***PHOTO Vancouver walking tour & Renaissance Harbourside, pre-cruise (August 2010)

This thread is intended to remain open to your own contributions, so please feel free to add your comments, pictures, experiences and suggestions for future travelers.

I'll start by sharing my own pre-cruise experience in this magnificent Canadian city (cruised Northbound Alaska on Radiance of the Seas; left Vancouver on Friday afternoon, August 27th 2010).

Vancouver, B.C. at night - views to the Canada Place and the Harbour side (Rennaissance located to the left of the image)

Arrived in Vancouver, B.C. late Thursday evening, after 11pm, coming from the Amtrak train station (took the scenic "Cascades" train from Seattle as recommended on this board) on a quick, reasonable taxi ride ($10.0 CAD, tip included; the rail would have been a much cheaper option but it was late at night, to the cab was easier).

As indicated at the time on this board, got an excellent fare for the room on Priceline ($90.00 US plus tax, so a little over $111.00 all together).

Checking in late at night had the advantage of being a fast process (no lines, great service) but at the same time, being past 11pm, they run out of Habor view rooms... so had to settle for a City view hotel room; no big deal as I needed the place only for few hours before embarkation next day.

TIP: If you are using Priceline, note that the hotel confirmation email only says 1 hotel room confirmed; doesn't specify harbor or city view; nor the number of people allowed in one room.

I met a family later that night that was upset as they were caught by surprise at check in: the four of them (parents with 2 kids) could not use one room reserved but rather had to pay for an additional room - they were told at the Reception desk that they have this rule of only up to 2 individuals per room. The good thing was that the Receptionist allowed them to keep the price of the 2nd room at the same fare as the 1st one that was confirmed by Priceline. Merely a note to keep in mind when traveling as a couple with kis or part of a large group to this particular hotel...

Renaissance Harbourside in Vancouver, B.C. (August 26, 2010)

Renaissance Harbourside in Vancouver, B.C. (August 26, 2010)

Renaissance Harbourside in Vancouver, B.C. (August 26, 2010)

The hotel is exactly as advertised minus maybe the 4 stars - not quite there if I have to compare, for example, to our stay at an European four star hotel in Barcelona this past summer, also pre-cruise (cruised Adventure of the Seas at the time)... no bath robes or slippers, no complimentary champagne at the bar or other little nice touches.

However, overall, a nice stay and a great price!

Renaissance Harbourside in Vancouver, B.C. (August 26, 2010)

Renaissance Harbourside in Vancouver, B.C. (August 26, 2010)

Renaissance Harbourside in Vancouver, B.C. (August 26, 2010)

Renaissance Harbourside in Vancouver, B.C. -

balcony view across the street, at Marriott Pinnacle Downtown (August 26, 2010)

The hotel room was spotless and cozy, allowing for an excellent shower (wonderful water pressure) and a much needed sleep before an Alaskan adventure on RCI.

Renaissance Harbourside in Vancouver, B.C. (August 26, 2010)

Renaissance Harbourside in Vancouver, B.C. (August 26, 2010)

Renaissance Harbourside in Vancouver, B.C. (August 26, 2010)

Renaissance Harbourside in Vancouver, B.C. (August 26, 2010)

The hotel rooms are wired-for-business (a fee of $15.95 CAD is charged daily and covers High-speed Internet access, unlimited local and long distance phone calls within Canada).

However, there are two PCs in the Lobby where the Internet access is complimentary with the following friendly reminder:

The LCD TV, sleek furniture and spa bath amenities were nice features.

Renaissance Harbourside in Vancouver, B.C. (August 26, 2010)

The hallways were nicely kept and the elevators were spacious and also spotless:

Renaissance Harbourside in Vancouver, B.C. (August 26, 2010)

I decided for this particular hotel not only because the great deal on the price obtained online, but mostly for its convenient location: it is located on the waterfront in downtown Vancouver, only minutes away from the Canada Place Cruise Ship Terminal, as well as few of the touristic attractions such as historic Gastown and the famous Stanley Park.

At night, the hotel was quite, so you could have used the complimentary internet in the Lobby for as much as you wanted. The bar was empty; same for the new restaurant (p2b bistro & bar featuring a casual-upscale ambiance)...

Renaissance Harbourside in Vancouver, B.C. (August 26, 2010)

Renaissance Harbourside in Vancouver, B.C. (August 26, 2010)

Renaissance Harbourside in Vancouver, B.C. (August 26, 2010)

Renaissance Harbourside in Vancouver, B.C. (August 26, 2010)

After a good night sleep, on Friday morning (Embarkation day!), a complimentary local newspaper was waiting in the front of the hotel room. Easy read with the morning coffee at the hotel's restaurant (charge applies as breakfast is not complimentary).

