How early can I book a flight out of Vancouver

[MISSYLOU]

Knowing how congested the cruise terminal can be and that the airport is some distance away, what times has everyone been getting to the airport after a cruise. Immigrations is also an issue.

We usually don't book a flight until after 1200 pm but our best shot at a return flight is around 11 am. (We will be flying standby). That's probably too early but would like to try for it. Anyone had any luck getting out this early?

Karen & Paul
[email]kmbix56@wmconnect.com[/email]
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[url="http://community.webshots.com/album/124134511FOjEih"]http://community.webshots.com/album/124134511FOjEih[/url]
Infinity
[img]http://escati.linkopp.net/cgi-bin/countdown.cgi?trgb=000000&srgb=00ff00&prgb=800080&cdt=2004;06;27;17;45;00&timezone=GMT-0800[/img]
Galaxy B2B 10/04
[img]http://escati.linkopp.net/cgi-bin/countdown.cgi?trgb=000000&srgb=00ff00&prgb=800080&cdt=2004;10;16;17;45;00&timezone=GMT-0800[/img]
Mercury Mexican Riviera 03/04
Radiance Eastern Caribbean 01/04
Summit Alaska and Pacific Coast 09/03
Infinity B2B Hawaii 03/03
Infinity Panama Canal 10/02
Maasdam Eastern Caribbean 07/02
Sun Princess Partial Canal Transit 03/02
Maasdam Western Carribbean 11/01
Statendam Alaska 07/01
Dolphin Eastern Caribbean 1990?

[yvrdave]

Karen and Paul - 11 am for a return flight could be tight. I would want to be at the airport approx 2 hours before departure. The last time I flew cross boarder it took an hour just to get through US Customs after checking in. It reminded me of being at Disneyland with the lines going back and forth!
The drive to the airport is about 30 min. Therefore you might want to be getting off the ship around 8 am, or shortly after, and you would have to have the highest priority to do that. However, again the last time we got off a ship in YVR it was closer to 9 am as there was a delay clearing Customs on the ship.
Good luck, and see you on board!
Dave

PS: you might want to read a recent review of the cruise.
[url="http://messages.cruisecritic.com/2/OpenTopic?a=tpc&s=927093444&f=147097554&m=922104042"]http://messages.cruisecritic.com/2/OpenTopic?a=tpc&s=927093444&f=147097554&m=922104042[/url]


Infinity 06/04
Infinity 12/04
Veendam 11/05

Galaxie 6/97, Mercury 11/97, Rhapsody 2/00, Vision 5/00, Galaxie 6/00, Millennium 9/00, Dawn Princess 9/00, Rhapsody 1/01, Viking Serenade 2/01, Radiance 4/01, Carnival Spirit 5/01, Ocean Princess 9/01, Norwegian Sun 10/01, Golden Princess 11/01, Zaamdam 5/02, Summit 5/03, Infinity 01/04.

[This message was edited by yvrdave on 06-11-04 at 02:21 AM.]

[yvrdave]

Karen and Paul - It's me again. You might want to read this post which describes how bad it can get at the airport! It's a beautiful airport, but Customs is the pits.
[url="http://messages.cruisecritic.com/2/OpenTopic?a=tpc&s=927093444&f=147097554&m=733101812"]http://messages.cruisecritic.com/2/OpenTopic?a=tpc&s=927093444&f=147097554&m=733101812[/url]

Dave

Infinity 06/04
Infinity 12/04
Veendam 11/05

Galaxie 6/97, Mercury 11/97, Rhapsody 2/00, Vision 5/00, Galaxie 6/00, Millennium 9/00, Dawn Princess 9/00, Rhapsody 1/01, Viking Serenade 2/01, Radiance 4/01, Carnival Spirit 5/01, Ocean Princess 9/01, Norwegian Sun 10/01, Golden Princess 11/01, Zaamdam 5/02, Summit 5/03, Infinity 01/04.

[MISSYLOU]

Dave:

Thanks for the info and the links. I know we would be pushing it. We may have to look at a different flight time or even fly out of Seattle.

