I agree with Billybek that Granville Island is a good place to walk around. Have not been there for many years but I think we stayed at the Best Western Plus Granville hotel. I see the rooms are priced at $180 can or about $140 us. The rooms were small. There are better hotels if you want to spend more. Richmond(near the airport) is a place that is about a half hour taxi from downtown Vancouver. You can walk to the Fraser river in about twenty minutes which is tidal and next to the ocean. Quite scenic there. The hotels seem fairly reasonable at around $140 can.
Good shopping centre and restaurants in Richmond too. Gastown is good close to downtown Vancouver. I find downtown a bit claustrophobic anywhere but that is just me.
Check the hotels near where your cruise leaves from. I am imagining they are more expensive. Give yourself lots of time to check in for the cruise. Vancouver can be a busy place. Granville Island had dynamite seafood chowder. I hope they still make it.
