Fl cruiser 2012 Posted August 28, 2018 #1 Share Posted August 28, 2018 We are doing an Alaska cruise going out of Vancouver. We have about 3-5 days pre cruise and I'm having a hard time deciding whether to fly to Seattle, do some sight seeing and take the train to Vancouver, or go straight to Vancouver and spend out time there. We have never been to either place and there is a minimal cost difference either way. Any suggestions are welcomed, also reconditions on things to do. TIA Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare GeezerCouple Posted August 28, 2018 #2 Share Posted August 28, 2018 We are doing an Alaska cruise going out of Vancouver. We have about 3-5 days pre cruise and I'm having a hard time deciding whether to fly to Seattle, do some sight seeing and take the train to Vancouver, or go straight to Vancouver and spend out time there. We have never been to either place and there is a minimal cost difference either way. Any suggestions are welcomed, also reconditions on things to do. TIA You are flying quite a distance if from Florida. Have you considered spending about 3 days in advance in one city, and 3 days after in the other city? Or are you doing a one-way and ending in Alaska? GC Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Langley Cruisers Posted August 28, 2018 #3 Share Posted August 28, 2018 If you have 3 - 5 days, you can certainly spend time in both beautiful, amazing cities. Yes, the train is wonderful, very scenic. There are countless threads on what to do in both cities further down this board, or you can use the Search function.:) There is also lots of info on the West Coast Departure board. https://boards.cruisecritic.com/forumdisplay.php?f=413 <--click here . Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare martincath Posted August 28, 2018 #4 Share Posted August 28, 2018 Hmmmm - if you are correct about the price difference being minimal, there's absolutely zero debate about this. Vancouver is better than Seattle by every single remotely-verifiable and not-locally-biased-to-the-USA standard. Google the best city to live in or visit by any remotely-well-known-international organization - it will turn up Vancouver, Vancouver, or Vancouver every single time as the winner on the continent! Even many US-based organizations acknowledge we are nicer to stay in than any US city, so don't waste your time south of the border, hie thee to Vancouver ASAP - even if Seattle were just as good, you can go visit there in future without customs & immigration to worry about;-) Of course just because Vancouver is the best does not mean that Seattle or other cities are not worth visiting - there's plenty of good museums, sights, restos to see in Seattle, even if it ain't as good as New York or Chicago or San Diego or any large Canadian city - for the OPs question, it just sucks relatively, in comparison to Vancouver (speaking as someone familiar with the entire PNW). So if you can get here without spending much more cash, you'll have a nicer time sticking to just Vancouver on your 3-5 day stay; - though I'd say that if you can swing flights into SEA at similar cost you can probably manage to do the best of Seattle for a day or so before heading up to Van and more 'good stuff' overall... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AmberCascades Posted August 28, 2018 #5 Share Posted August 28, 2018 We enjoyed our one day in Seattle, but we've been to Vancouver 3 times and we always find something different to do. I vote for Vancouver! :) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
baadbee Posted August 29, 2018 #6 Share Posted August 29, 2018 I currently live in Seattle (well the suburbs) and previously lived in Vancouver, and yes, definitely, Vancouver is the more scenic city. Seattle is a perfectly fine place but Vancouver is one of the most beautiful you'll find anywhere in the world. For Americans it also provides that international feeling, in a very safe and convenient, same language sort of way. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wgeo Posted September 3, 2018 #7 Share Posted September 3, 2018 We've never been to either Seattle or Vancouver and we're also flying from FL. We're Southwest fliers so it is much cheaper to fly into Seattle - and we figured we may as well get over any jet lag in Seattle. So we're going to spend a few nights in Seattle just to see it and then train to Vancouver and spend time there before the cruise. Based on all the things there are to do, I could imagine us some day returning to Vancouver to spend a longer amount of time, but see Seattle as more of a one and done visit. I know we won't be able to see everything, but imagine that everything that we do have time to do will be lots of fun. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AlanF65 Posted September 6, 2018 #8 Share Posted September 6, 2018 (edited) I am doing a Vancouver to Alaska to Seattle next year. I am thinking of parking in Seattle, taking the ferry to Victoria and staying at the empress, touring Victoria, then ferry to Vancouver either the day of the cruise or the day before and visit Vancouver. I won't know until I know how much free time I have before the cruise. Otherwise I am flying to Vancouver and touring Vancouver for a few days. I think I would rather see Vancouver than Seattle although there are a few things I would want to see in Seattle I will do it another time. The train ride sounds like a great trip. Edited September 6, 2018 by AlanF65 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CVU Posted September 6, 2018 #9 Share Posted September 6, 2018 I am doing a Vancouver to Alaska to Seattle next year. I am thinking of parking in Seattle, taking the ferry to Victoria and staying at the empress, touring Victoria, then ferry to Vancouver either the day of the cruise or the day before and visit Vancouver. I won't know until I know how much free time I have before the cruise. Otherwise I am flying to Vancouver and touring Vancouver for a few days. I think I would rather see Vancouver than Seattle although there are a few things I would want to see in Seattle I will do it another time. The train ride sounds like a great trip. The ferry the day of the cruise can be risky at times. We had a few cancellations this summer due to mechanical issues. Wind can affect the running of them too, is there is a storm. The ferry ride is about 1 1/2 hr and add travel time to and from the ferry terminals and being there early to buy your walk on ticket etc. