kdowneymd Posted May 18, 2017 #1 Share Posted May 18, 2017 We are on the July 8 sailing rt Seattle to Alaska. We will arrive in Seattle on July 7 from NYC. I was thinking of doing some touring the morning of the 8th, eating an early lunch at the Market and heading to the pier at 1:30-2:00 PM. This is our first Princess cruise so we cannot be at the beginning of any boarding groups. Will the crowds have thinned at that point? I would prefer to view Chihuly than wait in line if at all possible. Thank-you for any information. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Colo Cruiser Posted May 18, 2017 #2 Share Posted May 18, 2017 We are on the July 8 sailing rt Seattle to Alaska. We will arrive in Seattle on July 7 from NYC. I was thinking of doing some touring the morning of the 8th, eating an early lunch at the Market and heading to the pier at 1:30-2:00 PM. This is our first Princess cruise so we cannot be at the beginning of any boarding groups. Will the crowds have thinned at that point? I would prefer to view Chihuly than wait in line if at all possible. Thank-you for any information. Should be a tad quieter...... I would say go for it anyway. IMO....I would not want to arrive any later than that. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kdowneymd Posted May 18, 2017 Author #3 Share Posted May 18, 2017 What would be your concern about later say 2:30? Is muster at 3:00? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fishywood Posted May 18, 2017 #4 Share Posted May 18, 2017 Princess does not enforce staggered boarding, the times communicated to you are just a guide/suggestion to thin out the crowds a bit. Arriving at the pier around 1:30 you should be able to check in fairly quickly and then walk right up the gangway, no waiting for a boarding group to be called. The "latest" time to arrive is usually given as 90 minutes before sailaway. But don't even think about cutting it that close; if sailaway is at 5:00 your plans are fine; if at 4:00 you need to account for any possible delays when deciding what time to head to the pier. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Thrak Posted May 18, 2017 #5 Share Posted May 18, 2017 Don't try to cut it too close. It would be a real shame to arrive shortly before sail away and be told you are too late to board. Don't trust traffic. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Colo Cruiser Posted May 18, 2017 #6 Share Posted May 18, 2017 What would be your concern about later say 2:30? Is muster at 3:00? 2:30 would be good. Muster is usually 30-45 minutes prior to sailaway. 90 minutes prior to departure would be the latest to board IMO. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kdowneymd Posted May 18, 2017 Author #7 Share Posted May 18, 2017 Check-in on my cruise planner shows 1:00-3:00 PM, so I believe my 2:00 PM plan looks good. I agree nothing worse than sitting in traffic and hoping that very thing works out. At the same time, having cruised a number of times, lunch on board the first day is no longer a draw. Thank-you for your quick responses Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
skynight Posted May 18, 2017 #8 Share Posted May 18, 2017 This is what Princess states in the Passage Contract "(iv) Arrive at least two hours before the scheduled or amended sailing time and have with You all required documentation. Attach a completed Princess Cruises luggage tag to each piece of baggage." I believe that at U.S. ports Princess is required to provide the authorities with the passenger manifest one hour prior to sailing. Since it does take some to put together the manifest one would think that check ins any later then 90 mins. before sailing would be difficult. The muster drill is always before sailing, and usually around 30 to 45 mins, before. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Working 2 Cruise Posted May 18, 2017 #9 Share Posted May 18, 2017 Departures from Seattle are 4:00 p.m. I would NOT be comfortable with a 2:30 planned arrival at the port. Too many things can go wrong. I would plan on being at the port no later than 1:30. Missing the ship wouldn't be fun. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ggprincess2004 Posted May 19, 2017 #10 Share Posted May 19, 2017 Based on a 4 pm sailing time, I would recommend being at the pier no later than 2, so if you wrap things up in time to arrive by then you should be fine. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kdowneymd Posted May 19, 2017 Author #11 Share Posted May 19, 2017 We wil, plan to be there by 2:00 PM. But given that the Princess site specifically states boarding from 1-3 PM , I find it highly unlikely that anyone arriving prior to 3:00 PM could be denied boarding. It is not helpful for anyone to share their personal fears without facts Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Colo Cruiser Posted May 19, 2017 #12 Share Posted May 19, 2017 We wil, plan to be there by 2:00 PM. But given that the Princess site specifically states boarding from 1-3 PM , I find it highly unlikely that anyone arriving prior to 3:00 PM could be denied boarding. It is not helpful for anyone to share their personal fears without facts Seriously? How do you know how many times any of the posters giving you answers sailed out of Seattle? :( We have.....many times. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
