Vancouver answers from a Vancouverite (part 2)

[Kamloops50]

We're considering taking a 4-hour Vancouver City Highlights post-cruise tour with Landsea Tours. We have been told that the pickup point after the cruise is at the main street entrance to the convention center. How easy/difficult and how far is it to walk with all our luggage from the terminal to this pick up point?

 

It is about 2 blocks downhill.

 

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[martincath]

We're considering taking a 4-hour Vancouver City Highlights post-cruise tour with Landsea Tours. We have been told that the pickup point after the cruise is at the main street entrance to the convention center. How easy/difficult and how far is it to walk with all our luggage from the terminal to this pick up point?

Actually it depends *which* main entrance they mean. West (new) convention centre - exactly as K50 said. East (old) convention centre - is the ground floor part of Canada Place. A lot of even regular users fail to mention which part - e.g. race kit pickup for the Vancouver marathon this year was in the East building, unlike last year when it was West.

 

Either way don't walk out up the pedestrian ramp, take the elevators up to the Pan Pacific (signs should be fairly clear, if in doubt ask one of the staff pointing folks to the taxi queue). Once you're at ground level, you'll either walk right out the door and see your bus or else have to walk an extra hundred yards or so along the same sidewalk to your right.

[pklein9747]

Actually it depends *which* main entrance they mean. West (new) convention centre - exactly as K50 said. East (old) convention centre - is the ground floor part of Canada Place. A lot of even regular users fail to mention which part - e.g. race kit pickup for the Vancouver marathon this year was in the East building, unlike last year when it was West.

 

Either way don't walk out up the pedestrian ramp, take the elevators up to the Pan Pacific (signs should be fairly clear, if in doubt ask one of the staff pointing folks to the taxi queue). Once you're at ground level, you'll either walk right out the door and see your bus or else have to walk an extra hundred yards or so along the same sidewalk to your right.

 

It is the East lobby of the convention center. Sounds like it should be very easy. Glad to hear there are elevators!! Thanks for your help.

[Urban trekker]

MartinCath - the pickup up for the Vancouver Marathon this year was in the west building - I should know as I was one of the volunteers handing out the race packages. Can't comment on previous years but I know the event organizers were thrilled with the extra space and outside space for this year's Race and Fan Expo.

 

Also just a point about bus pick up - if there are three ships in port all the tours buses are moved to Hastings rather than Cordova - it is well signed - a short walk through the plaza by the Waterfront center and you are there - it's level.

 

Cheers!

 

Dennis

[knbcruisers]

Would anyone know if there is free wifi in the terminal? If we end up waiting for a while DH needs some distraction :)

[martincath]

MartinCath - the pickup up for the Vancouver Marathon this year was in the west building - I should know as I was one of the volunteers handing out the race packages. Can't comment on previous years but I know the event organizers were thrilled with the extra space and outside space for this year's Race and Fan Expo.

 

Also just a point about bus pick up - if there are three ships in port all the tours buses are moved to Hastings rather than Cordova - it is well signed - a short walk through the plaza by the Waterfront center and you are there - it's level.

 

Cheers!

 

Dennis

Possibly the missus mixed up compass points when she told me about going to the wrong building, but the point remains that they switched buildings. It actually makes more sense to have moved from East to West now that convention centre halls are being used for cruise boarding, less space available on cruise days in the East building.

 

Good info re: the tour bus pickup moving on three ship days - we'll have many more of those with Ballantyne out of the picture.

[urbanhawk]

Good morning!

 

Sorry if this has been asked/answered in the past....when I arrive in Vancouver after my cruise on 9-15-15, I've decided to spend the day, and take the 5:30 p.m. Amtrak Cascades to Seattle. Does anyone know if they would let me store my luggage for the day at the Pacific Central Station-do they have lockers, or a place to store to store it? If not, other options?

 

Thanks in advance.

[VibeGuy]

The Via Rail desk will hold your bags for Amtrak passengers, but you may need Canadian funds to pay (I don't think they take cards for bag check). I believe there are still lockers at the bus end of the terminal, outdoors but under cover, which require Canadian coins.

[Urban trekker]

It might be more practical to leave your bags at Canada Place - you have to pick them up by 4PM and then go touring - otherwise you are wasting time going to the Train station and then back downtown to see the sights.

 

The bag check at Canada Place if I remember correctly is right near the Car rental signs.

 

Another option is to go upstairs to the Pan Pacific and leave them with the bell hops. This is done by many cruisers.

 

Hope this helps

 

Cheers!

 

Dennis

[martincath]

What they said - except no lockers. VIA only offers manned storage, no public walk up and use 'em lockers any more - and they run the whole station whether you're using Amtrak, VIA, or buses.

 

Timing is crappy for the luggage storage at Pacific Central - check their website for hours closer to your departure as they operate seasonally - but currently Tuesdays they only operate noon to 8pm, so you'd have to keep your bags with you for a few hours. Use Priority Baggage at the pier instead as Dennis suggested - you want to be at the station by 4:30pm at the latest anyway (immigration happens here before boarding the train) so going back for your bags by 4pm works just fine.

