Question Re: Disembarking Star

[kengor]

What is the earliest time we can expect to disembark Star in Seattle? We have 11:45 plane reservations.

 

Also, can anyone suggest a town car company they have had a good experience with.

 

Thanks!

[KeystoneCruiser]

We were on the Star last year. The first groups (express disembarkation, where you carry all of your own luggage) was at about 8:15-8:30. We were in the fifth group (after express, NCL tours, "VIP," and the first color) and we got off at about 9:15 a.m.

 

11:45 is really going to be pushing you to make for reservations. SeaTac is a mess on Sunday mornings (Seattle-Tacoma International Airport) with 3 or 4 cruise ships all disembarking at the same times. We stood in line for our boarding passes/luggage check for almost 2 hours and then another 40-45 minutes to get through the security line. We had a 1:30 p.m. flight and got to the gate at about 1:00 p.m. (after getting off the ship at 9:15) The travel time between the pier and the airport is only about 15-20 minutes, but then we waited another 15 minutes in the traffic around the terminal just to get close enough to be dropped off!!

 

I think you are going to have to go "Express Disembarkation" and carry your luggage in order to make that flight time.

[cruisegirl06]

Talk to the purser when you get on board, she went out of her way to accomodate us. We were cruising to the Mexican Riviera on the Star, and one member of our party had an international flight about 2.5 hours after arrival in San Pedro (the flight was out of LAX, which is a huge, chaotic airport). She made sure that we were the first people off the ship and helped us get set up with efficient car service to the airport. NCL Is amazing about helping out with this stuff, and her great service is one of the reasons why NCL is one of my favorite cruise lines!

[kengor]

Thank you for the advice. The 11:45 flight was not our idea. Our airline cancelled our 2:30 pm flight and put us on the 11:45 flight and told us there was nothing else available. We will talk to the purser and/or do express disembarkation and hope we can check in our luggage at the airport in time!

[KeystoneCruiser]

Just to let you know, we flew out Delta last year and had friends on United at the same time. Both of those airlines had the terrible long lines. Perhaps you are with a different airline that may not be as bad.

[kengor]

We are on American. i suspect lines as long as Delta and UA, but we hope for the best (while we plan for the worst).

[cruisegirl06]

You could also call the airline and see about checking in online, this would save valuable time at the airport. If you do online check-in and curbside luggage check that will save a lot of time once you get to the airport. In situations like this, every little bit helps.

[smeck]

We just got off the Star on Sunday with a 11:45 airline reservation. Ship was cleard from customs at 7:10 I was at the airport and thru security by 8:02. express Debarkation works great. The only fly in the ointment if Customs decides to check the crew which they do twice a season so I"m told.