Vancouver Info if needed

[herdingdogmom]

It is important to note that only the CAD is legal tender in in Canada. However, as a courtesy to our American cousins business in Vancouver and Victoria will generally accept USD. However, they will almost invariably do a conversion and give change in CAD, very few keep a USD till. You are not going to get the full exchange rate on the USD as the business has to go to the bank, stand in line and then pay what ever the exchange rate is and any foreign transaction fee that the bank may level.

 

With US credit cards. You really need to check with your card issuer as to how they calculate their exchange rate and do they add a foreign transaction fee. Credit Cards are can be extremely useful and convenient but they come with a cost.

 

Another question about CAD. I will be in Vancouver for just a few hours before getting on the ship and heading back home to the Pacific Coast. I have USD and my credit card charges high F/X rates. I only need $40 to $50 CAD for my taxi from YVR to Canada Place, a couple of bottles of water at the airport 7/11 and maybe a ticket to Fly Over Canada.

 

I was going to go with the local exchange rate for my few transactions, but I'm wondering if I should seek out an ATM when I get to YVR. Is there a bank ATM at the airport?

[lovetochill]

We'll be arriving in Vancouver on a Saturday morning and will be taking the train to Seattle that afternoon at 5:35. How early should we get to the train station? We'll use the HOHO to see the sites of Vancouver until then. Does anyone have a suggestion as to where we can store our bags until we leave for the train?

 

Have you been on the train before? I've done the journey on that Amtrak train a couple of times. I'd recommend when you check in, asking for seats on the right hand side as it travels south, to get the best coastal views.

Taxi's available outside the station at Seattle. Seattle station is beautiful. Take a few minutes to take in the architecture inside, before rushing outside.

[xlxo]

Another question about CAD. I will be in Vancouver for just a few hours before getting on the ship and heading back home to the Pacific Coast. I have USD and my credit card charges high F/X rates. I only need $40 to $50 CAD for my taxi from YVR to Canada Place, a couple of bottles of water at the airport 7/11 and maybe a ticket to Fly Over Canada.

 

I was going to go with the local exchange rate for my few transactions, but I'm wondering if I should seek out an ATM when I get to YVR. Is there a bank ATM at the airport?

I would just use your credit card for those expenses.

• http://www.yvr.ca/en/shopping-dining-services/banking-currency-exchange.aspx
  

How high is your credit card surcharge? With the currency collapse, I think you will still be ahead.

[Urban trekker]

I second the comments about the train ride - I will be taking that ride in just over two weeks - do you have coach or business class tickets.

 

If business class you will clear US Customs and be able to board the train first.

 

Enjoy the train ride

 

Cheers!

 

Dennis

[martincath]

Another question about CAD. I will be in Vancouver for just a few hours before getting on the ship and heading back home to the Pacific Coast. I have USD and my credit card charges high F/X rates. I only need $40 to $50 CAD for my taxi from YVR to Canada Place, a couple of bottles of water at the airport 7/11 and maybe a ticket to Fly Over Canada.

 

I was going to go with the local exchange rate for my few transactions, but I'm wondering if I should seek out an ATM when I get to YVR. Is there a bank ATM at the airport?

I'm with xlxo on this one - even if your CC has a ludicrous FTF of 5% it will be cheaper to run a couple of transactions than to pay an ATM fee for ~CAN$75 withdrawal.

 

There is a branch of RBC at the airport, and many ICE currency exchange kiosks - for small amounts the latter may also be better value than paying an ATM fee.

[herdingdogmom]

I'm with xlxo on this one - even if your CC has a ludicrous FTF of 5% it will be cheaper to run a couple of transactions than to pay an ATM fee for ~CAN$75 withdrawal.

 

There is a branch of RBC at the airport, and many ICE currency exchange kiosks - for small amounts the latter may also be better value than paying an ATM fee.

 

Thanks to you both for the helpful information. I'll look into what the fees are at the currency exchange options. Credit card is certainly easiest. I'll look to see if I have a card that has lower fees than my Bank of America card.

[Cruisin' Lisa]

Hubby and I went on an Alaskan cruise last year departing from Vancouver and we bought 10 faresaver tickets, of which we still have 6 left. The tickets DON'T have an expiration date, correct?

