re: disembarkation in Seattle, the Bliss if that makes a difference----

[Jetswdo]

   For disembarkation on my next cruise---- This is what I would like to do---- We are for the first time in a Haven cabin, if that makes any difference with my questions- For breakfast, I would like to have one last room service.  Assuming that the luggage valet program is available, all we will have with us is our carry on luggage.  I am just using the transfer from NCL to take us to the airport.  Our flight leaves at  1:16 pm.  What I want to know is when do the last transfers to the airport leave?  I assume we will have our  boarding passes in our hands.  We have the TSA precheck.  Is it true that there are long security lines and that one should be at airport 3 hours before flight, even without checking luggage?  Since we wont have any luggage, can we tell guest services what time we want to get on a transfer?  Just want to know what to expect.  Thanks for info.  Sincerely, Anita

[julig22]

When you book your transfer with NCL they will ask for your flight information. They will put you on the bus that best meets your flight time.

Last time I was on the Bliss, the busses were 8:15 for flights before 1:30, 8:45 for flights between 1:30 and 3pm, 9:30 for flights after 3pm.

[BirdTravels]

2 hours ago, Jetswdo said:

   For disembarkation on my next cruise---- This is what I would like to do---- We are for the first time in a Haven cabin, if that makes any difference with my questions- For breakfast, I would like to have one last room service.  Assuming that the luggage valet program is available, all we will have with us is our carry on luggage.  I am just using the transfer from NCL to take us to the airport.  Our flight leaves at  1:16 pm.  What I want to know is when do the last transfers to the airport leave?  I assume we will have our  boarding passes in our hands.  We have the TSA precheck.  Is it true that there are long security lines and that one should be at airport 3 hours before flight, even without checking luggage?  Since we wont have any luggage, can we tell guest services what time we want to get on a transfer?  Just want to know what to expect.  Thanks for info.  Sincerely, Anita

 

There are no assigned bus times. NCL does not "put you on a bus". Transfer buses are first-come-first-serve.

 

All ashore is about 9:30 am, so they will be looking to kick you off the ship at that time. Room service is fine, but your room steward and butler really want you out of the room so they can turn it over for the next cruise that will board at 11:00 am. 8:00 a.m. is the published "get out, your cruise is over" time. (Maybe for an extra $100 tip each, your room steward and butler will allow you to stay a bit longer 😃). 

 

The concierge staff will escort you down the crew elevator as far as the Haven/Priority line to the ship's security checkpoint, after which you are on your own. Last year, the ship's facial recognition scan was also the CBP scan and there was no stopping once we got into the baggage hall. But getting through security (after the concierge dropped us off) to the gangway and into the terminal took a [long] while. 

 

After getting through the terminal and through the baggage hall, you will join a long like to board for the transfer buses. They have space to load a couple of buses at the same time, but it is slow, and they will try to fill every bus up. 

 

1:16 pm departure is an Early Departure as far as NCL is concerned. You would get an 8:00 bag pick-up by default as a Haven guest.  If you were in steerage, you would get an 8:15 bag pick-up time for your 1:16 pm flight time. That 8:15 recognizes that the transfer process is slow and mitigates the risk of the transfer delays causing you to miss your flight. 

 

The 8:00-9:30 timeframe is when the line for the transfer buses will snake from buses back into the terminal and back into baggage hall. You can expect a 30+ minute wait in line to get onto a bus. Personally, even with Port Valet, I would not "play chicken" with the transfer line. I would enjoy a breakfast and move on to getting to the airport.

 

The existence of Port Valet is somewhat irrelevant except for needing to drop your bags with your airlines. Pre-check at SEATAC moves pretty fast. I have had a lot more delays in Miami TSA lately.

 

Example schedule from last year. 

Edited May 7 by BirdTravels

[julig22]

2 hours ago, BirdTravels said:

 

There are no assigned bus times. NCL does not "put you on a bus". Transfer buses are first-come-first-serve.

Not necessarily true. They often load the busses by tag color. So first-come, first served IF you have the correct luggage tag for the busses that are loading. And I have definitely seen it enforced, to make sure that those with earlier flights are on the busses first.

Last time I was in Seattle there were some issues with the port workers and they were only letting people into the various sections of the luggage area until the next color had been called.

