"Back to Back Cruise" Questions

[Where'sthecrow'snest]

Thanks to everyone for their all the "tips" over the years. This board and your comments really have enhanced our cruise experiences.

We have never done a "back to back" cruise, so we need some input. Granted it's only a little "back to back," but nonetheless we could use some help. We are taking a one day coastal from SEA to Vancouver, then a five day from Vancouver to SAN. The price for the one day is very high, so we booked an outside while we have a deluxe suite for the five day part.

Questions:

Can we do all the embarkation in Seattle for both cruises? If not, how can we have as little hassle as possible?
What are your suggestions on luggage as we will be changing cabins?
Can we stay on board and use the spa or have spa services at a discount?
Any other suggestions?
Also, what Hiltons near Pier 91 in Seattle do you recommend?

Thanks

"Where's the Crow's Nest!?" :)

[Krazy Kruizers]

Thanks to everyone for their all the "tips" over the years. This board and your comments really have enhanced our cruise experiences.

We have never done a "back to back" cruise, so we need some input. Granted it's only a little "back to back," but nonetheless we could use some help. We are taking a one day coastal from SEA to Vancouver, then a five day from Vancouver to SAN. The price for the one day is very high, so we booked an outside while we have a deluxe suite for the five day part.

Questions:

Can we do all the embarkation in Seattle for both cruises? If not, how can we have as little hassle as possible?
What are your suggestions on luggage as we will be changing cabins?
Can we stay on board and use the spa or have spa services at a discount?
Any other suggestions?
Also, what Hiltons near Pier 91 in Seattle do you recommend?

Thanks

"Where's the Crow's Nest!?" :)

The Crow's Nest is forward on the Observation Deck -- overlooks the bow of the ship -- great views from here.

There are no hotels near Pier 91.

The spa will be closed on embarkation day -- they prep that area for tours in the afternoon.

One of your cabin stewards will be able to help you move from one cabin to the other. It may or may not be a while before you move from one cabin to the other. It all depends on when your Deluxe Suite will be ready. You might want to go your new cabin and introduce yourself to the cabin stewards there and explain that you are staying on and will be in that cabin. If the previous passengers depart right away, then they can get started on that cabin right away.

You will have to pack most of your stuff into your suitcases. But your hanging clothes can go on a roll bar -- similar to those in a hotel.

Sometimes you can do all the embarkation for both cruises -- depends on the officials -- they should have all the information in their computer system. If not you can turn in the next cruise information to the front desk on the ship.

Since the first cruise is only a one night cruise -- not certain if you will get a letter explaining what to do the next morning. You should get one -- but you can never tell.

Haven't done a cruise like yours -- so can't help on the immigration process.

[RuthC]

Am I to understand that you are trying to sail from Seattle, to Vancouver, to San Diego, on the same ship, with no break of at least a day in Vancouver?
If so, expect your cruise company to inform you that they can't take those bookings---it would be a violation of the Passenger Vessel Services Act. You would have to disembark in Vancouver and stay overnight to meet the requirements of the Act. That is, unless you are booking on a US flagged ship---which I doubt, as you are asking this on the HAL board.

Essentially, what you are trying to do is go from Seattle to San Diego, and that's the essence of the Act. Not allowed.

[DAllenTCY]

Where's the Crow's Nest.....I hope you are talking about two different ships.
David

[Where'sthecrow'snest]

Am I to understand that you are trying to sail from Seattle, to Vancouver, to San Diego, on the same ship, with no break of at least a day in Vancouver?
If so, expect your cruise company to inform you that they can't take those bookings---it would be a violation of the Passenger Vessel Services Act. You would have to disembark in Vancouver and stay overnight to meet the requirements of the Act. That is, unless you are booking on a US flagged ship---which I doubt, as you are asking this on the HAL board.

Essentially, what you are trying to do is go from Seattle to San Diego, and that's the essence of the Act. Not allowed.

We were planning to do the one night coastal on the Oosterdam, from Seattle to Vancouver, then the five night from Vancouver to Seattle. We have booked both legs and HAL hasn't said a word. I thought that was the reason they go to a "foreign" port when repositioning out of Alaska.

I will check with HAL.

(BTW, I know where the crow's nest is...it's my favorite place..it's a standard with my group once we get unpacked to say, "Now we are on vacation...where's the crow's nest!?"

[RuthC]

We were planning to do the one night coastal on the Oosterdam, from Seattle to Vancouver, then the five night from Vancouver to Seattle. I thought that was the reason they go to a "foreign" port when repositioning out of Alaska.
If you're planning to board in Seattle, then disembark in Seattle, then the stop in Vancouver is sufficient.
Sorry to alarm you. I misunderstood you to be disembarking in San Diego. That's how I read "SAN". :o

[Krazy Kruizers]

Rereading what OP said in the first post -- 1 day cruise from Seattle to Vancouver -- now we know it is on the Oosterdam.

Then OP said they will be doing a 5 day cruise to SAN -- San Diego -- and again we now know that this is on the Oosterdam.

I checked those itineraries -- when the Oosterdam leaves Vancouver -- the ports are all American.

I didn't think that this could be done.

[RuthC]

Rereading what OP said in the first post -- 1 day cruise from Seattle to Vancouver -- now we know it is on the Oosterdam.

Then OP said they will be doing a 5 day cruise to SAN -- San Diego -- and again we now know that this is on the Oosterdam.
Subsequent post states the two cruises are Seattle to Vancouver, followed by Vancouver to Seattle.

The fact remains that if the cruise begins in Seattle and ends in SAN (San Diego; post #1), then the OP cannot take both cruises.
If the cruise both begins and ends in Seattle (post #5), then it is permissible.