First cruise questions

[albanaich]

My wife and I are booked on the 5 July, 2008 Vancouver to Alaska cruise on the Statendam. As this will be our first cruise, I have some questions:

Embarkation: How early do you suggest showing up for embarkation? I've seen mention of people arriving as early as 11:30 and waiting for the gates to open, though the line's minimum requirement is two hours before sailing. We had been thinking of having lunch ashore with relatives then showing up around 14:00 for a 17:00 sailing. Would it be wiser to arrive earlier to avoid a rush?

Disembarkation: How long should we allow for port formalities (baggage pickup, customs, etc.) on return? We'd like to give the people picking us up an idea of when to do so.....

Baggage Tags: "Know Before You Go" refers the reader to the "Arrival Advice" section of the travel document for information on when to attach ship baggage tags. No such information is in said document. Common sense says to attach them after arrival at the Vancouver airport, so as not to confuse the airline baggage handlers. Is there any reason we should wait until we get to the embarkation point?

On-board expenses: When I did the online check-in I had to select the cash option for on-board account, as they didn't like my credit card's imminent (though post-cruise) expiry date. If it's replacement arrives before sailing, can I change this?

Would it be advisable to book a reservation for the Pinnacle Room before boarding or will it be possible to do so after boarding?

Anything else we should be aware of that's not mentioned in the brochure or the document package?

Al

[Krazy Kruizers]

Vancouver - People will start arriving around 11 AM. Embarkation usually starts anywhere from 11 - 11:30.

Should you decide to have lunch before boarding the ship you have 2 options for luggage. You can either keep it with you or you can check it in at the pier and then go out for lunch.

Should be on the ship by 2 or 2:30. That will give you plenty of time to get on the ship and get to your cabin.

Lifeboat drill will be at 4:15.

After you get your luggage at the Vancouver airport, then put on the HAL tags. The HAL tags could get ripped off accidently by the airlines.

There was a time when the Pinnacle was $30 and not many people were booking it. But now that the price has been reduced to $20 per person, I would suggest that you book either online or by call Ship Services at 1-800-541-1576. Booking ahead will require a credit card as it is charged right away. That may be a problem for you. Also you can only book the Pinnacle online up to 10 days before sailing.

Credit card -- notice that you mentioned that you have a small problem. Once you get on the ship, you can get to the front desk and change your cash option to the credit card. So that won't be a problem if you get your new credit card in time.

Have a wonderful Alaskan cruise.

[Harry1954]

Embarkation: How early do you suggest showing up for embarkation? I've seen mention of people arriving as early as 11:30 and waiting for the gates to open, though the line's minimum requirement is two hours before sailing. We had been thinking of having lunch ashore with relatives then showing up around 14:00 for a 17:00 sailing. Would it be wiser to arrive earlier to avoid a rush?
Al
The process is moves fairly quickly. You want to be onboard long before the lifeboat drill as there is indeed a problem if you miss the window due to recent regulations having to do with list of passengers for security/immigration purposes.

Disembarkation: How long should we allow for port formalities (baggage pickup, customs, etc.) on return? We'd like to give the people picking us up an idea of when to do so.....
You can elect to leave on own accord - if you do so, assuming the ship arrives ontime (usual), exact to exit about one to one and one half hours after docking time. Clearing customs etc is very quick/brief.

Baggage Tags: "Know Before You Go" refers the reader to the "Arrival Advice" section of the travel document for information on when to attach ship baggage tags. No such information is in said document. Common sense says to attach them after arrival at the Vancouver airport, so as not to confuse the airline baggage handlers. Is there any reason we should wait until we get to the embarkation point?
Common sense prevails: put them on when you are either getting into taxi from airport or arriving at port if in car.

On-board expenses: When I did the online check-in I had to select the cash option for on-board account, as they didn't like my credit card's imminent (though post-cruise) expiry date. If it's replacement arrives before sailing, can I change this?
yes - they will accept current credit card when you are processing to board. Further, and this is only my thought, I suspect you can make arrangements anytime during voyage to alter the payment plan at the front office, assuming you know your credit card number and expiry date then.

