Vancouver answers from a Vancouverite

[Putterdude]

Well we certainly hope you have a wonderful time in Vancouver and a terrific cruise.

 

There are no hotels to be had close to Ballantyne pier...it is located in an industrial area (which is a polite way of saying seedy). You would be best to just stay in the downtown area as most hotels will be less than a $10 cab ride from the pier.

[dasey]

Hey Darr83!! I was going to ask a similar question. We are also on the 5/14 sailing of the Star.

 

We have a roll call on the NCL Roll Call boards, please come over and join us!!

 

Thanks to all for your great info!!

[Darr83]

Thanks Putterdude! I am now in research mode for downtown hotels. There is lots of great info on these boards, so I am sure I will find one that suits us fine.

 

I thought I was early in the planning and booking of hotels, shore excursions etc, but found out by reading the boards that I am behind most others in the planning stage. Took me two weeks of research to settle on our shore excursions!

 

Planning is half the fun though!

 

We might even have time for a city tour of Vancouver on the 13th. I will have to start looking into that as well!

 

Thanks again!

 

Darr

[Darr83]

Thanks Dasey! I am working my way down the boards, haven't gotten to the Roll Call ones yet. Heading there now!

 

I at first thought they were for "special" members.

 

Darr

[Putterdude]

I would recommend bidding for a room on Priceline.com, I have shared lots of information about what to do on this thread but if you would like more information please feel free to come back. There is also lots of information re the HOHOs which are likely the best way to see a lot of the city in a short period of time.

[Darr83]

I haven't noticed anyone mention the Sandman Hotel. Is this a decent place to stay?

Rooms are only $110/night, which seems to be the cheapest I can find and still look decent.

 

180 West Georgia Street, Vancouver, BC, CA

 

Thanks again for all the help and info!

[Putterdude]

Not a bad location at all, used to work within a few blocks of it. You can walk to many of the downtown attractions including Canada Place, Gastown, Robson St and alike. The last time that I was in the hotel the rooms were certainly clean but pretty plain vanilla. The there is a Moxies Grill on the main floor for meals. The only negative that I can think of is that the Shark Club, a sports bar, is also on the ground floor and if the Canucks are in the "Cups" this year (and it certainly appears they will) as it is only a few blocks from Rogers Arena, it will be pulsating if you are there on a night of the playoffs.

GO CANUCKS GO!!!!!:D

[Urban trekker]

`` if the Canucks are in the "Cups" this year (and it certainly appears they will``

 

This has been dually noted and has been filed in the memory bank .

 

PD - FYI - noticed yesterday while down at the cauldron that the Cactus Club Cafe are opening a new outlet at the convention center to the left of the cauldron - it will have quite the view of the harbour when completed.

 

Cheers

 

Dennis

[cruisetwocruise1]

Can anyone tell me how much cab fare would be from the train station to Canada place? Also can you suggest a good restaurant within walking distance to the pan pacific?

 

Thanks for your help.

[Putterdude]

Can anyone tell me how much cab fare would be from the train station to Canada place? Also can you suggest a good restaurant within walking distance to the pan pacific?

 

Thanks for your help.

 

It will be in the range of $12 to $15 depending upon traffic. If you can handle all of your own luggage and have reasonable mobility then you could take the SkyTrain from Main St. Station to Waterfront Station at a cost of $2.50 pp. Main St. station is almost in front of the train station and Waterfront station is within 2 blocks of Canada Place.

As for restaurants, there is a good restaurant called the 5 Sails in the Pan Pacific, to the east is Aqua Riva and then in Gastown there is Steamworks and the Water Street Café.

 

http://www.fivesails.ca/

http://www.aquariva.com/

http://www.steamworks.com/

http://www.waterstreetcafevancouver.ca/

[faireygod mother]

We are on the Wonder in August. I believe out of Canada Place.

 

We are a large group with 5 children from 2-15

 

I have researched some of the hotels and budget is a concern.

 

Can you tell me if Georgian Court or Ramada Limited Downtown are good choices and in good and safe locations?

 

 

Also we were thinking of coming via Amtrak. How far is that from downtown?

