Tips on getting through Vancouver Canada Place boarding

[SwissMyst]

A couple of recent threads point out the good, bad and ugly about boarding at the very lovely looking Vancouver Canada Place. One with HAL suite privileges got to board early in the process very easily. Others got lost in the three ship mobs and spent hours getting on board, with no help from balky computers and failed port equipment.

 

1. Does anyone know how many ships are typically turning around on any give Saturday - when we board the Zuiderdam in about a month?

 

2. Is it better to be there very early since we are overnighting at the close by Fairmont, or wait until it is quite late and miss our special MDR Mariner's Luncheon that lets us avoid the Lido lunch hassles?

 

I do hate lines and crowds more than giving up the proverbial "free lunch". And we will be having a suite so get the priority boarding perks, but it seems when the crush of crowds come here it doesn't matter after a certain point what perks you might be entitled to have.

 

Thanks.

[kathiag96]

Here's a link to the cruise ship schedule for Canada Place - HTH:

 

http://www.portmetrovancouver.com/about/cruiseandtourism/cruiselineschedules.aspx

[want2retire]

Here is our experience last July boarding the Diamond Princess. When we were dropped off by taxi, it was very confusing as to where to put your luggage. You need to give your luggage to a porter (dressed in blue jumpsuits). There are to the far right, facing the doors to the terminal entrance. We got dropped off by taxi about 10:00 am. After giving our luggage to a porter, we went straight back to where the roped lines were. We were about 20th in line. A person came out and told us that they would not be opening the lines until 11:15 am at the earliest and it would be best if we left the lines and walked around, shopped or whatever and then came back. No one in the line left. (Apparently we were all CC savy cruisers!) Within minutes the line was really long behind us. They actually opened the line at 10:45. We went thru one of 3 or 4 lines for scanners and then on to the customs line which was also fast. Then on to the cruise line check-in which was also fast. We then took our seats and once the ship was opened for boarding they took your row of chairs each in turn. We were on board having lunch by 11:30. I thought it was all very fast. Enjoy!

[porsena]

Almost dysfunctional is the best description I can provide for the Canada Place terminal last Saturday. We were in the Oosterdam one-nighter reviewed here but, unlike that poster, we arrived at around noon. Ships in port were the Oosterdam, Zuiderdam and Star.

 

Canada Place is not just a cruise-ship terminal. The ships share a complex with the Vancouver Convention Centre and the Pan Pacific Hotel, all of which use the same parking lot entrance. DW and I arrived on at the terminal on foot, which was fortunate for us. Foot traffic, not all cruise-related, has to cross the vehicle path and, on Saturday, both were controlled by security staff. I heard one tell the vehicle next to us, while we were waiting to cross, to come back in five minutes (not the easiest task to accomplish in downtown traffic) because the traffic ramp was full. The ramp signed for foot passengers into the terminal narrows to one just person/suitcase wide shortly below the street level and then widens out, a poor arrangement when passengers are wanting to walk both in and out at the same time.

 

The terminal starts at the far end of the passenger drop-off area. Disembarking passengers were still streaming out with their luggage, creating an almost chaotic situation that the terminal staff handled poorly. We were told to go one way, then told to turn around and go back the way we'd come. Then we were just left standing with no obvious destination, knowing we were on the opposite side of the terminal area from the check-in desks and with confusion all around. We joined another line which turned out to contain the embarking passengers for all three ships. This line moved slowly, snaking back and forth. At its head, the Oosterdam and Star passengers got separated from the Zuiderdam crowd and we found ourselves on an elevator which disgorged us onto the second level of the underground parking lot. A short walk brought us to another long line, this one for the security scanner. There was just one machine for both ships and the line was moving slowly. There are no facilities in the parking lot, requiring the family of the small girl in front of us to have to find a concrete barrier behind which to go potty. Beyond the security scanner, things began to go better because the Oosterdam and the Star crowds were separated. We had an SA and knew about priority boarding so didn't have to wait long in the pre-board area, but we spoke on board with someone who'd spent three hours in the various lines. I think it took us about an hour and a half. HAL is absolutely not to blame for what we experienced.

