In June, we are departing on a cruise from Vancouver. We will arrive a day early re our departure & would appreciate some feedback re hotels. Do we stay downtown or close to the port for easy access to the Princess terminal? How close if downtown to the cruise ship terminals?
I would appreciate specific hotel recommendations. We are not into heavy walking & would like a 3 or 4 star hotel if that helps.
Thanks in advance.

The cruise terminal Canada Place is in the heart of downtown
http://www.britishcolumbia.com/infor...uiseships.html

There are a lot of hotels in close proximity with varying prices
http://www.tctowerhotel.com/ (Terminal City Club)
http://www.fairmont.com/pacificrim
http://www2.panpacific.com/en/Vancouver/(right at the terminal)
There are many more but these are the closest and are quite pricey.
There is a Day's Inn very close by and is a really nice accommodation at a much lower rate than the others but still in a very good area.

http://daysinnvancouver.com/

Enjoy your visit and your cruise.

We too are going on a cruise from Vancouver in june. I'm having the same problem trying to find a nice hotel near the port.

Which port? Canada Place or Ballentyne?

Also, what's your definition of "near the port"?

Near, as in across the street, or near as in less than 10 minute taxi ride?

Ballentyne's located east of downtown in a yucky industrial area. There's nowhere to stay nearby there so you might as well stay downtown and just take the 10 minute taxi ride to Ballentyne.

Canada Place is the main cruise ship terminal and it's located in downtown Vancouver.

In my opinion, you don't have to stay in a hotel that's literally next to the cruise ship terminal. Downtown Vancouver is small - any hotel downtown will do. Any hotel downtown will be less than a 10 minute taxi ride from Canada Place. Most hotels would be located a 2-5 minute taxi ride away from Canada Place.

I'd argue that the more interesting parts of downtown Vancouver (the West End by English Bay, Coal Harbour by Stanley Park, Robson Street, Yaletown) is where you'd want to stay as the area by Canada Place is mostly office towers. In other words, it's kind of boring immediately nearby, but you're paying a premium to stay there due to the close proximity to Canada Place.

First you need to confirm which dock you are leaving from: as posted previously there are two in Vancouver;Canada Place and Ballantyne Pier. Agree with previous posters - You Do Not want to stay near Ballantyne pier. Stay downtown and taxi to Ballantyne or walk to Canada Place. ( see traveller69 above)
Enjoy your Alaska Cruise!

Well, let's not even worry about them finding a hotel near the Ballantyne Pier. They won't be staying down there. I think the Days Inn is a good recommendation. It's central, within easy taxi distance to either pier (or walking to Canada Place) and probably more reasonably priced.

We liked Le Soleil Hotel which is a suite hotel. It's a short walk to the harbour and downtown.

http://lesoleilhotel.com/