[Jetswdo]

Ok, so what I am understanding, is that we should be on the 8:15 bus, whether or not we will have luggage valet or not---- That is the correct time for a flight leaving around 1:15---- BirdTravels and julig22--thanks so much for sharing the info----

 

In the past we always used private transfers and our flights left much later in the day--- so this time disembarkation will be different for us.  We have never disembarked from this pier before-- I got the feeling it would just be easier using NCL transfer.  I guess I should bring a lot of aspririn!

[Wulfwyn]

This also helps when at SeaTac.  I use it alot.

https://www.portseattle.org/SEAspotsaver

[julig22]

19 minutes ago, Wulfwyn said:

This also helps when at SeaTac.  I use it alot.

https://www.portseattle.org/SEAspotsaver

Not necessary if you have TSA pre-check. If you use spotsaver you don't get your pre-check benefits, so will have to remove shoes, electronics etc.

[zqvol]

4 hours ago, Jetswdo said:

Ok, so what I am understanding, is that we should be on the 8:15 bus, whether or not we will have luggage valet or not---- That is the correct time for a flight leaving around 1:15---- BirdTravels and julig22--thanks so much for sharing the info----

 

In the past we always used private transfers and our flights left much later in the day--- so this time disembarkation will be different for us.  We have never disembarked from this pier before-- I got the feeling it would just be easier using NCL transfer.  I guess I should bring a lot of aspririn!

That is incorrect. Your color tag will be called around 8:15. You then wait in line to exit the ship. After exiting you go to the busses. They are loaded as people arrive and when full leave for the airport. You might be on the first bus, the second, third, etc. There is no set time for a bus. You get to the airport when you get there, it is not scheduled for a specific time. 

[BirdTravels]

On 5/7/2024 at 4:02 AM, julig22 said:

Not necessarily true. They often load the busses by tag color. So first-come, first served IF you have the correct luggage tag for the busses that are loading. And I have definitely seen it enforced, to make sure that those with earlier flights are on the busses first.

Last time I was in Seattle there were some issues with the port workers and they were only letting people into the various sections of the luggage area until the next color had been called.

Not really. Many carry their own bags off the ship and there is no tag color. it is first come first serve. 

[julig22]

28 minutes ago, BirdTravels said:

Not really. Many carry their own bags off the ship and there is no tag color. it is first come first serve. 

They still have to have a tag and/or the letter confirming they have paid for the transfer. And that specifies which bus they should be on. Whether it's enforced is a different matter.

[zqvol]

16 minutes ago, julig22 said:

They still have to have a tag and/or the letter confirming they have paid for the transfer. And that specifies which bus they should be on. Whether it's enforced is a different matter.

Sorry, but the letter for the bus doesn’t specify which bus you are on, just that you have paid for the transfer. 

[julig22]

18 minutes ago, zqvol said:

Sorry, but the letter for the bus doesn’t specify which bus you are on, just that you have paid for the transfer. 

Good try LOL. Some ships yes, some ships, maybe not.

[zqvol]

8 minutes ago, julig22 said:

Good try LOL. Some ships yes, some ships, maybe not.

Can’t see on what was posted where there is anything specifying which bus they are to get on, 

[julig22]

14 minutes ago, zqvol said:

Can’t see on what was posted where there is anything specifying which bus they are to get on, 

Um, the one for people with brown tags, as opposed to the one designated for green as opposed to orange as opposed to light blue. The bus (or busses) where there is a rep with a sign that says "Brown" - or some other identifying signage.

I sure hope that you really aren't that clueless and do understand the meaning of "which bus". 

Have a nice day.

[zqvol]

50 minutes ago, julig22 said:

Um, the one for people with brown tags, as opposed to the one designated for green as opposed to orange as opposed to light blue. The bus (or busses) where there is a rep with a sign that says "Brown" - or some other identifying signage.

I sure hope that you really aren't that clueless and do understand the meaning of "which bus". 

Have a nice day.

That has nothing to do with which particular bus the passenger gets on, there are many doing the same transfer. I hope the passengers understand that there are many brown tag busses. 