 

Vancouver takes pride in hosting the cruise industry but should be ashamed of this terminal. It can't handle even three ships at the same time. The waiting areas, even the holding area we used for check-in, are best described as primitive compared to other ports at which we've boarded. We've had one marginally acceptable experience in three boardings there. We'd travel to Seattle in preference to starting a cruise at this terminal again.

[SwissMyst]

Thanks for all the detail. This will help our planning a lot. Two things come to mind: the value of arriving the night before and choosing a hotel that it appears will handle gets the luggage to the check-in. We will have to investigate this more closely the night before.

 

I also understand there is an underground passage way from the Fairmont Hotel to the Canada Place cruise terminal check-in, thus avoiding the street traffic mess you so eloquently described. This make me feel a little better about paying a more premium rate for the hotel, just to be close by the terminal.

 

I can see now choosing the oft-recommended Pan Pacific Hotel on the terminal side of Canada Place or the Fairmont at the other side of the metro Canada Line exit really do make sense for Canada Place Vancouver departures.

 

I wonder if these headaches are why some/many passenger ships are departing Vancouver? This is too bad because there is so much to like about Vancouver and avoiding the often rough waters outside of Seattle and starting directly in the Inside Passage.

 

Thanks again everyone. You have done a lot of us a great service giving us this warning to be prepared and hopefully have a back-up game plan.

[Mary Ellen]

I can see now choosing the oft-recommended Pan Pacific Hotel on the terminal side of Canada Place or the Fairmont at the other side of the metro Canada Line exit really do make sense for Canada Place Vancouver departures.

This will take you over to the Pan Pacific. You'll find it by the food court under the Fairmont. From there it is just an elevator ride down to the cruise pier. We stay at the Pan Pacific and just have to change elevators on the lobby level as there are different ones to the rooms than to the cruise pier level. Last time we did this we ran into Harrison Ford as we exited the elevator from the room.

[SwissMyst]

This will take you over to the Pan Pacific. You'll find it by the food court under the Fairmont. From there it is just an elevator ride down to the cruise pier. We stay at the Pan Pacific and just have to change elevators on the lobby level as there are different ones to the rooms than to the cruise pier level. Last time we did this we ran into Harrison Ford as we exited the elevator from the room.

 

Interesting. Even though one is in the underground passage, the cruise terminal is still down further from that level? Is the signage good to get from there to there?

[room010]

In July 09 we took the Zuiderdam from VanQ for a week in Alaska. We had come over from Victoria BC via bus/ferry and arrived at the terminal around 1.15pm. We then had to queue for about 45 minutes and were delayed further when our US visa paperwork had to be re-done because the Immigration Dept computers were down so our details were lost. However, the delays did mean that by the time we actually got on board around 2.45pm our cabins were ready and thus we avoided the chaos in the Lido. The terminal is "basic" at best with few amenities apart from a small kiosk selling snacks and tourist tat.

 

Overall I think it's probably better to arrive a little later so you can go and take refuge in your cabin even if it means missing one lunch.

[COLLEYBERRY]

We sailed out of Canada Place two years ago and found the process quite painless. Have new procedures been implemented ?

 

Also we are Canadians sailing out of a Canadian port , less of a hassle for us ?

 

We will be sailing in a Suite (first time) , not sure how the priority boarding works (" We're Suite Passengers.. let us through "is not really my style :D)

Is there a sign or someone to look for in the terminal ?

 

Quite frankly both cruises we have taken with Hal we were able to board quite quickly I don't know how much more of a priority we'd need.:)

 

Thanks for any info.

[Atomica]

We sailed out of Canada Place two years ago and found the process quite painless. Have new procedures been implemented ?

 

Also we are Canadians sailing out of a Canadian port , less of a hassle for us ?

 

 

Not necessarily - all passengers have to go through US Customs once they get past security (this way, you don't have to do it at your first US port of Call). It takes a bit of time, but as a Canadian, it means you don't have to get hauled out of bed at 5am to meet US Customs in some place like Juneau or Skagway.

