Alberta Quilter

I renewed Jan 14/22 (expiry was in May/22) and just checked the status. I'm still waiting for conditional approval... Fortunately, I have time to wait as we have no plans to leave Canada this year.

The Fairmont Waterfront bell staff will also take one's luggage to the longshoremen. Other hotels that are recommended on CC are the Blue Horizon, and the YWCA hotel. I've booked (and cancelled so have yet to stay there) the Auberge Vancouver which is a couple of blocks away from Canada Place. It was significantly less expensive for their top room than the room I would book at the Pan Pacific.

I was concerned about him and his wife when I saw the news reports of the storm damage in Rodanthe, North Carolina . But I think he is farther south than that. Glad to hear they're well.

Or they're starting to assign cabins for the people who booked guarantees.

I was on one Dam ship (may have been the Zaandam but can't remember for sure) many years ago in an OV with one of those old hair dryers mounted on the bathroom wall. We also had a handheld hair dryer in the room. You should be fine.

It was VERY wet and heavy but is mostly gone now. In fact, outside my neighbourhood, the snow is gone. The roads are bare and dry again. So, again, I think if it happens this time next year, it will be manageable for you, given you do have experience with driving in snowy conditions.

You do not "need" a cruise package. All it really is is a group of amenities bundled together for a higher price. But as pointed out in my earlier posts, you can get free wifi by joining the loyalty program, you might be able to book the luggage service on your own (I just don't know if that has changed in recent years) and you can buy breakfast on your own, either at the same restaurant or at Timmie's across the street (or elsewhere). It really depends on how much you value the convenience of them doing it for you and if you're willing to pay for it.

I didn't word my question very well at all but thank you both for your views on SkyTrain safety. What I really meant to ask was more about the walk from the SkyTrain station to the hotel (any hotel), while schlepping luggage. I personally would always choose a taxi but that's more because I'm usually travelling with someone who is somewhat mobility impaired and there is no way I can handle her luggage in addition to my own on a train. And that's no matter what time of day. We need easy travel, particularly after a long travel day.

You go down the main elevator, from your room, to the hotel lobby, walk around a corner to the elevator to the cruise ship level and then it's a few hundred metres to the terminal; it's a bit of a roundabout route as you'll need to stay on the pathway (sidewalk?) to avoid vehicles dropping off/picking up passengers. The menu is at this link: https://www.panpacific.com/en/hotels-and-resorts/pp-vancouver/dining/oceans-999.html Ranges from $21 - $27 for breakfast entrees. But you could go across the street (underground) to the little food court and go to Tim Horton's for a bagel/muffin/donut. That would be a lot less expensive! Not as good, mind you.

The cruise package booked through the hotel only includes breakfast, not dinner. https://www.panpacific.com/en/hotels-and-resorts/pp-vancouver/offers/alaska-cruise-package.html I can't speak to the hotel package booked through HAL but you should be able to arrange for the luggage service yourself. It's been awhile since I've done this but I recall calling the bell desk to make the arrangement and providing a tip for the service. We had to be in the room when the luggage was picked up so they could ask questions, particularly about keeping your important documents out of the luggage they're taking. The one time I had the hotel cruise package, the breakfast was a buffet but that looks like it's changed now, probably due to Covid. I would look at the menu and see if the higher cost of the promotion is worth the meal to you. They also no longer allow for late checkout which came in handy on a three ship day. The free wifi can be had if you join the Pan Pacific loyalty program. And anyone can use the elevator to the cruise ship level. I did the cruise promo once and found the extra cost wasn't worth it for us. I've stayed there a few more times but without the package. YMMV

This is my view this morning, May 9/22: