Taxi and Liquor Store CAD or US Dollars

[runner2013]

Hi all, 

We have an Alaska trip booked May of 2023. We're flying in the day before, staying at a hotel near the airport. (We're coming from the U.S. and our flight options don't have us arriving until later in the evening, so an airport hotel is easier for us.) We'll be going to the liquor store to purchase wine to bring onboard, and having the hotel call us a taxi to get to the port. Should we plan on paying for the wine and taxi in CAD or U.S. dollars? Is the taxi a 'fixed' price or just whatever the meter runs to? We are planning on bringing some CAD and want to make sure we have enough. 

Also, if we get room service while on the ship, we usually tip a few dollars, should that be done in U.S or CAD?

Thanks in advance for the help

 

[cruiseryyc]

Use a credit or debit card for both the taxi and liquor - you'll get a much better exchange rate than converting USD into CDN cash.

 

Tips onboard can be USD.

[Heidi13]

9 hours ago, runner2013 said:

Hi all, 

We have an Alaska trip booked May of 2023. We're flying in the day before, staying at a hotel near the airport. (We're coming from the U.S. and our flight options don't have us arriving until later in the evening, so an airport hotel is easier for us.) We'll be going to the liquor store to purchase wine to bring onboard, and having the hotel call us a taxi to get to the port. Should we plan on paying for the wine and taxi in CAD or U.S. dollars? Is the taxi a 'fixed' price or just whatever the meter runs to? We are planning on bringing some CAD and want to make sure we have enough. 

Also, if we get room service while on the ship, we usually tip a few dollars, should that be done in U.S or CAD?

Thanks in advance for the help

 

 

Departing from the airport to Canada Place, the taxi is a fixed rate. However, if you call a taxi to your airport hotel, assuming it isn't the Fairmont at YVR, the taxi fare will be as per the meter. If the airport has a free shuttle, you can take that back to the airport to get a taxi, if you prefer the fixed rate.

 

I suggest paying for both the taxi and wine by credit card, requesting they charge you in Canadian Dollars and let your card provider do the exchange.

[martincath]

I'll third the 'just use Credit card' for cab and booze' and onboard definitely use USD (crew can exchange currencies, but it's an extra hassle for them and you really have no need for CAD given just a short overnight precruise).

 

Cab rates might increase before May - right now from YVR to the pier is fixed at CAD$38, metered would depend on which hotel, traffic en route, but it's very unlikely to go higher than $50 if your hotel is in Richmond near YVR... but a few 'airport' hotels can be quite far off, so check Google maps for driving distance to the pier (999 Canada Place) on Taxi Fare Finder - as all aspects of the rate except time are set here by law, the estimates are very accurate.

[runner2013]

Thanks everyone for the tip about the credit card. Never even thought of that. 

We're thinking the Abercorn hotel in Richmond, hopefully that will keep us under the $50.00 range. 

Should we also tell the front desk when they call to let the taxi company know we will be using a credit card to pay? 

Patty

[cruiseryyc]

4 hours ago, runner2013 said:

 

Should we also tell the front desk when they call to let the taxi company know we will be using a credit card to pay? 

 

Wouldn't bother, don't know of any taxi cabs that don't have the ability to use credit cards.  Quite frankly not many people carry cash anymore!

[em-sk]

On 12/27/2022 at 4:20 AM, runner2013 said:

Thanks everyone for the tip about the credit card. Never even thought of that. 

We're thinking the Abercorn hotel in Richmond, hopefully that will keep us under the $50.00 range. 

Should we also tell the front desk when they call to let the taxi company know we will be using a credit card to pay? 

Patty

 

The two wine/lquor stores that are within walking distance to your hotel are around a 10 minute walk.  They are going to be fairly small retail locations with some selection but not a lost of speciality items. 

 

JAK'S Beer Wine Spirits  at 8555 Sea Island Way #135, Richmond, BC V6X 0A8

    and

Bridgeport Liquor Store at 3031 Beckman Pl, Richmond, BC V6X 3R2

 

If you want to get a felling for what is offered, they have an online shopping option at https://www.jaks.com/

 

If you want a larger selection your going to want to go over to a BC Liquor store or get a hotel near one.

 

Yes, I would do credit cards.  You can also do Uber if that is an option your comfortable with. 

 

 

 

 

Edited December 31, 2022 by em-sk

[dilbertsdaddy]

On 12/31/2022 at 3:48 AM, em-sk said:

 

The two wine/lquor stores that are within walking distance to your hotel are around a 10 minute walk.  They are going to be fairly small retail locations with some selection but not a lost of speciality items. 

 

JAK'S Beer Wine Spirits  at 8555 Sea Island Way #135, Richmond, BC V6X 0A8

    and

Bridgeport Liquor Store at 3031 Beckman Pl, Richmond, BC V6X 3R2

 

If you want to get a felling for what is offered, they have an online shopping option at https://www.jaks.com/

 

If you want a larger selection your going to want to go over to a BC Liquor store or get a hotel near one.

 

Yes, I would do credit cards.  You can also do Uber if that is an option your comfortable with. 

 

 

 

 

Any suggestions for buying wine downtown?

[martincath]

1 hour ago, dilbertsdaddy said:

Any suggestions for buying wine downtown?

BC Liquor store - there's a Signature (wider selection, more high end stuff) at Alberni & Bute that might be very convenient for some hotels; the one under the Harbour Centre which is the closest to the pier; and for a few hotels the Yaletown store (very small) may be your nearest. All show product stock levels online which are usually very accurate.

 

Unless you are picky about labels and cannot find what you want in BCL, avoid private stores are they are more expensive.

[em-sk]

8 hours ago, dilbertsdaddy said:

Any suggestions for buying wine downtown?

 

I like the Robson Wine & Spirits store.  That said it is a slightly more expensive.

 

As martincath said, the BC Liquor Stores generally have a very good selection and are usually the best deal in town.

[dilbertsdaddy]

On 1/27/2023 at 4:34 PM, martincath said:

BC Liquor store - there's a Signature (wider selection, more high end stuff) at Alberni & Bute that might be very convenient for some hotels; the one under the Harbour Centre which is the closest to the pier; and for a few hotels the Yaletown store (very small) may be your nearest. All show product stock levels online which are usually very accurate.

 

Unless you are picky about labels and cannot find what you want in BCL, avoid private stores are they are more expensive.

yaletown location very close to my hotel - perfect.

 

Thanks much!

[runner2013]

Hi all, 

So, we've decided to stay at the Loden hotel now since it's closer to the port, liquor stores, and restaurants. Any suggestions for a restaurant within walking distance that isn't a 'typical' burger type place, and a liquor store with a varied wine selection. On the map I see Earls Kitchen, Joey Bentall One, or Showcase Restaurant. If all goes will with the flights, we should be at the hotel between 530-600pm.

Thanks

Edited January 29, 2023 by runner2013

[martincath]

52 minutes ago, runner2013 said:

Hi all, 

So, we've decided to stay at the Loden hotel now since it's closer to the port, liquor stores, and restaurants. Any suggestions for a restaurant within walking distance that isn't a 'typical' burger type place, and a liquor store with a varied wine selection.

From that hotel I'd head to Forage - tasty locavore spot, game meats, not cheap but good value for the quality. Booze-wise there's a private store super close (Coal Harbour Liquor) but the Signature BC Liquor store I linked earlier is only a block further and can easily be walked past on the way to or from the resto...