[Jetswdo]

Wellll whatever!   Now it turns out that my flight was changed to 2:16, 1 hour later--- This is Alaska Airlines, and it is now under  their Horizon branch, but said to check in at Alaska Airlines-

NCL has my old flight info in regards to the transfer-- so can I just give them the correct flight info at guest services, once I am on the ship?

[ChiefMateJRK]

On 5/7/2024 at 4:01 PM, Jetswdo said:

We have never disembarked from this pier before-- I got the feeling it would just be easier using NCL transfer.  I guess I should bring a lot of aspririn!

What gave you the feeling that the NCL transfer would be easier?  I've done it both ways and will likely never use the crappy NCL transfer again.  Uber/Lyft is SOOOO easy and quick in Seattle.

 

disclaimer: yes, I will post the secret (again) if somebody asks me nicely.😎

[BirdTravels]

On 5/8/2024 at 4:12 PM, julig22 said:

Um, the one for people with brown tags, as opposed to the one designated for green as opposed to orange as opposed to light blue. The bus (or busses) where there is a rep with a sign that says "Brown" - or some other identifying signage.

I sure hope that you really aren't that clueless and do understand the meaning of "which bus". 

Have a nice day.

Just throw the tags away after you claim them in the baggage hall. No tag. First bus available. There would be several dozen buses associated with people disembarking with a brown tag. 

 

Uber is a nightmare since there is no pickup area. Most people haul their bags down the street or across the street in hopes of finding their driver on their first pass. Once you miss a pick-up, the "meter" is ticking and you get charged for excess pick-up time. 

Edited May 9 by BirdTravels

[julig22]

4 minutes ago, BirdTravels said:

Just throw the tags away after you claim them in the baggage hall. No tag. First bus available. There would be several dozen buses associated with people disembarking with a brown tag.

No tag, no getting on the bus LOL. Tags pretty much serve as your ticket. Yes, I know you can also board with your letter if you choose to self-carry but note the letter I posted also indicated the tag color. So you do so at your own risk.  Just because there are several dozen busses waiting doesn't mean that those busses have space over and above the number of passengers that booked for that time.

 

I love how people think that following instructions is just for the next guy. Just like showing up whenever you want to board - instead of the time you chose when you registered. Then all the complaints about long lines from the people who showed up on time. Or from the people who booked an early bus but had to wait because people not scheduled for the earlier busses took an early bus anyway.

[ChiefMateJRK]

1 hour ago, BirdTravels said:

Uber is a nightmare since there is no pickup area. Most people haul their bags down the street or across the street in hopes of finding their driver on their first pass. Once you miss a pick-up, the "meter" is ticking and you get charged for excess pick-up time. 

I've posted the secret recipe (which I've used many times) here before.  The fact that many/most are not willing/able to learn doesn't change things.  Enjoy your crowded, crazy NCL transfer bus.  I'll be chillin' in my Uber/Lyft and get to the correct terminal long before you.  How do you know that Uber is a "nightmare?"  How many times have you used Uber in Seattle?  Did you ask for advice here before jumping in?  Just asking.

[fastpitchdad]

33 minutes ago, ChiefMateJRK said:

I've posted the secret recipe (which I've used many times) here before.  The fact that many/most are not willing/able to learn doesn't change things.  Enjoy your crowded, crazy NCL transfer bus.  I'll be chillin' in my Uber/Lyft and get to the correct terminal long before you.  How do you know that Uber is a "nightmare?"  How many times have you used Uber in Seattle?  Did you ask for advice here before jumping in?  Just asking.

 

I just order an Uber using the Marriott at the pickup point. 

[ChiefMateJRK]

7 minutes ago, fastpitchdad said:

 

I just order an Uber using the Marriott at the pickup point. 

It can be easier than that!!😎

[7Contraveler]

4 hours ago, ChiefMateJRK said:

What gave you the feeling that the NCL transfer would be easier?  I've done it both ways and will likely never use the crappy NCL transfer again.  Uber/Lyft is SOOOO easy and quick in Seattle.

 

disclaimer: yes, I will post the secret (again) if somebody asks me nicely.😎

We just got off the Bliss on Sat and did port agent seattle, setting it up while on the ship. We then walked up to the space needle, took a monorail then transferred to another train. We made it to the airport fairly easy and stress free.