**** Vancouver FAQ Thread **** A few updates in main post!

[bumbershoot]

I guess July is a expensive month to travel

Absolutely. Right in the middle of summer. Gorgeous weather in the Pacific NW, the most likely to NOT have grey drizzle all the time. Right in the middle of Alaska cruising season as well. Pretty much peak travel time for that area!


I get that Pan Pacific is much desired because it's right there, but downtown Vancouver is wonderful and close together and taxis are very reasonable, and there's no reason to ONLY stay at the Pan.

 

[linetbo]

Absolutely. Right in the middle of summer. Gorgeous weather in the Pacific NW, the most likely to NOT have grey drizzle all the time. Right in the middle of Alaska cruising season as well. Pretty much peak travel time for that area!


I get that Pan Pacific is much desired because it's right there, but downtown Vancouver is wonderful and close together and taxis are very reasonable, and there's no reason to ONLY stay at the Pan.

I guess its better to save that money for cruise excursions. I am paying no more than $300 per night.

 

[canadiandisneycruise]

If you have a larger family, consider the Delta hotel. They have family suites to fit up to six! We just couldn't justify paying for two rooms at the Pan Pacific. It's not far- we walked to the dock with our luggage. Another family sent one member in a taxi and walked. We felt very safe!

It was also quick & easy to take the train back to the airport. A taxi was faster, but it was very inexpensive for our whole family to take it- I think only $10!

 

[mollyclairesmom]

We are staying a couple of blocks from Canada Place. What would be the best place nearby to pick up some wine for our carry-on?

 

[bliscum]

Ask the hotel. There is a liquor store not far from there where you can buy. I can not remember the name of the street.

 

[xlxo]

We are staying a couple of blocks from Canada Place. What would be the best place nearby to pick up some wine for our carry-on?

Which direction? Which hotel?

• There are several private liquor stores around downtown.
• For better pricing look for "BC Liquor" stores that are operated by the government.
• For better selection, look for the "signature" stores. The only downtown store is Alberni & Bute.
• For best pricing? Consider getting it at your duty free stores on the flight or driving across the border.

 

[mollyclairesmom]

Which direction? Which hotel?


[*]There are several private liquor stores around downtown.
[*]For better pricing look for "BC Liquor" stores that are operated by the government.
[*]For better selection, look for the "signature" stores. The only downtown store is Alberni & Bute.
[*]For best pricing? Consider getting it at your duty free stores on the flight or driving across the border.

Thanks! I totally forgot about the possibility of the duty free stores.

 

[Debbie]

Absolutely. Right in the middle of summer. Gorgeous weather in the Pacific NW, the most likely to NOT have grey drizzle all the time. Right in the middle of Alaska cruising season as well. Pretty much peak travel time for that area!


I get that Pan Pacific is much desired because it's right there, but downtown Vancouver is wonderful and close together and taxis are very reasonable, and there's no reason to ONLY stay at the Pan.

Got mine this year through Hotwire.com Paid less than $200 a night.

Ask the hotel. There is a liquor store not far from there where you can buy. I can not remember the name of the street.

DH and I walked to one of the downtown towers and there was a BC liquor store right there. (Can't remember the name of the tower, but it was about 2, maybe 3 blocks from the Pan Pacific.)

 

[xlxo]

DH and I walked to one of the downtown towers and there was a BC liquor store right there. (Can't remember the name of the tower, but it was about 2, maybe 3 blocks from the Pan Pacific.)

You likely went East towards Gastown....The tower is likely the "LookOut". One of the tourist attractions observation decks. Open til 6pm Monday to Saturday... with Sunday closed all day.
https://maps.google.com/maps?saddr=...AbUQ;FXIH8AIdXnip-A&dirflg=w&mra=ltm&t=m&z=18

A little further is to go South West towards Robson. The Alberni & Bute signature BC Liquor location is open to 11pm Monday to Saturday with Sunday hours til 6pm.
https://maps.google.com/maps?saddr=...nXgHGGVDHqUQfNL-Thzw&dirflg=w&mra=ls&t=m&z=16

 

[Debbie]

You likely went East towards Gastown....The tower is likely the "LookOut". One of the tourist attractions observation decks. Open til 6pm Monday to Saturday... with Sunday closed all day.
https://maps.google.com/maps?saddr=...AbUQ;FXIH8AIdXnip-A&dirflg=w&mra=ltm&t=m&z=18

That's it!

