Ferry_Watcher

This is my personal opinion: Carnival, in order to keep their cruise fares low, has not in invested in the infrastructure needed. Their equipment tends to be heavy and clunky. Compared to other cruise lines, their internet connection from ship to shore equipment is more likely to break down. They are less likely to have on-site support staff inside the terminal to assist immediately when the ship to shore WiFi goes down, which IMO, causes unnecessary delays, (and this is when the long lines begin to form). We almost never have problems with equipment breakdowns with the other cruise lines. (Note - Each ship has it's own check-in equipment. Every morning the ship's IT personnel unloads and sets up their equipment for the terminal staff to use. Each afternoon, the equipment is packed up and returned to the ship. To their credit, Carnival was one of the first cruise lines to introduce the hand-held check-i devices, that really changed the speed of the check-in process. But, if there are ship to shore equipment communication problems, then everything comes to a standstill. There are other ways that Carnival has cut costs. For example, passengers arriving after 2 PM will need to carry their own luggage on board, because Carnival sends the Longshore porters home exactly at 2 PM. The terminal doors stay open until 3:20 PM, but starting at 2 PM there are no porters.

Welcome to NCL Bliss. This morning, just before 7 AM, my spouse asks, 'why is there a cruise ship sailing by?' I quickly looked at the Port of Seattle Cruise Schedule (which is sitting next to my desk), and I realized it was the Bliss. I grabbed my phone and took this photo from my deck. Looking forward to the Cruise Season (and getting back to work at Pier 91).

You should be able to make your flight. The RCI Quantum (4,900+ passengers) will be disembarking at Pier 91 on Mondays as well. It would be best if you did carry off your own luggage and get yourself to SeaTac. The taxi and Uber/Lyft car are just outside the terminal doors. Summer airline travel at SeaTac is quite high, and Mondays are also a busy day for business travelers.

I work at the pier in Seattle. Usually when there are reports of really long lines it is due to two different situations. Either the ship isn't ready to start boarding passengers (and the waiting area inside the terminal is past capacity). Or, that the non-updated equipment that Carnival uses, has broken down and the check-in tablets/computers are not linking to the ship. Sometimes when there are very long lines, passengers that are "priority", i.e. it is printed on their boarding pass, those folks may be pulled out of line and there will be an effort to check them in asap. But, if the WiFi between the ship and the check-in equipment is down, then it is still 'hurry up and wait" for everyone.

I believe what happened is that the passenger who was removed from the ship was a Chinese national, but was also a US Permanent Resident (Green Card holder). I am guessing that she was traveling with her US citizen husband. When the couple looked into the visa requirements for Argentina, they saw that US citizens just need an electronic visa, and they may have assumed (or were told by a TA) that the same applied for a US Permanent Resident (Green Card holder). However, despite being a US Permanent Resident, Argentina required Chinese passport holders to have an actual visitor visa in their passport (the type that you need to apply for and send in your passport to have the full page visa affixed to a your passport). So sadly for that passenger, there was no easy fix for this document snafu.

Any idea what the cost benefit is to do a GTY Interior stateroom over choosing your own? Flying in the day of the cruise does save on spending the night in a hotel, plus meals. Are you saving a vacation day as well (assuming that you are still working)? Have you figured out your overall savings? Wishing you a wonderful cruise. Hopping that the ship isn't full, and you are upgraded to an OV or better. Keep us updated.

Yes, but if we allowed expired passports to be used as proof of citizenship, why would anyone renew their passport? You could be using a 40 yr old passport with a photo of your 18 yr old self. Or, maybe a super old passport that doesn't have the embedded chip that the machines can read. Interestingly, we use to see more folks challenging documents (like trying to use expired passports) pre-pandemic, than we see today. Not sure if those folks are just not traveling, or got put off traveling because some of the 'health' documents needed to board (2021-22), or whatever reason. At the pier, we also don't take the time to engage with the debate, as there are about 75 people behind you wanting to get on the cruise ship. Rather than have a typical pier-side agent engage, the challenging passenger is walked over to the documentation area, away from the general embarking area. Those folks have the time and resources to engage - and have the final word.

