We are so excited for you to be joining us on the Butler Friends & Family Alaska cruise!!
So you're going to Alaska!!! Now what?? We know Alaska can be overwhelming. From now until our departure, we are going to be sharing what we've learned over the years, and walk along side of all of you in planning YOUR perfect trip.
First things first - Documentation!
We would HIGHLY suggest arriving in Vancouver the day before depature at a minimum. It would be awful to miss the ship due to day of departure travel issues.
Full disclosure here...these are our go-tos in Canada in general.
First things first - Documentation!
- Our departure point is Vancouver, British Columbia - Passports are required!
- We would suggest waiting no longer than January 2024 to apply for your passport. This will build in some buffer time should the state department request any additional documentation or information.
- All passport information can be found on the State Department website.
- Passport appointments can be conducted at your local post office. You will need to bring your passport application, photos (These can be done at locations such as Walgreens, CVS, or Walmart OR even at the post office during your passport appointment.), and any citizenship and identification documentation required.
We would HIGHLY suggest arriving in Vancouver the day before depature at a minimum. It would be awful to miss the ship due to day of departure travel issues.
- The closest airport to the ships departure is Vancouver (YVR), though Seattle (SEA) is about 3.5 hours south of Vancouver.
- If arriving the day before, Seattle can be a great option if there is a signifcant cost difference between flying directly into Vancouver or into Seattle. There is a shuttle that runs from the Seattle airport to Canada Place (cruise ship terminal). The shuttle has rates starting at less than $25 per person. We have taken Quick Shuttle before. Amtrak Cascades route is also a possibility to transfer between Seattle and Vancouver.
- Our suggestion is staying closeby to Canada Place. But there's no real wrong answer here depending on your budget.
- The Fairmont hotel is right by Canada Place, and the Pan Pacific is at Canada Place. These are higher end properties and can be quite expensive.
- We have previously stayed (and likely will stay again) at Pinnacle Harbourfront. It is a very easy half mile walk to Canada Place.
- Other nearby hotels include Auberge Vancouver Hotel, Days Inn Vancouver Downtown, Vancouver Marriott Pinnacle Downtown, or Exchange Hotel Vancouver.
- The Gastown Steam Clock - the clock is powered by a steam engine and releases steam out of the clock at the top of each hour.
- Flyover Canada at Canada Place which is similar to the flyover experience at located at The Island in Pigeon Forge or Soarin' at Epcot.
- Seaplanes! Both British Columbia and Alaska will have opportunities to do a scenic flight in a float plane. Harbour Air is a provider in Vancouver.
- Eat Kinder Surprise Eggs! In the US, we get stuck with Kinder Joy's. Kinder Surprise Eggs have been Kinley's favorite out of the US candy for as long as I can remember. Do NOT carry them into the US as Kinder Surprise's are illegal here.
Full disclosure here...these are our go-tos in Canada in general.
- The Old Spaghetti Factory - Why? It's All Included!! Bread, Soup or Salad, Entree, Spumoni (or ice cream), and coffee (or hot tea). There are a few locations in the US, but the Canadian restaurants are our favorites!
- Tim Hortons - It's not Canada's favorite coffee for nothing! We have it on autoship from Amazon every two weeks. Tim's serves food all day. Pastries, donuts, and Tim Bits are available all day (as is the coffee!). They also have breakfast items in the morning and lunch or dinner items the remainder of the day.
- Boston Pizza is a decent pizza/sports bar option if that's what you're craving.
- POUTINE! If you've never tried it, oh my! Trust me, you aren't going wrong with fries, gravy, and delicious cheese curds! Even McDonald's in Canada has poutine.
