriving at YVR. Middle of both Domestic and International sections on the top level.