Tips/Info for Ruby Princess to Alaska 2015

[Luvsnorkeling]

Sorry, folks, another mistake... :-(

 

It is SEATTLE EXPRESS and not Shuttle Express that we took. There is a Shuttle Express, but it is more expensive. Just pulled our paperwork and checked it.

[phabric]

Sorry, folks, another mistake... :-(

 

It is SEATTLE EXPRESS and not Shuttle Express that we took. There is a Shuttle Express, but it is more expensive. Just pulled our paperwork and checked it.

 

If taking a 11:25am flight from Seattle, do you think it is better to take the shuttle or a taxi?

 

Is the shuttle a van type or a big coach?

 

Is your ticket for a certain shuttle (a timed shuttle ticket) or they fill the next available shuttle then off you go and they fill the next shuttle?

 

I am looking at the 11:25am non stop flight - 4-5 hour flight (the next non stop flight is not until 23:00) compared to a flight to Vancouver at 12:45 with a switch planes for a 7 hour flight.

[lauren0309]

I was wondering the same thing. Is it faster to just jump into a cab vs. waiting for the shuttle that you reserved plus does it also have to fill up with people and their luggage. I'm assuming just jumping into a cab would be quicker?

[Sea Day Cruiser]

I used Seattle Express a couple of weeks ago. They pick up at several airports hotels and take you to the pier for $12. Before you get off the shuttle the driver will point out where you pick up the shuttle at the end of the cruise. It's only about 20 feet past the Princess buses. My flight was at 11:30. I did EZ pcheck and was in the first or second group off the ship. I was the last on the shuttle before they started for the airport and it was not full. I was told they leave every 15 minutes whether they are full or not. I think I was at the airport by 9 AM but I'm not sure it could've been 9:30. It was a Sunday; during the week it probably takes longer. I was very pleased with how easy the whole thing was.

[caribill]

What I would suggest is that the rest of your party take care of everybody's luggage (if it's not already been turned in at the airport)

 

Another question please....what do you mean 'if it's not already turned in at the airport' How does this work? turned into who? Again a huge thanks in advance

 

If you have booked a Princess transfer from the airport to the ship then Princess takes your luggage at the airport and you next see it in your cabin.

 

If you do not have a Princess transfer, you cannot do this.

[Pierlesscruisers]

If you have booked a Princess transfer from the airport to the ship then Princess takes your luggage at the airport and you next see it in your cabin.

 

If you do not have a Princess transfer, you cannot do this.

 

That is correct. However, the OPs are arriving a day early and are staying at a hotel downtown so the transfer from the airport is not an option.

 

Tom

[aimee916]

Tom,

 

2 questions if you don't mind:

 

1) We're being dropped off at the pier by family. Is there a specific area that would be better than another for that?

2) Any tips on boarding with a toddler?

 

Thanks!

[kunta67]

Does anyone know the cost of the thermal suite for the week? My wife and I are sailing on the August 16th cruise. We'd love to purchase the pass for the week.

[ar1950]

Sorry, folks, another mistake... :-(

 

It is SEATTLE EXPRESS and not Shuttle Express that we took. There is a Shuttle Express, but it is more expensive. Just pulled our paperwork and checked it.

 

I used Seattle Express a couple of weeks ago. They pick up at several airports hotels and take you to the pier for $12. Before you get off the shuttle the driver will point out where you pick up the shuttle at the end of the cruise. It's only about 20 feet past the Princess buses. My flight was at 11:30. I did EZ pcheck and was in the first or second group off the ship. I was the last on the shuttle before they started for the airport and it was not full. I was told they leave every 15 minutes whether they are full or not. I think I was at the airport by 9 AM but I'm not sure it could've been 9:30. It was a Sunday; during the week it probably takes longer. I was very pleased with how easy the whole thing was.

 

Thanks to Luvsnorkeling and Sea Day Cruiser!! By reserving with Seattle Express it cut our shuttle costs in half over using Shuttle Express. BTW, nothing wrong with Shuttle Express in our experience, Seattle Express just was more economical in this case (assuming we make to the ship on time as well as back to the airport on time--we will let you know in 12 weeks after we are, hopefully, back home). :cool:

Edited June 7, 2015 by ar1950

[Pierlesscruisers]

Tom,

 

2 questions if you don't mind:

 

1) We're being dropped off at the pier by family. Is there a specific area that would be better than another for that?

2) Any tips on boarding with a toddler?

 

Thanks!

Don't mind at all. When you arrive at Pier 91 there will be a single driveway of 3 lanes that leads toward the building on the pier. The right-most lane will be for buses, the middle lane will be for taxis and left-most lane will be for POV (Privately owned vehicles and limos so your family will want to be in the left-most lane. They enter the unloading area and make a 180 degree turn and end up stopping to unload your family and your luggage on the left side of the area. After you've gotten all your things out of their car they can then depart straight ahead. Meanwhile you will gather your luggage and head toward the building. If you want longshoremen to handle your luggage, you will be looking for people with luggage carts and wearing bright yellow vests with silver stripes on them. Those are the longshoremen who will handle all Princess bags. You will see other wearing read vest. Do not approach them as they handle only Holland-America luggage. (Each cruise lines hires longshoremen to handle bags and they are prohibited from handling luggage going on the other lines' ship.) If you plan on taking care of your own bags, you will head toward the building and will enter in the middle set of doors. If you are checking in bags, you will enter the door between doors 3 and 4. If you are carrying all of your luggage on to the ship yourself, then you will enter the building through door 3. Door 4 is for those boarding the Holland-America ship.