Since you are from YVR I hope you don't mind another question. Because of the Jazz festival in Vancouver the week we are flying in we have not been able to find a room downtown at a price we want to pay. Most hotels are sold out and those that aren't want $200 to $300 per night. Don't want to pay that much since we had the Marriott Pinnacle last year for $60.
So I have booked the Park Plaza hotel in Richmond. There is very little info on this hotel or area but what I have read about the hotel it sounds fine. Are you familiar with this area? We don't mind not being downtown and look forward to seeing a new area. Just want to make sure this is an area we will feel comfortable in. We are flying in on June 24.

Thanks

Karen & Paul
[email]kmbix56@wmconnect.com[/email]
[img]http://smileys.smileycentral.com/cat/8/8_3_23.gif[/img]
[url="http://community.webshots.com/album/124134511FOjEih"]http://community.webshots.com/album/124134511FOjEih[/url]
Infinity
[img]http://escati.linkopp.net/cgi-bin/countdown.cgi?trgb=000000&srgb=00ff00&prgb=800080&cdt=2004;06;27;17;45;00&timezone=GMT-0800[/img]
Galaxy B2B 10/04
[img]http://escati.linkopp.net/cgi-bin/countdown.cgi?trgb=000000&srgb=00ff00&prgb=800080&cdt=2004;10;16;17;45;00&timezone=GMT-0800[/img]
Mercury Mexican Riviera 03/04
Radiance Eastern Caribbean 01/04
Summit Alaska and Pacific Coast 09/03
Infinity B2B Hawaii 03/03
Infinity Panama Canal 10/02
Maasdam Eastern Caribbean 07/02
Sun Princess Partial Canal Transit 03/02
Maasdam Western Carribbean 11/01
Statendam Alaska 07/01
Dolphin Eastern Caribbean 1990?

[debjac]

We had a 12:30 flight out of Vancouver which we made by the skin of our teeth. I agree with everyone else - customs was an extremely slow process and we never thought we'd get through. Then the line to pay that airport fee (not sure what it's actually called) was even longer. Next time we will not book any flight before 2:00 PM just to eliminate some stress.

[MISSYLOU]

Well talk about stress. We are flying standby. Now that's stress. We'll manage somehow and I do appreciate your input.

Karen & Paul
[email]kmbix56@wmconnect.com[/email]
[img]http://smileys.smileycentral.com/cat/8/8_3_23.gif[/img]
[url="http://community.webshots.com/album/124134511FOjEih"]http://community.webshots.com/album/124134511FOjEih[/url]
Infinity
[img]http://escati.linkopp.net/cgi-bin/countdown.cgi?trgb=000000&srgb=00ff00&prgb=800080&cdt=2004;06;27;17;45;00&timezone=GMT-0800[/img]
Galaxy B2B 10/04
[img]http://escati.linkopp.net/cgi-bin/countdown.cgi?trgb=000000&srgb=00ff00&prgb=800080&cdt=2004;10;16;17;45;00&timezone=GMT-0800[/img]
Mercury Mexican Riviera 03/04
Radiance Eastern Caribbean 01/04
Summit Alaska and Pacific Coast 09/03
Infinity B2B Hawaii 03/03
Infinity Panama Canal 10/02
Maasdam Eastern Caribbean 07/02
Sun Princess Partial Canal Transit 03/02
Maasdam Western Carribbean 11/01
Statendam Alaska 07/01
Dolphin Eastern Caribbean 1990?

[Jimsgirl]

NOT UNTIL AFTER 12.30pm!

I was on Infinity May 28th, got off ship at approx 8.30. CHAOS in the luggage warehouse. Luggage was not coming off the ship in order.

Waited 90 mins, my luggage did not appear, since I had to go to airport, I filed a missing claim , then went outside to get a cab (had a pre paid coupon from my agent for this)
There were 3 LONG LINES of passengers waiting for cabs. I waited 35 mins before getting to head of the line.
Got to the airport, to find LONG LONG SNAKING LINES to get through security ( and I had only my carryon).
After finally clearing the Canadian formalities, I found myself IN MORE SNAKELIKE LINES yet again to clear the American customs/immigration.
I made it to the gate 45 mins before my 1.15pm plane

I have never had such an appalling disambarkation or airport chaos as I endured at Vancouver.

