Vancouver answers from a Vancouverite

I arrive May 9th to Vancouver via the Noordam. 3 ships will be in port that day. The question: Will it be too busy to leave Canada Place for a few hours? The ship (I'm on a B2B) sails at 5pm so I would like to be onboard at 3pm. I was at Canada Place 2 years ago but don't remember how many ships were there that day.

 

TIA. :)

Not at all; you'll be fine to explore in the city for a few hours.

Not at all; you'll be fine to explore in the city for a few hours.

Excellent, thanks! :)

No, you'll be fine. The start is nowhere near downtown, and the end is a number of blocks NW of Canada place.

 

Which line are you coming from?

Canada Line: exit using the exit right on the platform marked "Way Out - Granville Street", don't go down the tunnel into Waterfront Stn itself. From there, turn left on W.Hastings, right on Howe and Canada Place is dead ahead of you. This makes the walk shorter, and slightly downhill vs exiting via the main Station itself.

 

Expo/Millennium Line: turn left off the train (signs to Waterfront Centre/Sinclair Centre/Canada Place) up a short escalator, turn right up a longer escalator and Canada Place is dead ahead.

Thanks. Yes I'll be on the Canada line and since I'll have my mom with us the shorter the better. I've always done the tunnel as that's all I was familiar with. Will definitely try it as you suggest.

We will be at Pan Pacific after our cruise. How do we get to Canana Line to the airport from the hotel. Thank you

We will be at Pan Pacific after our cruise. How do we get to Canana Line to the airport from the hotel. Thank you

Exit the hotel, turn to your left and walk one block ahead to Cordova Street past all the lined up taxis, turn left on Cordova St walk a block and a half and it's the large brick building on your left with the big T on the street outside.

You will pass a tempting looking entrance marked "Waterfront" just 1/2 block from Canada Place, but don't use it. It leads to the wrong set [Expo/Millennium line] of tracks; and while you could go down there, and drag your bags along the wrong platform back up into the main station, that route involves stairs, and makes the whole trip further. In cruise season hardly a day goes by where I don't point out to people on the street that the Howe street entrance near Canada Place is not what you want to get to the airport

Exit the hotel, turn to your left and walk one block ahead to Cordova Street past all the lined up taxis, turn left on Cordova St walk a block and a half and it's the large brick building on your left with the big T on the street outside.

 

You will pass a tempting looking entrance marked "Waterfront" just 1/2 block from Canada Place, but don't use it. It leads to the wrong set [Expo/Millennium line] of tracks; and while you could go down there, and drag your bags along the wrong platform back up into the main station, that route involves stairs, and makes the whole trip further. In cruise season hardly a day goes by where I don't point out to people on the street that the Howe street entrance near Canada Place is not what you want to get to the airport

Thank you so much for your guidance and help. It is really appreciated. Will follow your instructions.

Meenu

Whether it was Capilano (convenient 'free' shuttle included in the ~$30pp entrance fee) or Lynn Canyon (free, but lengthy by Transit if you don't hire a car) I simply can't recommend visiting either bridge if you aren't confident you can handle wobbly bridges. Without the bridges, you don't really get much more of an experience than you would in Stanley Park, which has plenty of big trees and quiet areas you can just about escape from the rest of humanity (or at least pretend to for a little bit).

 

I always recommend people have a Plan B focused on indoor options - it rains here a lot, and while we've had three very sunny summers in a row it just takes one day of rain on the day you allocated to sightseeing to put the proverbial damper on things. Should the weather cooperate, which it probably will July/August, then if you get through your Plan A things quicker than expected you can also hit your Plan Bs - you don't have to wait for a rainy day to enjoy the Aquarium, Science World, our various Museums or Galleries.

 

 

 

If you're biking, a great shortcut is to take the ferry across False Creek south of Stanley Park - that gets you over to the Granville Island & then Kitsilano sections of the Seawall without going all the way around the shore. Even if you want to see Science World or the Athlete's Village, you can always cycle one way and ferry the other.

