Need some help for 8 hours in Vancouver

[ComputerDad]

HI,

After reading all the posts about how great Vancouver is I have changed my return flights and I now have eight hours from when I leave the ship until I need to be at the airport. (I left three hours free for the airport red tape).

 

I am looking for a private tour for two older people with a car and driver/guide. I would appreciate recommendations for tour companies and for suggestions on what to see/visit.

 

Pickup would be from the ship about 10 AM and drop off would be at the airport about 6 PM.

 

All advice is most appreciated.

[lucky cal]

You might have better luck if you post this on the West Coast Departures board:

 

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/forumdisplay.php?f=413

 

There are several knowledgeable Vancouver locals who frequently share helpful information on that board.

[xlxo]

Thoughts...

• 8 hours???? I think you might need 8 days.
  
• there are post cruise tours that will take your luggage
  http://vancouvertours.com/tour/pre-cruise-vancouver-city-tour/
  
• you can drop your luggage at the cruise terminal and have it forwarded to airport for pickup while you possibly enjoy shuttles to Grouse and/or Capilano.
  

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[Putterdude]

You have several options:

 

Vancouver Tours (Land/Sea Tours) offer some excellent post cruise excursions where they will pick you and your luggage up at Canada Place and when tour is over deliver you and your luggage to YVR.

 

You can check you luggage at Canada Place and take one of the HOHOs from in front of Canada Place. The luggage checking service will hold your luggage until 4 pm or for $40 will transfer it out to YVR.

 

The third option is to check your luggage as detailed above, do some serious research on what you would like to see in Vancouver, locate your selections on a map, then purchase an all day transit pass for $9.75 CAD and ride to the sights on transit....but this is hardly a tour. The same transit pass will get you out to YVR.

 

Just to confuse the matter even further, you could take your luggage to the bell desk at the Pan Pacific hotel which forms part of Canada Place or the Fairmont Waterfront across the street and give them a nice tip to hold your luggage in their lock-up until you ready to head out to YVR.

 

By the way, a cab ride out to YVR will take about 35 minutes and cost about $35.

 

http://tripplanning.translink.ca/

[travgurl]

We are using http://vancouvertours.com/ the two days that we are there. Check them out, they have a number of tours that you can choose from.

Enjoy your trip!

[mskaufman]

That's about what we had and were happy with the HOHO bus.

[Cheryl H]

You have several options:

 

Vancouver Tours (Land/Sea Tours) offer some excellent post cruise excursions where they will pick you and your luggage up at Canada Place and when tour is over deliver you and your luggage to YVR.

 

You can check you luggage at Canada Place and take one of the HOHOs from in front of Canada Place. The luggage checking service will hold your luggage until 4 pm or for $40 will transfer it out to YVR.

 

The third option is to check your luggage as detailed above, do some serious research on what you would like to see in Vancouver, locate your selections on a map, then purchase an all day transit pass for $9.75 CAD and ride to the sights on transit....but this is hardly a tour. The same transit pass will get you out to YVR.

 

Just to confuse the matter even further, you could take your luggage to the bell desk at the Pan Pacific hotel which forms part of Canada Place or the Fairmont Waterfront across the street and give them a nice tip to hold your luggage in their lock-up until you ready to head out to YVR.

 

By the way, a cab ride out to YVR will take about 35 minutes and cost about $35.

 

http://tripplanning.translink.ca/

 

We are on the Vancouver Land/Sea 4 hour tour that ends at the airport, but I didn't realize you could check luggage on to the airport at Canada Place. Is it 40$ per bag? Or 40$ total? I wonder how they do with the luggage fees for the airlines? Perhaps we have to pre-pay our luggage fees when we check in for our flights? Where is the luggage check in at the Canada Place? It would be so nice to not have to see our bags again until we get home. I was hoping that Royal Carribbean would have the luggage valet program in Vancouver, but I saw that they don't offer it. But it sounds like Canada Place offers it.

[BCHappyGal]

We are on the Vancouver Land/Sea 4 hour tour that ends at the airport, but I didn't realize you could check luggage on to the airport at Canada Place. Is it 40$ per bag? Or 40$ total? I wonder how they do with the luggage fees for the airlines? Perhaps we have to pre-pay our luggage fees when we check in for our flights? Where is the luggage check in at the Canada Place? It would be so nice to not have to see our bags again until we get home. I was hoping that Royal Carribbean would have the luggage valet program in Vancouver, but I saw that they don't offer it. But it sounds like Canada Place offers it.

 

They don't actually put it on your flight - they have a location both at the cruise ship terminal and the airport and you check in your bags at the cruise ship terminal and then collect them at the airport prior to check in for your flight ....