 

[Donald & Daisy Duck]

need to subscribe to this to help plan my alaska 2015 trip

 

[8timesblessed]

I'm thinking of taking my 3 younger kids on the San Diego to Vancouver cruise. We did our first cruise in May on the Fantasy and had a great time. We will fly down and do LEGOLAND and Disneyland. My husband and other kids want to pick us up in Vancouver (we live in WA) but haven't been up to Canada for a long time. We own at ClubIntrawest and I think they have a hotel in Vancouver that my husband could stay at the night before so they can tour the city before we arrive the next morning.

What are the must see things to do for kids 11-16?? We thought of doing the DVC Alaska cruise but our older kids aren't out of school yet. Plus it was a lot more for our family of 10.

 

[bumbershoot]

We thought of doing the DVC Alaska cruise but our older kids aren't out of school yet. Plus it was a lot more for our family of 10.

Why not one of the regular alaska cruises, not the special one? Assuming you bought direct you can still use your points. I mean, it's definitely going to be more than the repo cruise, and I might be reading you wrong, but did you look at the other Alaska cruises?


It seems we never do anything exciting when we visit cities, so I'm no help there, LOL. We just wander and see things, and I'm too nervous for a suspension bridge or skiing or anything, so we just enjoy the downtown. The aquarium, while expensive, is very nice.

 

[linetbo]

Where can I buy some snacks and water near the Shangri la Hotel? Thanks!

 

[xlxo]

You have several options

• 7-Eleven South-East corner of hotel
• Robson street has a few grocers, cafe's and AYCE eats. Many restaurants to choose for more than "snacks". You can never go hungry along Robson
• There's a IGA grocer a few blocks south
• Costco is a short walk or ride away if you want to seriously load up water and snacks pre-cruise before the Alaskan mines. How much space do you have in your cabin?

 

[linetbo]

You have several options
-7 eleven South-East corner of hotel
-robson street has a few grocers, cafe's and AYCE eats. Many restaurants to choose for more than "snacks"
-there's a IGA grocer a few blocks south
-Costco is a short drive/cab ride away if you want to seriously load up snacks pre-cruise before the Alaskan mines

Thank you so much!

 

[xlxo]

Just updated my previous posts with Google Map links for you to get a idea of distance to each suggestion.

Love those Costco $1.50 hot dogs. Love the $1.50 polish dogs even more.

You might even want to check out the Japadog that started in Vancouver and can be found in other US cities. During the Olympics people would wait 2hrs for a snack.

 

[xlxo]

I'm thinking of taking my 3 younger kids on the San Diego to Vancouver cruise. ..... We own at ClubIntrawest and I think they have a hotel in Vancouver that my husband could stay at the night before so they can tour the city before we arrive the next morning.

What are the must see things to do for kids 11-16?? We thought of doing the DVC Alaska cruise but our older kids aren't out of school yet. Plus it was a lot more for our family of 10.

Hmm... Club Intrawest appears to be the Sheralton Wall Centre (or close to it).

As mentioned before, Vancouver is much larger than all the Alaskan ports combined. You can spend a month there. Some ideas....

• http://www.tourismvancouver.com/do/...ttractions/10-vancouver-must-see-attractions/
• http://www.vancouverattractions.com/
• http://vancouver.about.com/od/historylandmarks/tp/toptenattractions.htm
• http://vancouver.about.com/od/sportsrecreation/tp/freethingstodo.htm

Sign up for a tour if time is limited to get to know the city better.

 

[linetbo]

WHERE CAN I FOUND BRITISH CHOCOLATE IN Vancouver?

 

[xlxo]

Hmm.... Doing a quick google...

• There's a British Store in Surrey... http://thebritishstore.ca
• Downtown has the candy aisle... http://www.candyaisle.com

Might want to call ahead to double-check if they have what you want.

Otherwise.... do visit one of Vancouver's specialty chocolate providers...
http://www.insidevancouver.ca/2011/02/12/top-5-vancouver-chocolatiers-boutique-chocolate-shops/

Have you heard about Mink chocolates near the cruise ship terminal?
http://www.westender.com/eat-drink/...late-wins-world-s-top-chocolate-bar-1.1344959