 

Aquabus have dedicated 'cyquabus' boats that you can roll your bikes on and off very easily, but False Creek Ferries go right to the Maritime Museum - personally I'd opt for the latter as it cuts even more distance off on one leg, and the views back across to downtown from the seawall near Vanier Park (where you can also do the Space Centre and City of Vancouver Museum, plus Bard on the Beach if you're a Shakespeare buff) are great.

 

Here's a Google Map showing what I mean about the distances - if you take the ferry you go from A to B via E, instead of the entire loop via B & C. There are nice views, and some of the best patios in the city, along the south shore of the creek though so it is worth doing one way - especially if you want to see our Olympic legacy, as the village is the biggest part of it. Hinge Park (locally more often referred to as Beer Island) is worth wandering onto - entirely man-made, but very natural-looking, to replace the shoreline that was lost when the village was built (the original waterfront was under the Salt building, which now houses Craft an Albertan alehouse which I do NOT recommend - hit the Tap & Barrel across the square for bigger and better value beers as well as better food and the best patio).

Hello. Me again. I was hoping you could help me with one more thing please. I know you had said about Granville island and taking a ferry. I have been looking at different things on that. Where would we catch the ferry staying at the hampton on Robson. Also is it worth going over there. I was looking at the information on the market and it sounds interesting. Thanks again for your help.

There is a ferry that a loop around False Creek . Here is a link to the ferry

http://Www.grandvilleislandferries.ca

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There is a ferry that a loop around False Creek . Here is a link to the ferry

 

http://Www.grandvilleislandferries.ca

 

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Thank you. I have tried to pull that link up but it says it is not available. Is it worth the time? How long does it take by ferry?

That URL is incorrect - they've never owned .com and granville is mispelled. Try the real False Creek Ferries site (they rebranded a long time ago, but kept the website) here. Either them or Aquabus will get you over to GI from the same docks near the Hampton.

The closest one to walk to would be the Plaza of Nations, but it's a lot harder to find than the next-closest, the Yaletown dock at the foot of Davie so I'd actually recommend the latter. It's not only visible without having to loop around the stadium then find your way to the back of the casino, but it's cheaper and faster on the ferry - two fewer stops.

From the Hampton, walk this way - you can take either ferry, but the docks on GI itself make the Aquabus slightly more convenient (they're right behind the Public Market rather than around the corner a hundred yards or so).

You answered your own question about whether it's worthwhile when you said you'd looked at the market website and found it interesting! In addition to that, there are brewpubs, theatres, and many other small artisanal stores scattered around GI. It's one of the most popular attractions in town - so if you have a choice when to go, I suggest going in the afternoon to avoid all the pre/post cruise bus tours that stop there. It will be a bit quieter and easy to move around.

That URL is incorrect - they've never owned .com and granville is mispelled. Try the real False Creek Ferries site (they rebranded a long time ago, but kept the website) here. Either them or Aquabus will get you over to GI from the same docks near the Hampton.

 

The closest one to walk to would be the Plaza of Nations, but it's a lot harder to find than the next-closest, the Yaletown dock at the foot of Davie so I'd actually recommend the latter. It's not only visible without having to loop around the stadium then find your way to the back of the casino, but it's cheaper and faster on the ferry - two fewer stops.

 

From the Hampton, walk this way - you can take either ferry, but the docks on GI itself make the Aquabus slightly more convenient (they're right behind the Public Market rather than around the corner a hundred yards or so).

 

You answered your own question about whether it's worthwhile when you said you'd looked at the market website and found it interesting! In addition to that, there are brewpubs, theatres, and many other small artisanal stores scattered around GI. It's one of the most popular attractions in town - so if you have a choice when to go, I suggest going in the afternoon to avoid all the pre/post cruise bus tours that stop there. It will be a bit quieter and easy to move around.

Thanks again so much. I knew you would come through for me once again. I really do owe you a beer or two now.

Vancouver looks so nice, I wish I was gong to have more time there to explore. Thanks again.

Does anyone have a suggestion on what to do in Victoria for the day. We will be there May 1 for all day.

Does anyone have a suggestion on what to do in Victoria for the day. We will be there May 1 for all day.

Butchart Gardens, Whale watching, Royal BC Museum, Parliament Buildings, Empress Hotel, Beacon Hill Park, are a few things to cover in Victoria. It depends on what type of excursion you wish to do.