[urbanhawk]

Thanks, Vibe guy, Urban Treker (aka Dennis), and Martin Cath-very helpful info-I will explore all options.:cool:

[ROGBARTLETT]

Our cruise critic group is meeting for dinner the night before our cruise. Any suggestions for a downtown restaurant that will accommodate a large group?

[Putterdude]

Our cruise critic group is meeting for dinner the night before our cruise. Any suggestions for a downtown restaurant that will accommodate a large group?

 

How many in your CC roll call will be attending the dinner; obviously there are many restaurants that can handle groups of 20 with out a problem but fewer that can handle groups of say 50 or more?

[martincath]

And further to PDs very relevant question; which day of the week, how much are people willing to spend, and how picky in terms of menu are your group?

 

As someone who has booked many dinners for Meetup groups, with group size usually in the 12-25 range, many Vancouver restaurants simply will not take a group bigger than 8 people on weekends unless you book out an entire space - for fancy restos which offer private rooms that works just fine, but most midrange and cheaper places don't have a separate room so you're looking at booking an entire restaurant. Deposits and minimum spends are also very common - even local bars were asking me to put down a thousand bucks to reserve a back room for 20 people.

 

IME it's also much easier to get a large group booking (20+) in Asian eateries, especially Chinese (e.g. Floata can handle a thousand people, some of the smaller cruise vessels could be seated all at once!) If there are folks who won't eat 'ethnic' those options are off the table.

 

Next best options I've found are hotel restaurants - they're used to catering for weddings, parties etc. so usually have a variety of private rooms & partially-separated corner areas of restos, plus offer group menus that are primarily chosen for maximum compatibility with the most palates.

[trenz]

Hi all, I was wondering if someone can tell me if this is a reasonable plan for my visit to Vancouver.

 

I will be arriving by Amtrak Cascades from Seattle at 11:40 A.M. on Sunday, June 7th and staying at the Pan Pacific. Leaving on the Norwegian Sun Monday morning and only plan on sightseeing Sunday. We decided on Granville and Capilano as our main sights

 

1)Pacific Central Station to Pan Pacific by taxi. drop bags or check-in if possible

2)#50 bus (or walk) to Granville Island

3)Aquabus from Granville Island to the Plaza of Nations. Check out Edgewater Casino

4) taxi from Edgewater to Gastown, then go to Pan Pacific and check-in if needed

5)Seabus to Lonsdale Quay, then the 236 bus to Capilano.

6)After Capilano reverse the 236 and Seabus, then walk along the seawall, stopping at Tap and Barrel for dinner

 

Thanks for any input

[martincath]

Hi all, I was wondering if someone can tell me if this is a reasonable plan for my visit to Vancouver.

 

I will be arriving by Amtrak Cascades from Seattle at 11:40 A.M. on Sunday, June 7th and staying at the Pan Pacific. Leaving on the Norwegian Sun Monday morning and only plan on sightseeing Sunday. We decided on Granville and Capilano as our main sights

 

1)Pacific Central Station to Pan Pacific by taxi. drop bags or check-in if possible

2)#50 bus (or walk) to Granville Island

3)Aquabus from Granville Island to the Plaza of Nations. Check out Edgewater Casino

4) taxi from Edgewater to Gastown, then go to Pan Pacific and check-in if needed

5)Seabus to Lonsdale Quay, then the 236 bus to Capilano.

6)After Capilano reverse the 236 and Seabus, then walk along the seawall, stopping at Tap and Barrel for dinner

 

Thanks for any input

Ditch the casino and Gastown. Do Capilano first, then GI. Seriously, this is a tight schedule for half-a-day and you have access to a casino onboard the ship - I know people in the local casino industry and Edgewater is not a destination casino, just somewhere to throw down cash...

 

Your day is already somewhat dependent on factors you can't control (train late? weather bad?) but even if you're a little late starting you can get the Cap shuttle from right outside the PP (quicker than seabus/bus combo unless you have just missed a shuttle, and also free!)

 

Doing Cap first also allows you to adjust your timing on the fly - if everything has been smooth sailing and you get done at Cap early enough, sure come back the long way via Lonsdale. If not, again hop the shuttle back to PP and then take the 50 over to GI.

 

Granville Island quietens down by midafternoon as all the cruise & other tour buses are long gone, so the later you hit it the less people you'll be fighting your way through. Plenty dinner options too (my pick would be Edible Canada bistro). Tap & Barrel is fine for dinner - quicker to go to the original one in Athlete's village than the Convention Centre one though from GI. Half hour leisurely walk along the Seawall or use one of the Aquabuses to the Village stop and it's right in front of you.

 

Next day go walk through Gastown before boarding the ship, and you also have plenty of time to pop over to Lonsdale on Seabus for nice views back to Vancouver.

