Early flight in Vancouver

[shofer]

We are booked on the Island next May for a Land/Cruise in Alaska. Our TA booked the flight from Vancouver to Seattle at 10:30 AM which is the same one that Princess uses for their air choice.

 

Is this going to be a problem getting there in time? I know we can request to be off first and also to carry our own luggage. (Not really a choice as we are 2 girls) Just concerned with making the flight on time.

 

 

Sue

[Keith1010]

I just want to confirm your question.

 

Do you arrive to Vancouver by cruise ship and are you trying to make a 10:30 AM flight out of Vancouver that same day?

 

Keith

[vanman]

Assuming the ship is not delayed into Vancouver, you should have time. The port is only about 20 minutes from the airport. You'll be clearing US customs and immigration at Vancouver airport so allow up to half an hour for that.

[Keith1010]

Assuming the ship is not delayed into Vancouver, you should have time. The port is only about 20 minutes from the airport. You'll be clearing US customs and immigration at Vancouver airport so allow up to half an hour for that.

 

When we arrived back to Vancouver from our cruise with traffic it took us almost one hour to get to the airport. Personally, because of immigration I would get to the airport 2 1/2 hours before the flight because one never knows how long that line will be.

 

If the OP is really arriving to Vancouver by cruise ship if it was me I would not book a flight before Noon.

 

And I arrived to Vancouver on our last cruise on a relatively small vessel allowing for a speedy disembarkation.

 

Keith

[cruiseryyc]

I can't believe that Princess is booking flights that early out of Vancouver! It's 30 to 45 minutes to the airport; you should be there two hours prior your flight, which means 8:30 a.m. Getting a bus load off and loaded by 7:30 - not going to happen. I would suggest something after noon would be a better choice.

[Putterdude]

The ships are alongside Canada Place shortly after 0600. If you are able to handle your own luggage and can self-disembark that will begin about 0700. With that you should be thru Canadian customs and on the curb by 0800. You are then a full 35 mins to YVR by cab and a similar amount of time if you walk over to Waterfront station and take the Canada Line out to YVR. You need to be at YVR a full 2 hours before flight time as you clear US customs there and need to clear security. You could make it....but it's to tight for my appetite....one small hiccup and you are going to be paying for flight change.

[Keith1010]

I would not even try it.

 

And, while it could take 35 minutes by car it could also take an hour. No one can predict traffic and we have seen it take close to an hour during rush hour.

 

And no one can be 100% sure that the cruise will arrive at 6:00 AM each and every time.

 

If you like stress and like risk it might be for some people but it's really foolish to attempt such an early flight. Actually it's worse than flying in the day of the cruise.

 

Keith

[shofer]

The flight is booked already by our TA so to change it is going to cost us $150. We do have quite a bit of time yet as we don't go until next May.

 

I guess we will just make sure we are in the first group off the ship. We did purchase Princess transfers. It is going to be a nail-biter.

 

Sue

[Keith1010]

The flight is booked already by our TA so to change it is going to cost us $150. We do have quite a bit of time yet as we don't go until next May.

 

I guess we will just make sure we are in the first group off the ship. We did purchase Princess transfers. It is going to be a nail-biter.

 

Sue

 

How much will you pay if you miss the flight?

 

I think this is a big mistake. Why ruin your cruise worrying about this.

 

Wish you would have asked for our input before you booked the flight.

 

Now, I am very confused. I just looked up your itinerary on the Princess Web Site. Are you on the May 20, 2013 Island Princess cruise that arrives in Vancouver on May 27? If so, it shows that you arrive at 7:30 AM. Yes, I know that it might arrive to the pier earlier.

 

Anyway, this is from the Princess Web Site and I think it is excellent advise.

 

Disembarking Passengers

For voyages that arrive in Vancouver at 7:30 am, the earliest flight departure is 12:00 pm for international flights and 11:00 am for domestic flights.

For voyages that arrive Vancouver at 10:00 am, the earliest flight departure is 2:30 pm for international flights and 1:30 pm for domestic flights.

 

Keith

[Putterdude]

The flight is booked already by our TA so to change it is going to cost us $150. We do have quite a bit of time yet as we don't go until next May.

 

I guess we will just make sure we are in the first group off the ship. We did purchase Princess transfers. It is going to be a nail-biter.

 

Sue

 

I would suggest that you have got some bad advice from your TA, there is no way you will make your flight with a Princess transfer. The only way you will, and that is a pretty big only, is to cab it or take the Canada Line. I know the logistics, I am a native Vancouverite.

[Budget Queen]

The flight is booked already by our TA so to change it is going to cost us $150. We do have quite a bit of time yet as we don't go until next May.

 

I guess we will just make sure we are in the first group off the ship. We did purchase Princess transfers. It is going to be a nail-biter.

 

Sue

 

I too suggest you consider giving some thought to the EXPERTS on this board, who are giving you accurate advice.