Honestly, unless something seemed 'off', I don't know how I would recognize a fake visa, especially a well crafted one. One time I was looking at a Canadian Visa, and something made me pause, and I brought to to my supervisor who said it was fine. I think what is was that I was so use to seeing the typical 'visitor' visa, that when I saw a different type (immigrant or employment visa), it just struck me a different, or for me, 'off'. Anyway, the supervisor said it was fine and I embarked the passenger. It's always good to check. On a slightly different note, one day I was checking documents at the terminal entrance, and a older solo man handed me his US passport. As soon as he put it in my hand, I knew that something was off. Turns out it was an older (expired) passport and it had fewer pagers than current passports, so when I had my 'something is off' reaction, it was because the passport felt lighter. He had never renewed his passport, but he was challenging me that even though it was expired, it still proved that he was a citizen. He got walked over to the document area. Later, I followed up with the document supervisor about the man, and she said that he had his US birth certificate all along, and he was just being obstinate. He sailed using his US birth certificate.

Assuming that your cruise isn't the very first visit of the season, 7:30 AM if you are carrying off your own bags should be fine.

According to someone on the MSC board (who could translate a Spanish News Report), the Bolivians all booked their cruise thru the same travel agency, which also provided the fake visas. Post # 21 Bolivians had paid 9.000 euro to a travel agent for a cruise and a visa which was fake

In Seattle (Pier 91), every passport that is collected because it has a required visa inside, is looked at three different times, by three different people before the ship sails. First by the counter agent (who collects it); then by an 'experienced' lead/supervisor staffer; then finally by the Ship's Documentation Officer. All this happens before the collected passports are transferred to the ship. This is done so if there are any questions/problems, that there is still time to remove a passenger from the ship before it sails. (Which has happened, although rarely).

If you plan to 'self assist' (carry off your own bags), this is the first group of passengers off the ship in the morning. Luckily, the Quantum is the only ship at Pier 91 on Monday mornings. The Quantum usually begins debark just after 6:30 AM. If you wanted to have your larger pieces of luggage picked up the night before disembarking and want to claim your larger bags in the luggage hall the morning of disembarking, then you will have a problem, unless you were assigned a early disembark time. In Seattle, luggage that is picked up to be sent to the luggage hall is taken off the ship in a very timed order. If you were assigned 8:30 AM, then your luggage will be ready for you to pick up at 8:30 AM, not at 7:45 AM. In the luggage hall, the union Longshore workers are in complete control. The area that they are lining up luggage is roped off and no one (passengers or pier-side staff) is allowed to enter the roped off are (even if you see your bag) until the Longshore drops the barrier rope. The barrier rope will not be dropped until the last of that timed group luggage has been lined up, and the Longshore begin lining up the next timed group. The Quantum sails nearly to capacity (4900+) every Monday, so that is a lot of luggage that needs to be moved. Hope this helps.

I think when people from the 45 states that don't offer an Enhanced DL, they don't realize that it is an actual type of specialized license (Proper Noun), but think that their Real ID Driver's License has 'enhanced features' (adjective), like qualifying you get get on a plane starting in 2025. I think that this contributes to the confusion.

When you check-in at the Pan Pacific, let them know that you will be getting on a cruise ship. The front desk will give you a phone number (extension) to call if you want your luggage picked up from your room and dropped off at the ship luggage drop off area. We used this service last year '23, and it was great. You do need to tip the bellman for this service, so make sure you have some cash on hand.

Since the the Ovation will be making it's first North American stop of the season in Vancouver, BC (by way of Australia and Hawaii), I imagine that there will be a need for additional time to disembark not only passengers, but also any crew who will not be staying on for the Alaska season. There will be a deep clean of the ship, and more provisions brought on to reflect the Alaska vibe of food and drink. Also, please remember that Vancouver (and Seattle) are seasonal homeports, so the returning pier/terminal staff have had the last 6 months off, and are just getting up to speed, and new hires are still learning. I would expect a bit of a delay on getting on to the ship (10 AM probably isn't going to happen), but just have patience. I also would expect additional patience will be needed at the end of your cruise in Seattle during disembarkation.

