Is Embarkation in Vancouver still horrid?

[puli]

Having read the horror stories of Vancouver embarkation this past May I am hoping by August things have gotten better.

 

We are scheduled to sail on the Pearl the end of September but there will still be 3 ships in port that day.

 

Also would someone comment if there is a difference in the process if one has a suite?

Edited August 3, 2016 by puli

[casofilia]

The worst problems occurred when they used Ballantyne Wharf in the past; that is no longer being used.

 

The problems now occur because ships are going from Canada to the United States so customs and immigration are often 'careful' so boarding can be slow.

 

If there are three ships to be covered the same day then it could be very slow with everyone spread out to do the job effectively.

[puli]

The worst problems occurred when they used Ballantyne Wharf in the past; that is no longer being used.

 

The problems now occur because ships are going from Canada to the United States so customs and immigration are often 'careful' so boarding can be slow.

 

If there are three ships to be covered the same day then it could be very slow with everyone spread out to do the job effectively.

 

I wonder since our first port is Victoria, if we will have to go through immigration and or customs...just security!

[casofilia]

I wonder since our first port is Victoria, if we will have to go through immigration and or customs...just security!

 

That certainly makes it interesting. I presume you then go on to the USA. I wonder where they will do the US customs and immigration clearance.

 

We are used to travelling Canada to the USA from Vancouver by plane or train and do the formalities in Vancouver.

 

Will be interested in hearing what happens.

[herdingdogmom]

I was on the Pearl last September out of Vancouver. There was one other ship there which was also repositioning after the summer Alaska runs. The Pearl came from Seattle on a 1 night cruise and was 1/3 full. The 3 separate lines at the port went pretty quickly and we boarded at Noon after waiting for 45 minutes or so. Not in a suite, but it looked like they boarded first after getting through security and customs. Customs took longer than the other lines. Our first port was in the US, but no customs checks per passenger, so I doubt you would have anything in Victoria. Only thing I remember vividly at the port in Vancouver is that there is no wifi, so plan ahead. There is a Starbucks at Canada Place though.

Edited August 3, 2016 by herdingdogmom

[don't-use-real-name]

Having read the horror stories of Vancouver embarkation this past May I am hoping by August things have gotten better.

 

Canada Place is not that large an area for handling 3 ships at one time -

but other than that even if the scheduled sailing is delayed - no one is going to the

next port with light speed.

The cruises to the first port of call are easily met with a scheduled arrival - all

cruise lines just don't put the throttle down - they cruise slowly with ease and

grace.

 

We are scheduled to sail on the Pearl the end of September but there will still be 3 ships in port that day.

 

Canada Place cruise terminal can handle 1 large ship on the east side of the

terminal (think Princess Golden Princess - NCLs SUN or a Disney)

and 2 medium class ships on the side facing the Lions Gate Bridge

and Stanley Park (think HAL Noordam or similar).

The problem encountered is when any three ships are in port the facility is

tasked to its limits with customs albeit with USA citizens it is pretty much a

minor bump in the road but getting timely transportation to the Vancouver

Airport to catch a flight may be a problem. More so for folks going across the

border to Seattle for their flights. It works just go with the flow allow adequate

time for airline flights and check-in and USA CBI pre-clearance. Really once

inside the YVR airport there is very limited waiting room and things to occupy

your waiting time for your flight - don't rush it !

As for Seattle the charter bus ride is about 3 hours more if USA CBI is having

an odd day (security alert) and in the recent past it has been a zoo getting

checked in and thru TSA (best have a Priority ticket TSA Pre-Check). I believe

that NCL does not recommend a departure before 2PM coming from YVR.

If NCL arrives at SEA the time schedule is different CBI is done at the cruise

terminal and it is off to the airport or other venture.

 

Also would someone comment if there is a difference in the process if one has a suite?

 

Now the easiest question - have not been in a suite in/out of Seattle but it should be

pretty much the same as with any other operation. You are checked in at a

designated counter and go to a lounge to pick-up your sail & sign card and

other suite documents and then are escorted on board by your butler or his

designee. In getting off the ship arrange with the Concierge for a time that

will work for your transportation - the Concierge will escort you to the front

of the disembarking line for meeting that transportation - options will be

a walk-off with all luggage in hand or picking up luggage in a designated

claiming area ask specific questions for help and assistance.

 

Re: The port stop in Victoria - it is just another port of call with no customs

or immigration checks - no red tape or otherwise agenda ***

*** Except for Canada residents living at Victoria wanting to leave the ship

early instead of terminating their travel at Vancouver.

