Vancouver Embarkation Experiences

[Baby Ritty]

We would love to hear your recent experience on embarkation day. We sail on RSCC 9/13 from Vancouver to Anchorage. According to the Port of Vancouver there will be two other ships docked at Canada Place. The Volendam (1440 passengers) and Carnival Spirit (2124 passengers).

 

We are especially interested if there is a "special" line in customs for Mariner passengers or perhaps for Platinum American Express cardholders. Any tips to avoid long lines and waiting times is greatly appreciated.

 

Thank you.

[junipk]

We did this cruise last year and there were no lines at all......except where you pick up a limo. Cars are not allowed into Canada Place until they are called up. What you need to do is find the dispatch person as soon as you get out and if you have a car waiting, let them know so it can be called. If not, they arrange transportation from there.

When you get off, the luggage is neatly arranged and very easy to get. Regent is great at disembarking the ship, making it a very easy process.

One of Holland America's ships was disembarking also, and did not interfere at all.

[Baby Ritty]

Thank you for your information. We are embarking in Vancouver and this is where I understand there could be a problem. We are also from Ft. Lauderdale.

[Wendy The Wanderer]

A little confused. If you are embarking, you will have gone through customs already, at the airport. Presumably there is security to pass through? Is that what you're thinking of? Sorry, I haven't been there. But I've never experienced a port where all cruise passengers on all ships had to line up together.

[DoctorTom]

We embarked from Canada Place in June, 2005. There were two other ships embarking passengers at the same time. There was a short baggage screening line when you first entered, and then there was one long line for US security clearance, for passengers who were leaving Canada to enter the US - that is, their first port was in Alaska. Our first port was Prince Rupert, BC, so we did not have to clear security in Vancouver. There was a separate, very short line for us lucky Mariner passengers. So depending on your itinerary, you may or may not have a long line to go through. Last year, there were reports of 2-3 hour waits to clear the main security line at Canada Place. I dont know if they have gotten any more efficient.

 

Enjoy your cruise,

 

Tom

[Baby Ritty]

Thanks Tom. Your information was quite clear. As our first stop is in the US, we will probably have a long wait. I should also check out the itinerary for the other two ships docked. If their first stop is a Canadian port, just maybe it won't be as crowded. Thank you again.

[c-legs]

Thanks Tom. Your information was quite clear. As our first stop is in the US, we will probably have a long wait. I should also check out the itinerary for the other two ships docked. If their first stop is a Canadian port, just maybe it won't be as crowded. Thank you again.

:) Good evening,

 

The other two ships' first port will be Juneau, yours is Ketchikan.

The '' regular'' process in Vancouver, from the front entrance, is: 1/ passenger screening 2/ USA C&BP , itself in two sections, CDA/USA pax and ''all others'' , then 3/ you're ''splitoff'' towards your particular cruise company. The lines at #1 & #2 can be sometimes taxing, if you arrive at a prime time. Step #3 is purely dependant on the respective cruise line, how many checkin desks they each have and what time of the day you show up.

 

There is of course a '' fast track'' way for USA passengers ONLY, arriving the same day as embarkation and travelling straight from the airport to the pier: it's called '' Airport direct process'' where you're sheppearded from your arriving flight directly into a ''sterile'' area, board a bus which is sealed and disembarks you underground at the pier where you're wisked straight into step #3 described above. A breeze. Your luggage is treated the same way and trucked right at ship side where it's screeend and loaded on board.

Ask your TA or Regent if you qualify. If you're among the '' wise folks'' who arrive at least 2-3 days prior, arrive at the pier latest 10.30am. While it might still be a bit zoo-ish from the disembarkation, you'll be among the first 20-30 people when step #1 described above starts, typically around 11.00am....for all 3 ships. You're virtually assured of being on board latest at noon.

 

Happy sailing

Cheers

Claude G

;)

[OrpingtonT]

Unless you "fast track" as claude g describes above there is no way to avoid the customs & immigration procedure. How long you wait depends on the number of staff on duty and the influx of passengers at the time you wish to embark. The line for US citizens is generally shorter and processed more quickly than for others (ie UK) and incidentally, wheelchair and very elderly passengers are taken to the front of the line.

 

Once through customs the line for Regent is virtually non-existant. They have plenty of very pleasant staff to check you in. Then there is a "line" of a couple of people for you to have your obligatory photo taken by a lifebelt before you are welcomed on board with a glass of champagne and the experience begins.

 

Good luck and enjoy yourselves.

[Baby Ritty]

Wow! What fantastic information. Thank you so much for your help. Now I know what we shall do! Again, thank you!

[Sage]

While not having been on Regency, but we have been on the Volendam leaving Vancouver. Claude g described the process beautifully, and you should have no problems if you get there early. We are in Gainesville, and we always have to fly in the day before due to the length of the flights, and we have found the Pan Pacific and Fairmont wonderful hotels that will deliver your baggage directly to the ship. I hope that you have a wonderful cruise.