Return NCL Transfers in Seattle with NCL Air

[thedoc29ca]

Cruising the Encore round trip from Seattle in July and have air booked through NCL.   Have return transfers booked through NCl for the first time.  
 

Overall pleased with NCL Air flights.   Direct both ways.  Early morning arrival the day before will allow us to explore the city.   

 

Slight concern with return flight 11:30am Sunday from Sea-Tac.   Wondering if our NCL transfer will accommodate our NCl Air booked flight time but would not be surprised and kind of expect that there would not be communication between departments.   Some posts recommend no earlier than 12:00 others have had no issue self disembarking and making early flights.   Would rather not be waiting for a bus to fill and considering cancelling transfers and making our own arrangements unless NCL transfers are certain to leave and get us there for appropriate times.  
 

Thanks in advance for any input and previous experience.    

[KansasTexan]

It was close for me to make an 11:35 flight last September. The problem wasn't on NCL's end, it was that SEA-TAC was packed and the lines to get through TSA were so very, very long. If I had it to do again, I'd have pre-check. I didn't at the time and it was stress-inducing. (Getting off the ship and onto the shuttle which left quickly for the airport presented no problems.)

[9tee2Sea]

27 minutes ago, thedoc29ca said:

Cruising the Encore round trip from Seattle in July and have air booked through NCL.   Have return transfers booked through NCl for the first time.  
 

Overall pleased with NCL Air flights.   Direct both ways.  Early morning arrival the day before will allow us to explore the city.   

 

Slight concern with return flight 11:30am Sunday from Sea-Tac.   Wondering if our NCL transfer will accommodate our NCl Air booked flight time but would not be surprised and kind of expect that there would not be communication between departments.   Some posts recommend no earlier than 12:00 others have had no issue self disembarking and making early flights.   Would rather not be waiting for a bus to fill and considering cancelling transfers and making our own arrangements unless NCL transfers are certain to leave and get us there for appropriate times.  
 

Thanks in advance for any input and previous experience.    

I think you should be fine if you get onto one of the first busses.  It may get tight, but here is possible time schedule.  Ship docks around 6-7am.  Do walk off ( don't put your bags out the night before).  You are off the ship by 8am and onto a bus.  Bus leaves around 9am.  30-45 min drive to the airport ( arriving at SeaTac between 9:30-10 am).  30 min to get thru security and then another 20 min ( maybe) to get to your gate.  You should be at your gate, just when boarding starts ( provided you do not make any bathroom stops).  The trick will be getting off the ship as early as possible by doing walk off, meaning you, and your party can handle the luggage without any help from staff.  The bus driver will load your luggage into the bus. Like one poster had said, maybe look into TSA pre-check asap.  Cruise season at SeaTac is very busy.

[thedoc29ca]

Thanks for the replies.   We do have NEXUS which gives us TSA Pre-Check.  It’s always hit or miss if it shows up on our boarding passes so I’ll be sure to make sure it’s there.  
 

Thanks again.  

[thedoc29ca]

Really appreciate the time line break down.   Might consider a taxi or Uber to be able to head to the airport right after walking off to avoid waiting on the bus.   Any downside to this?

[www3traveler]

The Port of Seattle has a Port Valet Program.  You will be given special baggage tags for it.  Put your luggage out the night before, it will be gathered and taken directly to your airline at SeaTac.  The day before disembarkation, you will be given your airline boarding pass.  You should be among the first people off the ship, on the bus and out to SeaTac.  Once you reach the airport, you go directly through Security to your gate.  It works very well taking the stress out of your day.  You should find the Port Valet information in your cabin or you can check at the Guest Services Desk.  You also can find the information on the Port of Seattle's website.

[julig22]

7 minutes ago, www3traveler said:

The Port of Seattle has a Port Valet Program.  You will be given special baggage tags for it.  Put your luggage out the night before, it will be gathered and taken directly to your airline at SeaTac.  The day before disembarkation, you will be given your airline boarding pass.  You should be among the first people off the ship, on the bus and out to SeaTac.  Once you reach the airport, you go directly through Security to your gate.  It works very well taking the stress out of your day.  You should find the Port Valet information in your cabin or you can check at the Guest Services Desk.  You also can find the information on the Port of Seattle's website.

Not available for early flights.  Last I knew, cutoff was noon.