 

As far as boarding with a toddler, I'm not really sure what to tell you about that. If you are bringing a stroller, and your child will be riding in that through the check-in process, then you will use the elevator to go up to the 2nd floor. If you go up the escalator, then the child will have to come out of the stroller and you can hold his/her hand or carry him/her up the escalator and fold up and carry the stroller.

 

Please have your passports/passport cards/birth certificates in your hand before you get to the doors leading into the building as you will have to show them to get in the building and waiting till you get to the door and then having to pull the docs out of purses or other carry-ons causes severe back-ups of people at the front of the building. I always tell people to have their e-boarding passes folded up and on the photo page of their passport as that makes going through security and check-in a bit quicker (a couple of seconds saved on each passenger can make a big difference when you've got over 3000 passengers going the ship!). Oh, and you will have a health form given to you after you get inside the building (one for each adult 18 and older) that you'll fill out before you go upstairs.

 

Let me know if you'd like a copy of the health form as I think I've got one around here somewhere. That way you can save a bit of time getting upstairs.

 

When is your departure date? We've had great weather this year as the first reports of rain were during last week on the Ruby Princess which returned today. If I remember correctly, they said there was rain every day. Guess somebody on the ship must have misbehaved! ;)

 

Hope this info helps.

 

Tom

[Eaglecw]

Let me know if you'd like a copy of the health form as I think I've got one around here somewhere. That way you can save a bit of time getting upstairs.

Tom

 

Hey Tom,

 

How do I get a couple of Health forms before we cruise next Sunday the June 14th. You've always got great information. I'm trying to convince my DW that we need to get to Pier 91 about 10:45 or so. What do you think good idea? I remember you from previous cruises out of Seattle.

 

I love it when people try to check in there luggage in without the luggage tags attached to there luggage or when they have to show there boarding documents and they have to dig for them in there carry on bags.

 

Randy

Edited June 8, 2015 by Eaglecw

[Pierlesscruisers]

Hey Tom,

 

How do I get a couple of Health forms before we cruise next Sunday the June 14th. You've always got great information. I'm trying to convince my DW that we need to get to Pier 91 about 10:45 or so. What do you think good idea? I remember you from previous cruises out of Seattle.

 

I love it when people try to check in there luggage in without the luggage tags attached to there luggage or when they have to show there boarding documents and they have to dig for them in there carry on bags.

 

Randy

Based on what's been happening so far this year, that sounds like a good arrival time. As for the forms, I can't find one (but I'm still looking) but I'll be able to pick up one on Tuesday and I'll scan it when I get back from the pier that afternoon and send it to you. If I forget, remind me by posting again here.

 

As to remembering me, that could be good or that could be bad!!! :confused:

 

Tom

Edited June 8, 2015 by Pierlesscruisers

[caribill]

Hey Tom,

 

How do I get a couple of Health forms before we cruise next Sunday the June 14th.

 

The health form takes about 30 seconds to fill out. Your name, cabin number and some boxes to check about your current health and if you have recently visited countries in Africa which had Ebola epidemics last year.

 

Really not worth much effort to obtain in advance.

[ar1950]

The health form takes about 30 seconds to fill out. Your name, cabin number and some boxes to check about your current health and if you have recently visited countries in Africa which had Ebola epidemics last year.

 

Really not worth much effort to obtain in advance.

 

Very true. That health form is probably the least of your concerns when checking in. Just have a pen or pencil with you so you don't have to use the same pens/pencils that everyone else has used (especially the ones who should have answered one or more of those questions with a positive answer....:D).

Edited June 8, 2015 by ar1950

[Pierlesscruisers]

Really not worth much effort to obtain in advance.

 

Personally, I believe that the more you can get done ahead of time, the better off you are. You get the forms filled out (except for checking the four boxes as to your current health as of the day you travel) put them beside your other documents and it's one less thing you have to do on that day. Plus, if you arrive at your destination early and don't get given the health forms at the airport, then it's one less thing to do when you arrive at the pier. While others are stopping to fill out the forms there, you're already in the line and moving forward. Plus, if you do it at home, you don't have to use one of those pencils that everyone else has used! :)

 

But, in the end, it's an individual choice for each and every traveler so if someone would like to do their forms early on, then I'm more than willing to provide them to them.

 

Have a good cruise!

 

Tom

Edited June 8, 2015 by Pierlesscruisers

[Colo Cruiser]

Personally, I believe that the more you can get done ahead of time, the better off you are. You get the forms filled out (except for checking the four boxes as to your current health as of the day you travel) put them beside your other documents and it's one less thing you have to do on that day. Plus, if you arrive at your destination early and don't get given the health forms at the airport, then it's one less thing to do when you arrive at the pier. While others are stopping to fill out the forms there, you're already in the line and moving forward. Plus, if you do it at home, you don't have to use one of those pencils that everyone else has used! :)

 

But, in the end, it's an individual choice for each and every traveler so if someone would like to do their forms early on, then I'm more than willing to provide them to them.

