NewPosterLongTimeLurker

On 2/18/2023 at 6:42 PM, martincath said:

Skimming the answers so far there's some very solid advice (especially about leveraging your Suite to have your DDs bags taken with yours), but unfortunately also several pieces of misinformation - specific requirements at Vancouver, especially for a flight to the USA, are not the same as most Princess ports elsewhere.

 

Before giving the potentially-scary info, I'll reassure you that a 1pm flight has almost ALWAYS been a perfectly safe timeslot - but there are some specific risk factors that may or may not apply due to your arrival date and itinerary, and unfortunately because you're on Majestic at least one potentially huge issue (tides) as well as the annoyance factor of a possibly-reduced port of call time on your last stop before Vancouver.

 

First the general info to correct some misinformation: no matter the ship, there's no EZCheck here - airport transfers do not deliver bags straight to airlines for US-bound daytime flights as it's not legal; depending on your cruise route you may (or may not) need to deal with Canadian CBSA agents at the pier (in which case collecting bags at the pier also happens before loading onto shuttles); and then you always collect your bags at the airport personally and deliver them to CBP's bag drop for screening (this is a US government requirement - video/photos are taken of you and the bag and linked to your boarding pass - which prevents the 'normal' EZCheck system operating).

 

Even your ship class makes a difference in Vancouver - because whatever arrival time you have on your paperwork could be completely wrong for Majestic, a Royal class ship. The actual time of arrival in port is completely dependent on low tide - your ship can only pass under Lions Gate bridge during two short periods, as little as 30 minutes each(!) depending on the date. That means almost all the theoretical 7am arrival times end up being brought forward or back by up to 6 hours. Right now the official cruise schedule hasn't been altered from the requested slots - every Majestic arrival/departure is 7am/4:30pm - so you can pre-empt Princess' email if you check the schedule regularly... the port usually updates with actual times before the lines tell pax.

 

Your 1pm flight could therefor be trivially easy to make, or literally impossible - even with a Princess flight and transfer, when they revise the schedule based on finally checking local tide timings (sometimes only a month before your cruise, despite these timetables being available literally years in advance!) if the ship is docking later than hoped you'll find that your flight might need changed because there simply isn't time to get you to YVR

 

Without knowing your exact date of disembarkation, I can only say that in general Princess prefer to err on the side of 'arrive ridiculously early' rather than pushing the arrival time beyond 9am, precisely to avoid the issue of changing flights. If the time does slide earlier (e.g. last year Royal and Majestic arrival times were frequently between midnight and 4am) expect them to cut back your time ashore at the last port of call as Majestic has the further issue of not being allowed to use the Inside Passage east of Vancouver Island - it always has to sail the long way around so might need to leave port a few hours early to make it to our harbour in time for the narrow window to pass under Lions Gate.

 

On the good news side, there's always a possibility that the 'Direct to Bus' service mentioned up the thread might return - but it was never offered consistently even pre-Covid as it requires CBP, CBSA, Port management, Airline AND the Cruiseline to work together to arrange so I'd say odds are against it... but if you do get the chance to use it, jump on it as it removes sooooo many steps from the equation! Cruiseline transfers here in Vancouver basically suck - overpriced by an insane amount (you are probably paying enough for an individual taxi each) but in circumstances involving a tight flight deadline they do at least give you the comfort of knowing that it's on the line to arrange a new flight for you at their expense if they screw up and fail to get you there on time.

 

TL;DR version - tell me your exact date and itinerary and I'll have a shufty at the local tide times to see how much Majestic is likely to need to shift their arrival time. If you don't visit any Canadian ports right before Vancouver, no matter how early the ship arrives CBSA won't let you off until they start work (first disembark slot is usually ~7:30am) so your route might impact whether you can just walk off the ship as soon as it docks or need to wait for several hours. But at the end of the day, as long as Majestic's schedule doesn't slip more than ~2hours later you should probably be fine just letting Princess handle the transfers

We arrive in Vancouver on the 5th of August, this is what the confirmation from Princess shows:
Aug 05 Vancouver 6:30AM
Aug 05 Transfer: Ship To Airport

We have a sea day on that Friday, our last stop is timed as  Aug 03 Ketchikan 10:00AM 6:00PM

Thank you for your experience and wisdom.  I feel better knowing that I can have our daughters luggage go off with ours the night before that we could have them self disembark, however I may consider asking if they're able to join us in the suite/platinum area.  I do not want to overstep there, and since they're adults they can self disembark and meet us with their luggage.  I am ok with that too.  

Just now, kamelia said:

As long as your flight is within Princess' requirements, you should be fine with a Princess transfer that includes collecting all bags the night before (other than what you choose to hand carry off in the morning) and transporting them to the airport for you.

 

Vancouver

Embarking Passengers
For voyages that depart from Vancouver, the latest flight arrival is 3 hours prior to ship's departure.

