Transfer from Seattle to Vancover

[Chardonnaylover]

Hi we are new to cruising and have purchased transfer from SEATAC to Vancover port through Princess. Are ther multiple buses? We arrive at 7am and are hoping we don't have to wait till 11am to leave SEATAC. Any help greatly appreciated.

[CruiserBruce]

You may have to wait that long, but unlikely. The cruise lines organize these every well. If they have 15 or 20 people arriving between 7am and 8am, for example, they may arrange a smaller vehicle to handle that number, and keep the waiting to a minimum. Or, if there is a larger number by 8:30, perhaps a larger vehicle. There will likely be some waiting, but generally they will do whatever they can to minimize the waiting.

 

You may get a "free tour" in the deal. They try not to bombard checkin with a lot of people, particularly early in checkin. So you might get some extra time driving around, seeing the sites.

[Kamloops50]

Hi we are new to cruising and have purchased transfer from SEATAC to Vancover port through Princess. Are ther multiple buses? We arrive at 7am and are hoping we don't have to wait till 11am to leave SEATAC. Any help greatly appreciated.

 

If your cruising the same day from Vancouver . There will be no bus later than 11AM. It is a 4 to 5 hours bus ride depending on the border traffic.

They sometimes seal the bus at the border (no one allowed to leave the bus) and take you directly to the post customs part of the terminal.

[Astro Flyer]

Hi we are new to cruising and have purchased transfer from SEATAC to Vancover port through Princess. Are ther multiple buses? We arrive at 7am and are hoping we don't have to wait till 11am to leave SEATAC. Any help greatly appreciated.

You could also check Quick Coach to compare the price & times to what you have through Princess.

 

http://www.quickcoach.com/index.htm

 

Once we used Princess to Vancouver from SEA and returned using Quick Coach.

Edited April 4, 2016 by Astro Flyer

[eandj]

For sure look into Quick Shuttle. Those airport transfers are so full of delays. The Quick shuttle might have an earlier bus direct to the port. Probably for less $$. Good luck.

[ggprincess2004]

We have used the Princess transfer from SeaTac to the pier in Vancouver a number of times. The first bus usually leaves fairly early - you may be boarding it shortly after 8 and be heading out by 8:30. While the driver did provide interesting commentary on the way up, never, ever did we 'drive around' to kill time, it was an absolutely direct trip up to the pier.

 

They are comfortable coaches and it is usually a smooth ride. Last year, for the first time, we had to exit the coach at the crossing and go through Canadian customs with our hand luggage. It went fairly quickly and we did have quite a number of non-US or Canadian citizens on that particular bus. It was the first time that has happened in a long time.

 

On the way back, the bus usually travels under seal from the pier, so the boarder crossing back in to the states is usually very simple.

Edited April 5, 2016 by ggprincess2004

[elliair]

For sure look into Quick Shuttle. Those airport transfers are so full of delays. The Quick shuttle might have an earlier bus direct to the port. Probably for less $$. Good luck.

 

I would walk before I'd ever take a Princess shuttle. Once you book and you're on the bus they have total control over you. They don't have to take you to the ship right away. They'll stall as long as they can. Take others advice here and look into something different and better than a Princess transfer.

[towhee]

We've done the SEA to YVR many times. Depending upon the number of passengers you may have to wait until 11:00 am or get a ride at 9:30 am. The buses are comfortable with a lavatory in the back. We've never had to stop at the border, but our drivers have told horror stories about it.

One year our driver was new and didn't know how to get out of Seattle when I-5 was packed. We didn't get to the ship until after 3:30, but once at the pier we raced through check-in (there were no other passengers waiting). They held the ship until our luggage was loaded (a benefit that non-Princess carriers do not have). Usually the bus gets to the pier around 1pm or 2 pm.

If the bus is sealed, then the border crossing is a snap.

Going from YVR back to SEA is usually quite easy and fast. You'll be in one of the first groups to exit after the self-carry-off folks.

[Chardonnaylover]

Thank you all for the tips and information🤗. This is a great forum. It's like having extended family support.

Thank you so much

[cruisequeen4ever]

Definitely head straight to the Princess area after claiming your luggage. Check in with them, and arriving as early as you are should get you on the first or second bus, I'd think. We got there about 9 and were on the second to last! [emoji33] Buses started to run around 10:00. Stay in the vecinity, so you don't miss the call for your bus.

I don't recommend using Quick Coach the day of the cruise because of the risk of missing the ship. We took the Princess bus and still almost missed the ship because the bus broke down at the border, and we had to wait for a new one. At least Princess would have had to help us out if we had missed the ship. With Quick Coach, you'd be on your own. Have a great cruise!

 

 

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