 

We will again be in Vancouver Sept 18 and I just wanted to verify that we can still use our remaining tickets this year? (I thought I read that the fare system for the Skytrain would be changing in the near future, and faresaver tickets will no longer be valid?)

 

Also confirming that the Skytrain fare after 6:30 pm M-F and all day Sat/ Sun -- still just uses one "single zone" ticket?

 

Secondly, we will be staying at the "Hotel near River Rock", which is next to the Bridgeport skytrain station. Any Chinese restaurants very close by (eg walkable) that you would recommend?

 

Thanks for the information.

[martincath]

Hubby and I went on an Alaskan cruise last year departing from Vancouver and we bought 10 faresaver tickets' date=' of which we still have 6 left. The tickets DON'T have an expiration date, correct?

 

We will again be in Vancouver Sept 18 and I just wanted to verify that we can still use our remaining tickets this year? (I thought I read that the fare system for the Skytrain would be changing in the near future, and faresaver tickets will no longer be valid?)

 

Also confirming that the Skytrain fare after 6:30 pm M-F and all day Sat/ Sun -- still just uses one "single zone" ticket?

 

Secondly, we will be staying at the "Hotel near River Rock", which is next to the Bridgeport skytrain station. Any Chinese restaurants very close by (eg walkable) that you would recommend?

 

Thanks for the information.[/quote']

You can use your tix just fine (answered in more detail on your other thread), but remember your hotel is across a zone boundary from downtown so unless you're here on a weekend you'll have to upgrade your tickets on the platform to come downtown during the day - back in the evening, after 6:30pm is indeed still the cutoff for 'all zones are one'

 

As to a good Chinese within walking distance - I'd suggest the Richmond Night Market, just around the back of the casino/hotel complex. Unlike the other market, which had some major damage in the recent windstorm, this one is still operating - wander, browse, buy and eat lots of little nibbles.

 

If you really want a sit-down, then there's Sea Harbour on-site (NB: I cannot recommend in good conscience as I have a friend who is a manager at RR, so I'm just making you aware that they won't poison you and they are super-close!) but if you don't mind walking a mile or a little more you can get to a clump of good restos around YaoHan & Aberdeen Centres area, like Dinesty Dumplings or Fisherman's Terrace. You could also use any leftover time on your transit tickets to take Skytrain to Aberdeen Station and cut out the walk one way at least...

[xlxo]

Hubby and I went on an Alaskan cruise last year departing from Vancouver and we bought 10 faresaver tickets' date=' of which we still have 6 left. The tickets DON'T have an expiration date, correct?

 

We will again be in Vancouver Sept 18 and I just wanted to verify that we can still use our remaining tickets this year? (I thought I read that the fare system for the Skytrain would be changing in the near future, and faresaver tickets will no longer be valid?)

 

Also confirming that the Skytrain fare after 6:30 pm M-F and all day Sat/ Sun -- still just uses one "single zone" ticket?

 

Secondly, we will be staying at the "Hotel near River Rock", which is next to the Bridgeport skytrain station. Any Chinese restaurants very close by (eg walkable) that you would recommend?

 

Thanks for the information.[/quote']Yes to all your questions about those old faresaver tickets... I've used faresaver tickets that were over 10 years old... drivers look at you funny when you show it to them. Some drivers will take them from you and issue you a ticket as if you paid in cash.

 

The tickets are likely going to be good for a few more years.... it's unclear the impact on the new Compass system at this time.

 

Chinese? Love Sea Harbour next to the lobby of your hotel. They are rated highly on the Chinese Restaurant awards website. I had a multi-course king crab dinner there (hope there is at least 6 of you in group). The thing is the crabs are presented to you live.... not like the frozen stuff in Alaska. Go there for Dim Sum (High tea Asian style). Warning.... that place is premium priced.

http://www.seaharbour.com/en/index.html

 

If you are budget oriented.... walk into the casino food court and look for the Chinese Noodle Shop. I love the peppered beef rice noodle stir fry. When I can't find parking in Richmond for a weekend lunch.... the casino Noodle Shop is one of my fav places to go.

http://www.riverrock.com/dining/food-court/

[Italy52]

Can anyone tell me if there will be major events planned for end of June to first week of July 2016 in Vancouver? Last year we encountered FIFA during our June stay.