Disembarking Passengers
For voyages that arrive in Vancouver, the earliest flight departure is 4 hours and 30 minutes after ship's arrival.

 

 

So we don't even collect our own bags?  Excellent!  This is why I am a long time lurker, there is always great information to be seen here.  Thank you!
 

2 minutes ago, Charles4515 said:

Ship transfers are set up to make the flight so I would not worry about missing it. Also we have often done groups and gone down to guest relations to change tags so we can go together. 

Again another reassuring post.  My TA seems to think I am worried about nothing, but I know how that last morning and YVR can be.  Thank you

1 minute ago, mom says said:

Hold on. You've booked the Princess transfer to the airport for all 4 of you? Then you should all be given luggage tags to coincide with the shuttle transfer departure times,  which will be early. A few  days before disembarkation you should be given a form asking for flight departure info. You'll be assigned a place and time to meet before going to the luggage hall and then to the coach.

Oh that's excellent.  We normally stay a few days before/after but we have been to Vancouver many times.  Knowing how the airport and immigration are there, I have a lot anxiety about feeling pressed for time.  Thanks for the reassurance.

12 minutes ago, cr8tiv1 said:

What an excellent idea!

Make sure your daughters’ bags are by your door.  

Make sure they are tagged with your disembarkation tags.  You can always request more. 
Have them self disembark/walk off unassisted.  Usually this is the first group off…before you.

Have them waiting for you.  

 

This is essentially what the TA has advised us to do.  But the airport transfer from Princess is giving me pause, and your other response is exactly why.  Thank you

1 minute ago, cr8tiv1 said:

I’m not sure a taxi can fit all 4 of you AND luggage.  Cheapest way to get to the airport.  Check to see if there is a bus shuttle service to the airport. Last option would be Princess Transfers. 
 

You will need to clear customs and immigrations at the airport.  This will be your hold up for a 1 pm flight.  Hope for the best, Expect a delay.  

This is my fear!  The TA said the ship transfer is the best option.  She has been amazing with our land tour recommendations as well our excursions.  However, this part has me flummoxed.

1 minute ago, Rick&Jeannie said:

Like I said...I cannot speak to a disembarkation at Vancouver...but *generally* all passengers walk through the luggage collection area at most ports (at least all of the ports that *we* have been to.)

I have not ever done self-disembark so I had no idea what it entailed, but that makes sense.  I appreciate it and the welcome.  🙂

4 minutes ago, LACruiser88 said:

Here is one solution that I would consider.  When you receive your colored luggage tags, you usually get at least 4 sometimes 5 tags, see if you have enough to place on your daughters bags.  If not, go to Guest Services and ask for extra tags, enough to place on your daughters bags.  Place all of your luggage out with the same colored tags attached.

 

Then when they call you color tag to disembark in the morning, you can all walk off together. 

They're allowed to come with us?  That would be ideal!  I would have thought they'd be assigned a different time, and not allowed.  I thought that is why the TA suggested let them do self disembarkation.  Does no one check that they're assigned with us?

2 minutes ago, Rick&Jeannie said:

Having your luggage collected the night before is always an option for any guest.  The *fastest* (in my opinion) is self-disembarkation...but you have already stated that this is probably not in the cards.  Are you *sure* this is not feasible?  

 

You did not state where your flight leaves from...is it Vancouver or Seattle?  I have never arrived/departed from Vancouver so can't directly address this.

 

Getting a Princess transfer to the airport (while potentially a bit pricey) somewhat alleviates the concern over disembark time.

We do have Princess transfers, but I wasn't sure if self disembark passengers even went through the suitcases for pick up area.  We are flying out of Vancouver and I hear the immigration can be lengthy and I definitely will want them to wait for us to board the Princess Transfer Bus so I will know they got through ok before heading to our gates.

We will be sailing Majestic Princess in July with our adult daughters (20 & 22) in an inside cabin very close to our suite.  When we arrive in Vancouver, we have priority disembark and obviously our kids won't.  Can we have their luggage taken down with ours the evening before and have them self-disembark?   My TA suggested this may work, as they could grab their luggage on their way out and wait for us to meet them on the curb by the airport transfer.  Their luggage will likely be that of 1/2 their body weight, so having them carry it off seems to be an unlikely option. 

My biggest concern is their being assigned a later disembarkation time and our flight being at 1pm, that we may miss our flight. I am trying to avoid a mad and frenzied ending.  Somewhat irritated with our TA for booking it so close, ending vacation feeling like my hair is on fire is not a way to end our trip.  Ironically, I haven't ever used a TA to help our travels, but with such an expensive and lengthy trip, I thought logistically it may be better.  Everything else seems to be actually have been beneficial, however I am full of angst with the disembarkment aspect.

Other options/suggestions are certainly welcome.  Again, I am only trying to be prepared and not wanting to start an outrage, so please keep that in mind with responses.