It's not different systems, it is different available options to use. US citizens (especially US born) have the luxury of choosing from an array of proof of citizenship documents for a closed loop cruise. It can be as simple as their US gov't issued birth certificate, along with a photo ID, all the way to their US passport - card or book, cruiser's choice. Even Naturalized US citizens have the option of traveling on a closed loop cruise with their US passport, or if they had let their passport expire, they can present their original Naturalization Certificate (a copy will not be accepted) Also included are Permanent Residents of the US and Canada - US Permanent Resident Card holders aka Green Card, and the same for Canadian Permanent Resident Card holders. And then there all the 'boutique' options - Enhanced Driver's License (MI, MN, NY, VT & WA) NEXUS Card (US & Canada and some Trusted Travelers from Mexico) SENTRI Card (Similar to NEXUS, but used south of the border) Consulate Report of Birth Aboard - US citizens born overseas Tribal Card (Native American and Canadian First Nations recognized members) I think the US gov't, along with the cruise industry really has made cruising on closed loop sailings as easy possible for US citizens (along with approval from the WHTI Compliant countries). As someone who checks in passengers, I am baffled how in this day and age, that people who are about to get on a cruise ship don't consider what kind of documentation is needed. I don't know if some people are so insular that they just don't understand, or can't accept that they need to show proof of citizenship like the rest of the world does. International travel is a privilege, but it comes with responsibility, like knowing the basics of what is required to get on a cruise ship. Granted, the cruise lines could make the information even more obvious, but honestly, I think people would still click thru those waiver boxes acknowledging that they understand, but in reality I think they just want to quickly finish the booking process. And if a US born citizen does arrive at the pier without the needed citizenship document, we work with them to help them get a copy of their US birth certificate electronically sent to the terminal. Again, it is a very accommodating process, with a fairly high success rate. Pier side staffers are always happy when someone with a document issue is able to board the ship. Moral of this story - Know what travel documents are required, gather what you need early, and made sure you bring them.

Hi Clo, - re the Seattle Freeze, it's not personal, it's almost like it's a social comfort zone. I think Seattleites (and environs) can, and do compartmentalize social groups. There is family/family of choice (which can include close friends) - folks that you would invite to your home to share holidays or major life events. Then there are the outer rings of people that you know, that you meet for coffee, or maybe a lunch, but not entertain in your home. It's all very pleasant, but not necessarily more than a surface interaction. But, then again, you are generally please to meet up again for that coffee or lunch. Strange, I know! ; ) When I think about it, I realize that a lot of Seattle folks have many separate groups of 'pals.' You could have co-workers; the folks that you volunteer with; book club members; a running group; parents of your kid's friends; maybe neighbors; even the folks who always stop to talk to you when you are out walking your dog. It's like you can be around lots of folks, but it doesn't often progress pass whatever the shared interest is. No doubt some social scientist is studying this phenomenon.

Ironically, we were in Japan a month after our Canadian cruise and had no problem with the ATM withdrawals.

The Seattle Freeze: Seattleites are very friendly and open with fellow travelers and strangers. We may say, 'call me when your are in town' but we are hoping that you don't. And if we say, 'oh, you will have to stop by sometime', you may find us too busy to get together. : ) Seattle Freeze” refers to the phenomenon that it's difficult to meet new people in Seattle. It's the idea that Seattleites already have established friend/family circles and it's hard for outsiders to join those circles.Dec 30, 2023 https://www.seattletimes.com/life/lifestyle/seattle-freeze-forget-making-friends-half-of-washington-residents-dont-even-want-to-talk-to-you/

It's a fun way of tasting some of the martini flavor options. The flight presentation can also be a bit of a show production. I know that when I ordered my Martini Flight, I asked the bartender to do it quietly/discreetly.. The woman who was sitting at the martini bar in front of him while he was making the martinis was loudly cheering him on, but when he placed the flight board in front of me he just smiled and nodded. Also, the bartenders at the Martini Bar will have a fun 'show' demonstration one or two times during your cruise - it will be listed in your daily events schedule. They will have a display of small martini glasses lined up and using multiple shakers pour out like 3 dozen tiny martinis. After the martinis are poured, and the clapping has stopped, you can usually take a glass and enjoy it.

@TheLargeFamily, thanks for sharing. Hopefully someone will learn from this. Very happy that it all worked out for you.

I ask because Texas doesn't offer an Enhanced Driver's License.

Is your husband's DL from Texas?

FYI, Global Entry is not accepted as a qualifying document to get on a cruise ship. The reason behind this is that travelers from many countries can have a Global Entry Card. https://www.cbp.gov/travel/trusted-traveler-programs/global-entry/eligibility

LOL https://www.ddir.com/menu/