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Re: Majestic Alaska Cruise

kathndeb — Sun, 13 Nov 2011 02:24:17 GMT

Thank you Heather and girls for the good input here.. we are going to be booking our flights this week.. and it really helps to get everyones input especially the ones that live close by and know the territory!!

We are starting the countdown here!!! I CAN'T STINKIN WAIT!!!!!

Big hugs from Kansas!!
Kath

Re: Majestic Alaska Cruise

RFDiana — Sat, 12 Nov 2011 22:50:05 GMT

Check down further on this topic and see the post about hotels in Vancouver. Doesn't seem like an easy fix; do your research on the hotels they list as well as your own. Before booking be aware there is a significant "bad"part of town. Lots of reviews on Trip Adviser. Me thinks we're going with one of the choices from the gals who live on Vancouuver Island. We are flying in Friday as well from Denver and meeting up with friends flying in that day as well from Ohio for a few extra days in Oh Canada, Vancouver It may be worth the $$$ to book a hotel that someone can vouch for considering we're 1) foreigners and 2) "girls" traveling alone although Canada is very gay friendly and absolutely safe. Hope this helps and let us all know when you've booked.

Diana

PS Where are you gals from??

Re: Majestic Alaska Cruise

slyfox — Sat, 12 Nov 2011 19:20:48 GMT

Its me again, I want to thank Heather, i took her advice and got a great deal on Untied. Thanks !! Now can you help with the Hotel, i read your posting and i wonder should I wait till Olivia comes out with there hotels or should I book myself? Looks like you booked your own. Any more advice will help, we are flying in Friday so will be staying two nights. Thanks Sharon & Pam

Re: Majestic Alaska Cruise, Air Flights

sleddog — Fri, 11 Nov 2011 19:36:46 GMT

Jayne...your probably looking at around $240 - $330 one way coach each (SFO to YVR) depending on airline and time of flights

Re: Majestic Alaska Cruise, Air Flights

butterfly — Fri, 11 Nov 2011 05:36:40 GMT

Can any one help with the appox price of flights from San Fran to Vancover? We have to decide wether tp fly up to Vancover or get the train. The train will cost us appox $240 each, thats Angela and I shareing a sleeper. It does include all the meals and we loved the train trip we made from Florida to New York last year after the Sun Cruise, but it's a 26hr trip so not sure if it's a good use of our time. Decision will proberbly depend on price so any info on air flights would be very useful, thanks Jayne

Re: Majestic Alaska Cruise

RFDiana — Fri, 11 Nov 2011 02:54:09 GMT

Malinda, Check flights out of Ohio now. Friends got Cinn to Vancouver for less than we did for Denver to Vancouver (I wanna say$400??)

Re: Majestic Alaska Cruise

ABQgator — Fri, 11 Nov 2011 01:42:07 GMT

Thanks Heather for all the helpful information. This will help in making our decision on where to stay. Now off to check on airlines

Re: Majestic Alaska Cruise

H.and.G.in.BC — Fri, 11 Nov 2011 01:21:19 GMT

It's about a ten minute cab ride(if traffic is good) or a good 1/2 hr walk from the Georgian Court to the cruise ship terminal. I have to admit that since yesterday I've been looking at prices. What a sticker shock!!!! I guess since the Olympics things have really gone up and I am usually staying on corporate rates, so that is a substantially lower. I have seen AAA or 60+ rates so if you qualify take a look.

Another location nearer to the dock and slightly lower in price than the other ones in that area is the Coast Coal Harbour or the Westin Bayshore. Both are really nice.

Another oldie but goodie, that sometimes goes on sale, is the Fairmont Hotel Vancouver. It is a 5 - 10 minute walk "gayly forward" to the dock or a really short cab ride. Right across the street from that is the Sutton Place. Another nice one.