Renaissance Harbourside in Vancouver, B.C. (August 27, 2010)

You can also enjoy a cup of coffee or tea in your own hotel room while checking out the vista of the city from your balcony (Marriott Pinnacle is located across the street):

Renaissance Harbourside in Vancouver, B.C. (August 27, 2010)

Friday morning seemed to be a brand new, sunny day! So I took a little time to enjoy the views of the city from the balcony before heading out for breakfast (with Marriott Pinnacle and the skyscrapers of the city with by my window):

Renaissance Harbourside in Vancouver, B.C. (August 27, 2010)

After a healthy breakfast, wondered a little inside the hotel before checking out and dropping off the luggage with the bell boy in order to head out to discover the beautiful Vancouver, B.C.!

Renaissance Harbourside in Vancouver, B.C. (August 27, 2010)

Renaissance Harbourside in Vancouver, B.C. (August 27, 2010)

Renaissance Harbourside in Vancouver, B.C. (August 27, 2010)

Renaissance Harbourside in Vancouver, B.C. (August 27, 2010)

Now this was my first time in Vancouver and I will say up front that I did not have any ilusion that few morning hours will make justice to this incredible city (the time pressure was there from the start as Friday was Embarkation day; plus some pictures can't cover the full value to such a fabulous metropolis).

So the options are unlimited: you can use the trolley or the touristic bus, you can book an organized walking tour, rent a car or simply stroll around on your own. The Downtown is walker friendly and the public transportation is also convenient.

One thing to keep in mind: in Vancouver, like in Seattle, the weather can be unpredictible! Woke up on a sunny morning that after breakfast got cloudy, windy and later it was raining...

Not sure if the Fairy from Marriott Pinnacle's shopping window listed to my prayers (across the street from our hotel), but the sail away was glorious that evening: sunny and simply picture perfect (details and visual ads later)!

Bit of a construction around the hotel, towards the Waterfront area (first stop of this walking tour):

Conveniently located close to Vancouver's top attractions and the Cruise Ship Terminal, the Renaissance Vancouver Hotel is the perfect location to start a walking tour on your own!

Despite deciding to walk around, seen the Sightseeing tourist bus all over Downtown Vancouver, tempting us as the transportation link to Vancouver's major attractions (including the world-famous Stanley Park, Granville Island, Downtown, Chinatown, Gastown, Vanier Park, museums, shopping areas and more):

Leaving the construction area behind to get to the first stop as the clouds are gathering by the Waterfron area with its amazing skyscrapers: the Vancouver 2010 Cauldrum Olympic Flame.

2010 Cauldrum Olympic Flame in Vancouver, B.C. (August 27, 2010)

Vancouver is an incredibly vibrant, multicultural city experiencing tremendous growth after the 2010 Winter Olympics.

Next to the 2010 Cauldrum Olympic Flame, by the Waterfront stands the "Digital Orca" - a sculpture that breaks down a 3D Orca whale into cubic pixels - making a familiar symbol of the West Coast become something unexpected and new. This use of natural imagery modified by technology bridges the past to the future.

The "Digital Orca" is a piece of art - a 25-foot sculpture designed by artist Douglas Coupland:

Didn't I just mention the touristic bus being seen ALL OVER the place, especially Downtown Vancouver? Here it is again, few minutes later:

The "competitor," turn-of-the-century style Vancouver trolley, is just few yards away:

In case you forgot where we are at this point, here is a friendly map of the Downtown area:

If you don't see the touristic bus, you certainly can come across the advertising for one! Still, I resist temptation and continue my walk by the Waterfront...

Remaining in the Waterfront area... more skyscrapers with the Vancouver Lookout Tower in the background:

Should I say... yet another touristic bus? Yes, it has a stop right by Canada place, Downtown Vancouver.

Considered one of the world's most livable and beautifully-situated cities, Vancouver offers a wealth of interesting experiences for the curious visitor like myself.

Nesteled into the Pacific shouthwestern corner of Canada, lies the glistening metropolis of Vancouver.

The first stop for anyone coming to Vancouver should be to walk along the spectacular promenade of Canada Place at Waterfront Station.

Canada Place was constructed as the Canadian pavilion for the World Expo 1986 and now it is housing the city's Convention Center.

Mounted on the front of Canada Place, Canada's Storyboard is a 14 x 25 foot LED high definition video screen featuring iconic Canadian content, celebrating the Canadian spirit.

Anchoring the downtown Vancouver waterfront is Canada Place. The brilliant white sails welcome you to experience a taste of Canada on the West Coast.

