Airport transfer from ship to Vancouver Airport

[KCI]

We arrive in Vancouver on July 17 aboard Coral Princess. Our flight isn't until 6:30 pm. We asked Princess about luggage transfer to airport but they said we would have to be at the other end to claim the luggage when it got there. Can't see sitting in an airport all day but I also can't see dragging heavy luggage around Vancouver all day either. We can't be the first to face this dilemma so.....how have any of you handled this situation? Is there a place at Canada Place to store your luggage while you sightsee? If you pay Princess to ship it to the airport, do you really have to be there to retrieve it upon it's arrival? We spent a week in Vancouver last July so we are familiar with the area but would like to do something in the way of sightseeing instead of minding the suitcases...any ideas regarding this problem greatly appreciated. TIA Linda

[Northender]

We arrive in Vancouver on July 17 aboard Coral Princess. Our flight isn't until 6:30 pm. We asked Princess about luggage transfer to airport but they said we would have to be at the other end to claim the luggage when it got there. Can't see sitting in an airport all day but I also can't see dragging heavy luggage around Vancouver all day either. We can't be the first to face this dilemma so.....how have any of you handled this situation? Is there a place at Canada Place to store your luggage while you sightsee? If you pay Princess to ship it to the airport, do you really have to be there to retrieve it upon it's arrival? We spent a week in Vancouver last July so we are familiar with the area but would like to do something in the way of sightseeing instead of minding the suitcases...any ideas regarding this problem greatly appreciated. TIA Linda

 

There is a forum here called West Coast Departures. Click on that and then look for the thread called Vancouver Answers from a Vancouverite.

The folks there are wonderful and very helpful.:):)

P.S. I have never met my luggage using EZCheck until I got home.

[DrivesLikeMario]

If you use EZ Check, you shouldn't have to worry about your luggage until you get to your final destination city. Perhaps your late flights don't fit into the flight time guidelines? :confused:

[calsnoozie]

You might want to check out the Excursions offered in Vancouver on disembark day. We are on the Coral in June, disembarking in Vancouver (flight home in late afternoon). There are some excursions you can take for the day, luggage will be waiting for us to pick up at the Vancouver airport. See one example of an excursion:

 

Big Pink Hop-On/Hop-Off Tour w/ Airport Transfer

YVR-115 Approximately 2 hours / From $69

Drop your luggage off for transport to your hotel or the airport, then experience Vancouver aboard the Hop-On Hop-Off Big Pink Bus.

Ride through the city and be escorted to the best attractions and most scenic locales: 13 stops in all featuring history, culture and

awesome scenery. The drivers and onboard hosts will entertain you with lively commentary uncovering local flavor. Visit Coal Harbour,

Stanley Park, Robson Street, English Bay and the lively neighborhood of the West End. Explore Gastown, Chinatown and Granville

Island. Hop on and off throughout the day as you explore at your own pace. At the end of your adventure, you can make your way to

your hotel or jump onto the Canada Line rapid transit to the Vancouver airport (ticket included) where your luggage will be waiting for

you. This easy half-day tour offers ample opportunity to sightsee, shop and photograph stunning vistas.

Special Notes

Departures every 20 minutes from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Admission to attractions along the route is not included. There is a pick

up/drop off point at the cruise terminal. This tour include luggage service and transport to the Vancouver Airport. Luggage service

is included for two pieces and additional bags will require an extra charge. Luggage must be checked in at the cruise terminal

prior to boarding the tour and may be claimed at the Vancouver Airport.

Unaccompanied Minor Policy: Children under the age of 18 must be accompanied by a parent or guardian.

 

Sue from Fairfield, CA

[Coral]

If you use EZ Check, you shouldn't have to worry about your luggage until you get to your final destination city. Perhaps your late flights don't fit into the flight time guidelines? :confused:

 

Vancouver doesn't offer EZ Check.

 

The airport has places to store bags: If you need to store your bags for a few hours, you can do so at CDS Baggage Services located in the International Terminal Building, Level 2, or in the Domestic Terminal, Level 2.

I have heard people paying bell captains at Pan Pacific to hold luggage. I don't have any personal experience with this.

[DrivesLikeMario]

Vancouver doesn't offer EZ Check.

 

The airport has places to store bags: If you need to store your bags for a few hours, you can do so at CDS Baggage Services located in the International Terminal Building, Level 2, or in the Domestic Terminal, Level 2.

