Vancouver International Airport-YVR

The second busiest airport in Canada is about 9 miles from downtown Vancouver on Richmond’s Sea Island. There are four terminals for passenger service, and they do business with more than 50 different airlines. In our case, because we were flying in from out of country to take a cruise, we were given a very specific route to follow so that we did not actually “get into Canada” which would have required us to go though the full customs routine. At each point along the route a Princess employee dressed in a line green tee shirt would verify and direct us on to make sure we were on the right path. Most of the time we were up on the second floor above the busy customs area below. Princess had a roped off area in this large waiting area where they checked in each passenger and had them wait until there were enough to fill a bus downstairs that would drive us to the ship terminal. You were not supposed to leave that specific route. After checking in, you were taken in a group down an elevator to a special customs room where you went through a very minor customs check point to get your passport stamped and go through an x-ray unit and then out the door the a waiting bus. The buses door was sealed from the outside with a special sticker that guaranteed no one got on or off during the 40 minute trip from the airport to the ship’s dock. I must say that the system was meant to work very smoothly and efficiently, but without a restroom along the route I think a few of us departed from the golden route.

I guess this might be a little biased as this is my home airport but it is really nice!!! I know anyone would hate being delayed for a flight but I don’t think it would be that bad to be delayed here lol. Before you go through security there is a whole bunch of shops and little restaurants and what not so you can still visit with friends and family and get something to eat before you depart. After you go through security there is sooo many shops!! Shop after shop, you could get anything! Well obviously it’s expensive as it’s an airport and they always charge out the ass for anything but it’s still nice. And then through all the international departure gates there is this stream with all these rocks and logs and there is these glass fish that look like they are jumping out of the water. And then there are trees all around and little bridges that go over the water. Then there is a whole bunch of tables and comfy looking chairs and there is free wireless!!! Then at the end of the stream there is this massive fish tank along the wall with lots of fish and starfish, and sea cucumbers and just a whole bunch of stuff, it’s really cool! Anyways for all you people who come to Vancouver, have fun waiting for your flight back home! I can’t really say much if your flying domestic or to the US...I’ve never flown domestic before and I can’t remember what it looked like when I went through to the states. Rated as expensive cause really, aren't all flights??