Ferry_Watcher

Agree with my friend @julia, that walking off with your luggage, having TSA pre check, or registering for Spot Saver are extra measures that you can do to make your passage thru a very busy SeaTac Airport less stressful. Not sure if your 11:40 AM flight qualifies for Port Valet, but you might check that as another option. https://www.portseattle.org/SEAspotsaver https://visitseattle.org/things-to-do/cruise-information/port-valet/

@puckliny, please be sure to keep us updated.

You are correct that people must do their own due diligence. If a representative from a cruise line gave inaccurate information to a booked passenger, and this passenger showed up without the correct documents, it would not matter what the cruise line rep had said (even if the rep put it in an email). If that passenger didn't have the required documents, then they would be denied boarding. Let me give you an example: During the restart of the post pandemic Alaska season (July 2021), Canada was refusing to allow the typical large cruise ship to visit/stop at Canadian ports. And as you know. all these ships have to stop at a foreign port (US law). But, to save tourism in Alaska, and to help save the cruise industry, the US Senate voted to suspend that required foreign stop. So now we had ships allowed to sail from Seattle to Alaska without stopping in Canada. However, passengers still needed their passports or birth certificates. But, many passengers were arriving at the pier without these documents, having been told they didn't need them because the ship wasn't going to Canada. It didn't matter that they were given incorrect information - they still needed the proof of citizenship documents. Many were able to get copies of their US gov't issued birth certificates sent to the port, but if they couldn't, they were denied boarding. No doubt they received a refund from the cruise line - especially if the incorrect info came from a cruise rep, but they didn't sail. I remember that 2021 season (especially early in the season) as the worst year for document issues - so many people arrived without passports and/or their birth certificates. It was a mess.

We have lots of training just before the cruise season starts. In fact, we will have two days of training this week. We are taught not to guess about the use of a document, and encouraged to ask about the validity of a document. If we make a mistake, then it could lead to a passenger being disembarked before their cruise was to end. Luckily, with the check-in systems, there are all sorts of checks and balance measures to catch any mistakes (or questionable situations) before the ship sails. For the end of the season repositioning cruises, due to the various document requirements, there is special training for those days, and the Brand will send support staff from corporate to help support the check-in team. Everything has to be done correctly, and by the book.

Generally, yes. For example, this year the Canadian gov't has decided that all Mexican passport holders now need a Canadian visa to enter Canada (or to sail on ships that will enter a Canadian port-of-call). The US gov't is more relaxed about Mexican passport holders - in prior years, these these folks just need their Mexican passport, and either a simple visitor visa and/or a Border Crossing Card, or just a SENTRI card (like a NEXUS trusted traveler card) in order to board a closed loop Alaska bound ship. Now, because of the new Canadian requirements, if we have a Mexican passport holder standing in front of us at check-in, and if that passport doesn't have the now required Canadian visa, then that Mexican passport holder will be denied boarding. Last season (2023) there was no requirement, but this year they need the Canadian visa, and we have to follow the Canadian requirements.

In the closed loop Seattle - Alaska market, we have never denied boarding to a passenger that presented a passport that was expiring in less than 6 months from the day of embarkation. In fact, as long as the passport is still valid on the day the passenger disembarks the ship, we will accept it (closed loop). I personally have embarked a passenger whose passport expired the day after their cruise ended without any problems. Now, for other types of cruises like the end of the season repositioning cruises that leave Seattle and sail off to Japan or Australia, there is a entirely different set of travel documents requirements - including having at least 6 months remaining on your passport from the date that the cruise is scheduled to end. In these cases, we follow the requirements for the various countries that the ship will visit or end up in.

It affects the booking passengers - doesn't matter if the passenger is American, or any other nationality. There is no loophole around it.

You still need your card to swiped/scanned leave the ship during port-of-calls. Also, some passengers, like children and some portion of the adult passengers either don't have a smart phone, don't want to use their phones, or unable to use a phone (true elderly, etc) As for lanyards, from my observation, Lanyards users are in the minority - post-pandemic.

Like my friend, @CruiserBruce said, Carnival sails from Pier 91. The Spirit will be the only ship at the Pier. Please be sure to have a paper copy of your boarding pass for each member of your traveling party, and have your passport or birth certificate ready to show before you enter the terminal building. There will be a document check point close to where you will be dropping off your luggage. You will first drop off your luggage (or hand it off to a porter - your choice), then you will be in a line along the passenger drop off area (regardless of any type of 'priority' status).Each passenger should have their own passport (or birth certificate) & boarding pass in hand at this point. It is that this point you will do a 'show & go' of your passport or birth certificate, as well as showing your boarding pass. You will then enter the terminal building, and if you have priority status, you will be directed to that line. Assuming that you have completely done your online preregistration, and you have registered a credit card, you should be able to be fully and quickly embarked by an agent holding a tablet. If anything is missing from your online registration, you will be sent to a Counter Agent. After seeing the tablet agents, you will go up the escalator (or elevator), and then pass thru the Security Screening. The ship usually will begin boarding anytime between 11 AM - noon, and usually by 12;30 PM it open boarding. Carnival has not allowed fresh flowers to be brought onboard, so avoid bringing any flowers (even those lovely bouquets from Pike Place Market). Carnival does not allow any drinks in plastic bottle (soda or water), so it you plan to bring any, make sure it is in cans or cartons. Also, Carnival sends the longshore porters home at 2 PM sharp, so if you arrive at 2:01 PM or after, expect to have to carry your own luggage on to the ship. Have a great cruise!

