Another question about Vancouver sailings?

[CaledonHockley]

You all are probably tired of me, but I've started with the embarkation day rehersal that I'm sure we all do: "the day of the cruise I'm going to do this, then this, then that, and so on"; which brings me to what time I need to arrive at the pier? According to my boarding pass, embarkation begins at noon. Is that the time for early embarkation? Or would early be 30 minutes prior?

Thanks.

[Tweedy]

I'd go a bit earlier. You will have to go through security, then customs before arriving at the check-in counter.

[CaledonHockley]

Ok thanks Tweedy....I want to go NOW darnit!

[whyyz]

Try to arrive by 11:30 or so. You will be clearing US Customs and Immigration prior to boarding, in addition to the normal HAL processes. It is very difficult to predict the amount of time check-in takes at the start of the year. Before late June, most of the travellers are neither Canadian nor American travellers (a lot of families wait until school is out for summer vacations). This can cause backlogs at US Customs.

This is meant to prepare you, not to scare you: There were a few sailings last May that involved processing line ups 3-4 hours long. (Canada Place can have up to 3 ships berthed at one time). See the schedule for your sailing date: http://www.portmetrovancouver.com/libraries/about_cruise_tourism/2009_cruise_schedule_as_of_april_2_2009.sflb.ashx

Arriving earlier puts you closer to the front of these lines. If you get on board in 10 minutes, GREAT. That means that you can explore the ship and have lunch while your staterooms are being readied for you. It is much easier to wait for the other passengers to clear customs while your cruise has already started.

I suggest that you have a bottle of water and a snack in your carry-on just in case you run in to one of these long waits. Once you start checking in, there is no access to food or water until you are aboard.

Have a wonderful cruise.

[CaledonHockley]

Great schedule. And I lucked out, mine is the only ship on that day. Its a short repo cruise and I expect mostly Canadians and Americans, although I could be wrong. And I'm booked in a suite, on HAL that means separate lines and priority boarding, which should speed things up a bit. Thanks for the info!

[whyyz]

Great schedule. And I lucked out, mine is the only ship on that day. Its a short repo cruise and I expect mostly Canadians and Americans, although I could be wrong. And I'm booked in a suite, on HAL that means separate lines and priority boarding, which should speed things up a bit. Thanks for the info!


You should be fine for the repo cruise. I would join you, but work schedules never allow me to do these.


For others doing Alaska cruises, take note that the suite booking will speed you through HAL processes, but the backlog is at US Customs and Immigration.

[HillbillyInBC]

Do they have NEXUS at Canada Place? I've become spoiled the past couple of years being able to bypass the queues at YVR and Peace Arch.

[cruisequeen10]

I live in Vancouver close to Canada Place. I frequently am down there people watching. I have cruised from there many times. I would get there at least by 10 a.m. If there is more than 1 ship in, the line up will be long. That way if you are there early, you will be one of the first to get through security. Once you are through security it won't be long before you are on board. They always tell you what time the boarding is, but always start early.

[Putterdude]

Do they have NEXUS at Canada Place? I've become spoiled the past couple of years being able to bypass the queues at YVR and Peace Arch.

My experience has been no, they don't have it..know what you mean about being spoiled though, we crossed on Wed. in less than 3 minutes after being in AZ for more than 5 months.:D

We are doing a repositioning cruise next month and will take our NEXUS cards just in case...I hope, I hope.;)