Walk around the town and stroll out inner harbour. We also have small water taxis that can take you around. Google these to get a idea or reply back with what you are interested in and maybe i can give you some more suggestions.

Greg

BTW I will be in Long Beach on the 29th of April aboard the Grand Princess. Planning on Queen Mary, Aquarium of the pacific or the USS Iowa tour. What's your suggestion we like to view exhibits.

While all of the above suggestions have merit, please use one of the many Victoria/Long Beach threads to continue any discussions folks - given how traumatic many find Searching on these boards already, diluting a thread specifically about Vancouver with other cities is not helping other folks find info down the line.

While we've certainly had a few 'Whistler/Victoria for the day' discussions as part of extended Vancouver stay info requests I've been really impressed how little this long-running thread has deviated from its core topic.

Hobbes67 - there are many threads about Victoria on the Canada and Alaska boards as well as this West Coast board. If Search doesn't work for you, simply scroll down the threads and look for titles with Victoria in them. You can also use Google very easily to search within the site, just by adding the statement site:cruisecritic.com to the search box with your chosen terms. This then also allows you to use Googles tools like searching by date range to restrict to just recent information - but a suggestion that if you're searching for Victoria, be sure to add -cunard as well so that most of the hits aren't about the Cunard vessel Victoria!

I will be staying at the Best Western Plus on Drake Street. Is there a Catholic Church in that area?

There are two Catholic churches in the downtown area, Guardian Angles and Holy Rosary Cathedral. Here is a link the to the Archdiocese of Vancouver and if you click on the churches I have mentioned you will find a map of their location and mass times.

http://rcav.org/parishes-list/

There are two Catholic churches in the downtown area, Guardian Angles and Holy Rosary Cathedral.

http://www.holyrosarycathedral.org/

https://www.google.ca/maps/dir/Best+Western+Plus+Downtown+Vancouver,+Drake+Street,+Vancouver,+BC/Holy+Rosary+Cathedral,+Vancouver,+BC/@49.2786721,-123.1259096,16z/data=!3m1!4b1!4m14!4m13!1m5!1m1!1s0x548673d3eef57463:0xcafea48d68adf803!2m2!1d-123.128043!2d49.276118!1m5!1m1!1s0x5486717ed3076e97:0xf1e573c29920d81c!2m2!1d-123.114528!2d49.281929!3e2

Where can we catch a ferry to Grandville Island from the an Pacific hotel? Is it a walkable distance or to we need to catch a cab. Thanks.

Where can we catch a ferry to Grandville Island from the an Pacific hotel? Is it a walkable distance or to we need to catch a cab. Thanks.

Granville Island is not really an island, it's connected by a little causeway, and it very close to downtown. Easy to do by bus ($2.75) from Waterfront Stn (2 blocks from the Pan Pacific):

https://www.google.ca/maps/dir/Pan+Pacific+Vancouver,+Suite+300-999+Canada+Place,+Vancouver,+BC+V6C+3B5/Granville+Island,+1661+Duranleau+Street,+Vancouver,+BC+V6H+3S3/@49.2773601,-123.1354934,15z/data=!3m1!4b1!4m14!4m13!1m5!1m1!1s0x54867182daa3cfd7:0x511bd0c9c1bbc59e!2m2!1d-123.1129!2d49.287989!1m5!1m1!1s0x548673cf08e95f9d:0x8e6f8a7cd2a23563!2m2!1d-123.13535!2d49.272714!3e3

While you could take a taxi, traffic is always bad getting in/out of Granville Island.

I would go to the Holy Rosary Cathedral given the choice...

http://www.holyrosarycathedral.org/

https://www.google.ca/maps/dir/Best+Western+Plus+Downtown+Vancouver,+Drake+Street,+Vancouver,+BC/Holy+Rosary+Cathedral,+Vancouver,+BC/@49.2786721,-123.1259096,16z/data=!3m1!4b1!4m14!4m13!1m5!1m1!1s0x548673d3eef57463:0xcafea48d68adf803!2m2!1d-123.128043!2d49.276118!1m5!1m1!1s0x5486717ed3076e97:0xf1e573c29920d81c!2m2!1d-123.114528!2d49.281929!3e2

Thank you very much. I had done a search on the churches, but had been unable to figure out the locations in relation to our hotel...the map you supplied is excellent!!!!