Assuming the learner's permit has a photo, then that would be acceptable.

Thanks, you are correct. I always mention in my answers that my 'wheelhouse' of knowledge is within the Seattle cruise experience. Seattle's Pier 91 does serve X, Royal, Carnival, HAL and Princess. NCL is at Seattle's Pier 66. The goal/hope of the check-in team is to embark all passengers who can be legally vetted for citizenship. And let's be clear here, we are speaking only of US born citizens, who have any wiggle room in regards to citizenship documents, and where all the cruises are a closed loop sailing (returning to the same US port). As a 'boots on the ground' Pier Agent for Alaska bound cruises, I have knowledge of what we can accept as a check-in agent, what I need to involve my supervisor with, and what might end up with the Ship's Documentation Officer - because at the end of the day, that officer is the one who is ultimately has the final word. Generally speaking, if it is a cruise that just requires a US gov't issued birth certificate, then the level of supporting photo ID is less acute. That is why we can accept an expired passport as photo ID, or in the case of older minors, their school photo ID (public, private or religious). And we have a number of women who will successfully use their US gov't issued birth certificate, along with their current ID photo (usually a driver's license) to board a cruise ship, even though their last name has changed due to a marriage. So, generally speaking, if just the bare minimum for proof of citizenship is needed (US gov't issued birth certificate), the likelihood that a just expired passport used as photo ID, in conjunction with the child's US gov't birth certificate for this 16 yr old, should not be a problem

In Seattle (Alaska cruises), we would accept the expired passport as the photo ID (he would still need his gov't issued US birth certificate), or, we would accept his school photo ID along with his gov't issued US birth certificate

The Quantum had propulsion problems during its 2022 Alaska cruise season. It seemed fine last year during the 2023 Alaska season. Hope we don't see problem this upcoming season.

Thanks for the update. We will be on the 2025 TA on the Osterdam next April.

If a poster calls the Atlantic article "elitist and cheap," but goes on to describe (some) people highlighted in the article as "lowbrow cruise passengers on an enormous ship," - would that qualify as the kettle calling the pot black? Asking for a friend.

I am so grateful that this glitch didn't happen 10 days or so when it was time to do the on line check-in for my cruise. It was annoying that this glitch happened during a Flash Sale (at least offered for some cruises).

Same problem on Celebrity.

The restaurants can still serve, and there are designated bars on certain decks that are open during the port-of-call.

No joint Mariner # numbers. Each passenger would have their own personally identifying account #.

LOL, not only that, but you can drive in with me in the morning and be one of the first passengers in line. : )

https://abcnews.go.com/GMA/Travel/google-reveals-top-destinations-summer-2024/story?id=109039181 For anyone feeling a sudden urge for summer wanderlust, Google unveiled its top 20 destinations that travelers have already taken an interest in for any upcoming warm weather getaways. From domestic to international locations, Google shared insights based on past flight booking data and search trends with "Good Morning America" to help people start planning summer vacation spots or shape an ideal itinerary. 1. London 2. Paris 3. Tokyo 4. Rome 5. New York 6. Cancun 7. Orlando 8. Las Vegas 9. Seattle 10. Athens So, for all those folks who ask if they can make a 10 AM flight after getting off a cruise ship at 7:30 AM, this is one on the reasons that it is impossible - SeaTac is just super busy during the summer months.

Pier 91 is located away from the DT Seattle area, so your selection of a hotel should not be based on the proximity to the pier. Most folks staying at hotels will arrive at Pier 91 by Uber/Lyft or taxi. If you are not planning on exploring Seattle, you might look at: https://www.cedarbrooklodge.com/ This hotel is closer to SeaTac than DT Seattle, but it does have dining on site. As for a child's car seat, you may have to bring your own with you.

Plantar Fasciitis is a whole different animal when it comes to your foot feeling comfortable. My spouse suffers from Plantar Fasciitis, and he wears Merrells. We had spent a couple of hours trying hiking shoes on at REI to find the right one for each of us. I have the Merrells MOAB, but he has a different type of Merrells (but doesn't remember which) and uses his custom fit orthotactics. Before the custom fit orthotactics, he used 'Superfeet' insoles in his Merrells, and he found it helpful.

@PhillyFan33579, I am glad that I wasn't the only person who had those same concerns. I would also be asking myself if this potentially public proposal is what the young lady would like. Some folks are more quiet and understated, and don't like public attention. Have you asked her best friend what her thoughts are on this? The bestie can be a wealth of information. OP, do remember that when you go thru security at the airport and at the cruise terminal, that you will need to empty your pockets, so if you have a ring, you might want to tuck it inside your personal carry-on bag, rather than carry in a pocket. That said, best wishes!

Great advice re checking wait times at the various border crossings. Remember to have your passports ready, you also might consider having a printed copy of your ship boarding passes at-the-ready (just to show the Canadian Border Officers), and if you use your car for any hunting activities, make sure it is clear of any hunting equipment.