Port security - Alaska

[Shmoo here]

OK, everyone, I'm having a brain fade here (can't be my age :rolleyes:)

 

When you come back to the ship in the Alaskan ports, is there a security check/gate like in the ports in Mexico and such? As in, before you get on the ship?

[wayzer]

ok, everyone, i'm having a brain fade here (can't be my age :rolleyes:)

 

when you come back to the ship in the alaskan ports, is there a security check/gate like in the ports in mexico and such? As in, before you get on the ship?

 

 

yes

[Mary Ellen]

When you come back to the ship in the Alaskan ports, is there a security check/gate like in the ports in Mexico and such? As in, before you get on the ship?

That's been our experience - no matter where in the world the ship is docked or anchored. One always has to go through security before re-boarding these days. Gone are the times when you just showed a paper ID card to get back on the ship.

[Essiesmom]

Hmmm...not sure what you mean by security before you board. In my experience, you have to show your card to get onto the gangway, but once onboard, you go through the xray, etc. EM

[PathfinderEss]

yup:)

Edited October 16, 2014 by PathfinderEss

[BearInStPete]

There is a check for cabin keys w/random check of photo IDs to gain access to port area in some of the Alaska port areas and the normal cabin key, metal detector and X-ray to board ship.

[Crew News]

My Alaska experience is that you show your stateroom key to those checking at the entrance to the gangway. The first time your bags/pocket contents are checked/scanned is on board after Ship's Security has scanned your stateroom key.

 

Victoria, BC has a stateroom key check before entering the Customs zone at the pier.

Edited October 16, 2014 by Crew News

[Krazy Kruizers]

There have been a few times when we were asked to show photo idea. Otherwise -- just show your ship's ID card before getting onto the ship.

Once you are up the gangway, scan your ship's ID card and proceed through the security area just like you do in all other foreign ports.

[sail7seas]

Certainly since 9-11, we've never been in any port where there wasn't shore side security before we can even go to the gangway to reboard.

 

[RuthC]

I recently did a 7-day round-trip out of Vancouver, and the 14-day round trip out of Seattle to various ports in Alaska.

 

In most of the ports we were allowed to head straight to the gangway, and the normal security, without passing any port security first. IIRC, we did have to have our cabin key as we entered the port, via shuttle bus, in Anchorage. I think there was a port guard in Homer, too (not sure). But Ketchikan, Juneau, Skagway---the usual ports---were go straight to the ship.

[Shmoo here]

Thanks, all.

 

I was fairly certain that there was some sort of check to access the dock area, but I couldn't remember. And a friend (just back from her 1st cruise ever - to Alaska) said there was only the onboard cruise card scan to get back onto the ship. I was trying to explain to her that wasn't the case.

 

If I recall correctly, sometimes the port security check is like right at the bottom of the gangway and the "security fence" isn't much more than those movable traffic fence/divider things. So she may not have even registered that she was going though 2 different checks to get onboard (port and then actually on the ship).

[Lizzie68]

My memory must be getting dim, because I don't recall any checkpoints before the gangway in Juneau, Skagway or Ketchikan, in all my Alaska cruises. But I could be wrong - it has been known.:rolleyes: Maybe we had to flash our card or something, I just don't remember.

[sail7seas]

Thanks, all.

 

I was fairly certain that there was some sort of check to access the dock area, but I couldn't remember. And a friend (just back from her 1st cruise ever - to Alaska) said there was only the onboard cruise card scan to get back onto the ship. I was trying to explain to her that wasn't the case.

 

If I recall correctly, sometimes the port security check is like right at the bottom of the gangway and the "security fence" isn't much more than those movable traffic fence/divider things. So she may not have even registered that she was going though 2 different checks to get onboard (port and then actually on the ship).

 

 

I remember it the way you do.

 

Maybe it is an 'inconsistency' thing?

 

[AmberCascades]

In Kauai our tour guide had to drop us off at the gates to the port area as he wasn't allowed inside. At another couple of ports in the Hawaiian islands (I forget which ones) the tour bus stopped at the gates and someone came onboard to check all our photo ids. One lady wasn't allowed inside the gates since she didn't have her photo id and they escorted her to the ship separately.

 

There was nothing like that in Alaska though. Just the usual welcome from the crew, scan our seapass, x-ray our stuff and off to our cabins.

[SilvertoGold]

We cruise Alaska every year and we've seen "check points" (where you show your HAL card to non- HAL security) before the actual gangway only in Steward and Haines.

Edited October 16, 2014 by SilvertoGold

[Lizzie68]

I remember it the way you do.

 

Maybe it is an 'inconsistency' thing?

 

 

How often have you done that cruise? I do Alaska every year (except this year:() and the only consistent thing I can remember is that I don't ever remember a security check before the gangway.:eek::D

[RuthC]

If I recall correctly, sometimes the port security check is like right at the bottom of the gangway and the "security fence" isn't much more than those movable traffic fence/divider things. So she may not have even registered that she was going though 2 different checks to get onboard (port and then actually on the ship).

The check at the beginning of the gangway isn't a port check; it's a ship check to allow you to start up.

The check once you are at the top of the gangway is to scan you back on board. It would be better termed a second ship check.

 

For the most part, Alaska doesn't have port checks. Those checks get you into the port area, but then you still have a walk to the ship.

[RuthC]

How often have you done that cruise? I do Alaska every year (except this year:() and the only consistent thing I can remember is that I don't ever remember a security check before the gangway.:eek::D

I don't go every year, but I go often enough to know you're spot on here.

Unless you are doing a couple of the off the beaten path ports, you just walk through the port area to the ship.

[frankc98376]

We've noticed in Alaska that the gangway check is primarily to make sure you are at the correct ship. Many times there are two or three HAL ships in port, We were back to back with Westerdam one trip- both ships look the same and many were going to the wrong gangway.

[sherryf]

In Skagway, at the Railroad dock, there is a check point at the end of the dock area. They just want to see a cruise card, no real security.