Logistics of embarking in Vancouver

[angelbearmom]

I'm doing a Panama Canal cruise on the NA leaving from Vancouver in 3 weeks and 1 day! I've just embarked from Vancouver once and can't remember how we get from being dropped off to dropping off the luggage. We've decided that my friend that is travelling with me will be using a walker. That means a little more difficulty with getting both our luggage to where ever we can get it so it's going to the ship. How far in are we in the station before getting in a line to get on the ship or go through all the boarding process? Just a reminder of how things work in Vancouver. Thanks

[Bentleg]

If you book HAL accommodation at the Pan Pacific, they will look after the transfer of your luggage to the ship, and escort you for the short walk to checkin.

 

If you are flying in, the taxi queue to drop off at the terminal can be impressive - we spent more time in the queue than we did driving from our downtown hotel. My recollection is the bags were taken by porters as we left the cab.

 

The queue to clear US customs was lengthy and took quite a while. The checkin queue followed - you may get some priority at checkin with the walker passenger.

 

 

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[crystalspin]

From the airport -- recommend Aerocar (towncar). Recommend getting in a day early, although we have done taxi-straight-to-ship in earlier days... would not do it again.

 

Do the math -- it may even be the HAL package is reasonable when all the parts are added up.

[Keith1010]

The good news is you will have far less tourists with the end of the Alaska Season.

 

You will also be the only ship in port which will make Embarkation a lot smoother.

 

If you are flying in that day you will be dropped off at the port and porters are there to take your luggage.

 

You will then go through security.

 

After security you will go through USA customs.

 

From there you will make your way to the check in counters for your cruise.

 

When the port has three ships in port it is very chaotic so you don't have to deal with all of this.

 

If you do arrive a day or more early you could stay at the Pan Pacific Hotel on our own rather then through the cruise line and they will get your checked luggage over to the pier and you will then see it after you board. The hotel is located adjacent to the pier.

 

Keith

[Krazy Kruizers]

Noticed that you mentioned your friend will be using a walker.

Is your friend bringing his/her own walker or renting one?

Well, in any event, you should arrange through HAL for wheelchair assistance for embarkation and disembarkation days.

[Alberta Quilter]

In addition to the Pan Pacific, the bellmen at the Fairmont Waterfront (across the street from the terminal) will also take your luggage to the cruise terminal for a gratuity. The Pan Pacific is much easier for someone with mobility issues but wanted to point out that there is another option.

 

Enjoy your cruise!

[angelbearmom]

Thanks for the suggestions. I live near Vancouver so will be driving in and being dropped off. I just can't remember exactly where we go first after being dropped off. Is there help from ship personnel right away or do we keep our luggage until ?

 

My friend will be using my walker. Good suggestion on letting people know for embarkation.

[martincath]

Thanks for the suggestions. I live near Vancouver so will be driving in and being dropped off. I just can't remember exactly where we go first after being dropped off. Is there help from ship personnel right away or do we keep our luggage until ?

 

My friend will be using my walker. Good suggestion on letting people know for embarkation.

There will be guys with luggage cages who can collect your bags right from the car - assuming you get dropped off inside the pier rather than up at street level (there will be someone directing traffic on the street, a private car might be going to parking upstairs rather than drop-off so be sure to line up behind the taxis and be prepared to be asked where you're going).

 

What you perhaps did before was walk your bags over to the conveyor belts - depending exactly where your vehicle stops, that might be just a few yards away or 50. Walking all the way down from the street is less than 200 yards. With only one ship, there's no risk of the cage guy taking your bags to the wrong ship so you wouldn't gain any benefit from schlepping them over to the conveyor belts yourself.

[Keith1010]

Thanks for the suggestions. I live near Vancouver so will be driving in and being dropped off. I just can't remember exactly where we go first after being dropped off. Is there help from ship personnel right away or do we keep our luggage until ?

 

My friend will be using my walker. Good suggestion on letting people know for embarkation.

 

As soon as you are dropped off you will see porters to hand your luggage to.

 

Once you proceed to the terminal area you will see reps for Holland there. They will direct to the security line that I mentioned earlier that you go through. Once you do that they will direct you to the area for check in.

 

Keith

[angelbearmom]

Do we tip the porters who take our luggage?

[Keith1010]

Tipping is a personal decision but we tip them. We tip around $2.00 per bag. Many recommend a range of $1.00 to $2.00 per bag. We'll round it up so if two bags we would tip $5.00.

 

Keith

[Krazy Kruizers]

We tip $5 for 2 suitcases and $10 for 4 suitcases.

If you do want wheelchair assistance on Embarkation and Disembarkation days, you must arrange this before you get to the ship.

Our TA calls HAL and requests the form that needs to be filled out for the wheel chair.

[Dunelm]

I agree that wheelchair assistance should be requested unless the walker can be sat upon. The walk through the convention hall and through immigration, etc., is long. Certainly, there should not be the long lines when several ships are leaving, but the wait could still take a while. The computers were down when we embarked this year and everything was held up. I second the Pan Pacific Hotel idea. It gives fantastic service.

