Question Re: Embarking From First Port Of Call?

[cruisecrasy]

Planning on cruise from Vancouver, Canada to San Diego via Mexico in Sept & as the first port of call is Victoria (my home town) I am wondering if it might be a good idea to embark from there instead of spending $ & time taking a ferry to Vancouver..??

We are still awaiting an answer from HAL as to whether or not we can do it..although our TA suggested it can be done - its just a formality getting it set up..

Any problems u cld see us having doing it?

What time do u think we cld board the ship - before folks disembark on tours, afterwards, during or do they make u wait until about noon or so until almost everyone going ashore has already gone?

Really wld appreciate any input please!!

Thanking u in advance.

Have happy cruisin'

[jhannah]

I've seen people who missed the ship board at the first port of call. Since Victoria is still in Canada, I can't see a problem with it. You'll just miss out on your first night on board what is a short cruise anyway.

[sail7seas]

We were booked on a cruise a few years ago that was to embark in FLL. There had been a hurricane and Miami and FLL airports were closed....didn't know when they would open. We called HAL and asked permission to board in Nassau, which was the first port call. They agreed to allow that. We requested a fax/e-mail as confirmation to present when we arrived at Nassau. They sent it immediately.

If you decide to do that, be absolutely sure to have it in writing IMO as the locals on the ground in the terminal may not be informed you will be doing this.

In the end, our embarkation was moved from FLL to Canaveral and, luckily, we were able to get flights and arrived in time to board and begin our cruise on time. That, too, was a little confusing as we had been taken off the embarkation list for the date the cruise began. It was worked out easily.

[cruisecrasy]

I've seen people who missed the ship board at the first port of call. Since Victoria is still in Canada, I can't see a problem with it. You'll just miss out on your first night on board what is a short cruise anyway.

JHannah - Our cruise from Vancouver to San Diego via Mexico isn't 'short'..It is 11 days so likely won't miss that 1 nite..I agree if just an under 7 day coastal cruise it wld be better to go out of Van..

Sail7Seas - Thanks for the warning..I am hoping we don't have a hurricane in late Sept. this far north :-) but with the odd weather patterns emerging guess u never know :-)
Def. will get it in writing - word of mouth 'isn't worth the paper it is written on' :-)

Thanks very much to u both - appreciate the assistance.

Have happy cruisin'!