denatravels Posted May 19, 2017 #13 Share Posted May 19, 2017 It is not helpful for anyone to share their personal fears without facts Ok-- here are some facts-- there might be traffic. If you plan for the last minute arrival and run into a glitch, you could be denied boarding. Sent from my iPhone using Forums Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
notentirelynormal Posted May 19, 2017 #14 Share Posted May 19, 2017 Don't try to cut it too close. It would be a real shame to arrive shortly before sail away and be told you are too late to board. Don't trust traffic. NEVER trust traffic in Seattle. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kdowneymd Posted May 19, 2017 Author #15 Share Posted May 19, 2017 I understand traffic is never a known commodity. I deal with it daily in New York City and getting to our airports is always an unknown commodity, and NYC is quite a bit larger than Seattle. However, I was looking for factual information not personal concerns. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kdowneymd Posted May 19, 2017 Author #16 Share Posted May 19, 2017 Colo cruiser, are you personally knowledgeable of passengers being denied boarding who arrived at the pier prior to 3:00 PM Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kdowneymd Posted May 19, 2017 Author #17 Share Posted May 19, 2017 Denatravels "there might be traffic " is not a fact Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
neverbeenhere Posted May 19, 2017 #18 Share Posted May 19, 2017 (edited) Under normal conditions, you would not be denied boarding if you were "at the gate" at 3pm for a 4pm departure. But, if you "show-up" at the terminal area at 3pm and think that you can take your time sidling into the terminal, you might be denied entry. Above is under normal conditions. If a large group is late for the cruise, the time will likely be extended. BUT if there is some security "crap" going down... don't bet on getting on after 3pm. Yes, I know a couple who were denied boarding for being late. Edited May 19, 2017 by neverbeenhere Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Colo Cruiser Posted May 19, 2017 #19 Share Posted May 19, 2017 Colo cruiser, are you personally knowledgeable of passengers being denied boarding who arrived at the pier prior to 3:00 PM Where did I say you would be denied boarding? Obviously you are looking for validation. You are not getting the answer you want so show up when you want. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
VibeGuy Posted May 19, 2017 #20 Share Posted May 19, 2017 I'm local. I've sailed from Seattle roughly a dozen times on Princess and I used to live on the hillside to the northwest of the pier. You'll be sailing on a Saturday, not the middle of the workweek. Of course you should do some touring and have lunch at the Market. Personally, I would suggest Steelhead Diner. If you've completed the Personalizer, Princess allows you to check in up to 3:00pm. There is absolutely no reason to think you couldn't request an UberX from any downtown point by 2:00 and be at the pier by 2:45, even with the worst possible weekend traffic meltdown known to mankind. It's two miles from downtown. There are plenty of alternate routes. You aren't crossing the train tracks or a drawbridge. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
denatravels Posted May 19, 2017 #21 Share Posted May 19, 2017 You are not getting the answer you want so show up when you want. Seriously-- a question was asked and answered. We were just trying to be helpful and none of the answers were acceptable-- it's not my cruise, so if the ships sails without them, so be it. Sent from my iPhone using Forums Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Working 2 Cruise Posted May 19, 2017 #22 Share Posted May 19, 2017 Seriously-- a question was asked and answered. We were just trying to be helpful and none of the answers were acceptable-- it's not my cruise, so if the ships sails without them, so be it. Sent from my iPhone using Forums That would or will be an expensive lesson! I hope they have insurance! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pablo222 Posted May 19, 2017 #23 Share Posted May 19, 2017 Thank-you for any information. It is not helpful for anyone to share their personal fears without facts But ... you said you wanted 'any information'? As no one can provide a factual answer to a future event, just go whenever you want. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alolewis Posted May 19, 2017 #24 Share Posted May 19, 2017 We did exactly that on our Princess cruise from Seattle. Took an early flight from San Francisco to Seattle, did some tourist stuff in Pioneer Square, had lunch on the waterfront and then took the city bus to the pier. This was in August 2014. At that time we gave our luggage to a Princess rep at Seattle airport who transferred it to the ship for a small fee, I think it was about $5 a bag, not sure if they still do that. Took Lightrail from airport to Downtown. We got to the terminal about 1:30 or so, if my memory is correct, and no lines or wait. The Chihuly exhibit is great but does take some time. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kdowneymd Posted May 19, 2017 Author #25 Share Posted May 19, 2017 Vibe Guy, thank-you so much for your answer! Very helpful. Thinking 1:30 Uber. I really have no desire to cut it close but will definitely appreciate some time in the city. Thank-you for the lunch recommendation:) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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