Disembarking in Vancouver

[lakeboji]

How long is it taking this year to disembark the Regatta in Vancouver? We are trying to determine how early a flight to book East. Thanks.:)

[orchestrapal]

How long is it taking this year to disembark the Regatta in Vancouver? We are trying to determine how early a flight to book East. Thanks.:)

 

Since Oceania has never been to Vancouver before it would be very hard to tell.

Disembarkation in most other ports is very prompt from our experience.

I still would not book any earlier than 4 hours before the ship arrives since it also has to clear customs.:)

[no fuss travel]

Your holdup will be the airport. You will have to go through US immigration and that line can be really slow. As locals we have been off the cruise ship by 9 am and we were the last off on another cruise line. The cruise lines say that Vancouver has one of the most efficient turn arounds of all the cities that cruise lines use.

[Nuka]

Hi,

 

I live in Vancouver and know that whenever there are a number of cruise ships in town all disemarking at the same time, it can be ordeal waiting for a taxi. I have heard from folks waiting this year that an hour waiting for a cab is not uncommon ;(. Unfortunately, there just isn't enough of them.

[ABDance]

We have always used the "express walk off" with X, that way we were off the ship very quickly and very early (first ones off). If you don't mind to carry your own luggage and make your own arrangements from cruise terminal onward, it is the way to go.

Don't know whether this express is also an option with O.

A&B

[StanandJim]

We have always used the "express walk off" with X, that way we were off the ship very quickly and very early (first ones off). If you don't mind to carry your own luggage and make your own arrangements from cruise terminal onward, it is the way to go.

Don't know whether this express is also an option with O.

A&B

 

 

Better than that, on Oceania's smaller ships there does not need to be an express option.......it all goes very quickly once Customs clears the ship.

 

As Orchestrapal quite rightly pointed out, however, it is best to leave a four hour window "just in case". We civilians see very little of the Customs process, but it is important work, and they take it VERY SERIOUSLY.

 

90% of the time everything goes like clockwork, but you have to allow for the off days, and then hope for the best. Have a great cruise!

[comcox]

Vancouver actually has two cruise docks. Which pier you are using may make a difference. I've disembarked at the Canada Place pier which is a large facility and can have multiple ships in at once. It can be a bit crowded then. You might check to see if Oceania is offering any airport transport. There is a paid public service called Quick Shuttle from Canada Place but I don't think they start too early in the morning. If you are docking at Canada Place and don't mind schlepping your luggage the Vancouver Skytrain metro system now goes to the airport. See http://tripplanning.translink.ca/hiwire?.a=iScheduleLookupSearch&LineName=999&LineAbbr=999.

 

We usually plan on flights from noon onwards on disembarkation days just to be safe.

[no fuss travel]

Actually the walk from Canada Place to the RAV(Canada Line) line is not that long. You could easily walk it and they do have elevators inside the station to get down to the Canada Line. Depending on the day you arrive in Vancouver you will need either a one zone or a two zone ticket. Saturdays and Sundays are one zone, whereas the five days it is two zone for you.

[Cruise Junky]

Keep in mind when booking flights out of Vancouver... The ship has to clear, then you as a passenger have to clear Canadian Immigration. Get your luggage, get to the airport, check in, then go through US Immigration then Security. I wouldn't book a flight before noon in Vancouver.