First time poster - Volendam questions

[Jaberwocky]

Hello Everyone! I have been reading the boards for almost a year, and now that my Alaskan Cruise on the Volendam is almost here, I still have a few questions. I have learned so much from all of you, and appreciate your regular postings.
This is our first cruise on Holland America and first to Alaska. We are in our early 50's and newly retired. Here are my questions.

1. We are listed for early seating, but would prefer AYW Dining. When we booked our cruise that wasn't even an option yet. Do you think we have a good chance of switching our dining reservations once we board the ship?

2. We will be flying in to Vancouver a day ahead of our cruise departure. We arrive in Vancouver at 10:30 a.m. What would be the best way to get downtown after we check in to our hotel - the Fairmont Vancouver Airport? Any suggestions on what to see during our Saturday afternoon visit, which we know will be too brief!?

3. Does anyone have any idea what time we might plan to get to the pier? We are using HAL transportation from the hotel, which includes a 3 hour tour of the city.

4. When we arrive in Anchorage at the end of our trip, we will have some time to sight-see before our 11pm flight home. We are using HAL transportation from Seward, and I think we will be dropped off at the Eagan Center downtown. I have read that there may be a restaurant that will pick us up there, along with our luggage, allow us to have dinner at the restaurant and then take us to the airport. Does anyone know any details about this?

Thanks so much for all your help. I hope this isn't too long - I'm a retired English teacher and tend to be a little "wordy" sometimes!

[Krazy Kruizers]

Once you are on the ship you can talk to the dining room manger about wanting to switch to the AYWD. There shouldn't be a problem doing this.

The airport hotel in Vancouver -- you should check at the front desk or concierge to see what tours are available through them. Your hotel is not near downtown and would a taxi -- which could be a problem -- we have never stayed that far out of Vancouver. Traffic can be a real problem there at time.

You can arrive at the pier anytime after 11 AM. You may want to drop off you luggage and then walk into Gas Light District - it's an easy walk from Canada Place.

Sorry can't help you with #4. I do know that HAL tours do drop off people at the Egan Center in Anchorage.

[cf_chuck]

1. We are listed for early seating, but would prefer AYW Dining. When we booked our cruise that wasn't even an option yet. Do you think we have a good chance of switching our dining reservations once we board the ship?


As KK stated, there is a good chance of being accommodated in open seating by talking with the DR manager. But, you can also try calling HAL directly now and asking for the change to be made. They might not be able to help, but if they can, you've saved yourself some time aboard for doing more fun things. At least, they will have a record of your request in the system. Enjoy the cruise and welcome to HAL.

[cp556]

Welcome to HAL and Welcome to CC!

Hope you enjoy your cruise!

[Krazy Kruizers]

Oh - I am sorry -- I didn't realize you had just joined.

Welcome to Cruise Critic and the HAL section.

[kirin]

Hello Everyone! I have been reading the boards for almost a year, and now that my Alaskan Cruise on the Volendam is almost here, I still have a few questions. I have learned so much from all of you, and appreciate your regular postings.
This is our first cruise on Holland America and first to Alaska. We are in our early 50's and newly retired. Here are my questions.

1. We are listed for early seating, but would prefer AYW Dining. When we booked our cruise that wasn't even an option yet. Do you think we have a good chance of switching our dining reservations once we board the ship?

2. We will be flying in to Vancouver a day ahead of our cruise departure. We arrive in Vancouver at 10:30 a.m. What would be the best way to get downtown after we check in to our hotel - the Fairmont Vancouver Airport? Any suggestions on what to see during our Saturday afternoon visit, which we know will be too brief!?

3. Does anyone have any idea what time we might plan to get to the pier? We are using HAL transportation from the hotel, which includes a 3 hour tour of the city.

4. When we arrive in Anchorage at the end of our trip, we will have some time to sight-see before our 11pm flight home. We are using HAL transportation from Seward, and I think we will be dropped off at the Eagan Center downtown. I have read that there may be a restaurant that will pick us up there, along with our luggage, allow us to have dinner at the restaurant and then take us to the airport. Does anyone know any details about this?

Thanks so much for all your help. I hope this isn't too long - I'm a retired English teacher and tend to be a little "wordy" sometimes!

I was on the Volendam in Alaska in May for 2 weeks, out of Vancouver.

1. On the afternoon of embarkation day, I went to the dining room and changed from fixed seating to AYW without any problem.

2. I stayed at the Fairmont at the airport for one night on my way home. It is built over the airline terminals. If you go to the first floor, you are in the terminals and by exiting, you will find transporatation into "town." The Airporter bus was $13.50 per person, with several stops in the city. A taxi would be around $30 - $35, depending upon traffic and the tip. (Based on my experience of going back to the airport, post-cruise.)

For sightseeing in Vancouver, I used the "Hop-on, Hop-Off" bus. If you do not get off, the full circuit is about an hour and a half, covering many interesting areas in Vancouver (with recorded narration explaining the history of the area). You can, of course, get off where you choose and spend time where you wish and then board another bus that stops. They stop at intervals of about 15 minutes.

I boarded in front of the Pan Pacific Hotel, where I was staying, but there are other stops where you can purchase a ticket.

May I suggest that you visit the "Ports of Call" board and check out the Canada board. There is thread there "Vancouver info if needed" that is long, but excellent. There are a few Vancouver posters who kindly respond to any and all questions. It was of enormous help when I was planning my time in that lovely city. As of tonight, the thread was on the second page; last post June 23.

I'm sorry I cannot help you with your other questions, as my travel arrangements were different.

The Volendam is a lovely ship with a wonderful crew. I hope you will enjoy your experience as much as I did.

Kate

[Jaberwocky]

Thanks to all who responded to my post. We are SOOOOOO ready to be on the ship. A week from now we should be headed out of Vancouver. Thanks again for all the help.