[Putterdude]

Trenz; yes it is all doable but you are really pushing the envelope from a time and personal energy point of view. I am rather inclined to agree with Martin advice, do the CSB after you have dropped off your bags at the Pan Pacific. The CSB is a full 35 min. by transit and that is if everything thing goes click click...also bear in mind transit is on a reduced sked on Sundays. You will want to spend about 2 hrs at the bridge itself and add 1.5 to 2 hrs of transiting and a big part of you day is done. I know you say you don't want to sightsee on Monday but left to me I would send my bags to the pier with the bellhop then head for Granville Is on Monday morning. The lines for embarking pax tend to disapate in the early afternoon so getting back to Canada Place between 1 and 2 pm IMO is a good use of time.

[trenz]

thank you martincath and putterdude. I appreciate the ideas. I will cut the casino and the aquabus and do Capilano first. I don't want to plan anything Monday morning but we'll see how it goes.

 

I think the new plan will be Capilano after dropping bags (shuttle or seabus/236) then return and take the 50 bus to Granville. Return to waterfront station and walk to Gastown if we are making good on time or take a stroll on the Coal Harbor section of the seawall before heading back to the Pan Pacific.

 

two quick questions

1. is the Waterfront center food court a good place to grab a quick bite before heading to Capilano. From Google street view it seems to be across the street from the Pan Pacific

2. is the 236 bus stop a long way from Capilano or is it close by

 

Thank you

[Putterdude]

For a quick bite the Waterfront Centre food court will work just fine.....there are also a number of eateries at the Lonsdale Quay both inside and outside of the market. Your bus stop both coming and going to the CSB is pretty much at the entrance to the park....just tell the bus driver what you are up to, they are very helpful.

[Lulubelle45]

How far is the Harbour Air flight terminal from Waterfront Station? ? Walkable ?

Edited May 25, 2015 by Lulubelle45

[Putterdude]

How far is the Harbour Air flight terminal from Waterfront Station? ? Walkable ?

 

Yes it is walkable, the new terminal is just slightly to the west of the new Convention Centre ....so about 5 blocks.

 

http://vhfc.ca/

[martincath]

How far is the Harbour Air flight terminal from Waterfront Station? ? Walkable ?

While easily walkable, it's not the most intuitive place to find (all the lovely landscaping, green roof etc. means it's buried away from casual sight).

 

Fortunately there is an official Youtube video on how to get to your flight from Waterfront station

.

[138east]

Before I book a flight home to Boston (arriving on the Radiance on Sunday May 1,2016), I'm looking at a high level possible plan for Vancouver. It looks like best flight home could be a red eye through Seattle leaving at 8:30 pm.

 

1) Check luggage - can I be sure of being able to leave my luggage at the Hotel Pan Pacific? Can I walk there from the pier? How much do I tip for this service?

 

2). Train to the airport - can I walk to the train station from the hotel?

 

3). Lead time to be at the airport - I'm reading 3-4 hours ahead plus an hour for the train. So be on the airport train no later than 4 pm.

 

I'm open to suggestions as to what to do with my 6-8 hours in Vancouver on a Sunday. Good weather and bad weather options.

 

Thanks.

[Urban trekker]

I will try and answer a couple of your questions.

 

1. Re: Luggage - you have two options - you can check it at the cruise terminal - it is located by the rental car kiosks - only stipulation is you must return by 4 PM which is probably okay as you need to get to the airport. Or - you can check it in at the Pan Pacific - the Pan Pacific is located atop of cruise terminal - just take the elevator up to the hotel from the cruise level. Can't help you with the price - some of the other locals can probably answer that for you.

 

2. Train to Airport - you are about a 2-3 block walk from Cruise terminal to Waterfront Station - the train ride will take about 30 minutes - just be sure that your train is going to the airport and not Richmond Brighouse - usually every second train is airport bound.

 

3. Can't help with timing for the airport.

 

I see that you will be in Vancouver on May 1, 2016 - that is the day of the Vancouver International Marathon - about 18, 000 runners ending the race in the downtown core just to the west of cruise terminal - Stanley Park has road closures for most of the morning so many of the excursions and hop-on hop-off buses are rerouted.

 

Hope this helps.

 

PS - you have answered some of my questions on Boston before so I am happy to help you with your Vancouver visit.

 

Cheers!

 

Dennis

[Putterdude]

For the price of a nice tip to the bellman they would be delighted to hold you luggage in their lock up at either the Pan Pacific or the Fairmont Waterfront across the street.

 

Waterfront Station is about 3 blocks from either hotel so is quite walkable.

 

If you are at YVR a full 2 hours pre-flight time you will be fine....3 if it really makes you feel good. Allow about 45 mins to walk to the Waterfront Station and travel time out to YVR. So have your bags in hand and heading for Waterfront Station by 4:30 pm and you will have a ton of time.

Edited May 27, 2015 by Putterdude