I was reading somewhere that Canada Place Corporation is undertaking a roof rehabilitation project in 2010/2011 that includes the replacement of the iconic sail fabric

A panoramic image of the visited area:

Walking along the spectacular promenade of Canada Place at Waterfront Station on a cloudy Friday morning, late August 2010:

Canada Place and the Vancouver Docklands (viewed from the Waterfront on August 27, 2010)

Surrounded by rugges snowcapped mountain peaks, lush forests of every shade of green imaginable, and Pacific waters, Vancouver uniquely blends city and nature in splendid harmony.

An unusual sight you will see out on the water is the floating gas stations out in Coal Harbour for pleasure craft. The boats just pull up to the floating gas station just like you do in a car on land and say fill-er-up!

Floatplanes taking off for the wild natural coves of the Inside Passage and helicopters departing for Vancouver Island augment the energetic scene on Friday morning:

Coal Harbour with Vancouver city's skyline and Stanley Park in the background

It's late August and you can see the wonder of Fall colors by the famous Stanley Park and its Brokton Point (seen here from the Waterfront):

The Canada Place Pier is divided into 13 equal sections to represent the 10 provinces and 3 territories.

Located on the Canada Place Pier, the Canadian Trail is a unique walk across Canada, using surface tiles and coloured glass to depict the vast and diverse country that's Canada:

As you stroll along the Canadian Trail, search out familial roots or marvel at some of Canada's uniquely named cities.

A stroll around Canada Place promenade allowed me to take in the beautiful harbor of Burrard Inlet, with its vista of snow-capped mountains, Stanley Park, and the modern glass towers of Coal Harbour nearby.

And suddenly there it was! RCI cruise ship Radiance of the Seas, docked by the Cruise Ship Terminal at Canada Place on a cloudy Friday morning, on August 27th 2010:

Radiance on the Seas in Vancouver, Canada Place (August 27, 2010)

Radiance on the Seas in Vancouver, Canada Place (August 27, 2010)

Supervisor shouting out instructions for last minute construction and other work done aboard the cruise ship Radiance of the Seas:

Radiance on the Seas in Vancouver, Canada Place (August 27, 2010)

In the summertime, cruise ships from the world's major lines dock along the pier at Canada Place en route to Alaska. And Radiance of the Seas was no exception!

Radiance on the Seas in Vancouver, Canada Place (August 27, 2010)

Radiance on the Seas in Vancouver, Canada Place (August 27, 2010)

Canadian Trail - the walk along the spectacular promenade of Canada Place came to an end as I returned to the colorful tiles of some of Canada's uniquely named cities:

Canada Place has the Cruise Ship Terminal by its side.

Radiance on the Seas in Vancouver, Canada Place (August 27, 2010)

Radiance on the Seas in Vancouver, Canada Place (August 27, 2010)

Note that I came across a nice shot from someone taking the same cruise as us, so I thought I'll share it ( source: pocketkk's photostream ):

Radiance of the Seas in Vancouver, B.C. (August 27th 2010, Embarkation day)

"The morning before the cruise started. It rained right after this picture was taken. Poured actually but the shot came out good. Three exposure HDR with levels adjustments in Photoshop."

Daliflor, thanks so much for posting your photos from one of my favorite cities. They brought back wonderful memories. I look forward to walking along that magnificent waterfront again soon.

Daliflor, thanks so much for posting your photos from one of my favorite cities. They brought back wonderful memories. I look forward to walking along that magnificent waterfront again soon.

You're quite welcome! It is a fascinating city and will certainly return one day!

Before heading out to town, I took one more look at the Coal Harbour (a relatively shallow-sided coastal fjord in southwestern British Columbia, Canada) and its Stanley Park and Lions Gate Bridge to see more floatplanes taking off for the wild natural coves of the Inside Passage:

Gastown- where the history of Vancouver began! Located in the north-east corner of downtown, is this historical part of Vancouver known as the birthplace of the city; retains its historic independent spirit and distinctive look.

Daliflor, I have to say you are quite the photo-journalist. I have lived in and around Vancouver for all of my 65 years and worked in downtown Vancouver for more than 40 years....your photos photos have really caught the essence of what Vancouver is all about. It is almost enough to have me move home.;) Great work...and thanks for sharing your talent with us.:)

A late morning healthy snack came out unexpectedly in Downtown as they were offering complimentary granola bars in the street; so got some more energy to ascend Harbour Centre to reach the Observation deck of the Vancouver Lookout Tower (my next stop as the rain started outside):

Vancouver Lookout Tower - next stop of this tour; reasonable entrance fee (also purchased a nice photo booklet with panoramic views of the city)

Took the 40 sec elevator ride up to the Observation deck of the Tower:

Vancouver - view from the glass elevator of the Lookout Tower (August 27, 2010)