 

Have a good cruise!

 

Tom

 

Sorry but its not meant to be done ahead of time. :(

[Pierlesscruisers]

Hey Tom,

 

How do I get a couple of Health forms before we cruise next Sunday the June 14th.

Randy

 

Randy: Okay, I'm attaching a PDF of a pair of health forms for you. Only thing you need to do is print them out and separate the 2 forms.

 

Check the Roll Call later this week as I'll be posting the weekend weather forecast for the Sat. & Sun. that you'll be in town so you'll know what to expect. This past week, unfortunately, according to the people that just got off the ship Sunday, every day of their cruise they had rain. Now, how much rain (occasional drizzle, lots of rain, somewhere in between) they didn't say but it was the first report of any rain that I've hear of this whole season. Hopefully it'll be the only such report I'll hear! :rolleyes:

 

Any other questions, let me know.

 

See you

Health forms-300dpi.pdf

Edited June 8, 2015 by Pierlesscruisers

[Pierlesscruisers]

Sorry but its not meant to be done ahead of time. :(

 

That is correct, please go back and read what I posted. "You get the forms filled out (except for checking the four boxes as to your current health as of the day you travel)"

 

There is nothing wrong with filling out the information on the form other than checking the boxes about your health as of the day you are going on the cruise. I'm not trying to circumvent the system, only trying to work within it.

 

Tom

[Eaglecw]

Randy: Okay, I'm attaching a PDF of a pair of health forms for you. Only thing you need to do is print them out and separate the 2 forms.

 

Check the Roll Call later this week as I'll be posting the weekend weather forecast for the Sat. & Sun. that you'll be in town so you'll know what to expect. This past week, unfortunately, according to the people that just got off the ship Sunday, every day of their cruise they had rain. Now, how much rain (occasional drizzle, lots of rain, somewhere in between) they didn't say but it was the first report of any rain that I've hear of this whole season. Hopefully it'll be the only such report I'll hear! :rolleyes:

 

Any other questions, let me know.

 

See you

 

Thanks Tom, I'm just down the road from you. The weather here in the Puget Sound area has been absolutely fantastic the last week or so. I hope the tourist's don't think it like this year around. We are getting out of town so we don't have to fight the US Open crowds. I've been watching the weather in our ports in Alaska and it's looking real good the week that we'll be up there. Where are you going to be working next Sunday at the terminal? I'll stop by and say Hi.

[sh2738]

For people that are talking about getting to the pier by 11, be sure to check your cruise package for what time boarding and check in begins. For example, for mine it isn't until 1-3 so I guess some other ones start earlier which is a little weird. But be sure to verify the time you can board. You don't want to get there at 11 when boarding doesn't start until 1.

[Pierlesscruisers]

Thanks Tom, I'm just down the road from you. The weather here in the Puget Sound area has been absolutely fantastic the last week or so. I hope the tourist's don't think it like this year around. We are getting out of town so we don't have to fight the US Open crowds. I've been watching the weather in our ports in Alaska and it's looking real good the week that we'll be up there. Where are you going to be working next Sunday at the terminal? I'll stop by and say Hi.

 

Oh, I don't live in Seattle, I'm down here in Gig Harbor. Unless I'm escorting a truck onto the pier, I'm usually outside greeting buses and working with the wheelchair people in the afternoon. Just look for an old guy with a bright yellow safety vest with silver stripes on it and a dark blue baseball cap and that's probably going to be me! Most fun job I've had in a long time! :p

 

Tom

[Pierlesscruisers]

For people that are talking about getting to the pier by 11, be sure to check your cruise package for what time boarding and check in begins. For example, for mine it isn't until 1-3 so I guess some other ones start earlier which is a little weird. But be sure to verify the time you can board. You don't want to get there at 11 when boarding doesn't start until 1.

 

Boarding on the Princess ships normally starts at around 1100 this season in Seattle.

 

Tom

[sherryf]

For people that are talking about getting to the pier by 11, be sure to check your cruise package for what time boarding and check in begins. For example, for mine it isn't until 1-3 so I guess some other ones start earlier which is a little weird. But be sure to verify the time you can board. You don't want to get there at 11 when boarding doesn't start until 1.

 

Despite what your cruise documentation says, I have never seen the staggered boarding times enforced in Seattle.

[sh2738]

Despite what your cruise documentation says, I have never seen the staggered boarding times enforced in Seattle.

 

 

Not staggered boarding times, just that it is not open until a certain time. In my case 1. It will be different for others.

[sherryf]

Not staggered boarding times, just that it is not open until a certain time. In my case 1. It will be different for others.

 

Have they stated that they are doing a deep cleaning due to Noro or something like that? Otherwise, boarding has typically started around noon or a little earlier. Even before we were Platinum, we have shown up around 10:30 - 11 and been on board by about 12:30, in time for lunch in the MDR.