 

Canada Place is always a crapshoot. I've been there a few times where it literally took 20 or 30 minutes to get onboard - not bad at all. My recent experiences, though, haven't been as pleasant, and our 2-day cruise on the NCL Pearl last year was the absolute worst I've seen it, with passengers waiting in line for security in excess of two hours (the lineup eventually backed up from the terminal, through the parkade, up the ramp, and out in front of the Pan Pacific.

 

Best advice? Arrive at the terminal with lots of patience. I know now that it could be a 2-hour ordeal before I set foot on the ship, and that makes a difference. Bring a snack - don't arrive hungry or thirsty, or it'll seem worse!

[Mary Ellen]

Interesting. Even though one is in the underground passage, the cruise terminal is still down further from that level? Is the signage good to get from there to there?

IIRC you'll go up an escalator (to ground level) at the end of the passage. From there you may have to go up some more escalators to the main lobby level of the Pan Pacific. I don't remember which level has the elevators to the pier. I would recommend doing this to avoid the ramp down to the pier in any case.

 

As to the signage, I don't remember. We'd entered the food court from the Pan Pacific, so we knew where it was and didn't need to look. I do know that as one faces the windows (a pretty garden) in the seating area, the passage is to the right. It is pretty wide and well traveled so I would think it would be hard to miss. There is an information counter on the ground level of the Pan Pacific. I'm sure you wouldn't be the first to ask for directions to the pier.

[atlasali]

I recently disembarked the NCL Pearl on Saturday then embarked on HAL's Amsterdam on Sunday. Both were smooth, fast and dry! Taxis pick-up and drop-off underground, which was great since it was raining on Sunday. There was a small line for customs but it moved quickly. Handicapped passengers were escorted to a special shorter line. We arrived last summer at the other (Ballintyne?) Pier. I have to say that Canada Place was much nicer. Only bad aspect, it is a long walk through the terminal.

 

However, the passengers disembarking on Sunday May 2nd, may have encountered some difficulty since the Marathon was running through Vancouver at that time. We asked and were advised (on these boards) to wait until after 11:30am to head to ship. We watched the runners pass our hotel. Sure enough, by 11:30 the race was finished.

 

The people working at Canada Place were very friendly.

[CowPrincess]

Interesting. Even though one is in the underground passage, the cruise terminal is still down further from that level? Is the signage good to get from there to there?

 

SwissMyst, if you post this question on the West Coast Departures board, I'm certain you will get very detailed info from some of the Vancouver residents who are always amazingly willing to help (and provide detailed info!)

[John Cruise]

When sailing from almost anywhere, and especially Canada Place, Vancouver, try to book a ship that sails mid-week. You will always

have a better start to your trip with fewer ships in port. You will

return mid-week as well which gives you a happier ending.

[Bill S]

I just checked the port calendar and there will be FOUR ships at Canada Place on the day we embark the Ryndam! FOUR SHIPS! My initial reaction is to plan on arriving later as opposed to earlier. We don't really care about missing lunch. It just means we will have more time to walk around beautiful Vancouver again.:)

[LindaKE]

I'm so glad I read this! We were thinking we might stay near the airport where its cheaper since we'd be arriving late and just needed a place to crash. But now we may rethink that plan. The extra price will be well spent if it helps avoid some of the confusion. I have mobility issues and have a wheelchair reserved for boarding and another will be waiting for me in our cabin. Do I need to rethink this also? I could try to get a wheelchair delivered to the hotel room. I'm not able to wait in long lines unless I'm sitting.

[SwissMyst]

SwissMyst, if you post this question on the West Coast Departures board, I'm certain you will get very detailed info from some of the Vancouver residents who are always amazingly willing to help (and provide detailed info!)

 

Thanks for the tip. I did not know about that forum. I also got some great tips with step by step photos from my airline forum (Westjet FlyerTalk) that shows how to get from the airport to the hotel on the Canada Line metro.

 

The Vancouver port website does not yet have the calendar for June 12, but it looks like both the Zuiderdam and the Coral Princess will be in port - 4000 plus passengers coming and going that day ........... so far.

 

It does look like midweek departures are the best as there is usually only one ship on those days. But these weekend departures/arrivals are where most of the logjams occur.

