Question on transfers out of Seattle to Vancouver

[Big4Chaps]

I posted this question earlier in another area, then found out I probably should have asked it here. We are arriving in Seattle the night before we sail out of Vancouver on Zuiderdam. I have been told that there are 2 options to get from Seattle to Vancouver. I have questions....

 

1. Which is quicker at getting a person there - Quick Shuttle or HAL's transfers motorcoaches?

 

2. If I book through HAL on their motorcoach & for whatever reason, they are late getting to HAL terminal, will they hold the Zuiderdam until we are boarded?

 

3. Is there anything else that I need to know?

 

I welcome any information or advise that anyone can give me. I have high anxiety over trying to get to Vancouver & on the ship. I feel confident about most of the rest of the trip, but this really is stressing me out! Thank You!!!

[Stevesan]

I posted this question earlier in another area, then found out I probably should have asked it here. We are arriving in Seattle the night before we sail out of Vancouver on Zuiderdam. I have been told that there are 2 options to get from Seattle to Vancouver. I have questions....

 

1. Which is quicker at getting a person there - Quick Shuttle or HAL's transfers motorcoaches?

 

2. If I book through HAL on their motorcoach & for whatever reason, they are late getting to HAL terminal, will they hold the Zuiderdam until we are boarded?

 

3. Is there anything else that I need to know?

 

I welcome any information or advise that anyone can give me. I have high anxiety over trying to get to Vancouver & on the ship. I feel confident about most of the rest of the trip, but this really is stressing me out! Thank You!!!

 

No worries. You are arriving the night before. That gives you about 24 hours to travel 152 miles. :)

 

If you arrive early enough to drive before nightfall, I recommend a rental car and overnight in Vancouver. It's an easy drive thru lovely country. Just be sure to get a full size sedan.

 

BTW - Ships will wait a short while if there's a bus load of HAL transfer passengers enroute. That, however, will not be a problem for you.

 

Relax - it's a vacation in paradise. Don't stress over the small stuff. Or anything else. Remember, you're in charge!

[Stevesan]

Look what I found. It's a princess thread, but all the cruise transfers follow the same protocol:

 

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1006811

[Krazy Kruizers]

We have used HAL's transfers a couple of times to go from Seattle to Vancouver.

You need to be picked up either at the airport or the Sheraton Downtown.

Yes -- they will hold the ship for HAL buses.

[Big4Chaps]

Thank you so much for the information. Our SWA flight gets into Seattle after 9PM, so I'm trying to make sure we have all of our ducks in a row for the next morning. Something I read in the Princess posts that I have a question about now.

 

If I was to catch the HAL transfer out at the Sea-Tac airport, did I understand that HAL will load your luggage on the bus & transfer it all the way to your stateroom?

 

Also, I hear people talking about the new laws regarding passports & customs at the border. How does that work? Does it slow down getting through at the border?

 

Do you have any suggestions about taking along food to eat on the bus? My husband just had lap-band surgery & he was told to make sure he eats on a regular schedule. So, it's a bit of a concern if you don't even get on the ship until 3 PM when you've boarded the bus as early as 10 AM.

 

I'm sorry to ask so many questions. I've just got to get my confidence up on how to do this before we get there to assure my husband we can do this just the 2 of us! Thanks again for your help!!!

[Krazy Kruizers]

Yes -- they load your luggage onto the bus -- the driver unloads it at Canada Place -- the porters take over and see that the luggage is scanned and moved onto the ship.

The first time HAL provided snacks for us and we also had a pit stop for bathroom use before we got to the border and there were cookies for sale there.

The second time -- nothing from HAL.

We carry our own packaged snack crackers.

At the border the official just came looked at everyone and waved the bus through.

You will go through immigration again at Canada Place before you get on the ship.

[bethaniesmom]

wow...again, you guys have provided all the answers! I am among those who has never done a ship transfer before but booked the bus trip, Seattle to Vancouver, for our upcoming Alaska cruise. glad to hear that they will take care of my luggage all the way to my cabin. and i will be sure to arrive at the airport at about 8AM (we actually fly in the night before)!

 

any tips on embarkation?

 

hope everyone has a great trip!

 

Beverly