Where can we catch a ferry to Grandville Island from the an Pacific hotel? Is it a walkable distance or to we need to catch a cab. Thanks.

Granville Island is not really an island, it's connected by a little causeway, and it very close to downtown. Easy to do by bus ($2.75) from Waterfront Stn (2 blocks from the Pan Pacific):

 

https://www.google.ca/maps/dir/Pan+Pacific+Vancouver,+Suite+300-999+Canada+Place,+Vancouver,+BC+V6C+3B5/Granville+Island,+1661+Duranleau+Street,+Vancouver,+BC+V6H+3S3/@49.2773601,-123.1354934,15z/data=!3m1!4b1!4m14!4m13!1m5!1m1!1s0x54867182daa3cfd7:0x511bd0c9c1bbc59e!2m2!1d-123.1129!2d49.287989!1m5!1m1!1s0x548673cf08e95f9d:0x8e6f8a7cd2a23563!2m2!1d-123.13535!2d49.272714!3e3

 

While you could take a taxi, traffic is always bad getting in/out of Granville Island.

Does anyone know of a good hairdresser for ladies haircut and colour in downtown Vancouver?

Have a week in Vancouver before cruise and would to get a new cut and colour (live in a small country town and there is the option of two hairstyles in town... Either everyone has the same short hair style or everyone has the same long hair style (which is basically the short style but longer!!)

Would love a fresh new stylish cut and a new fashionable colour.

Thank you.

Does anyone know of a good hairdresser for ladies haircut and colour in downtown Vancouver?

 

Have a week in Vancouver before cruise and would to get a new cut and colour (live in a small country town and there is the option of two hairstyles in town... Either everyone has the same short hair style or everyone has the same long hair style (which is basically the short style but longer!!)

 

Would love a fresh new stylish cut and a new fashionable colour.

 

Thank you.

There are lot of hairdressers in Vancouver. I don't know what you pay at home. You'll get sticker fright when you see prices in Vancouver. Expect to pay at least $200 for what you if not more.

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Does anyone know of a good hairdresser for ladies haircut and colour in downtown Vancouver?

 

Have a week in Vancouver before cruise and would to get a new cut and colour (live in a small country town and there is the option of two hairstyles in town... Either everyone has the same short hair style or everyone has the same long hair style (which is basically the short style but longer!!)

 

Would love a fresh new stylish cut and a new fashionable colour.

 

Thank you.

I can only recommend my wife's stylist second-hand (Zone on Homer) and only for cuts - she doesn't use colouring services - and K50's not misleading you on the price warning. Unless you find a Groupon offer, the downtown places tend to be fancy and those with websites giving prices start at about the $150 mark for cut'n'colour combo from anyone above apprentice. It's common to be offered 'free' booze in downtown salons which might be enjoyable for you, but the other perks like free 'maintenance' trips between big visits aren't going to be of any use to you.

If you're willing to try a walk-in salon in Chinatown, prices plummet rapidly ($20 for women's cuts, $40 for colour) but the issue would be communication - I've been to the same barber for a buzz cut over 30 times now and our conversations still consist of "Hi - how are you - number 3?" "I'm good, still number 3, how are you?" "Good" *bzzzzzzzzzzzz* "OK?" "OK" "$10 please" "Here's $12, see you next month." Neither his English nor my Cantonese is up to much more and the first few visits involved much holding up of fingers to confirm which blade guard length...

If you'd be happy bringing in some photos of what you might like, or leafing through magazines and pointing at celebrities, you could probably get a cut & colour plus mani-pedi for a hundred bucks in any one of a dozen or more little salons around Keefer & Main.

HAIRSTYLIST SCHOOL at 111 Water St -Aveda Institute. It is close to cruise terminal. Had many ppl comment good about this place...and its cheap.

You can look up on Yelp.ca for reviews of salons, downtown Vancouver.