What time latest dis-embarkation from Zaandam Seattle?

[Tinknock50]

What time did the last group get off?

We have a lift van coming for us and our flight is at 3:40 so not too anxious to get off the ship. However, I am thinking about changing that flight to 12:50. It does take a little time to strap the wheelchair in and then get it back off at the airport. Will I be ok with a 12:50 flight?
We have the van exclusively so don't have to wait for anyone. We also will not be checking luggage.

[lougee1043]

if you change your flight and tell hal that you need to be first off im sure that they will arrange it for you -- then all you have to do is find your luggage - get to your ride and off you go -- you should be at the airport by 11:30 to allow a little more time for you to check in and that shouldnt be a problem

[2bout2c]

If you want to be in the 1st off group, the ones with no checked luggage.
I believe you cannot use the wheelchair service. For wheelchair service you must meet in an assigned area and then the help comes when your color/number is called. They do not assist the 1st group at all.

[Robin7]

If you want to be in the 1st off group, the ones with no checked luggage.

We just got off the Zaandam (still at Seattle airport), and they called the first group 'express'. People from our group were in that disembarkation group and hauled their own luggage off, not putting it out the night before. I think that group was called about 7:30am. We were in the last group called at 9am and were in the Crown Room here in Seattle by 10:30am.:D

Sean, your pictures will have to wait until we get home. Sorry. It turns out my dh's thingy doesn't support my camera cards. I thought it did.

Robin

[Tinknock50]

We just got off the Zaandam (still at Seattle airport), and they called the first group 'express'. People from our group were in that disembarkation group and hauled their own luggage off, not putting it out the night before. I think that group was called about 7:30am. We were in the last group called at 9am and were in the Crown Room here in Seattle by 10:30am.:D

Sean, your pictures will have to wait until we get home. Sorry. It turns out my dh's thingy doesn't support my camera cards. I thought it did.

Robin

No problem about the pictures......I can wait.:)

So did you stay well during the trip?

[Tinknock50]

At this point I am leaning toward being amoung the last off. My Mom needs lots of assistance getting ready and I want to have a good breakfast before getting off the ship.

Hope to hear more input from people who stayed on later.

[Starr Mtn]

[QUOTE=Tinknock50]At this point I am leaning toward being amoung the last off.

From our experience - that is probably the best idea ! Any unforeseen
problems and you could miss your flight. And airlines usually require
you to be at the airport earlier when traveling with wheelchairs, etc.

And a nice, enjoyable breakfast onboard is an enjoyable way to start your day.

If you have a cell phone - you could call the lift company when you are
about to disembark - and that will give them an idea of when to pick you up.
Also - if you disembark later - there is less confusion in the terminal.

Have a wonderful cruise !

[Tinknock50]

[quote=Tinknock50]At this point I am leaning toward being amoung the last off.

From our experience - that is probably the best idea ! Any unforeseen
problems and you could miss your flight. And airlines usually require
you to be at the airport earlier when traveling with wheelchairs, etc.

And a nice, enjoyable breakfast onboard is an enjoyable way to start your day.

If you have a cell phone - you could call the lift company when you are
about to disembark - and that will give them an idea of when to pick you up.
Also - if you disembark later - there is less confusion in the terminal.

Have a wonderful cruise !

Thanks We2! I think it will be wonderful.:)

I have the phone numbers in my ticket folder and I plan on calling the cabulance when we dock and again when I have better idea when we will be at the curb waiting for them. Ok, I have decided to keep our later flight.

Just need to hear from the "hangers on" and how late they stayed on board.:)

[Starr Mtn]

[QUOTE
I have the phone numbers in my ticket folder and I plan on calling the cabulance when we dock and again when I have better idea when we will be at the curb waiting for them. Ok, I have decided to keep our later flight.

QUOTE]

That is exactly what we did - and it worked out well. And a later disembarkation means fewer people at curb-side - so the driver can see you !

Just read your other postings - and I forgot how difficult it was taking
a HAL transfer and that they dropped everyone off at one place. Did that once and it was terrible. Don't know how I forgot that experience !

You have made the best decision !

[Tinknock50]

[QUOTE
I have the phone numbers in my ticket folder and I plan on calling the cabulance when we dock and again when I have better idea when we will be at the curb waiting for them. Ok, I have decided to keep our later flight.

QUOTE]

That is exactly what we did - and it worked out well. And a later disembarkation means fewer people at curb-side - so the driver can see you !

Just read your other postings - and I forgot how difficult it was taking
a HAL transfer and that they dropped everyone off at one place. Did that once and it was terrible. Don't know how I forgot that experience !

You have made the best decision !

Thanks We2......I just re-read my other postings and realized I might save more money by doing that roundtrip with American Cabulance....guess I will call them again.

[funlovin'cruiser]

Personally, why even put yourself through the uncertainty that the ship will arrive at exactly the right time, customs will clear the ship for disembarkation and that the staff on the pier (although usually quite spectacular) will be able to pull your lugagge and get you to on the cabulance to the airport at the prerequisite hour to check in for the earlier flight? I would think that you should volunteer to be one of the last off and enjoy your time on board and miss the complete scrum at the terminal while people are claiming their luggage and the like. Plus, you might be able to work a special arrangement to have the cabulance driver take you the "scenic route" to the airport, heading through Pioneer Square and downtown before cutting East to hit I-5 (can you tell I live in this wonderful city of Seattle?) Don't rush yourself and end up stressing yourself out. That's the last thing that you need after a wonderful vacation.

[Tinknock50]

Personally, why even put yourself through the uncertainty that the ship will arrive at exactly the right time, customs will clear the ship for disembarkation and that the staff on the pier (although usually quite spectacular) will be able to pull your lugagge and get you to on the cabulance to the airport at the prerequisite hour to check in for the earlier flight? I would think that you should volunteer to be one of the last off and enjoy your time on board and miss the complete scrum at the terminal while people are claiming their luggage and the like. Plus, you might be able to work a special arrangement to have the cabulance driver take you the "scenic route" to the airport, heading through Pioneer Square and downtown before cutting East to hit I-5 (can you tell I live in this wonderful city of Seattle?) Don't rush yourself and end up stressing yourself out. That's the last thing that you need after a wonderful vacation.

Agree....I have decided to stay on the ship as late as possible and keep our later flight.:)

[doctork]

We returned from Alaska on the Zaandam 3 weeks ago, and asked to be in the last group (9:30 - 10:00am) to disembark since we were just driving 90 miles north to get home, no air connections. We were called about 9:00 and were headed home in our car by about 9:45. There were plenty of folks still eating breakfast in the dining room when we left however.
A word to the wise about SeaTac: I left on another trip 5 days later, and stood in line at the check-in for almost an hour, then in security for 30 minutes. This particular airline did not have curbside checkin or staff to assist passengers with impending departures. I missed my flight despite having arrived at the airport 90+ minutes before departure. That's the worst I've ever seen it, but all around me were people saying "it's been like this all summer."
And if you are a wheelchair user - you may get lucky and get prompt excellent assistance, or you may get a TSA agent with a chip on her shoulder who confiscates your cane (illegal to steal an assistive device, but both of these have happened to me).
I think you are doing the right thing to take your time, plan ahead and enjoy the trip!

[Tinknock50]

Thanks for the warning about the wait at Sea-tac. Our flight is at 3:40 PM and I have the cabulance resered for 10:00 AM.