DogLover

On 4/30/2024 at 8:03 AM, yolotraveler said:

Looking to book flights for our Sept. cruise out of Vancouver. Many options are given for flights on WESTJET. We have no knowledge of or experience with this airline. Any advice or information would be greatly appreciated. 

 

We're flying Westjet for the first time Phoenix to Vancouver on Friday 5/3. As @rrrrtt mentioned, we booked several months ago using Delta SkyPesos for 12,500 miles pp plus minimal taxes (one way.) Other than Air Canada & Westjet, there are no carriers that operate nonstops from PHX. We were able to purchase extra comfort seats (although not Premium due to being a codeshare booking.) Our snowbird friends that live in Calgary rave about Westjet. I'll come back and let ya know how it goes 🙂

One thing consistent about Celebrity is ... inconsistency in their marketing information. 😉 As
@wrk2cruise mentioned, Celebrity has now classified all aft facing Sky suites as "Sunset."

@Baynanno1, I totally agree that previously, Celebrity had the regular Sky suite category (S2) and then S1 were the corner aft suites. Apparently that has changed and the four staterooms I mentioned are now classified as Sunset Sky Suites. If one looks at the deck plan for the Solstice, it mirrors that of the Equinox showing 3 Sky suite designations, SS, S1 and AS (Aqua Sky suites) on Deck 12. Not at all trying to be argumentative and we are truly looking forward to our return visit to Alaska.🥰

5 hours ago, Baynanno1 said:

2153 is a Sky Suite, not a Sunset Sky Suite

With all due respect, 2153 is classified as a Sunset Sky suite on the Solstice deck plan along with 2155, 2150 and 2148. We will be in 2148 on our May 6th Solstice Alaska cruise and the stateroom is a Sunset Sky Suite.

29 minutes ago, behtyas said:

Just in case someone else has similar questions - I did end up receiving the unsuccessful email a bit later today. Ah well, perfectly happy with booked room!

Sorry the Move up didn't work out ... hope you have an awesome cruise all the same!

https://claalaska.com/?page_id=1551

This link is for the port schedule Alaska 2024. Click on the port name and then look on the calendar for the date your ship will visit. You will see a berth code ... the main page has a link to all the berth codes. To the best of my knowledge, the majority of ships use the out of town dock in Sitka, now called Sitka Sound Cruise Terminal https://www.sitkadock.com/ . We'll be there on May 8th (Celebrity Solstice) so I'll try to remember to report our experience when we return from our trip.

3 hours ago, suzyluvs2cruise said:

We both have Global Entry and will be flying from YVR to LAX. What clearance do we need to do at Vancouver airport? 

Vancouver has US Customs and Border Patrol Preclearance for flights to the US. With your Global Entry, there will be dedicated lines for such. You will clear US Customs and go to a specific part of the airport (called the Transborder terminal) for US flight departures.

1 hour ago, zitsky said:

I went to change my password. And saw the (new) website.

 

i get it.  It’s cute.  It’s fun.  It’s energetic.  But it gives me a headache with the zoom zoom fast changing video every two seconds.  Am I just too old?

Yes, we are "too old" and totally removed from the demographic that Celebrity is trying to attract. The ZOOM, ZOOM, ZOOM on the homepage is truly awful - makes me dizzy.🤢 UGH!

It's truly a dice roll. There are many factors that affect prices - you didn't mention ship or itinerary so ??? In my not so humble opinion, if you find an itinerary that interests you for dates that fit your schedule, book and don't look back. Life is too short for coulda, woulda, shoulda.

Good luck with whatever you decide.

Landsea Tours offers post cruise options - pick up at port, luggage stays with you on tour and drop off at the airport when the tour concludes. Perhaps the Highlights tour with a visit to Capilano Suspension Bridge would be of interest as a first timer to Vancouver.

Here is their website: https://vancouvertours.com/

• Ship:  Solstice
• Length of Cruise: 6 nights
• Cruise Sail Date: May 6, 2024
• Date email offer received: Don't recall exactly, probably 2 weeks ago
• Captain’s Club Tier: Elite +
• Booked through Celebrity Direct OR via TA: With Celebrity
• Current Cabin: Prime Aqua class - aft cabin (only available on the Solstice)
• Bid?  Yes/No:Yes

If YES -  Bidding Details: We placed minimum bids for Sunset Sky Suite ($700pp), Celebrity Suite ($900pp) and Royal Suite ($1000pp.) After placing bids, immediately received an email for each category saying "You've been outbid" and giving us the opportunity (gee, thanks) to increase our bid. We decided to cancel all bids. Checked two days later and wal-lah, bid thresholds had come down substantially for all categories except Celebrity suite. We therefore placed a low ball bid on a Royal ($500pp) and Sunset Sky Suite ($350pp)

• Cabin Category: Sunset Sky Suite
• Bid Offer: $350pp
• Notification Date: April 4, 2024
• Accepted / Rejected   Accepted

General Comments (offer details, etc.) Suite availability (according to mock booking) was wide open at the time of our original bid - 5 Royals, 8 Celebrity and 12 Sunset Sky's open. There were also 8 Aqua Class Sky Suites but we didn't bid as those are located directly under Ocean View Cafe. Our Royal suite bid "expired" and the Sunset Sky went pending. Had no expectation of winning a bid, but were pleasantly surprised. That said, we're really turned off by the baloney "You've been outbid" emails. Love, love, love Alaska and look forward to a return visit on the Solstice!

