Different Embarkation Times In Our Group

[sandygal]

Hello!

so we are sailing out of Vancouver in the Volendam  in a few weeks. We are a group of three different parties and we’ve each received a different embarkation time. Ours is at 10:30, the other Group at 11 am and also 11:30.  Can everyone check with us? We haven’t cruised since 2018 so not familiar with this process , nor have we cruised from Vancouver. Thanks in advance, and any tips for navigating Canada Place gratefully accepted 🎉🎉🎉👍🙏

[oaktreerb]

The times are so close and it really doesn’t matter anyway.  You can all go together.  The ship probably won’t start boarding until around 11:30.  You’ll go through immigration and check in and be sent to wait in a seating area until the ship is ready.  Then you can go to your stateroom to drop your luggage before going to Lido or dining room for lunch.

[Jldevlin]

1 hour ago, sandygal said:

Hello!

so we are sailing out of Vancouver in the Volendam  in a few weeks. We are a group of three different parties and we’ve each received a different embarkation time. Ours is at 10:30, the other Group at 11 am and also 11:30.  Can everyone check with us? We haven’t cruised since 2018 so not familiar with this process , nor have we cruised from Vancouver. Thanks in advance, and any tips for navigating Canada Place gratefully accepted 🎉🎉🎉👍🙏

We sail out of Vancouver often and to make your day easier I strongly suggest you get there before ten to line up or after one. The main problem is customs that everyone has to go through first. We were on Nieuw Amsterdam in May and got there at 1:30 and were on the ship by 2. We go in 2 weeks on Koningsdam and will do the same thing. We dont need to be the first ones on and would rather not stand in line for hours. 

[OlsSalt]

Can't go wrong with everyone showing up at the later time, though don't expect to eat in the MDR. How many ships are also in port with you? That can give you some idea how busy it might be.

 

Assigned times are intended to smooth out the embarkation process for everyone. So voiding that  original intent, means both you and other are impacted.  

 

 

[sandygal]

Thanks so much! We’re all riding together, so didn’t know if our friends with earlier times would not be allowed to check in until later…we may just go with a  later check in…..I’m guessing the Lido will have died down by then. We’ve sailed many HAL cruises over the years in the Caribbean, but our friends have never cruised at all, we really want them to enjoy it and make it as relaxed as possible. 

Edited September 10, 2023 by sandygal

[OlsSalt]

Check to see how many other ships are in port and please explain most embarkation back-ups are due to the local immigration authorities and security checking for everyone, and is not anything HAL can change who are there to only offer actual check in procedures.

 

Start a friendly lottery - have your friends pay a dollar and pick an actual embarkation time. Who gets closest wins the pot. Or whatever you want to use to barter. Who gets closest gets a drink on the house? Wins a bouquet of flowers in their cabin?   That way they recognize it can be a problem but at least they can have fun at the end and celebrate with the winner.

Edited September 10, 2023 by OlsSalt

[YourWorldWithBill]

As others have said, because it' Vancouver, security and immigration are so slow that you you don't  need to give any thought to the times. If everyone shows up early, by the time you get through it will be time to board. And if everyone goes late, it won't be be an issue.

[sandygal]

Thanks …all very useful! The lottery suggestion is fun 🎉