By the way my luggage made it off Infinity, but then Gateway Guest Services, who operate the luggage side of embarkation at Vancouver, failed to take control of the luggage (1 case and 1 wardrobe bag) and it was put on Radiance of the Sea and went on a cruise of its own to Alaska, came back June 5th , and was still lying around at Gateway on June 8th, (despite phone calls to Gateway and Celebrity) The supervisor at my TA agency finally got it onto Fedex, afternoon of June 8th. so I finally got it back. Someone (not customs or security - no paperwork inside) had searched the case. hoping no doubt for camera or jewelery. They left the clothes thanfully.

------

[yvrdave]

Missylou - The Park Plaza, and the Ramada Plaza Airport Hotel is beside Hwy.99, the main Hwy from Seattle (I-5) just before you cross the Oak St. Bridge to Vancouver. The bad news is that there is little around that particular area except some other hotels. The good news is that there is a Costco about a half mile away if you're a member. I've been to many meetings there and looks like a nice place to stay. Here's a couple of comments about it.
[url="http://www.thisistravel.co.uk/travel/accommodation/hotel.html?in_article_id=7664&in_page_id=101"]www.thisistravel.co.uk/travel/accommodation/hotel.html?in_article_id=7664&in_page_id=101[/url]

If only there for one night it should be OK. Go to the Ramada site and look at the MapQuest map:
[url="http://www.ramada.com/Ramada/control/Booking/map?pid=14024&brandInfo=RA&latitude=491878&longitude=-1231117&ShowPOIs=N&ClickRecenter=Y&MQZoom=7&url=FDR2dmwjDE%3Bu759f%3AHODc8xnM6bd*VJ%13M%3DTPF3b%2Crw9rtg%26%3D2llu2n0%40%24%3A%26%40%24%3Ad%40rsu%40b2u%40%19JSM%3AHOHQJ%3Bw1n5zy%3A%29uax9u2a%26%40%24%3A%26%40%24%3Ah4b%3A*E%14JrblVkj3me%2CM%18FD&brand_selected="]http://www.ramada.com/Ramada/control/Booking/map?pid=14024&brandInfo=RA&latitude=491878&longitude=-1231117&ShowPOIs=N&ClickRecenter=Y&MQZoom=7&url=FDR2dmwjDE%3Bu759f%3AHODc8xnM6bd*VJ%13M%3DTPF3b%2Crw9rtg%26%3D2llu2n0%40%24%3A%26%40%24%3Ad%40rsu%40b2u%40%19JSM%3AHOHQJ%3Bw1n5zy%3A%29uax9u2a%26%40%24%3A%26%40%24%3Ah4b%3A*E%14JrblVkj3me%2CM%18FD&brand_selected=[/url]

The main shopping area is along #3 Rd over by the Lansdown Mall in the bottom left corner of the map.
I think the best and quickest way to the pier is by cab from the hotel- maybe $30 CDN. On Mapquest you follow Hwy 99 straight north, about a 30 min drive.
Any more Q?

Dave

Infinity 06/04
Infinity 12/04
Veendam 11/05

Galaxie 6/97, Mercury 11/97, Rhapsody 2/00, Vision 5/00, Galaxie 6/00, Millennium 9/00, Dawn Princess 9/00, Rhapsody 1/01, Viking Serenade 2/01, Radiance 4/01, Carnival Spirit 5/01, Ocean Princess 9/01, Norwegian Sun 10/01, Golden Princess 11/01, Zaamdam 5/02, Summit 5/03, Infinity 01/04.

[MISSYLOU]

Thanks to all for your input.

Dave appreciate your comments and the links you provided. We will be arriving late Thursday evening and we cruise on Sunday. So we will be staying three nights in this hotel. The "senior citizen rate" is $65 per night so it is quite a savings from the $200 to $300 downtown. Planned on taking a cab to cruise terminal. Park Plaza offers shuttle service to the local mall. We'll figure out a way to see some sights. And we'll relax quite a bit. We'll get into cruise mode. [img]http://messages.cruisecritic.com/infopop/emoticons/icon_smile.gif[/img]