 

Right from the Princess web site you have THEIR information to book flights noon and after. Purchasing a Princess transfer is ANOTHER big mistake you have made. This is the slowest transfer- everyone lining up, a large tour bus, and they do not leave until they are full.

 

You have made the wrong assumption thinking it will be simple for you to be the first group off the ship just because you want it. So will MANY other passengers.

 

You don't seem to want to change this, I wish you good luck.

[scottbee]

We are booked on the Island next May for a Land/Cruise in Alaska. Our TA booked the flight from Vancouver to Seattle at 10:30 AM which is the same one that Princess uses for their air choice.

 

Is this going to be a problem getting there in time? I know we can request to be off first and also to carry our own luggage. (Not really a choice as we are 2 girls) Just concerned with making the flight on time.

 

Most cruise lines -- and I can't see how Princess would be any different -- won't book a flight before noon out of Vancouver -- because at YVR there's an additional step for USA bound flights, of pre-clearing US Immigration/Customs prior to entering the transborder wing (E gates) of the airport.

 

 

The fastest way to get there is

- Walk off with your own luggage

- Walk the three blocks to Waterfront Station

- Take Skytrain (subway) to the airport

 

That being said, I'm familiar with the airport and Skytrain and I'd be stressed about this connection.

[Putterdude]

This poster has made a similar post on the Princess board and one of the regular Vancouver/Princess posters has noticed what appears to be a glitch on Princess website re times.

[PennyAgain]

Assuming the ship is not delayed into Vancouver, you should have time. The port is only about 20 minutes from the airport. You'll be clearing US customs and immigration at Vancouver airport so allow up to half an hour for that.

 

The length of time I've spent in the lines for US Customs and Immigration have been very long on cruise departure days. It is not a situation where you can be put ahead in the line if you are about to miss your flight.

 

Listen to Keith1010. He has a great deal of experience.

 

The Travel Agent in this situation is completely in error.

 

Flights out of YVR on cruise days are always full. Chances of getting on a later flight are few and you will be charged to do so.

[Appygirl]

I'd say take the advice of the people here. Is losing $150 now for change fees worth buying 2 tickets to Seattle once you get to the Vancouver airport? And possibly buying 2 more tickets from Seattle to wherever your next destination is?

 

The last time we flew from Vancouver to Los Angeles in 2010 and going through US customs they pulled my husband for a random secondary check. I had the option of proceeding to the gate or joining him and I stayed with him. We were taken to the US immigration area and sat there for at least 20 minutes during which time I saw one couple and one family with young children being escorted out with their luggage by customs officers and RCMP. An agent finally called us over, asked my husband a couple of questions, and sent us on to the gate. I guess it just took that long for Homeland Security to do a computer check. It was really weird. He owns his own business and home, is a solid citizen, no trouble with the law, doesn't look scruffy, has a regular name. It was just one of those weird random secondary checks. Fortunately we arrived 3 hours before our flight and had the time to kill. What happens if one of you gets pulled for a secondary check and you don't have the extra time to make your flight?

[teacherman]

I am not disputing the view of the other people as we are all experienced cruisers. To me, though, it depends on how many ships have docked, how many cruisers are going to the airport for an international flight to the US, and what day of the week it is. Three weeks ago, we stayed at the Ramada Limited on Pender Street after our cruise. Our flight home was on a Wednesday. We left the hotel at 8:00 am, pulling our suitcases. We went to Waterfront Station, took the Sky Train to Yvr, checked our luggage, and were through Customs and waiting for our flight by 9:00. I was shocked at how quickly we made it. BUT, there were no ships docking on that day and very few people going through Customs at that time. Still, I would pay the $150 for a later flight and not have the worry during my cruise. We try to make our own flight arrangements for all of our cruises so we allow ourselves enough wiggle room if something unexpected should occur. Will your TA cover the costs if you don't get to your flight???

[PennyAgain]

When I've been in Vancouver on business when it is not cruise season, the story is often as noted above.

 

On cruise days...... another world.

[dabear]

Last month we exited the ship with the 1st group with our own luggage, grabbed a cab and arrrived at the airport with plenty of time to make our 11am flight back to the states. It was on a Friday, but we were the only ship in port. If there are alot of ships in port or if you are not off the ship quickly with your own luggage, you could run into trouble.

[koolforkatz]

I would never do it. I'd ruin my cruise by stressing out the last couple of days as to whether I was going to make the flight home.

 

Not worth it, IMO.