Would it be advisable to book a reservation for the Pinnacle Room before boarding or will it be possible to do so after boarding?
IMHO book it after you get onboard; otherwise, they will clip you for the fees and treat it like a prebooked excursion - canceling is problematic.

Anything else we should be aware of that's not mentioned in the brochure or the document package?
yes, Holland America is a great line and you will love the cruise ...

have a wonderful trip
harry

[jtl513]

I like the previous sets of answers, but would like to add that if you are considering the Pinnacle Grill for lunch any day, you should go and make those reservations as soon as you board. We waited until the 2nd day on our last cruise and couldn't get in! (You can't make lunch reservations on-line in advance.)

P.S.: Welcome to CC and the HAL forum! :D

[MirrorLk]

First curise for us on July 9th on HAL and now I am really confused. HELP!!! Correct me if I am wrong. Flying in day of from SLC to Vancouver and if using USDirect it states that I must attach luggage tag prior to airline checkin. Meaning I place the tags on luggage when checking in at SLC airport. Correct? Do I pick up the luggage at Vancouver airport or does HAL pick them up for me when using US Direct? I do have HAL air to ship transfer.
Thanks for all your help and for calming my nerves.

[feathersandnananose]

On-board expenses: When I did the online check-in I had to select the cash option for on-board account, as they didn't like my credit card's imminent (though post-cruise) expiry date. If it's replacement arrives before sailing, can I change this?


HI - I had the same problem with my charge card (exp July 31, 2008 and cruise over July 25). But when I called my card company, they told me that they had my expiration date as 2012. Their records had already been updated though I didn't have the replacement card in my possession yet. So I just put in the new date on the online check-in and it went through just fine. Try calling your company to see if they've already extended your expiration date even though you haven't got the new card yet. Barb. (Leaving for first ever Alaska/Cruise/CruiseTour.... on July 12. Whoohoo!)
Al[/quote]

[RuthC]

On-board expenses: When I did the online check-in I had to select the cash option for on-board account, as they didn't like my credit card's imminent (though post-cruise) expiry date. If it's replacement arrives before sailing, can I change this?
You can change it right up until the cut-off, which I believe is the day before boarding? Not sure long before.

Or, you can just leave it, then "change your mind" when checking in. I don't want to put my credit card info in the on-line check-in, so always mark it that I will pay in cash. Then when I'm going through the check-in procedure at embarkation I give them my credit card.
Never a problem.

[albanaich]

Thanks everyone for your advice!

Credit card problem may be solved; bank is expediting replacement.

Krazy Kruizers: Are you sure we can check in our luggage, then go for lunch on shore before boarding? I was under the impression the boarding procedure involved accompanying the luggage through US customs/border patrol prior to handing it over to the baggage handlers, just as we do on transborder flights to the US.

MirrorLk; My understanding is that if you're using the USDirect service, you and your baggage are taken directly from the secure part of the airport to the ship and vice-versa under joint US/Canada customs control, so that you and it don't officially enter Canada. You may not have access to your baggage during the transfer, hence the need to attach the ship tags before flying. We, OTOH, will be arriving on a domestic flight from Calgary a day before sailing, claiming our luggage at the airport, and finding our own way to the ship on sailing day.

Alastair

[RuthC]

Krazy Kruizers: Are you sure we can check in our luggage, then go for lunch on shore before boarding? I was under the impression the boarding procedure involved accompanying the luggage through US customs/border patrol prior to handing it over to the baggage handlers, just as we do on transborder flights to the US.
The last time I boarded in Vancouver the hotel sent my luggage over; I walked with my carry-on. I had to clear US Immigration (had that same carry-on with me), but the luggage had nothing to do with it.
It was after that I went through HAL check-in.

[albanaich]

Thanks for clearing that up. What we end up doing will partly depend on which of our Vancouver relatives we're lunching with.

[kayden]

Sorry that I don't have any answers to the questions that you are asking (since it's my first cruise too), but just wanted to say that you are on the same cruise as my mom and I. I hope we get great weather and have a great time! :)