 

I tried to check a couple of event calendars and the dates don't go out that far.

[martincath]

Can anyone tell me if there will be major events planned for end of June to first week of July 2016 in Vancouver? Last year we encountered FIFA during our June stay.

 

I tried to check a couple of event calendars and the dates don't go out that far.

Canada Day will always be in that timeframe (July 1st, I simply can't imagine ever changing a national holiday!) and events tend to be focused around areas that cruisers cannot help but be in (Canada Place and immediate environs, although the parade is late in the day and the fireworks long after any ship except a fancy multiple-day stay vessel like The World would be hanging around). Most folks look on this as a net positive though - who doesn't love fireworks & parades!?

 

Major international events like world cups are well publicized years in advance; what you might need to find are larger local events that repeat about the same time each year - i.e. if anything other than FIFA annoyed you during your last stay, assume it will occur close to that time again next year - but these tend to have very localized impact areas, so unless you want to attend them or do other stuff very close by they can happen without you even noticing.

 

Examples include the Dragonboat Festival - that's been the second-last weekend in June for the last 3 years so next year prob the same, June 18-19 (even if it slides to 25-26 June and you're in town, while it's a nightmare around the Athletes Village part of the Seawall it doesn't cause much impact beyond ScienceWorld or Cambie Bridge).

 

Car Free Days is usually the same weekend as Dragonboats - some neighbourhoods do Saturday, some Sunday, some both - and for tourists this would generally be a good thing rather than a bad as you'll likely be staying downtown already without cars.

 

Jazz Festival usually runs June 20ish to July 1 - doesn't tend to have things happen that block streets, impact traffic etc though.

 

Fortunately the bigger local events that do have notable impacts on transit ridership, parking etc. tend to be outside your time frame - Folk Festival mid-July, Pride early August, Celebration of Light late Jul/Aug

[Italy52]

Canada Day will always be in that timeframe (July 1st, I simply can't imagine ever changing a national holiday!) and events tend to be focused around areas that cruisers cannot help but be in (Canada Place and immediate environs, although the parade is late in the day and the fireworks long after any ship except a fancy multiple-day stay vessel like The World would be hanging around). Most folks look on this as a net positive though - who doesn't love fireworks & parades!?

 

Major international events like world cups are well publicized years in advance; what you might need to find are larger local events that repeat about the same time each year - i.e. if anything other than FIFA annoyed you during your last stay, assume it will occur close to that time again next year - but these tend to have very localized impact areas, so unless you want to attend them or do other stuff very close by they can happen without you even noticing.

 

Examples include the Dragonboat Festival - that's been the second-last weekend in June for the last 3 years so next year prob the same, June 18-19 (even if it slides to 25-26 June and you're in town, while it's a nightmare around the Athletes Village part of the Seawall it doesn't cause much impact beyond ScienceWorld or Cambie Bridge).

 

Car Free Days is usually the same weekend as Dragonboats - some neighbourhoods do Saturday, some Sunday, some both - and for tourists this would generally be a good thing rather than a bad as you'll likely be staying downtown already without cars.

 

Jazz Festival usually runs June 20ish to July 1 - doesn't tend to have things happen that block streets, impact traffic etc though.

 

Fortunately the bigger local events that do have notable impacts on transit ridership, parking etc. tend to be outside your time frame - Folk Festival mid-July, Pride early August, Celebration of Light late Jul/Aug

 

Thanks for the reply, I appreciate it. Local events don't bother me one bit ---more for us to see when we stay in Vancouver. :) My question is prompted by the fact that I can't pull up 2016 room availability for a couple of the hotels. We are traveling in the same time frame that we always have and I have never encountered a problem ---- hence, I thought maybe some rooms were being held back due to a major event. Maybe some of the hotels are holding back a little longer before release --- will wait a bit longer before I make my booking. Thanks again.

[dolfans0704]

Hello

We will be visiting Vancouver next week and wondering if anyone can recommend where we can eat some good crab. We will be staying at the Hyatt downtown. Many thanks to everyone who contributes such valuable information on this thread. It's been very helpful in planning our stay.

