Am I in trouble..I have an 11am flight out of Vancouver !!!

[thecook]

My flight home from Vancouver leaves @ 11am.. A Holland America rep advised me that their guidelines allow that departure time. I made the reservation using his advice...now, I have been reading on this board that I may not make my flight. I will have to pay to change the reservation...so I don't know what to do. I understand that I will not have to go through customs until I arrive in Toronto where I will change planes before heading home to Florida. What do you advise...I am not familiar with the airport in Vancouver. Would it help if I got private transportation from Canada Place? Please advise...Thank you in advance for your kind help.

[cruiseryyc]

It's tight, really tight. You might not have to go through US Customs until the Toronto airport but the entire ship has to clear Canadian Customs upon arrival in Vancouver. You will have to amongst the first off the ship, better be able to carry all of your own baggage. Do not use the ship's transportation, grab a taxi and hope there are no traffic delays. Should also check out how many other ships are in port that day, the fewer folks trying to get a cab and get to the airport the better.

[scottbee]

My flight home from Vancouver leaves @ 11am.. A Holland America rep advised me that their guidelines allow that departure time. I made the reservation using his advice...now, I have been reading on this board that I may not make my flight. I will have to pay to change the reservation...so I don't know what to do. I understand that I will not have to go through customs until I arrive in Toronto where I will change planes before heading home to Florida. What do you advise...I am not familiar with the airport in Vancouver. Would it help if I got private transportation from Canada Place? Please advise...Thank you in advance for your kind help.

 

You'll be OK, because your 1st flight is domestic. The big delays from Vancouver are flights to the USA, because you need to pre-clear US immigration/customs prior to boarding (or entering the transborder departure wing)

[Sandpiper13]

You should be fine especially if you walk off with your luggage. My DH and I live close to the airport and we are normally at home drinking coffee by 9:30 a.m. with lots of time to spare. And, YVR is an exceptional airport - well laid out and easy to navigate and did I mention beautiful to boot! Enjoy your cruise to Alasak.

[Urban trekker]

You don't state what date you are cruising - for instance May 6th is the Vancouver Marathon and while the new course route has less impact on Canada Place there could be some early morning- prior to 10AM short delays where Granville and Oak St - prime routes to the airport cross 49th which is on the Marathon course - it is near the start and most runners should be clear of those intersections - it is anticapted that the delays will be no longer than 5 minutes.

 

I am a bike escort volunteer for the marathon so that is what we have been told.

 

Hope this helps.

 

Cheers

 

Dennis

[thecook]

Thanks for answering my question..I'm cruising June 30-July7 so I won't get caught in the marathon traffic. I feel a lot better about my flight and will just keep the reservation as is..and save myself $150!!! My DH and I are looking forward to spending a few days in your beautiful city. Thank you again... It's wonderful how you help the visitors to your city.

[sarlye]

Thanks for answering my question..I'm cruising June 30-July7 so I won't get caught in the marathon traffic. I feel a lot better about my flight and will just keep the reservation as is..and save myself $150!!! My DH and I are looking forward to spending a few days in your beautiful city. Thank you again... It's wonderful how you help the visitors to your city.

 

There are two ports in Vancouver, Canada Place and Ballentyne.

 

If you arrive at Canada Place, walk off with your luggage and look for the Canada Line Skytrain straight to the airport. Its about a 30 minute trip to the airport. Domestic flights from Vancouver to Toronto - allow arrival time from 60 - 90 min before departure

 

For Ballentyne, there is no bus to get out to the airport, you need to get a taxi as soon as you get off. If there is not enough taxis at the cue, call 604 - 681-1111 and reserve one to pick you up. There is no extra charge.

[KeepCalmBearOn]

If HAL told you it was a good time, I wouldn't stress, use Holland America's express debarkation and you should be fine.