[Putterdude]

Yes, the Wonder will be using Canada Place. Both hotel locations are fine, the Ramada will put you in a pretty old hotel but closer to Canada Place. The Georgian Court is a little further away from Canada Place but a much nicer hotel. The only reservation I have re the Georgian Court is that it is across the street from BC Place Stadium which is getting a new roof and a major facelift...however, by August most of the work should be indoors. The Amtrak station is only a mile or so out of the downtown area, you could take the SkyTrain from Main Street Station to Stadium Station if you choose the Georgian Court and it would be a short walk to the hotel.

[FamilyOfSix]

So I've been researching hotels on betterbidding.com and the Westin Bayside is coming up frequently. Anyone have any feedback on that hotel? How is the location? We are leaving out of Canada Place. I just can't decide whether it is worth paying the extra money for the Pan Pacific or just risking a 4* bid on priceline.

 

Thanks to everyone on this thread who provides all the great info!!!!!

 

The Marriott Pinacle also comes up frequently for around $80/night http://www.hoteldealsrevealed.com/forum/viewforum.php?f=242

 

I have stayed there and it is a good hotel, brand new. Good location, close to Canada Place. My only disappointment was that the pool was closed during my stay, but they arranged for me to have access to the pool at a hotel across the street.

 

Given the choice between the Marriott Pinacle and the Sandman, I would definitely choose the Pinacle.

 

The Pan is difficult to top, if within your budget. I love sitting in the hot tub on a cold day and watching float planes land in the harbor.

[cruisetwocruise1]

Me and my wife will be on a cruise that leaves out of Canada place.

 

we will be traveling from Seattle via train my ? is will we have to go thru customs again at the pier.

[red knight]

Yes. You will clear Canadian Customs and Immigration when you arrive at the Railway Station. You will then clear US Customs and Immigration at the Pier before boarding the ship.

[tadsmom]

Hi all, First a big thank you for all the info you have provided me so far. After many hours reading and going back and forth with my planning we have finally made reservations at the Pan Pacific for pre cruise and post cruise. I found a decent rate and just could not beat the convenience of this hotel compared to others. I now am wanting to plan out our time in Vancouver and need your help if possible? We arrive at 11:45 am the day before we cruise and are staying one night after our cruise. I want to do some sight seeing and I am not sure what I will be able to squeeze in with the amount of time we have. We are a party of 7 including 3 kids so not sure what to see and do and how to get around in the city. We arrive at the end of June and come back July 5th. Here are some things we would like to see

Stanley Park

Capilano Suspension Bridge

Grouse Mountain

Granville Island

and I am probably missing something but not sure what. Am I crazy? Can we do all of these things in the little time we have? We will only have an afternoon and evening our first day and then a whole day after our cruise. Is transportation easy to find for these places? Is there some kind of touring plan you guys can suggest? I really appreciate any and all advice. Thank you so much

[Dan G]

Hi all, First a big thank you for all the info you have provided me so far. After many hours reading and going back and forth with my planning we have finally made reservations at the Pan Pacific for pre cruise and post cruise. I found a decent rate and just could not beat the convenience of this hotel compared to others. I now am wanting to plan out our time in Vancouver and need your help if possible? We arrive at 11:45 am the day before we cruise and are staying one night after our cruise. I want to do some sight seeing and I am not sure what I will be able to squeeze in with the amount of time we have. We are a party of 7 including 3 kids so not sure what to see and do and how to get around in the city. We arrive at the end of June and come back July 5th. Here are some things we would like to see

Stanley Park

Capilano Suspension Bridge

 

Grouse Mountain

Granville Island

and I am probably missing something but not sure what. Am I crazy? Can we do all of these things in the little time we have? We will only have an afternoon and evening our first day and then a whole day after our cruise. Is transportation easy to find for these places? Is there some kind of touring plan you guys can suggest? I really appreciate any and all advice. Thank you so much

 

 

A city tour using one of the HOHO buses might be easy for you. Most offer a two day ticket. Vancouver trolley is the one I like the best. That would get you around the city and into Stanley Park. Capilano runs a free shuttle from Canada Place to the bridge or if you take Seabus which is close you can take a city bus right to both attractions. Grouse is a nice day trip especially if its clear at nite. I find vancouver city tours a little on the pricey side but the best is

 

landseatours which has been around for yrs. You will have lots of daylight in July. The first day I like to do an overview and on day two would make sense to do the north shore activities.