[portiemom]

We just used a Princess transfer to get to the Vancouver airport from the Island Princess. I have only this one experience to share. Others are the experts here with much more experience, so YMMV. Our flight was at 12:15, so after the noon hour, as others have suggested. The ship docked shortly after 6 am. I was out taking photographs at 6:10 and we had breakfast in the dining room with plenty of time to meet our transfer group at the designated time of 8:10. We were nowhere near the first group off the ship. From my perspective it seemed like things were extremely busy with so many people disembarking. But I never felt stressed. Our Princess transfer experience went very smoothly. It felt very organized, very under control. The airport was a crazy mess with long lines everywhere. Princess sent our luggage ahead to the airport and we picked it up there. We did have an issue with a broken strap on our garment bag so that slowed us down a bit filling out a damage report. (We probably wouldn't have done this, but the Princess rep saw me looking over the bag and approached and offered to fill out the paperwork. We've already decided not to proceed with the claim because we fixed the bent clip ourselves.) Anyway our group left the ship at about 8:25 and we were at the airport by 9:15. We stood in long lines, but they moved very quickly. Our gate was at the far end of the airport. If our flight had been at 10:30, we would have made it easily. Again this is one person's experience on one particular day. We tend to stress easily, an understatement if you knew my DH :o, but felt completely at ease with the Princess transfer process. I would definitely use a Princess transfer again and trust them to get us there in time.

[ceilidh1]

We are booked on the Island next May for a Land/Cruise in Alaska. Our TA booked the flight from Vancouver to Seattle at 10:30 AM which is the same one that Princess uses for their air choice.

 

Is this going to be a problem getting there in time? I know we can request to be off first and also to carry our own luggage. (Not really a choice as we are 2 girls) Just concerned with making the flight on time.

 

 

Sue

 

We have many passengers that book 10:30am flights - I believe that is the earliest allowed for the Princess transfer. If you are unable to handle your bags and do walk off then I would suggest purchasing the transfer and making sure that all of your immigration info and flight details are in your personalizer in plenty of time before you sail. That way, you will be placed into the direct to bus group for disembarkation - you go through a lighter form of Canadian customs (so no big lign up at the pier) since you are not technically "entering" Canada...you will be taken directly to the bus and straight to the airport. Your luggage will be sent separately on a truck so you don't collect it until you arrive at the airport. This program will only work for you if you are a US citizen, flying our same day before 4pm, AND ALL flight info and immigration info is entered into your personalizer ahead of time (and you purchase the transfer, of course).....

[ceilidh1]

I too suggest you consider giving some thought to the EXPERTS on this board, who are giving you accurate advice.

 

Right from the Princess web site you have THEIR information to book flights noon and after. Purchasing a Princess transfer is ANOTHER big mistake you have made. This is the slowest transfer- everyone lining up, a large tour bus, and they do not leave until they are full.

 

You have made the wrong assumption thinking it will be simple for you to be the first group off the ship just because you want it. So will MANY other passengers.

 

You don't seem to want to change this, I wish you good luck.

 

This is not necessarily true if you have put all of your flight info into your personalizer beforehand. The buses that "wait" until full are for all transfer passengers that have not provided flight details - so Princess has no idea when or where they are flying. Those that DO provide details are placed into groups according to flight times and, if eligible for the direct to bus program as explained in my previous post, are transported to the airport from a different area. Obviously, by next year, this may change but I have worked shoreside in Vancouver for 5 years and this has always been the process - with many, many passengers booking the 10:30am flights. I personally wouldn't want the stress, but most seem to make the flights....

[ceilidh1]

We just used a Princess transfer to get to the Vancouver airport from the Island Princess. I have only this one experience to share. Others are the experts here with much more experience, so YMMV. Our flight was at 12:15, so after the noon hour, as others have suggested. The ship docked shortly after 6 am. I was out taking photographs at 6:10 and we had breakfast in the dining room with plenty of time to meet our transfer group at the designated time of 8:10. We were nowhere near the first group off the ship. From my perspective it seemed like things were extremely busy with so many people disembarking. But I never felt stressed. Our Princess transfer experience went very smoothly. It felt very organized, very under control. The airport was a crazy mess with long lines everywhere. Princess sent our luggage ahead to the airport and we picked it up there. We did have an issue with a broken strap on our garment bag so that slowed us down a bit filling out a damage report. (We probably wouldn't have done this, but the Princess rep saw me looking over the bag and approached and offered to fill out the paperwork. We've already decided not to proceed with the claim because we fixed the bent clip ourselves.) Anyway our group left the ship at about 8:25 and we were at the airport by 9:15. We stood in long lines, but they moved very quickly. Our gate was at the far end of the airport. If our flight had been at 10:30, we would have made it easily. Again this is one person's experience on one particular day. We tend to stress easily, an understatement if you knew my DH :o, but felt completely at ease with the Princess transfer process. I would definitely use a Princess transfer again and trust them to get us there in time.

 

I would say that you were in the direct to bus program - either red, pink, or yellow tags?

[portiemom]

I would say that you were in the direct to bus program - either red, pink, or yellow tags?

 

Yes! I'm not familiar with the coding system. We received a schedule with many, many departure groups and different departure times. We were in the Red 4 group. All along the way, almost everyone asked us when our flight time was. They were obviously very concerned with making sure everyone made their flight. I could not imagine a better experience given the hustle and bustle, especially at the airport. We had a little problem at check in for our flight--some computer issue, but again it was quickly taken care of as another agent re-entered our info, printed a tag for our checked bag, and sent us on our way!