psuboater

We've done the Vibe on a February LA/Cabo cruise, and while a lot of times it was too cold to use, we still felt we got great use out of it. The days that it was warm enough we spent most of our time out there. We also did the Vibe on our cruise to Bermuda last June. Keep in mind that the wind going up/down the Atlantic might be too strong. The last sea day only one side of the Vibe was usable because of the wind. The staff did a great job of moving all of the chairs to one side, so while we were closer to our neighbors than usual, everyone still had a seat they could enjoy. However, I also live in Seattle so 70 sounds great to me, if 70 means you're putting on a sweatshirt, then it might not be 🙂

I love to travel -- but if you look at my travel schedule, I don't fly out of SEA from June through September unless I have to. 1) This is the best part of the year for Seattle - where most days don't top 80, never rains, and nights get down into 50s. 2) The absolute zoo that is flying out of SEA during cruise season. If you're disembarking on the days where we have 3 cruises disembarking the same day - don't book anything before noon so you can utilize Port Valet, saving yourself 45minutes-1 hour in bag drop at least, and give your self time to get down to the airport (you need to cut through rush hour traffic), and give yourself time to not ruin the experience of your amazing Alaska cruise by trying to get on the next (oversold) flight. Utilize Port Valet for all eligible flights after noon, or Pack a Carry on only if you must take a flight before noon, use Space Saver SEA if you don't have PreCheck, pack your patience, and enjoy the Pacific Northwest 🙂 Also, a GREAT reminder if you're planning on flying to SEA to take the train up to Vancouver BC (or vice versa) - BOOK YOUR TRAIN TICKETS NOW. They sell out quickly, and Amtrak rewards you the earlier you book.

If you can avoid bag drop, I think you’ll save yourself a lot of grief. I only check a bag for this Bermuda cruise and it’s always in June. I’m Sky Priority with Delta and last year bag drop took me 40 minutes. Especially with two cruise ships disembarking that day that will be the best move.

It’s tight but doable. If you do not have TSA Precheck, look into SEA spot saver:https://www.portseattle.org/SEAspotsaver. It’s a free service that lets you schedule your time through security. If you have TSA Pre and CLEAR- then I’d absolutely feel comfortable with 11:40. Keep in mind bag drop will be a zoo, so if you have a loyalty program with your airline that will help with time as well. Randomly, I will be at SEA at that time flying in from NY with my annual Bermuda cruise 🙂

Happy cruise season! Welcome to everyone coming to our corner of the country 🙂

That’s correct, but it’s only for general screening, not if you have TSA Precheck. Evenings tend to be very busy as there’s a lot of red eyes to the East Coast then. It’s a free service so couldn’t hurt. 🙂

I like to say “Don’t yuck other people’s yum.” 🙂 Full disclosure- I have never been in Haven. But we do “Haven Lite” thanks to your suggestions. We have a club balcony, upgrade to FAS+, Vibe, and this year we went with Thermal Spa, and an additional 2 nights of specialty dining so 6/7 nights are covered. I don’t care that there’s Haven, I’m happy for those who can afford that experience. For us, we’re not big butler people so the 3x the cost isn’t our interest. But if I can upgrade myself on a plane, I will do so any chance I get. That’s what’s worth it to me, while others will say “we’re all getting to the same destination, it’s not worth it.” It’s all what’s worth it to you.

Spent the week between Montreal and Quebec City. Very different than what we have with Vancouver/Victoria, but amazing in its own way. 🙂

Between your thorough knowledge and the “in” as a Pier employee, who is taking your #1 spot??

Thank you, King/Queen of the WCD board- we have to get drinks one of these days. I’d love to meet you and express my thanks for your support and advice 🙂

Just edited my response, I am on spotty WiFi as I am traveling by train through eastern Canada right now and I thought this question was on the West Coast departure board, where living in the Seattle area carries a bit of weight to the answers. Have a fantastic night, and I truly hope you’re not on our Bermuda sailing.

Currently it’s 5 as OH isn’t issuing them so we’re both wrong. I frequent this board often (thought we were on the West Coast departure boards, I am at the mercy of ViaRail between QC and Montreal on my own trip) and am confident to say I’m decently respected for my advice here and while I am incorrect by one here, I don’t appreciate your rudeness.