 

As usual YMMV - ask more questions for definite specific answers - change is always in vogue !

[don't-use-real-name]

I was on the Pearl last September out of Vancouver. There was one other ship there which was also repositioning after the summer Alaska runs. The Pearl came from Seattle on a 1 night cruise and was 1/3 full. The 3 separate lines at the port went pretty quickly and we boarded at Noon after waiting for 45 minutes or so. Not in a suite, but it looked like they boarded first after getting through security and customs. Customs took longer than the other lines. Our first port was in the US, but no customs checks per passenger, so I doubt you would have anything in Victoria. Only thing I remember vividly at the port in Vancouver is that there is no wifi, so plan ahead. There is a Starbucks at Canada Place though.

 

Ah that all important connectivity (Wi-Fi) with the world and thank goodness

for the Coffee Shop with it ! LOL.

Common ship positioning ports leaving YVR are Victoria Astoria Oregon

San Francisco Catalina Island and either terminating at Long Beach (NCL uses

San Pedro) and San Diego. It is common for NCL to bypass all these and go

directly to San Pedro or San Diego - CBI is at San Pedro or San Diego.

Ship positioning cruises are not usually full - look for an opportunity to get

more cabin for your buck !

With the last cruise outa Dodge (Alaska) it is conceivable to do a B2B2B Alaska

Pacific Coastal and Mexican Rivera sequence have fun with that one !

[AquaMarineFerret]

Take a look at this:

 

https://www.portvancouver.com/cruise/cruise-schedule/

 

Hope its helps.

[3Fluffies]

I embarked on May 30 on the Sun while the Disney Wonder was on the other side of the dock. Had no problems at all, and they actually started boarding us ahead of time. It was very busy, but a smooth process.

[puli]

The three ships in port on 9/26 are NCL Pearl & NCL Sun from Alaska cruises and HAL Amsterdam from a one day Seattle. We will be on the Pearl which goes to Victoria and then on down the Pacific Coast.

 

Having spent many hours trying to board some years ago with other passengers for 3 ships I was so hoping things had changed. Guess not!

[Lulubelle45]

The three ships in port on 9/26 are NCL Pearl & NCL Sun from Alaska cruises and HAL Amsterdam from a one day Seattle. We will be on the Pearl which goes to Victoria and then on down the Pacific Coast.

 

Having spent many hours trying to board some years ago with other passengers for 3 ships I was so hoping things had changed. Guess not!

 

I'll be on the same cruise!! Last time on the Pearl ( 2011) I was at Ballantyne pier and there were 2 ships there plus the 3 at Canada Place. First port was supposed to be Astoria but too stormy to dock. I have done this itinerary on HAL and we boarded quite smoothly and had no issue in Victoria in regards to customs

[martincath]

I wonder since our first port is Victoria, if we will have to go through immigration and or customs...just security!

Correct - all cruises leaving Vancouver with Canadian port stops before any US port stops mean no US CBP visit, for either customs or immigration, at Canada Place. We've done it on coastal repos so we know of what we speak - and legally-speaking preclearance is only valid if you IMMEDIATELY depart for the US with no stops anywhere else.

 

If they did preclear you in Vancouver, when you went to Victoria you could acquire shiny new expensive things, let alone illegal items/thing that go Boom without CBP getting to check you out! Obviously that's not going to happen, which means that the first US port you visit after a foreign port needs an inspection done, and they're not wasteful enough to do it twice on the same group of folks - hence, no CBP in Vancouver.

 

Unfortunately this means that you WILL have to do US immigration and customs at your first US port - and however bad it is at Canada Place, it sucks more in Seattle/San Francisco/Astoria etc. as those guys have much less practise at handling cruise ships. Expect long lines!

Edited August 3, 2016 by martincath

[puli]

Correct - all cruises leaving Vancouver with Canadian port stops before any US port stops mean no US CBP visit, for either customs or immigration, at Canada Place. We've done it on coastal repos so we know of what we speak - and legally-speaking preclearance is only valid if you IMMEDIATELY depart for the US with no stops anywhere else.

 

If they did preclear you in Vancouver, when you went to Victoria you could acquire shiny new expensive things, let alone illegal items/thing that go Boom without CBP getting to check you out! Obviously that's not going to happen, which means that the first US port you visit after a foreign port needs an inspection done, and they're not wasteful enough to do it twice on the same group of folks - hence, no CBP in Vancouver.