[martincath]

Hello

We will be visiting Vancouver next week and wondering if anyone can recommend where we can eat some good crab. We will be staying at the Hyatt downtown. Many thanks to everyone who contributes such valuable information on this thread. It's been very helpful in planning our stay.

Dungeness is everywhere - for simple prep and good value try The Fish Shack on Granville St. If you want King Crab, then either bring SERIOUS appetites or several more people - and hit up any of the large Chinese restaurants with tanks like Sun Sui Wah, Dynasty, Kirin, Sea Harbour. Kirin downtown is walkable, for the others you need transit or taxi (Dynasty/SSW are in Vancouver but 2 miles+, SH is in Richmond). NB: this far out of season prices are higher, and one crab usually feeds about 6-8 people, so you could end up with a very steep bill just for 2-4 of you!

[xlxo]

Joe Forte is best known for seafood in that area. http://www.joefortes.ca/

 

Yes, go for the King Crab if you have a large group. I think the Chinese have perfected the crab with a mulit-course presentation.

http://www.followmefoodie.com/2014/04/dynasty-seafood-restaurant-alaskan-king-crab-dinner-vancouver/

Edited September 12, 2015 by xlxo

[xlxo]

Can anyone tell me if there will be major events planned for end of June to first week of July 2016 in Vancouver? Last year we encountered FIFA during our June stay.

 

I tried to check a couple of event calendars and the dates don't go out that far.

The only big event in that time slot would be the Canada Day celebrations. Then you have the American's coming to the city on July 4th. Expect the city to be busy July 1st to July 4th weekend.

 

No fifa in Vancouver for 2016. But there is the America Masters in August 26 to September 4th.

http://www.americasmastersgames2016.com/

 

There there is the potential for Cannabis Day that will create some gridlock on July 2nd. Not a day for Hop On services.

[dolfans0704]

Dungeness is everywhere - for simple prep and good value try The Fish Shack on Granville St. If you want King Crab, then either bring SERIOUS appetites or several more people - and hit up any of the large Chinese restaurants with tanks like Sun Sui Wah, Dynasty, Kirin, Sea Harbour. Kirin downtown is walkable, for the others you need transit or taxi (Dynasty/SSW are in Vancouver but 2 miles+, SH is in Richmond). NB: this far out of season prices are higher, and one crab usually feeds about 6-8 people, so you could end up with a very steep bill just for 2-4 of you!

 

 

Thank you much martincath! It's just the 2 of us so the Fish Shack it is! Can't wait to visit next week.

[Italy52]

The only big event in that time slot would be the Canada Day celebrations. Then you have the American's coming to the city on July 4th. Expect the city to be busy July 1st to July 4th weekend.

 

No fifa in Vancouver for 2016. But there is the America Masters in August 26 to September 4th.

http://www.americasmastersgames2016.com/

 

There there is the potential for Cannabis Day that will create some gridlock on July 2nd. Not a day for Hop On services.

 

Thanks for the post. My only concern was for July 1st --- July 2nd we will be leaving the hotel by 2 AM.

 

Today, I called one of the hotels I was concerned about so now, I have the answer to my concern. Life's good.

[xlxo]

Thanks for the post. My only concern was for July 1st --- July 2nd we will be leaving the hotel by 2 AM.

 

Today, I called one of the hotels I was concerned about so now, I have the answer to my concern. Life's good.

Two potentials issues to plan ahead for....

• the fireworks will be held on the West side of the cruise terminal. Expect road closures and congestion from 5pm to midnight July 1st.
  
• Getting a cab may be a challenge post fireworks when bars close early Saturday morning (July 2nd).... budget an extra 45 minutes contingency for delays.
  

Edited September 14, 2015 by xlxo

[Moose12345]

Thanks so much for taking time to answer everyone's questions

shoppie .

We are considering a stay at the Pan Pacific Hotel. Mostly because we won't be renting a car while in Vancouver. Is Stanley Park quite close to this hotel? We will be walking and I have bad knees, so I would like things that are close.

You also mentioned an airport shuttle. Is this shuttle $12.00ea. to this hotel?

And post cruise, we were thinking about the Vancouver Sightseeing With Airport Drop-Off. What are your thoughts on this excursions? Do we get picked up right at Canada Place?