[tadsmom]

OK I hope I am not being a pain but I just want to make sure I know what I am doing once I get there. The transportation is right at Canada Place? Is it like right in front or a bit of a walk? The day of our arrival should I do the Bridge and Grouse Mountain and then use our whole day for Stanley park and Granville? Sorry for all the questions, thanks for your help. :D

[Urban trekker]

If by transportation you are referring to the HOHO bus - free shuttle to Capilano - they will be parked basically just to the right of the entrance to the hotel.

 

As for Seabus - it runs from Waterfront Station will is accessible from the food court below the Hotel or by walking a short distance to your left and entering thestairwell down to the platform.

 

Your kids - you don`t say the ages - will probably also like Science World - a short bus/rapid transit ride from the hotel.

 

If you want an economical place to take the kids to eat i would suggest the Old Spaghetti Factory in nearby Gastown - try to get to be seated in the old streetcar that ran on your streets up until the 1950`s.

 

BC Happy Girl has a detailed list of what to do and she should be along shortly with the list or scroll back and you should find it listed.

 

Vancouver is well served by transit - you could buy an all day pass for the entire system for Adults $9.00 - not sure of the kids rate -most of the attractions are near transit so that is another possible way to see the City.

 

The Aquarium in Stanley Park is a must for the kids.

 

Hope this helps - sure some of the other locals will be along with there suggestions.

 

Cheers

 

Dennis

[Urban trekker]

Hopefully BC Happy Girl won`t mind but here is a cut and paste of her list of attractions:

 

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 – 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. During the summer months there is a free shuttle bus that you can ride around the park on.

6) Vancouver Aquarium – http://www.wanaqua.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) 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. During the summer months there is a free walking tour of Gas Town for times call 604-683-5650

8) 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.

9) 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!

10) The city of Vancouver has laid out self guided walking tours of 4 distinct historical neighborhoods in Vancouver – Gastown; Chinatown; Yaletown; & Shaughnessy – these walking tours along with a historical introduction to each neighbourhood can be found at http://vancouver.ca/commsvcs/plannin...alks/index.htm

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) 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 Africa, 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

19) 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.

20) 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

21) 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.mintergardens.com

22) Enjoy a FREE walking tour of Vancouver. This 2 hour tour starts in front of the Vancouver Art Gallery and ends at the Steam Clock in Gastown. This tour runs Tuesdays & Saturdays at 1pm and reservations are required. Check it out at http://www.tourguys.ca

 

 

BCHappyGal

 

NOT sure of the links will work - if not - just cut and paste them into your browser

 

Cheers

 

Dennis

[Putterdude]

While I am ordinarily a great fan of the HOHOs, given your time frame and what you want to see they likely would not be practical. I would get the Capilano Suspension Bridge done on the afternoon that you arrive, they are relatively close together. The CSB offers a free shuttle service from in front of the Pan Pacific but the last trip is at 1pm, I will attach a link to the shuttle. When finished at the bridge you can catch a transit bus going to the hill and you will be at the Skyride in about 7.5 mins. If the shuttle is to much hassle than you could walk over to Waterfront Station and catch the SeaBus across the harbor and transfer to a #236 bus which will take you to the CSB.

With that done you could do Granville Island on the morning of your embarkation, it to is quite available by transit....I will attach a link to our transit system.

That would leave you the day you return to take in Stanley Park or take a HOHO, both of them have stops in front of Canada Place which the Pan Pacific forms part of.

You are not likely going to take advantage of an all day pass on transit but some packages of discounted tickets are available at the news shop in Waterfront Station.

 

 

http://www.capbridge.com/plan.php

 

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

http://www.vancouvertrolley.com/

http://www.bigbus.ca/

 

[cruisetwocruise1]

(1)How far is Granville Island from Canada place?

 

(2)How long is Granville open?

 

(3) cab or bus or walk?

 

 

 

Sorry for so many? I will arrive in Vancouver about 12:30 as soon as the train gets there in Vancouver which is I believe 11:45 am so I think. I should be at pan pacific at 12:30 so that gives me some time at the market.

[Putterdude]

Granville Island is about 1.5 miles from Canada Place, elements of it are open into the evening but things start to wind down around 6pm. You can take a transit bus to the island. I am attaching a couple of links for your convenience:

 

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

http://www.granvilleisland.com/en

[cruisetwocruise1]

Thank's, Putterdude

[tadsmom]

Thank you so much! Exactly what I was looking for.

So do you think if our flight arrives at 11:30 am that we could still make it before the 1:00 leaves? Did that make sense? I really am grateful for all your help. :D