[BCHappyGal]

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 higher up the mountain to visit the wind turbine that generates approximately 30% of the power required for Grouse Mountain Resort and visit with 2 live Grizzly Bears. Thrill to a 2 hour Zip Line Tour. 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, traverse a Cliff Top walk, 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 – http://www.lynncanyon.ca - 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. It is also free to visit this suspension bridge!

5) Stanley Park – http://www.vancouver.ca/parks/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.

6) Vancouver Aquarium – http://www.vanaqua.org – is Canada’s largest aquarium and is committed to the conservation of marine life and education. Located in Stanley Park this is a fun place for the family to visit.

7) Fly Over Canada incorporates state of the art technology in an Imax theatre to show you supernatural Canada, Fly from coast to coast taking in breath stealing views of Niagara Falls, Lake Louise, The Rockies & more. Spectacular! http://www.flyovercanada.com

8) 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.

9) 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.

10) 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.vancouverchinesegarden.com and also make sure you visit the world’s thinnest building it is only 6’ wide!

11) 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. Many 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

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

13) 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.

14) 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

15) Queen Elizabeth Park http://www.vancouver.ca/parks/parks/queenelizabeth 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.

16) 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.fortlangley.org

17) 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. Two of the wineries have excellent restaurants on the premises. This makes for a very fun and relaxing day. Check out the Fraser Valley Wine Association web site for a map of winery locations and a brief description of each winery http://www.fvwa.ca

18) 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.

19) 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 There is also a treetop walk which is great for “fit” explorers who are not afraid of heights – however I would not recommend it for anyone who has any mobility issues. Also these gardens are not as well maintained as I would expect a botanical garden to be!

20) Enjoy a FREE walking tour of Vancouver. The Gastown tour starts in front of the Vancouver Art Gallery and ends at the statue of Gassy Jack in Gastown. The Downtown tour starts at the Vancouver Art Gallery and ends at the Olympic Cauldron. The China Town tour starts at the Vancouver Art Gallery and ends at the Chinese memorial statue. All of these tours start at 11am. The Granville Island Tour starts at 3pm at the bus stop just at the entrance to Granville Island. Check these tours out at http://www.tourguys.ca The Tour Guys have added an afternoon walking tour of Granville Island and 2 evening tours….

21) A new addition I have just found for the FOODIES in the gang! Check out 2 companies that offer food tasting tours http://www.foodietours.ca and http://www.offtheeatentrack.ca – both offer an excellent tour http://www.foodietours.ca visit much more high end restaurants in the heart of the west end of Vancouver while http://www.offtheeatentrack.ca concentrates on more casual eateries in the historic original section of Vancouver! (Gastown)

I just enjoyed Foodietours “Guilty Pleasures Gourmet Tour” and was very impressed with the organization, quality of restaurants & refreshments, guides knowledge of foods and the eateries we were visiting as well as the area we were walking in. Felt it was excellent value for the money provided you did not spend the extra $20. For the alcohol! This company also offers a tasting tour on Granville Island Public Market and of the Vancouver Street Food Carts.

As for Off the Eaten Track - this company offers culinary tasting tours of various areas of Vancouver. This company has now expanded and offers a brunch tour and a dinner tour. I did the Railtown Urban Eats tour and it was Fabulous! This tour would blend well with the free walking tour offered by http://www.tourguys.ca … you could easily do the free walking tour and then meet up with this tour company for this tour for your lunch - the food is plentiful & wonderful you will not leave this tour hungry!

 

 

 

 

 

Vancouver has a bunch of hop-on hop-off buses

 

http://www.vancouverpinkbustours.com/

 

http://www.vancouvertrolley.com/tours/hop-on-hop-off

 

http://bigbus.ca/home/

[Putterdude]

We are on the Vancouver Land/Sea 4 hour tour that ends at the airport, but I didn't realize you could check luggage on to the airport at Canada Place. Is it 40$ per bag? Or 40$ total? I wonder how they do with the luggage fees for the airlines? Perhaps we have to pre-pay our luggage fees when we check in for our flights? Where is the luggage check in at the Canada Place? It would be so nice to not have to see our bags again until we get home. I was hoping that Royal Carribbean would have the luggage valet program in Vancouver, but I saw that they don't offer it. But it sounds like Canada Place offers it.

I have lost my notes and can't find my post re the luggage fees but this is the gist of it from memory:

 

The actual checking fee is approximately $5 to $7 depending on the size of the bag. They will transfer up to 4 bags out to YVR for $40 including the checking fee. The transfer is from their location Canada Place to their location at YVR which necessitates picking up your luggage at YVR then checking it with your airline yourself.