[djhsolara]

I'm doing a Panama Canal cruise on the NA leaving from Vancouver in 3 weeks and 1 day! I've just embarked from Vancouver once and can't remember how we get from being dropped off to dropping off the luggage. We've decided that my friend that is travelling with me will be using a walker. That means a little more difficulty with getting both our luggage to where ever we can get it so it's going to the ship. How far in are we in the station before getting in a line to get on the ship or go through all the boarding process? Just a reminder of how things work in Vancouver. Thanks

 

 

 

We're on the same sailing as you, but only for the first five nights to San Diego. Best wishes!!

 

 

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[Lizzie68]

I'm doing a Panama Canal cruise on the NA leaving from Vancouver in 3 weeks and 1 day! I've just embarked from Vancouver once and can't remember how we get from being dropped off to dropping off the luggage. We've decided that my friend that is travelling with me will be using a walker. That means a little more difficulty with getting both our luggage to where ever we can get it so it's going to the ship. How far in are we in the station before getting in a line to get on the ship or go through all the boarding process? Just a reminder of how things work in Vancouver. Thanks

 

Are you going by cab or private car? A cab driver will know where to go - so if not cab, be sure whoever is driving you goes down the entrance to the cruise terminal parking, and attendants will direct you to where you and your luggage will be dropped off, and then the vehicle must leave, so a quick goodbye. An agent will be at the curb and a porter will be right there to take the luggage. Your friend will have time to set up the walker and go through the doors to the security line. While tipping is not required, we usually do give the porter a tip. There is always someone to direct you to where you need to go next.

[david,Mississauga]

In addition to the Pan Pacific, the bellmen at the Fairmont Waterfront (across the street from the terminal) will also take your luggage to the cruise terminal for a gratuity. The Pan Pacific is much easier for someone with mobility issues but wanted to point out that there is another option.

 

Enjoy your cruise!

We have stayed twice at the Pan Pacific because a Club room with lounge amenities was cheaper than a basic room at the Fairmont. Of course that may not always be the case.

 

We have friends who stayed at the Fairmont prior to a cruise. One of them has mobility issues so they asked about assistance. The staff offered to send them in the hotel's car. Our friends expressed surprise saying it was only across the street. The hotel staff said it may appear to be just across the street but getting to the check-in area is a considerable walk. They were impressed with the service.

[frankc98376]

Be aware that the above process is generally used on a one ship day.

 

Always a chance they will use the multi ship process: Drop your bags; up escalator to check in; the back down escalator to security, customs, and boarding.

 

Probably won't but be prepared just in case. Elevators are there to avoid escalators.

[GeorgesGal]

If you book HAL accommodation at the Pan Pacific, they will look after the transfer of your luggage to the ship, and escort you for the short walk to checkin.]

 

I second this suggestion. Pan Pacific is a beautiful hotel which sits directly over the HA pier! Been there; done that. :D

[frankc98376]

If you book HAL accommodation at the Pan Pacific' date=' they will look after the transfer of your luggage to the ship, and escort you for the short walk to checkin.']

 

I second this suggestion. Pan Pacific is a beautiful hotel which sits directly over the HA pier! Been there; done that. :D

 

The Club floors are amazing. Last time we arrived the lobby was a zoo with huge lines at the front desk. So nice bypassing and checking in on 23rd floor with a glass of wine

[sapper1]

You don't have to book your room at the Pan Pacific through HAL to take advantage of the luggage delivery to the ship.

We book ourselves and book the cruise package. They take our luggage to the ship and provide an included buffet breakfast. We found it cheaper to do it ourselves than to book through HAL.

[VennDiagram]

You don't have to book your room at the Pan Pacific through HAL to take advantage of the luggage delivery to the ship.

We book ourselves and book the cruise package. They take our luggage to the ship and provide an included buffet breakfast. We found it cheaper to do it ourselves than to book through HAL.

 

We've booked both the cruise package, and just a regular room at the PP. Either way, they took our luggage to the ship. Unlike booking through HAL, we had to remain in our room until the luggage was collected by the bellman.

[frankc98376]

We usually call about 9:30 to have our luggage picked up. They are at our door within 10 minutes.

[muffin]

OP said they are being driven to the port,so no need for hotel. As others have said, friend will take you to the unloading spot in the parking area. Porters will take luggage from car and place on carts to be delivered to the ship. A tip is nice, but they sometimes are so quick they obviously don't care about it!. Then make your way, on the same level to the first queue for immigration I think. It is not a long way, about a three minute walk for a walker using person I would think. However, if you ask, the porter people may be able to get a wheelchair to come to the drop off area. The able bodied friend may have to push this first piece.

 

Once you get to the first line, find a HAL person..there are many, and request a wheelchair. They will get one or direct you to a place to sit and wait if all are in use. That will get you to a fast line usually. But, as others noted they may not do this as there are fewer passengers when only one ship is sailing. Whoever takes you through this first part will push your friend to the other check in points and all the way to the point where a ships person takes over that responsibility. Steward will get you onboard. HAppy travels

[yvrcruzer]

one thing I will point out is that there are (or were) signs specifically saying NOT to tip the porters who take your luggage. They are extremely well paid longshoremen who should not be tipped!!!

[bUU]

one thing I will point out is that there are (or were) signs specifically saying NOT to tip the porters who take your luggage. They are extremely well paid longshoremen who should not be tipped!!!

Really? Wow that's a big difference between Canada and the USA.