I have gone on a closed loop from Seattle on the cruise as well as the Victoria Clipper (Direct fast ferry from Seattle to Victoria,BC) with only my Enhanced Drivers License. Currently, only 4 states offer this - NY, MI, VT and WA that serve as proof to cross into Canada (I am unaware of the Mexico/US agreements with Southern States). If it is truly an Enhanced Drivers License and not a REAL ID, no birth certificate is needed. The *only* issue I can see is that if something happens in Victoria, you would not be able to fly from Victoria to Seattle or any other US cities, you would have to ferry to south of Vancouver and drive across the border, or take the clipper direct to Seattle as mentioned. Case in point, I am on a vacation to Quebec, and because I had to fly there, my license means nothing for proof of citizenship/border crossing. It feels a bit weird to go across the border without a passport, but with the proper drivers license it is possible.

Oh Heavens no, unless you enjoy sitting at Seattle airport waiting for a standby flight because you will not make the 9:40am flight. Firstly, even if you’re the only boat disembarking (peak season can be 3), you’re at the mercy of Seattle rush hour traffic. During rush hour getting to the airport from downtown can take close to an hour. I was at the airport yesterday and it’s the start of Spring Break, so similar to summer traffic. Lines for bag drops were 30+ minutes on Delta and Alaska and TSA Pre was 25 min and general was 35-40 minutes. Living here I understand the lack of direct options to a lot of cities with the time difference, but booking this direct you’re asking for heartache.

Fantastic decision. Vancouver is a lovely city with a lot to do, see and eat! It will also take the stress away from your last day. Nothing worse than having a week of fun and relaxation only to white knuckle it the last day trying to make your flight and erasing all of the relaxation you just had.

I would be booking ASAP - as cruise season is extremely busy and as others have mentioned, expensive. I live outside the Seattle metro now but sometimes work requires me to be on site for the week, so I have a few hotels that I've liked. Courtyard by Marriott South Lake Union Hilton Garden Inn South Lake Union Renaissance Hotel Downtown Seattle As others have mentioned, if you can splurge- The Edgewater Marriott Downtown Waterfront Fairmount Olympic Lotte Hotel The only hotel I stayed at and wouldn't stay again is the Hilton Downtown Seattle. It was clean, but it was very dark and the rooms were tired and small.

We’ve stayed at the Westin Gaslamp several times and had great stays. A few weeks ago we stayed at the Courtyard by Marriott downtown. It’s the old San Diego Savings and Loan building which makes for an amazing lobby and mad men vibes. The rooms are a bit small but they’re clean and centrally located to all you want to do.

From Seattle to Vancouver last year we had someone with an ankle monitoring bracelet and a non valid passport but was a Canadian citizen so they eventually let her back in. We were shocked she was allowed back on the bus but no one liked her after that 😂

I haven’t taken the princess transfer but I have taken the Amtrak Bus up to Vancouver. It’s not as scenic as the train, but it’s a very pleasant ride. It took us 5 hours but that’s with a stop in the Vancouver suburbs before downtown and we got into Vancouver during rush hour so the last hour was just Vancouver traffic. As long as traffic and customs is in your favor, it should be closer to 4.

Highly recommend Lawrence Tours- Michael is a one man business- he is highly knowledgeable, very kind and thoughtful and gave us a great full day tour. You can book him on Viator or directly through his website (Lawrence Tours Vancouver)

Sadly that’s about normal for downtown Seattle down in the summer. Seattle doesn’t have a lot of tourism outside of the cruise months, so they get what they can between April-October.

You are quite close to Holy Mountain Brewing, which has some of the best beer in the city in my opinion.

Happens even to us locals! Rule of thumb - if they are not asking for your passport info, you're going to the wrong Vancouver! 🙂 Some other options -- 1) I didn't stay at the Artic Club but we just had a work happy hour there, it is a really unique spot and the bar is fantastic. 2) I live outside the city now but will stay downtown for work sometimes. The Renaissance hotel is a good distance between touristy areas and the train station (15-20 minute walk in either direction to train or tourist attractions) 3) I haven't stayed there, but our consultants stayed at the Courtyard by Marriott Pioneer Square and had a good experience. 4) If you want to splurge, look into the Lotte Hotel - water view rooms are phenomenal, but they are pricey during cruise season.

Sorry to hear that! We did have luck buying in person last June but it looks to be hit or miss. NCL is known for saying things you want to hear. We were originally booked on X for our Bermuda cruise but we took the Joy in February so booked on board to switch to NCL. When we asked if Vibe was available they told us they didn’t have visibility. Surprise, they were sold out online. When we booked June 2024 on board in June 2023, well wouldn’t you know we could book Vibe the same day as our cruise… I threw down my credit card as soon as it was visible in the app but the Cruisenext person called us and asked we didn’t just book it at the same time 😂

Yea, by accident 🙂 Our car service picked us up an hour earlier than scheduled and dropped us off at the pier while the last week was disembarking. They started boarding around 10:30 or so and we had a club balcony so we boarded fairly quickly.