Alaskan Air/Cruise transfer Question

[travelbug45]

I am going on my first Alaskan cruise on the Carnival Spirit in early August. What's the best way to get to the ship from the airport in Vancouver? There will be 5 of us on the same plane. Is there a towncar service available? What do you recommend?

 

Also; what time do you recommend we fly in? Our ship sails at 7PM.

[cruisekwazee]

I would see if Carnival offers some kind of service to get you to the pier and my suggestion is to always fly in the day before. Lesson learned the hard way for flying in the day of. Happy Sailing!!

[Ken076]

Fly the day before. checkout/Search the West Coast Departures forum here for all kinds of Vancouver info. Ken

[YooperGale]

If you do fly in early (always a good idea), you might find a hotel with a van to get you to the cruise ship. Also,if you are disembarking in Whittier, look at Alaskan Leopard for getting to Anchorage.

 

Gale

[crazycath]

CARNIVAL TRANSFERS

Carnival Cruise Lines offers Transportation between Anchorage and the Port of Whittier. These services are only available on the day of your cruise and immediately after your cruise.

 

 

Important facts about our transfer services

Where can I Purchase Transfers & How Far in Advance:

Purchase of transfers can be done through Carnival Reservations up to 7 days prior to your sail date; you will need to provide your flight information at the time of purchase. Flight details are provided to the transportation company to assist in expediting your transfer to the pier. It is your responsibility to update Carnival with any changes to your flight schedule to ensure you are met by the transportation company.

New bookings made within 7 days of sailing may purchase the transfer at the Anchorage Airport with a Carnival Cruise Lines airport representative*.

 

*Cash payment is not accepted. The transfer costs are charged directly to your onboard Sail & Sign Account by the airport representative.

 

 

 

Cost of Transfers:

 

 

Between Hospitality Center (Downtown) and Port of Whittier: One Way: $59.00

 

Between Airport and Port of Whittier: One Way: $59.00

 

 

 

Combination of Transfers:

 

 

Anchorage Airport to Port of Whittier/Canada Place Pier to Vancouver Airport (applicable to Southbound Sailings only): Round Trip: $83.00

 

Transfer rates are subject to change and any unused services are non refundable.

 

 

 

What are the Flight Guidelines for the Latest Airport Arrivals and Earliest Return Flights:

 

 

Latest Flight Arrival:

Arrivals into the Anchorage Airport: 6:00pm Latest check-in time at Hospitality Center: 5:30pm

 

Earliest Flight Departures:

Earliest departures out of the Anchorage Airport: 11:00am

 

 

 

Prior to your cruise you will be met at the airport:

 

 

You will be met and assisted by our meet & greet service in the baggage claim area and then escorted to your vehicle for transfer to the port. Transfer time generally begins around noon depending on flight arrivals.

 

NOTE: For guests that arrive prior to 11:00am, you will be transferred to the Hospitality Center in Anchorage. Transportation from the Hospitality Center to the Port of Whittier begins at 11:30am.

 

 

For availability contact your travel agent or Carnival Reservations at 1-800-327-9501.

[realmccoy]

We did the Carnival transfer from Vancouver Airport to the ship. It was great and really fast. You end up going around customs (eventhough you do check in with them) and directly onto a bus. Your luggage meets you there at the ship. We didn't have any issues with the transfer.

[wrp96]

As to flight time, if you can't fly in a day in advance (recommended), then take the earliest flight you can the day of the cruise.

 

If you fly in day of, then I recommend buying Carnival transfers because that way you can take advantage of US Direct if your airline participates. With US Direct, you get to skip Canadian immigration at the airport and US immigration at the pier - which will save you some time and hassles. http://www.portmetrovancouver.com/about/cruiseandtourism/usdirectprocess.aspx

[S.S.Oceanlover]

We are going to use http://www.yvrairporter.com/ when we go in September. $13.75 pp

 

Bill

[by_u_nurse]

CARNIVAL TRANSFERS

Carnival Cruise Lines offers Transportation between Anchorage and the Port of Whittier. These services are only available on the day of your cruise and immediately after your cruise.

