Tami ... Will definitely keep you in the loop before deciding on stuff!!   We've not booked a flight yet either...still waiting to find out if Pam's partner will be able to miss classes/work that week!  Can't wait to see you in May (not June!!!) and find out all the details about the new home...bring pictures!!!   Michigan...early July...got it on the calendar!!!  Look forward to hearing from you soon!    Malinda

Heather...Thanks for the info...you are awesome!...Malinda

You can get Skytrain information as well as all of the transit info on   http://www.translink.ca/.  There are 3 main Skytrain routes, and they link in with the bus system as well as the "Sea Bus" that goes from beside the cruise ship terminal over to the North Shore, Lonsdale Quay.  So the $9 day fare is a bargain and lets you jump on and off at will.

Skytrain is partially a subway and partially an elevated train.  Good, clean, safe and easy to ride.  I fly in to Vancouver for business and then take Skytrain around town...........rather than a car.  It's a crazy city to drive in.

Enjoy,  Heather and Georgette

Malinda

We haven't booked a flight or hotel yet......new house arrangements are taking all of our time right now. Keep us in mind before you decide on details. BTW we're gonna be in Indy the first weekend of May not in June. The others are coming up to Michigan in early July. Will talk soon.

T 

I've written about this a lot on this Connect Group, but unfortunately I don't have a lot of good news.

The area close to the cruise ship terminal is very nice, modern and because there are a lot of cruise ships at that time, they tend to be expensive.....>$200.  There is a Days Inn in that area that is more reasonably priced.

You can go a little farther afield in the "gay area" in the West End of town around Denman and Davie. There is the Coast Stanley Park and the Sylvia that are a little older, tend to be more "long at the tooth" but safe and clean.  It is a good part of town to stay in.  Interesting, lots to do, less expensive and really good dining, and close to the ocean.  It would be a $10 - $15 cab ride to the cruise terminal.

Then there is the whole area around the airport that will be much cheaper for the type of hotel.  There is no regular shuttle service, but there is a "Skytrain" from the airport area right to the cruise ship terminal and it is easy to ride.  An all day pass is $9.  A cab ride would be in the $40 - $50 range.

I would suggest that you don't get into a non-refundable reservation, as on things like Hotels.com or Expedia, the price will drop like a rock as rooms are not filled 2 - 3 weeks before the cruise.  I've booked a couple of rooms that I can cancel and will check back around Sept 1st and see what I can get for the price.

My very favourite hotel is the Fairmont Waterfront that is right across the street from the cruise ship terminal, but I get to book it for reduced rates due to business I do the rest of the time.  It can be pricey, but I love it.  BTW, I have no cennection with any busnesses in Vancouver.

 JMHO  Heather

Ahhhhh, "senior moment"  ... just found the posting "Re: Host Hotel" and a few more places where people are staying...Fairmont Waterfront...Westin Bay on the Harbour...Waterfront Hotel!

Any other suggestions?

Well, we're finally ready to look for a hotel for the night (or two) before the cruise.   Anyone have any advice as to where to stay?

I couldn't find much about this in the other postings...I know a lot of the Aussies are staying at the YWCA and some others are staying at the Renaissance...and, of course, there is the host hotel...any thoughts on what section of Vancouver we should look for a hotel to book?