H & G

Re: Majestic Alaska Cruise

kathndeb — Thu, 10 Nov 2011 22:27:41 GMT

Hey Heather.. thank you so much for your very useful information... I was wondering if you could tell me how close the Georgian Court Hotel is from the dock where we load for the ship? EWWW weird.. not sure why my font just changed... ghosts? lol .. anyway.. we were just looking for rooms and I like the idea they have a women only section of the hotel. The rooms look really nice too.. but we want to be close to the dock. Thanks again for all your help.. and if you have already answered this question forgive me for having CRS disease!!

Hope to chat soon!!!
Kath

Re: Majestic Alaska Cruise

H.and.G.in.BC — Thu, 10 Nov 2011 17:54:25 GMT

I have to admit that I don't know the hotel at all. It does seem interesting that it has a women's floor. My only comment is that it is a bit off the beaten path.............very close to the sports facilities...........and getting fairly close to the not so good part of downtown.

If you don't want to go near the cruise terminal, I would tend to go over towards the West End.....Denman, Davie, English Bay. That is a better place to be.

JMHO Heather

Re: Majestic Alaska Cruise

butterfly — Thu, 10 Nov 2011 15:44:51 GMT

Hi Heather, Have just replyed to your email, really appreciate your local knowledge. Malinda , driving from Seatle does not sound like a good idea! you could come and join us aussies in San Fran for a few days then travel to Vancover with us, { don't forget you are part of our gp, an adopted aussie! } Jayne

Re: Majestic Alaska Cruise

ABQgator — Thu, 10 Nov 2011 02:29:39 GMT

Great infomation Heather! What are your thoughts on the Georgian Court Hotel?? Not knowing the area and coming in on Thursday we just wanted to find a hotel that was moderate in price, yet close to everything. I'll check out the ones you listed and maybe make a switch.

Re: Majestic Alaska Cruise

H.and.G.in.BC — Thu, 10 Nov 2011 00:41:23 GMT

Back to SlyFoxes original question. It says that you live in Phoenix, so by far the easiest and cheapest way to get to YVR (Vancouver Airport is US Airways. They have daily direct flights and if you watch the prices you can get a deal. Anything that is part of Star Alliance (US Airways, United, Continental) will probably be a bit cheaper as they are connected with Air Canada.

For the person thinking of going to Seattle and driving......DONT. You can have an incredible hassle at the border with a rented car and it will cost you around $200 to park it at the cruise dock for a week. If you try to rent and drop the car in Vancouver....another small fortune as they have to hire someone to return it to the States.

As for staying....yes most of the downtown hotels are pricey. I suspect Olivia is going to go with the Fairmont Waterfront or the Fairmont Pacific Rim as they are favourites for Holland America. Hotels.ca might be worth a try. Another favourite of mine is the Coast Plaza Stanley Park, that is in the middle of the gayest part of town. You can look on the Coast Hotels website.

We are going to come over the day before from Vancouver Island and stay at the Waterfront. It is right across from the cruise terminal and so you can walk across with your luggage to board the ship. It is a great hotel and great location, but will cost $$$. No taxis though.

As well if you are coming into YVR there is a SkyTrain (over ground light rapid transit) that goes directly from the airport and the last stop is Waterfront Station. It will cost about $3.50 and you can then pull your luggage to the hotel. Incredibly convenient and also saves some money..................and no I dont work for any of the above.

As a sort of local I will be happy to answer questions as we go along.

Cheers, Heather (and Georgette)

Re: Majestic Alaska Cruise

RFDiana — Tue, 08 Nov 2011 03:18:16 GMT

Tami, we always wanted to go to Vancouver, possibly up to Whistler, the city looks so beautiful. Just tell those employers you need a few extra days and they will just have to deal with it LOL.

Diana

Re: Majestic Alaska Cruise

ABQgator — Tue, 08 Nov 2011 00:45:26 GMT

We are going a few days early as well and have booked a room with the Georgian Court Hotel as they have a whole floor reserved just for women (Orchid Floor) and they are listed as "Gay friendly". Now to book our flight! Leaning towards United as well as they are more reasonable than American Airlines. Can't see flying through Dallas when we can fly through Denver. Can't wait for this trip to get here and meeting new friends!!!