 

 

Important facts about our transfer services

Where can I Purchase Transfers & How Far in Advance:

Purchase of transfers can be done through Carnival Reservations up to 7 days prior to your sail date; you will need to provide your flight information at the time of purchase. Flight details are provided to the transportation company to assist in expediting your transfer to the pier. It is your responsibility to update Carnival with any changes to your flight schedule to ensure you are met by the transportation company.

New bookings made within 7 days of sailing may purchase the transfer at the Anchorage Airport with a Carnival Cruise Lines airport representative*.

 

*Cash payment is not accepted. The transfer costs are charged directly to your onboard Sail & Sign Account by the airport representative.

 

 

 

Cost of Transfers:

 

 

Between Hospitality Center (Downtown) and Port of Whittier: One Way: $59.00

 

Between Airport and Port of Whittier: One Way: $59.00

 

 

 

Combination of Transfers:

 

 

Anchorage Airport to Port of Whittier/Canada Place Pier to Vancouver Airport (applicable to Southbound Sailings only): Round Trip: $83.00

 

Transfer rates are subject to change and any unused services are non refundable.

 

 

 

What are the Flight Guidelines for the Latest Airport Arrivals and Earliest Return Flights:

 

 

Latest Flight Arrival:

Arrivals into the Anchorage Airport: 6:00pm Latest check-in time at Hospitality Center: 5:30pm

 

Earliest Flight Departures:

Earliest departures out of the Anchorage Airport: 11:00am

 

 

 

Prior to your cruise you will be met at the airport:

 

 

You will be met and assisted by our meet & greet service in the baggage claim area and then escorted to your vehicle for transfer to the port. Transfer time generally begins around noon depending on flight arrivals.

 

NOTE: For guests that arrive prior to 11:00am, you will be transferred to the Hospitality Center in Anchorage. Transportation from the Hospitality Center to the Port of Whittier begins at 11:30am.

 

 

For availability contact your travel agent or Carnival Reservations at 1-800-327-9501.

Does anyone know if you do a land precruise tour if it works the same way? I understand we're to fly into Fairbanks. Will the greeter be at the baggage claim there?

[travelbug45]

Thank you for all your advice - its been most helpful.This site has been incredibly great for planning our first cruise :)

 

I have a couple questions for the transfers post cruise for Whittier to Anchorage:

 

We are debating whether to take a train or rent a car and drive. Before we decide, we need to know ...

 

Where is the train station in Anchorage? Is it close to the airport?

 

What car rental companies will rent in Whittier with a return in Anchorage?

[scottbee]

I am going on my first Alaskan cruise on the Carnival Spirit in early August. What's the best way to get to the ship from the airport in Vancouver? There will be 5 of us on the same plane. Is there a towncar service available? What do you recommend?

 

Also; what time do you recommend we fly in? Our ship sails at 7PM.

 

Limojet Gold limo service. A stretch towncar for the 6 of you should be in the 75$ range.

 

You need to be on board 90 minutes prior to departure. I wouldn't want to arrive in Vancouver much after 1pm given the potential for flight delays, the fact you have to clear Canadian Customs/Immegration etc etc. I always fly to the port the day before and enjoy the port city as another place to visit. Vancouver downtown is compact and easy to get around and there's lot to see/do/eat.

[kenish]

Thank you for all your advice - its been most helpful.This site has been incredibly great for planning our first cruise :)

 

I have a couple questions for the transfers post cruise for Whittier to Anchorage:

 

We are debating whether to take a train or rent a car and drive. Before we decide, we need to know ...

 

Where is the train station in Anchorage? Is it close to the airport?

 

What car rental companies will rent in Whittier with a return in Anchorage?

 

The train station is in the downtown area, about 5 miles / 15 minutes north of the airport. There is a RR station in the airport but I don't know the details...it may be only for people transfering to/from cruises. It sounds like you may be driving to Denali or Fairbanks after Whittier? If you are, consider dropping your car at the downtown Avis location instead, and re-renting a car for the rest of the trip. Otherwise you will pay the one way charge for your entire rental instead of a OW and a RT. Most car companies let you rent downtown and drop off at the airport without a drop charge. The airport tacks on about 25% in fees and taxes to the rental.

 

Avis is the only firm in Whittier so you must rent from them. Be sure to account for the tunnel times in your planning.