I have heard people paying bell captains at Pan Pacific to hold luggage. I don't have any personal experience with this.

 

Thanks. They used to have it but I guess they stopped doing it due to problems at YVR.

[Putterdude]

You have a couple of options.

You can take your luggage to a near by hotel and tip the bell desk to hold your luggage until you are ready to head out to YVR.

or

There is a commercial luggage service at Canada Place that will hold your luggage until 4 pm or transfer it out to their location at YVR...for a fee...of course. Presently they do not show Canada Place on their website as the cruise season really hasn't begun in Vancouver.

 

http://www.prioritybaggage.ca/index.html

[Coral]

Thanks. They used to have it but I guess they stopped doing it due to problems at YVR.

 

The program they used to have was even different that EZ Check. It had a variety of names but was last called US Direct which pretty much bypassed Customs and Immigrations and pretended like you were never in Canada (they often sealed the bus so you would go right from pier to gate). It had to be different as you were in a foreign country vs. EZ Check in the US.

 

I think they improved YVR airport and no longer felt it was necessary. The last time we went through YVR, it was a breeze. Previously, it was a nightmare.

[Putterdude]

I don't think the US Direct program ever operated under any other name than "US Direct". It's real difference with that of EZCheck is that you went with your luggage on the coach, with EZ Check you have the option of going to the airport independently if you want to do a little touring pre-flight time. US Direct also was available from YVR to Canada Place. The program was a co-operative effort of Canadian Customs, US Customs, the airlines, YVR, Canada Place and the of course the cruise lines and was very popular. However, there were costs involved and YVR wanted to levy a modest fee p.p. and the cruise lines didn't want pay it or add to fares....so sadly the program came to an end 2 full years ago; this will be the third season without it.

[Coral]

I don't think the US Direct program ever operated under any other name than "US Direct". It's real difference with that of EZCheck is that you went with your luggage on the coach, with EZ Check you have the option of going to the airport independently if you want to do a little touring pre-flight time. US Direct also was available from YVR to Canada Place. The program was a co-operative effort of Canadian Customs, US Customs, the airlines, YVR, Canada Place and the of course the cruise lines and was very popular. However, there were costs involved and YVR wanted to levy a modest fee p.p. and the cruise lines didn't want pay it or add to fares....so sadly the program came to an end 2 full years ago; this will be the third season without it.

 

I took advantage of it in the beginning. It did have a different name at least the first year.

[KCI]

How do I post something on Vancouver Answers from a Vancouverite...I haven't used this site much and can't figure out how to ask a question on that site...

[Putterdude]

I took advantage of it in the beginning. It did have a different name at least the first year.

 

After some research there may have been a program called "On Board Check In" but the distinct difference between it and the "US Direct" program was that it only could be used from ship to YVR whereas the US Direct program could be used in either direction.

[Coral]

After some research there may have been a program called "On Board Check In" but the distinct difference between it and the "US Direct" program was that it only could be used from ship to YVR whereas the US Direct program could be used in either direction.

 

I first used it in 2003. I found the reference to "On Board Check In" used in 2004 which was slightly different than 2003 (they were experimenting and improving). It looks like 2005 received the "US Direct" program. It seemed like every time I used it, it was slightly different (and slightly improved).

 

Last year, I know it wasn't offered and we could not have taken advantage of it if it was. We did a post-cruise stay in Vancouver. I was very impressed with the new and improved process in Vancouver flying back to the states. We used to have to carry our luggage forever through the process and last year, we gave it up fairly quickly. Whatever Vancouver did - they did well!

[scottbee]

I first used it in 2003. I found the reference to "On Board Check In" used in 2004 which was slightly different than 2003 (they were experimenting and improving). It looks like 2005 received the "US Direct" program. It seemed like every time I used it, it was slightly different (and slightly improved).

 

Last year, I know it wasn't offered and we could not have taken advantage of it if it was. We did a post-cruise stay in Vancouver. I was very impressed with the new and improved process in Vancouver flying back to the states. We used to have to carry our luggage forever through the process and last year, we gave it up fairly quickly. Whatever Vancouver did - they did well!

 

Mostly what you had to do was at the whim of the US DHS who require Canadian airports to build special wings with pre-clearance and follow their rules. I'm sure Vancouver would like to improve lots of it, but don't have a lot of flexability.