Hey @Georgia_Peaches - as @dcbiker97 mentioned, there is a setting to make sure the glass goes opaque so privacy is maintained. You will LOVE the Signature Suite ... hope y'all have an awesome cruise! 🥰

The Signature Suites on the Reflection are wonderful, no noise at all and a lovely private hallway to access with easy coffee at the Spa Cafe. We sailed in one March 2022 and LOVED it - one of our favorite suites on any ship. Highly recommend!

Larry's Limos are an excellent option ... have used them many times.

https://larryslimo.com/

4 hours ago, Kevin's girl said:

If we were to book the 1:30 flight, the connection will be in Chicago and only a 40 minute connection time. O'Hare had been our return airport for over 20 years and I know it is usual to spend 15-45 minutes holding on a taxi way waiting for our gate to open. If that were to happen on this flight we would miss our connection and not be back to the Indianapolis area until the next day.

I think we will do a pre-booked limo and self disembark as soon as we can. We will have our happy little faces in a waiting line for Canada Customs as soon as they come on duty, the hustle to YVR and get through Security and US Customs as quickly as we can. Fingers crossed for success.

Fingers, toes and paws crossed you will have no problem with the 11:40 departure!

On 3/14/2024 at 9:52 PM, Urban trekker said:

One thing - you mentioned you are sailing the first weekend of May - is that the May 3- 5 weekend.

If so that the weekend that the Vancouver International Marathon and over 18,000 runners will converge on Canada Place to pick up their race kits etc. and then on the morning of May 5 will finish the race just to the west of Canada Place.

We are departing May 6th on the Celebrity Solstice from Canada Place and booked the Marriott Pinnacle Downtown to be in close proximity the prior weekend. From the BMO Marathon website, it looks at though the entire area around the hotel will be taken over for the weekend.

Should we consider staying elsewhere? We've been to Vancouver MANY times both for cruising and long weekend getaways and don't "need" to be in the center of the action. Actually, we were hoping to do the Sea to Sky Gondola since it's been out of service due to the sabotages when we were last in town. That said, not even sure if we could get the shuttle with road closures on May 5th.

Any and all feedback from locals welcomed!

Since you don't mention your date of arrival, I would check to see how many ships are in port for your debarkation date .... that could make a huge difference. We have done several cruises from YVR and wouldn't even consider a flight before noon, especially with multiple ships.

https://claalaska.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/VAN-Vancouver-2024.pdf

Vancouver has US Customs Preclearance for outbound flights to the US so you will not need to clear in Seattle. Your arrival there should be seamless, the same as a domestic connection.

https://www.cbp.gov/travel/preclearance

We have used Infinity Transportation and highly recommend. Their website mentions they will provide car seats if requested.

https://www.infinity-transportation.com/about-us/why-choose-us/

44 minutes ago, SC LTC said:

Thank you for the info, which is cheaper taxi, Uber or Seattle express?

I don't use Uber but believe there's a way to check rates on the app. World Taxi Meter (dot) com shows the approximate fare for a taxi from Pier 91 to Seatac at $60 - that could vary depending on traffic conditions and number of passengers. From Pier 66 to Seatac quotes $49. Seattle Express quotes $27 per person for one way shuttle.

Landsea tours has some great options for you which will include loading your luggage on the bus and then drop off at the airport. Check them out:

https://vancouvertours.com/

Another vote for Seattle Express. Highly recommend ... prompt and reasonable.

https://seattleexpress.com/cruise-ship-transfers/

@AKJonesymade excellent recommendations. We spent multiple days in Girdwood several years ago and hit all of their highlights. The Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center is a must for sure. Mt Alyeska tram is a gorgeous ride with views and short hikes. The Girdwood Bake Shop can't be missed as their homemade soups are delicious. (Chair 5 restaurant had awesome pizza, if that's your thing.)A stop at the Portage Glacier Begich Boggs visitor center is also great for glacier viewing and short yet informative exhibits.

We have sailed in a Signature Suite in the past which included the same benefits as a Royal (two bottles of spirits and unlimted specialty restaurants.)

On our recent Silhouette cruise (December 2023) we went to the future cruise desk inquiring about a Reflection sailing for December 2024. The future cruise desk rep told us the Signature Suites no longer have unlimited specialty dining nor the two bottles of spirits. Those amenities are limited to Royal Suites and above.

The Signature Suites are awesome with their own hallway, high ceilings and a two room suite so close to the Spa Cafe. That said, with the current price point and reduced amenities, the value is lessened.

TSA Precheck is a program available in the US. It has no relevance for a departure from Canada.

That said, several airports in Canada have Preclearance offered by US Customs and Border Patrol, including Vancouver. Once cleared, your arrival in the US will be treated similar to a "domestic" flight.

Hope this helps ... safe travels.

Another vote for Larry's Limos. We have used them MANY times for transportation needs throughout South Florida. Give them a call: https://www.larryslimo.com/index.html