 

This has been a very informative discussion with lots of practical pre-planning tips. Knowing to expect a mess is really a lot better than getting lost in an unexpected one. And the real bonus is not having one, afterall!

[Putterdude]

While I have no doubt that there were delays this past weekend, this is has not been my experience over the years. I would suggest that a big part of the problem is that this is the beginning of the cruise season in Vancouver and there are a lot of "new hires" who are finding their way in there new jobs. You also have the issue of everyone wanting to be first on the ship and arriving at 10:30 instead of waiting until at least 11:30 or better still early afternoon.

As for Canada Place being confusing, I disagree. You drive down the ramp, hand your checked luggage over to porters and from there you are directed by a multitude of very pleasant staff. The Canada Place terminal is probably the most attractive cruise terminals we have been to...Fort Lauderdale, San Diego, Honolulu, San Francisco and San Pedro are pale by comparison.

[Colakid]

More information about the long lines from May 08.2010. Our small group of 3 embarked the Zuiderdam after spending friday night in Vancouver. We arrived just before 1100am via a taxi and thought here we go. The lines were starting to get long but we moved well once we began. Next thing we know they build more lines and but we could see the end of the tunnel. Only to find 4 scanners for 6000 poeple. Next only 12 US border/customs agents for all us new passengers for 3 ships. We finally boarded just after 12 noon. We were a SC suite and thought ok easy boarding. Yes only because nobody was at the Zuiderdam counters. We sailed almost 2 hrs late because of all the short staff of officials. We had a small gathering with the captain in the neptune lounge later this evening and Captain Turner told us the 3 captians had a meeting with the officials and told them of this not being ok with them or their companies. He stated the captains hoped that this would resolve in the future with more bodies in the correct places. He also said this happens every first of the cruise year.

[fann1sh]

I'm so glad I read this! We were thinking we might stay near the airport where its cheaper since we'd be arriving late and just needed a place to crash. But now we may rethink that plan. The extra price will be well spent if it helps avoid some of the confusion. I have mobility issues and have a wheelchair reserved for boarding and another will be waiting for me in our cabin. Do I need to rethink this also? I could try to get a wheelchair delivered to the hotel room. I'm not able to wait in long lines unless I'm sitting.

 

Last year I was cruising after an injury, and had the same arrangements. Stayed at the Fairmont. Didn't know about the tunnel :o, and just crossed the street on foot and went down the ramp....the VEHICLE ramp. :eek: Got chewed out with great concern and affection by the HAL rep, who instantly found a wheelchair, and whisked me onto the ship in about 3 minutes. Yes, I did go through customs/immigration, but was processed in the Nexus line (frequent pre-cleared travellers with a special pass).

 

Boarding as a mobility challenged pax is a whole different thing than standing in line with everyone else. I can't imagine getting aboard any faster with suite priority.

 

Speaking of which....Colleen, ask the staff. They will lead you to the suite priority line. I know...we polite Canadians hate to appear to be jumping the queue, but, it's a paid perk. Once in *Fort Lauderdale* I had to (politely) wrangle with staff who contended the priority line wasn't for me by producing my e-ticket. So, if the first person you speak to is a new hire who does the same in Vancouver: persevere.

 

And, congratulations on your suite!

[Moosesheed]

Embarked on the Zuiderdam on May 8th, over from the UK on vacation. Travelled over from Vancouver Island on the morning, 4 adults and 1 infant. That was the hassle free part of the trip. As ex residents of Vancouver, negotiated downtown very easily until we hit the traffic chaos outside Waterfront Station. After inching towards Canada Place to return the hire car, we were turned away as the parking was closed. 45 mins later, with car returned and luggage unloaded we quickly became aware of the madness all around us. Eventually joined the line up down near the new convention centre.

Now, the weather was a pleasant spring Vancouver day but if it had been too hot, or raining, then I'm sure there would have been 'casualties', taking into account the older age range of most of the people lining up.

At no point did anyone from the port authority or any of the cruise lines come up the line to tell people what was going on, or offer refreshments.