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare GeezerCouple Posted September 6, 2018 #10 Share Posted September 6, 2018 I am doing a Vancouver to Alaska to Seattle next year. I am thinking of parking in Seattle, taking the ferry to Victoria and staying at the empress, touring Victoria, then ferry to Vancouver either the day of the cruise or the day before and visit Vancouver. I won't know until I know how much free time I have before the cruise. Otherwise I am flying to Vancouver and touring Vancouver for a few days. I think I would rather see Vancouver than Seattle although there are a few things I would want to see in Seattle I will do it another time. The train ride sounds like a great trip. We are planning to do this in reverse this coming spring, after a conference in Vancouver. We'll fly to Vancouver, "do" the conference, and then we plan to take the ferry to Victoria and stay at the Empress (something long on our list!), and then take the other ferry to Seattle. It will be extra nice, given that this trip otherwise wouldn't include any cruise at all :eek: GC Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AlanF65 Posted September 7, 2018 #11 Share Posted September 7, 2018 We are planning to do this in reverse this coming spring, after a conference in Vancouver. We'll fly to Vancouver, "do" the conference, and then we plan to take the ferry to Victoria and stay at the Empress (something long on our list!), and then take the other ferry to Seattle. It will be extra nice, given that this trip otherwise wouldn't include any cruise at all :eek: GC Is your cruise Seattle to Alaska with a stop in Victoria on the way back or Vancouver to Alaska returning to Seattle or one way to Alaska? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cheryl H Posted September 9, 2018 #12 Share Posted September 9, 2018 Our first trip to Alaska, we had a northbound cruise out of Vancouver, but we flew to Seattle first and took the Clipper ferry to Victoria (because Southwest to Seattle was less costly for us). We spent a couple nights at the Magnolia in Victoria and loved our visit. Then we flew Harbour Air from Victoria to Vancouver. We paid for an extra seat since we were over the luggage limit. However, they were kind enough to refund the extra seat and send our suitcases on earlier flights that morning. The luggage was waiting for us when we arrived. Harbour Air transferred us to the ship with their free shuttle. However, if I had it all to do over again, I'm not sure I'd do the ferry. It was very choppy and a few were sick on the ride. We are planning our third trip. We stayed at the Pan Pacific in Vancouver our last trip and are planning to stay there again. You could do a day trip to Victoria, or take the free shuttle to Capilano Suspension Bridge, take the horse drawn trolley through Stanley Park, etc. There's so much to do in Vancouver. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Buckeye10640 Posted September 14, 2018 #13 Share Posted September 14, 2018 I cant speak to Seattle....never been there. But we just spent 2 nights in Vancouver post cruise and LOVED it. I wish we had spent a few more nights. Sent from my SM-G955U using Forums mobile app Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sir John Posted September 15, 2018 #14 Share Posted September 15, 2018 Hi, I have been giving tours of Vancouver and area Including Victoria to friends I have met on my own cruises. I would be more than happy to show you around. I have lived and worked in Vancouver since the seventies. Please feel free to contact me to answer any questions and help to plan your visit. Sir John. 604-856-1000 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
xlxo Posted September 16, 2018 #15 Share Posted September 16, 2018 You need three or more days in Vancouver... Day 1: Land and hotel check-in.... adjust to new time zone Day 2: Grouse and Capilano. Fly over Canada in the evening Day 3: Hop on Shuttle with Gastown, Stanley Park, and Granville Island Day 4: if you have time.... Victoria day trip Day 5: if you have time.... Whistler day trip Day 6: if you have time.... Vanduzen, Queen Elizabeth Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cannockfrodo Posted September 25, 2018 #16 Share Posted September 25, 2018 Hi, I have been giving tours of Vancouver and area Including Victoria to friends I have met on my own cruises. I would be more than happy to show you around. I have lived and worked in Vancouver since the seventies.Please feel free to contact me to answer any questions and help to plan your visit. Sir John. 604-856-1000 Hi, Sir John. We’re visiting in June 19 and have 2/3 days to fill before we embark the QE. It’ll be our first visit to Canada and we’ve been told there are so many things in Vancouver that we “have” to see we fear not making the most of the time we have. If your available and willing to help out 2 middle age Brits could you mail me on.....martin18363@hotmail.com Hoping we can sort something out. All the best. Sent from my iPad using Forums Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cannockfrodo Posted September 25, 2018 #17 Share Posted September 25, 2018 Sir John I got it wrong we’re in Vancouver on May 21/22 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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