Karen & Paul
[email]kmbix56@wmconnect.com[/email]
[img]http://smileys.smileycentral.com/cat/8/8_3_23.gif[/img]
[url="http://community.webshots.com/album/124134511FOjEih"]http://community.webshots.com/album/124134511FOjEih[/url]
Infinity
[img]http://escati.linkopp.net/cgi-bin/countdown.cgi?trgb=000000&srgb=00ff00&prgb=800080&cdt=2004;06;27;17;45;00&timezone=GMT-0800[/img]
Galaxy B2B 10/04
[img]http://escati.linkopp.net/cgi-bin/countdown.cgi?trgb=000000&srgb=00ff00&prgb=800080&cdt=2004;10;16;17;45;00&timezone=GMT-0800[/img]
Mercury Mexican Riviera 03/04
Radiance Eastern Caribbean 01/04
Summit Alaska and Pacific Coast 09/03
Infinity B2B Hawaii 03/03
Infinity Panama Canal 10/02
Maasdam Eastern Caribbean 07/02
Sun Princess Partial Canal Transit 03/02
Maasdam Western Carribbean 11/01
Statendam Alaska 07/01
Dolphin Eastern Caribbean 1990?

[I Need A Vacation!]

Hi American friends
First the airport improvement fee AIF is now built into the ticket price of your flight. So no more lineups to purchase a ticket. The CDN security is not too bad. Like all airports no scissors, nail files, sharp objects, clippers, etc. You will get through quickly. The US customs for CDNS did not seem too bad if you have your passport in order. I know that many busses take people from the cruise ship terminal in downtown vancouver to the airport that is in Richmond.

Those lucky enough to stay in Richmond look for some great oriental restaurants and some really good sushi, dim sum etc.

[MISSYLOU]

Hi Canadian friend. I am so glad to read nice things about Richmond. At first I was disappointed not to get a hotel downtown but now I am glad we are staying in Richmond. The hotel "Park Plaza" sounds like a lot more relaxing stay than the hustle bustle of downtown. Thanks.

Karen & Paul
[email]kmbix56@wmconnect.com[/email]
[img]http://smileys.smileycentral.com/cat/8/8_3_23.gif[/img]
[url="http://community.webshots.com/album/124134511FOjEih"]http://community.webshots.com/album/124134511FOjEih[/url]
Infinity
[img]http://escati.linkopp.net/cgi-bin/countdown.cgi?trgb=000000&srgb=00ff00&prgb=800080&cdt=2004;06;27;17;45;00&timezone=GMT-0800[/img]
Galaxy B2B 10/04
[img]http://escati.linkopp.net/cgi-bin/countdown.cgi?trgb=000000&srgb=00ff00&prgb=800080&cdt=2004;10;16;17;45;00&timezone=GMT-0800[/img]
Mercury Mexican Riviera 03/04
Radiance Eastern Caribbean 01/04
Summit Alaska and Pacific Coast 09/03
Infinity B2B Hawaii 03/03
Infinity Panama Canal 10/02
Maasdam Eastern Caribbean 07/02
Sun Princess Partial Canal Transit 03/02
Maasdam Western Carribbean 11/01
Statendam Alaska 07/01
Dolphin Eastern Caribbean 1990?

[ArtM]

Other possible reasons to not book an early fight based on the Infinity arrival in Vancouver on June 6:

1. Rough seas might cause the ship to arrive 90 minutes late making the Cdn customs and immigration jam even worse with two other ships at Canada Place and one at Ballantyne Pier to suck up staff.

2. Luggage getting misarranged in the ship's hold so that it was not in the right order for unloading.

3. Attempting to get some pax off too quickly (so that they could catch flights) which in turn messed up moving luggage into the baggage claim hall.

4. Not enough taxis.

One stroke of luck for us was that we had a great deal and had flown to Vancouver from Toronto rather than Buffalo, NY. Thus, we never had to deal with US immigration until the trip home when it took about 5 seconds after a 10 minute wait in line.

Art

[Cruise Junky]

As someone who uses YVR a lot and has to go through US Customs, they've now started segregating the lines...If you're a US citizen you get a separate line. This should speed things up for you, but it's not going to help with Security.

Some Ship, Some Itinerary, Somewhere in the Med.
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Mexican Riviera - Rhapsody of the Seas
11 Day Circle the Caribbean - Splendour of the Seas
Alaska - Dawn Princess
Coastal - Island Princess