Seattle Embark & Disembark Questions

[LovesSaltwater]

OK, it's only 10 days until our first cruise (emotions vacillating between :eek: and :D) !! I think I have my clothes figured out, thanks to all the good input here on CC. Zaandam 7-day Alaska cruise. DH has asked, when should we get to the pier? Realizing that the arrival time is open to variation depending on personal preference, but would appreciate insight into what timeframe might make for the least stressful processing experience (we don't like crowds, and will have our European visitors coming along). I know I've read it here, but can't remember when one is allowed on the ship.

And when we get back in the morning a week later, when should we expect we'll be off the ship, and what is the latest one could expect to be (or is allowed to be) on the ship?? We've ridden the train from Seattle to Buffalo, NY and back, and were a bit taken aback when the steward unexpectedly came in the morning, and tried to boot us out of our little cabin that we'd paid dearly for, when were still some ways from the destination. Will we have time for some breakfast in the cabin on the morning of arrival in Seattle (I'm a need-to-boost-blood-sugar-first-thing-in-a.m. person). Forewarned is fore armed...if necessary I'll smuggle food from the cafeteria the night before ;). Also, it is worrisome to think about leaving our luggage out in a publicly-accessed hallway all night the last night. Can anybody tell me reassuring things to ease my mind about that?

I assured DH that the wonderful folks on CC could answer our questions! I'm excited about the trip, have watched Zaandam heading out the Sound...but 4 other people are looking to me to set this up and answer their questions (all 1st-time cruisers!) and I'm clueless on so much. I'd be totally stressed out about clothes if it weren't for the CC. Thanks for any info, this forum is a God-send...

[brucory]

The boarding usually starts around 1130am. If you are not into crowds, it might be a good idea to arrive after 12 - 1230 when the crowds should have all gotten on. If you are going to have lunch, remember that the crowd will all be in the same place - the Lido. This will empty out when the rooms become available around 1:30. This would be the ideal time to board IMO.

At the other end, you should have locks on your bags, if possible, when you leave them out in the hall. Don't leave anything valuable out or it may go missing.

You can have breakfast on the disembarkation day, and should expect to be getting off between 7:30 and 10am. We have never felt rushed, but have read some stories about others who have. Also, if you are not in a rush, don't leave your room until you know the eager beavers have gotten off or you will just end up lining up - People get very pushy when they think they may miss their flights etc.

Have a fantastic cruise aboard the beautiful Zaandam!!!

:D:D:D

[songbert]

We did the same cruise in August and Brucory is exactly right.

You will get a form to fill out with regard to your disembarkation. You are given options depending on your travel plans when you leave the ship.
We had no problems making our flight out of SeaTac at 11:35. We were in the second group to disembark and were off the ship by 8:15 am.

The disembarkation process is now "silent" and only one announcement is made. They disembark in groups and the numbers are posted on the flat screens around the ship during the process. Luggage is also made available by group, so there's no point to disembarking before your group's turn, because your luggage won't be ready.

As for leaving your luggage in the corridor: yes, use locks. We've never had any problems, but better to be safe than sorry. You will be re-claiming your bags when you get off, so you can put more stuff in them if you need to at that time.

Have a wonderful time! Hope you have wonderful weather. Alaska will totally amaze you!

[albertiger]

Maybe I just trust my fellow humans too much, or just been plain lucky!:rolleyes:
Over 50 cruises and I've NEVER locked my luggage nor had anything go missing. Last cruise I had gotten new luggage and after unpacking couldnt find the paperback I brought. Thought TSA wanted to do some light reading!:D
To my chagrin, when I got home after emptying my suitcase, there was still a lump on the inside. The bag had so many hidden pockets I had forgotten where I put it!;)

[RuthC]

As to breakfast on the last morning---
Breakfast will be served in the dining room and in the Lido. And don't forget room service! Having a room service tray of your preferred last meal, delivered at a time of your choice, is a truly civilized way to end a cruise.
Eat a bite of food, sip a bit of coffee, dab a little make-up, pack a little something. Repeat until there is nothing left to do but sit and wait for your turn to disembark. Ahhhhh.

[skankycat]

Knowing how difficult the turn around time is for the crew, would you consider having your final breakfast in the Lido or dining room? That way you can leave your room with good vibs and without the feeling that you've been chased out.

Our August Zaandam cruise was fantastic. But I'd read at least one complaint here that on departure morning cabins become busy with crew doing their assigned jobs. So we departed early and ate in the Lido, then sat nicely in the library til our assigned departure time.

It worked for us. We were left with all our good memories intact. And the chance to say our goodbyes to a few new friends.

[Susie51]

I didn't realize you could have room service for breakfast on disembarkation morning. Thanks for the tip.

[LovesSaltwater]

Skankycat, when you say "early", would you mind sharing an approximate time (realizing it is what works for you)? Both your and Ruth's suggestions have merit for different reasons. If the ship really arrives in port at 7 am as the intinerary shows (I say that becuz have read about it not reaching Victoria at the posted time, on a regular basis), is that when they start disembarking? In that case, early means, EARLY (LOL!) -- like say, up and ready to leave cabin for breakfast at 6 am? Or suggest earlier? If everyone else is going for breakfast at that same time, is it hard to get seated to eat (we're open-dining-time folks)?

Brucory and songbert, thanks for the disembarking info. I like to have some idea what to expect so that really helps.

[antmaril]

I disembarked from the Zaandam yesterday. We chose to take our luggage off ourselves (Expedited Disembarkation). We were allowed off the ship at 7:45 a.m. (we had breakfast in the Lido early yesterday morning). We were in a cab by 8:00 a.m. It is a very simple process.

Embarkation was simple, as well. We arrived at the Pier about 12:15 p.m. Gave our luggage to a porter, went to the check-in desk (no line) and boarded the Zaandam a few minutes later. Went up to the Lido and had some lunch. We were allowed to go to our cabins between 1:30 and 2:00.

It was a great cruise. Alaska is fantastic and we had spectacular weather.

Have fun and don't worry. It was all much easier than I thought it would be.

[LovesSaltwater]

Thanks, antmaril. That's encouraging. Does one need a special reason to do the "expedited disembarkation?" We will not be needing to make a flight connection or anything, we live here. And how difficult is it to move the luggage to where you get on and off (elevators, easy to wheel luggage whole way...we don't have the best of backs, anymore...)? Or are you those fortunate people who are able to pack all they need in a small carry-on size bag or garment bag??!

[antmaril]

Thanks, antmaril. That's encouraging. Does one need a special reason to do the "expedited disembarkation?" We will not be needing to make a flight connection or anything, we live here. And how difficult is it to move the luggage to where you get on and off (elevators, easy to wheel luggage whole way...we don't have the best of backs, anymore...)? Or are you those fortunate people who are able to pack all they need in a small carry-on size bag or garment bag??!

We did not need a special reason for the Expedited Disembarkation. You are given a form on the first day of the cruise regarding disembarkation. It is one of the choices offered (as long as you have a credit card on file). I was traveling with two other women. I had a large suitcase and a carry on. My friends each had large suitcases and large totes. One of my friends is in her seventies with some mobility problems. We were able to manage our own luggage without too much difficulty. There is an elevator (and escalators) in the terminal. Obviously, if you have more luggage than you can handle with two hands, this would not be a good choice for you. My friend was tired by the time we got in the cab, but she recovered quickly.