Any help would be gratefully accepted!;)

[Putterdude]

Thank you for your kind remarks, however shoppie started this thread but hasn't been heard from in years.

 

Here is a link to the Airport Shuttle however bear in mind that it is a milk run and cost $15 pp you can take a cab from YVR to the Pan Pacific for a flat rate of $35. https://www.vancouvershuttle.ca/cruise-ship-transfers

 

The walk from the hotel to the park is level along a picturesque sea wall however the distance is some 2 kms and will take about 20 mins or so. With your knees you may care to consider taking a bus or a cab.

 

I believe that the post cruise excursion is with Vancouver Tours (Land/Sea Tours) who do an excellent job. Unless you are booking the tour through your cruise line you may have to walk over to the entrance of the east Tour & Convention Centre which while part of the Canada Place Complex is about 150 yards from the cruise ship terminal. You should check on the pick up point with Vancouver Tours as while they have contracted with Princess, I have no knowledge of their relationship with the other lines.

[Moose12345]

Thanks you so much for responding to my message Putterdude.

I can walk ok, as long as I take my time. A 20 minute walk will be doable for me. And I will check about the tour. We are cruising with Celebrity and this is where I saw the tour listed.

Thanks again!!:D:)

[Putterdude]

Moose12345, if you saw the tour listed with Celebrity then in all likelihood in order to be picked up at the Canada Place cruise terminal you will have to book it thru Celebrity. However, if you want to save some $$$ and can walk 150 yards you can book the same tour directly with Vancouver Tours.... but double check with them to be certain of this.

 

http://vancouvertours.com/

[martincath]

Thanks so much for taking time to answer everyone's questions

shoppie .

We are considering a stay at the Pan Pacific Hotel. Mostly because we won't be renting a car while in Vancouver. Is Stanley Park quite close to this hotel? We will be walking and I have bad knees, so I would like things that are close.

You also mentioned an airport shuttle. Is this shuttle $12.00ea. to this hotel?

And post cruise, we were thinking about the Vancouver Sightseeing With Airport Drop-Off. What are your thoughts on this excursions? Do we get picked up right at Canada Place?

Any help would be gratefully accepted!;)

Two things further to PDs post above - first, you CANNOT take the shuttle inbound. They are not allowed to pick up at YVR (no legal issues, simply unwilling to pay the requisite fee to become licensed for YVR operations). They only pick up at hotels - in theory you could use a hotel shuttle to get to a hotel, then board the shuttle, but you'd be weaseling a free ride from the hotel without paying for the room so your own moral code may prevent you doing this...

 

Second, Stanley Park - the PP is over a mile away even from the entrance, and the park itself is enormous. If you can ride a bike that should be easier on your knees, perhaps a Tandem would be ideal if your SO can provide most of the power?

 

Otherwise in order to see the park, IF the summer shuttle is running (sometimes it does, sometimes it doesn't) that's $10 well-spent. If it isn't, your options become and expensive horse & carriage ride ($40) that doesn't actually see much of the park in an hour, or booking a HOHO for about the same price - the Trolley includes several stops in the park, and you don't HAVE to use it on the rest of the loops.

 

Post-cruise tour would also stop at least in one or two park areas - Prospect Point, Totem Poles are both easily accessible to large coaches.

[Putterdude]

Moose12345; Martin is absolutely correct about the airport shuttle inbound and I should have remembered that. As for the distance from the Pan Pac. to Stanley Park I am going to attach a Google map which demonstrates that the distance to the park is about 2 kms obviously whatever you choose to see in the park will add distance. However you will most of the popular attractions in the park are located to the east of the entrance. Having just spend 3 weeks in the UK including a week in London pushing Dudette everywhere in a wheelchair, I don't find 2 or 3 kms onerous but in the end it is up to you.

 

https://www.google.ca/maps/dir/Pan+Pacific+Vancouver,+999+Canada+Place+%23300,+Vancouver,+BC+V6C+3B5/49.2936655,-123.1326055/@49.291721,-123.1333618,15z/data=!4m9!4m8!1m5!1m1!1s0x54867182daa3cfd7:0x511bd0c9c1bbc59e!2m2!1d-123.1129578!2d49.2879417!1m0!3e2