11:00 am Flight out of Vancouver Doable?

[Sail Happy]

Hi All,

 

I am going to be on the Norwegian Sun in August which disembarks in Vancouver. Does anyone know what time the Sun usually docks in the morning? I was hoping to take an 11:10am flight, but I'm wondering if the 12:35pm flight would be more realistic.

 

Thanks!

[avcruz]

No, that's not enough time to allow for disembarkation, transportation and security and immigration at the airport. I would definitely book the later flight.

[don't-use-real-name]

My experience with the NCL SUN arriving at Vancouver - we arrived at just

before 7AM and left the ship at about 9:30 - had 25 or so folks using the

port to airport transfer cleared customs and immigration and had about a

40 minute bus ride to the airport.

(There are NO freeways or expressways in Vancouver - it is for the most part

stop and go city traffic).

Passed USA customs - checked baggage - TSA Security - and was on the

concourse awaiting for my 1PM flight at about 11AM - two hour wait.

This was all coordinated thru NCL.

 

In your case do the WALK-OFF with baggage clear Canada customs and get

a cab or hire vehicle to take you to the airport and you should be good for

either flight.

 

About 6 blocks away from the cruise terminal is a light-rail subway from the

downtown city center to the airport that beats the cab ride and is less

costly I don't have the specifics how to connect this best since the light-rail

had just been finished at the time of my trip and was not certain of its use.

Heard (read) thru various forums and trade periodicals that this

is now the preferred method avoiding traffic - noted above NO freeways or

expressways in Vancouver to speed traffic along. This information is dated

my NCL SUN trip was in July of 2013.

 

A trip previous to the NCL SUN was on Carnival 8/07 the arrival basically

about the same time and I used an airport transfer to Seattle for my return

trip flight at 4PM.

Seattle flights are generally less expensive but factor in the transfer

costing about $60 per person win-some and then well maybe ?!?

 

As always YMMV

[mking8288]

Folks at the NorthAmerica ports/forum most definitely can also help OP with ship to airport logistics. One of the underground rail lines from downtown near the cruise piers (there's 2 of them nearby to each other - Canada Place is the big one, details are fuzzy for me) will connect/go to YVR airport in Richmond, BC that's typically a 30 to 45 minutes drive, but you are going at the tail of AM rush hour (lanes reversed at key streets & avenues for traffic flow) - stop & go traffic lights - we visit on a regular basis. Personally, I always allow 3 hours to get to the airport before flight time - to do check-in, airport security, bag drops, US immigration & custom pre-clearance (I believed it's now consoliate as one by CBP, but lines are always long & slow - unless you are flying F or J with airline elite status, etc. to get bypass/escorted thru for a shorter wait) before getting airside to the departure gates - it's a big, expanded terminal with lots of walking.

I would do a 11 AM flight if I can get off the ship by 7 AM and no later than 7:30 AM and be at the airport's curbsiede by 8:15 and 8:30 AM being the absolute safe time frame to not risk missing the flight's gate cutoff time to board.

Please keep in mind that all U.S. bound passengers are basically funneled thru this one huge hall for screening & processing purposes, and it's like cruise ship arrival and slow going inside the airport - and, during Alaska's cruise season - thousands are doing the same. Flight options are limited these days to connect to US gateways as there are few nonstops to NY area, it's either early morning or later in the day or at night, except for some flights down to the West Coast to connect eastbound.

Do you have any later flight options or consider staying an extra day to sightsee & enjoy the city to leave on the next morning instead ??

[neighbour_lady44]

As a local resident of Vancouver area - WE do have freeways and Sky train service which is above ground in most parts. Travelling from the cruise terminal to YVR Airport - the earlier writer was correct, there are no freeways to take and you have to go thru busy Downtown Vancouver, over several bridges to get there.

 

Skytrain will take you right out to the airport if that is an option or a Taxi service too.

 

Rush hour starts early in Vancouver and with all our bridges, trying to get out to the airport I would definitely allow more time.

 

I would suggest taking a later afternoon flight as YVR Airport is out in Richmond and you need to take some intersections, bridges to get out there....

 

Why not hang around our beautiful city and tour a bit seeing Stanley Park, beaches and our sunshine!

 

Enjoy our city we are proud of it!