[Cheryl H]

Oh, okay. Thank you both!

[ComputerDad]

Great information everyone. Many Thanks. The places to see are overwhelming and I need to do a lot of research and get back with better questions.

 

Right now I would like to find a great local guide that can take the two of us in a private vehicle. Specific suggests for a good guide who would be available for 8 hours or so is where I need to start. But keep the ideas coming.

[Putterdude]

Few, if any of us locals will have had any experience in hiring a private local guide. However I have read some posts about this service and you may care to follow up with them:

 

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

[Putterdude]

I have lost my notes and can't find my post re the luggage fees but this is the gist of it from memory:

 

The actual checking fee is approximately $5 to $7 depending on the size of the bag. They will transfer up to 4 bags out to YVR for $40 including the checking fee. The transfer is from their location Canada Place to their location at YVR which necessitates picking up your luggage at YVR then checking it with your airline yourself.

 

Found my notes for an earlier post on the topic of the luggage checking service at Canada Place. It's operated by CDS Luggage Services which is part of Priority Baggage Services and they operate under both names. The bag rate is $7 for a carry-on sized bag and $8 for a larger bag. They will transfer your luggage out to YVR at a cost of $40 including the initial checking fee. This transfer fee includes up to 4 bags, any additional bags are charged at $10 per bag. As noted in the post above, this transfer is to their location at YVR not to the airline. The baggage service at Canada Place closes at 4 pm and luggage transferred to YVR is available after 6 pm.

[quack2]

When I arrive in Vancouver at the end of my cruise in August, I'm heading over to the Fly Over Canada ride at Canada Place. Apparently, it is very similar to Soaring California at Disney California Adventure Park.

 

http://www.flyovercanada.com/tickets-prices.html

[Putterdude]

When I arrive in Vancouver at the end of my cruise in August, I'm heading over to the Fly Over Canada ride at Canada Place. Apparently, it is very similar to Soaring California at Disney California Adventure Park.

 

http://www.flyovercanada.com/tickets-prices.html

 

I am certain that you will enjoy it. You won't have far to walk, your ship ties up at Canada Place.

[cruisin0218]

We had a group of 12 people last summer and we used Luxury tours. We could only do the 4 hour tour and they modified it to get us from the cruise ship to our afternoon flight. We really enjoyed their service and would not hesitate to take their longer tour. If I were in your situation I might have them pick me up at the ship and then do their longer tour.

[cruisin0218]

The link for Luxury Tours is

http://www.luxbus.com/

[JPH814]

We have booked http://www.vancouverprivatetours.com for our upcoming trip on July 20.

 

They are picking us up at the ship with luggage at 9:30, taking us around the city and dropping us at our hotel at 5. So far, they have been friendly and easy to work with. They have a full itinerary planned for us.

 

Tell Alfred I recommended him

[Urban trekker]

I second the http://www.luxbus.com recommendation - they are highly rated on trip advisor - One of their drivers Don is a regular in my coffee circle and he is given a high recommendation in one of the reviews near the top of the reviews.

 

He knows his Vancouver stuff - I am a native Vancouverite and he's mentioned things that I wasn't aware off.

 

They will gladly pick you up at the cruise port, give you your tour and then drop you at the airport.

 

Hope this helps.

 

Cheers!

 

Dennis

[cruisin0218]

Yes Don was our tour guide and he was wonderful!

[Cruisingthesuitelife]

I took a private 'tour' with Aerocar recently. In reality it was hiring a car and driver for a set number of hours. The driver picked me up at the hotel and spent 15 minutes off the clock going over where I would like to see. The car was exceedingly comfortable and he had bottled water for me. He was brilliant as we drove along telling me about the history and pointing out pretty much everything there was to see. He was happy to stop when I wanted and got me close to places I wanted to be. He also made suggestions on places he liked so we stopped there too. He dropped me at the airport at the end of the tour.

 

I should point out this was booked 2 hours before the tour start time. I was so impressed with his knowledge and ability to put something together in such a short time that was exactly what I wanted. I took this tour the day after a 4 city tour with Landsea which had been awful due to their driver. However, the pre trip and post trip communication with Landsea has been outstanding and I feel reassured my bad experience was a one off.

Edited July 4, 2015 by Cruisingthesuitelife

[Urban trekker]

"Yes Don was our tour guide and he was wonderful!"

 

I sent Don a link to this thread so he will see you kind words.

 

Have a happy July 4th from all your friends in the true north, strong and free.

 

Cheers!

 

Dennis

[cruisin0218]

Thank you for sending it to him!