 

Unfortunately this means that you WILL have to do US immigration and customs at your first US port - and however bad it is at Canada Place, it sucks more in Seattle/San Francisco/Astoria etc. as those guys have much less practise at handling cruise ships. Expect long lines!

 

It looks like both the other ships: Sun and Amsterdam are sailing directly to the US (Sun first stop is Astoria and Amsterdam first stop is Avalon near SanDiego). that leaves the Pearl ..which is going to Victoria as the lone ship continuing to sail to a Canadian port.....do you think the Pearl Passengers will be separated from the passengers of the other 2 ships and will be directed to an expedited security line or will we all go through security and then the Pearl passengers will just board directly without having to go through immigration and customs?

[zqvol]

Having read the horror stories of Vancouver embarkation this past May I am hoping by August things have gotten better.

 

We are scheduled to sail on the Pearl the end of September but there will still be 3 ships in port that day.

 

Also would someone comment if there is a difference in the process if one has a suite?

 

Embarking in Vancouver is one of the easiest ports of all. You will find it to be smooth as can be. All the stories that people write about are disembarking, which is a different matter all together, though usually that is not a big deal either.

Edited August 3, 2016 by zqvol

[Lulubelle45]

Correct - all cruises leaving Vancouver with Canadian port stops before any US port stops mean no US CBP visit, for either customs or immigration, at Canada Place. We've done it on coastal repos so we know of what we speak - and legally-speaking preclearance is only valid if you IMMEDIATELY depart for the US with no stops anywhere else.

 

If they did preclear you in Vancouver, when you went to Victoria you could acquire shiny new expensive things, let alone illegal items/thing that go Boom without CBP getting to check you out! Obviously that's not going to happen, which means that the first US port you visit after a foreign port needs an inspection done, and they're not wasteful enough to do it twice on the same group of folks - hence, no CBP in Vancouver.

 

Unfortunately this means that you WILL have to do US immigration and customs at your first US port - and however bad it is at Canada Place, it sucks more in Seattle/San Francisco/Astoria etc. as those guys have much less practise at handling cruise ships. Expect long lines!

 

Yuck. Hope that doesnt mean a delay in San Francisco as i have a tour booked at 10

[martincath]

It looks like both the other ships: Sun and Amsterdam are sailing directly to the US (Sun first stop is Astoria and Amsterdam first stop is Avalon near SanDiego). that leaves the Pearl ..which is going to Victoria as the lone ship continuing to sail to a Canadian port.....do you think the Pearl Passengers will be separated from the passengers of the other 2 ships and will be directed to an expedited security line or will we all go through security and then the Pearl passengers will just board directly without having to go through immigration and customs?

Given all the changes this season (trying out GE/NEXUS lines, doing security/check-in/CBP in different orders) anything is possible, but I would assume it will be 'everyone is treated equally through Security' and then NCL check-in and board immediately after that.

 

If you get lucky and check-in is the first step, you can expect to be called to join the security queue quicker if you're a suite passenger.

 

Since first US POC is San Francisco I would expect delays - we've disembarked in SF, walked off in first batch and been through with no problems but based on how few CBP stations were there and reports I've heard, unless you are among first off delays build quickly.

 

Since it's a POC with CBP requirements, they might not let anyone off until the whole ship is inspected and even if they don't, priority of seeing CBP may or may not have any control from NCL (i.e. suites/high status might mean getting seen by CBP first, or might mean nothing it's all random).

[puli]

Given all the changes this season (trying out GE/NEXUS lines, doing security/check-in/CBP in different orders) anything is possible, but I would assume it will be 'everyone is treated equally through Security' and then NCL check-in and board immediately after that.

 

If you get lucky and check-in is the first step, you can expect to be called to join the security queue quicker if you're a suite passenger.

 

Since first US POC is San Francisco I would expect delays - we've disembarked in SF, walked off in first batch and been through with no problems but based on how few CBP stations were there and reports I've heard, unless you are among first off delays build quickly.

 

Since it's a POC with CBP requirements, they might not let anyone off until the whole ship is inspected and even if they don't, priority of seeing CBP may or may not have any control from NCL (i.e. suites/high status might mean getting seen by CBP first, or might mean nothing it's all random).

 

thanks for the information... hopefully we can be quickly boarded in Vancouver and perhaps as quickly off the Pearl in San Francisco so we can explore that wonderful city!