Getting underground, into the terminal didn't make the situation any better. Praise has to go to all the staff on the ground who were doing their best. Canadians always seem to remain pleasant. The luggage drop off was a bit unclear and confusing. Having our son with us meant we were fast tracked through some aspects but even then we were split up from my wife's parents and this was upsetting for her and our son.

Eventually onboard and settled in after nearly 4hrs, even longer for my inlaws who missed the 'essential safety briefing'.

HAL seemed to be putting the blame on US Customs but I think the cruise companies and the port authority all need their heads knocking together. Never experienced delays like that coming through JFK. Even Heathrow is more organised and pleasant!

Disembarking the following week was hassle free. However, we had a couple of hours to kill before picking up another hire car. When I returned to Canada Place to pick it up and collect our stored luggage, the same chaos was developing again. I overheard one official tell a line up that it would 3 hours before check in started. More worryingly, I was able to roam around between the car hire desk and throughout the line ups and left baggage. Someone with mischief on their mind could create a dangerous situation.

We love Vancouver but I would carefully warn anybody contemplating a cruise from Canada Place. It's a shame when they are heavily in competition with Seattle, and on principle I want the Canucks to come out on top but the City can't rest on it's laurels and expect customers to put up with what goes on at the cruise terminal.

I intend to contact my travel agent about this as I want to see constructive improvements for passengers, and maybe pressure from them and other sources will help.

[jeniferlyn]

We are leaving on June 12th out of Canada Place. I haven't read anything good about it so far this season. What time did you arrive? We won't have a car, we were planning on taking a taxi. Do you have any suggestions that might help the process?

 

This is off topic but was the Zuiderdam on code red during your cruise?

 

How was the rest of your trip despite the long lines at the beginning ?

 

Thanks for any info .....

[Jana White]

We have been embarked/disembarked at Canada Place many times in the last 10 years and never had any problem. One time we got there at 10:30am and had to wait for 15 minutes to begin check-in, I think that is the longest we have ever waited. There have always been porters to take our luggage. Not everything goes smoothly everytime, but Canada Place has been consistently easy considered the ship turnaround it does. I would not be overly concerned

[bobalink]

I am glad I read this thread! I have never embarked on a cruise from Vancouver, so I did not know it could be so problematic.

 

We have a Coastal cruise scheduled to leave Sunday, September 26 from Canada Place. There will be 3 ships in port that day.

 

We arrive at 9:30am at YVR. I have been thinking about using the Canada Line SkyTrain, from Vancouver Airport YVR to Waterfront Station.

 

Can someone tell me if that is a good method to get to the pier? How far from Waterfront Station is Canada Place?

We will each have a small, wheeled suitcase, we are able to walk with no problems.

 

I appreciate hearing from someone who is familiar with the SkyTrain.

THANKS

[COLLEYBERRY]

Last year I was cruising after an injury, and had the same arrangements. Stayed at the Fairmont. Didn't know about the tunnel :o, and just crossed the street on foot and went down the ramp....the VEHICLE ramp. :eek: Got chewed out with great concern and affection by the HAL rep, who instantly found a wheelchair, and whisked me onto the ship in about 3 minutes. Yes, I did go through customs/immigration, but was processed in the Nexus line (frequent pre-cleared travellers with a special pass).

 

Boarding as a mobility challenged pax is a whole different thing than standing in line with everyone else. I can't imagine getting aboard any faster with suite priority.

 

Speaking of which....Colleen, ask the staff. They will lead you to the suite priority line. I know...we polite Canadians hate to appear to be jumping the queue, but, it's a paid perk. Once in *Fort Lauderdale* I had to (politely) wrangle with staff who contended the priority line wasn't for me by producing my e-ticket. So, if the first person you speak to is a new hire who does the same in Vancouver: persevere.

 

And, congratulations on your suite!

 

 

Thanks Patricia...just found your post.We'll do as you suggest:)

I sure hope Canada Place runs smoothly that day. I have checked and there is one other ship sailing Sept 4 .

 

We staying an apparent short walk from the terminal and may even arrive on foot. New luggage nearly walks by itself:D We are arriving a few days ahead so we'll be able to "test walk" the journey . Thanks again for your help and good wishes .

 

Colleen