Alaska Cruise Experts!

[Pooh93]

How far is the terminal from Vancouver International Airport? It is easy to get a taxi at port after getting off the ship? Is a 12:00 pm flight unreasonable to make on time? How long did it take you to go through customs when leaving Canada?

Any info you can provide is most appreciated. Trying to figure out this airfare for May 2016.

 

[xlxo]

it's a 35 minute taxi ride to terminal.... possible time line...

• 7:30am... ship docks and first people are able to walk-off
• 7:45am... start walk-off
• 8:15am.... get cab
• 9am YVR arrival.... they recommend 3hrs for check-in
• 12pm wheels up

I recommend a later flight to enjoy the breakfast.... that you paid for.

 

[southerngirl528]

I believe DCL recommends their passengers not book a flight before 1pm when disembarking in Vancouver. DD and I just got off the Hawaii cruise in Vancouver and with all our luggage I just went ahead and booked DCL's transportation. If you will have much luggage and/or more than a couple of people be aware that 90% of the taxis we saw in Vancouver between 2 different trips in 2 years, are Toyota Prius. When we went for the Alaska cruise on DCL a couple of years ago, we actually had to get TWO taxis from the Fairmont (not the one right on the pier, but one just a very few blocks up the hill, like about 4 blocks) to take us to the port. Ugh. I agree with Xlxo, enjoy your breakfast and don't feel like you have to be among the cattle call of folks desperately trying to get off the ship as soon as Customs clears the ship because they are afraid they will miss their flight. Customs at the Vancouver airport definitely take some time.

 

[bcwife76]

Alaskan cruises for 2016 are Monday-to-Monday which means you could get stuck in some not so fun traffic leaving the port, going to the airport. Granted, the majority of the traffic is trying to get into downtown, but a fair amount of people do work outside of the downtown core. I would stay 12noon would be pushing it. As someone else has already mentioned, US customs at the Vancouver airport can also cause delays.

 

[sharksfinatic17]

We didn't check our luggage, went to breakfast (we had three rooms and put all of our luggage in one of the rooms - we asked the room steward if this was okay first), came back and got our luggage, got off the ship, grabbed a taxi and was at the airport by 9 AM. It can be done.

 

[bumbershoot]

Since you don't yet have airfare booked...just going to put it out there that Vancouver is awesome and beautiful, and leaving immediately from a cruise is (IMO) sad and rushed, so if it is at all possible, considering staying at least one night there, and take the flight the next day.

(just ran across hotel bills from honeymoon in 2003, stayed a night pre-cruise and two nights post-cruise at the Westin Grand!)

 

[xlxo]

Agreed.... a common mistake is not planning enough Vancouver time. With a currency collapse you'll find huge savings!

 

[IBelieveInTheMagic]

DCL actually has 12pm for disembarkation from Vancouver to the airport so that's a safe time. In 2013 we had a flight around noon or right before honestly and had no issues at all. We had main dining, went to breakfast, off the ship when they called the first tags and grabbed a cab (there were plenty of them) and straight to the airport in about 30 minutes. We weren't initially given the first tags to get off the sip (Ariel) so I went to Guest Services to request an earlier tag as we were right at the cut off and they gave us new tags, no problem. What I think helped us figure out the Vancouver process of luggage/customs etc at the airport was there was a guy, like a skycap, out front who offered his service for $10 and he breezed us through everything and knew exactly where to go, check tickets, drop luggage, etc. That was a great service and we appreciated it. Customs went smoothly and it does add a little time but I didn't feel excessive at all. I feel TSA through MCO is much more time consuming LOL

I realize we didn't have any "hiccups" along the way which can happen but since DCL recommends 12pm I think that's more than fine. We are sailing again 8/2016 and have already bought our airfare and this time around we have 1pm departure only because that was what was offered next to 6am. We are spending time in Vancouver prior to the cruise - which we LOVE Vancouver.

Heather

 

[anricat]

Since you don't yet have airfare booked...just going to put it out there that Vancouver is awesome and beautiful, and leaving immediately from a cruise is (IMO) sad and rushed, so if it is at all possible, considering staying at least one night there, and take the flight the next day.

(just ran across hotel bills from honeymoon in 2003, stayed a night pre-cruise and two nights post-cruise at the Westin Grand!)

Our plan is exactly the opposite. Two days before and one day after. I'm looking forward to enjoyed Vancouver as much as enjoying each of the other ports.

 

[Pooh93]

Thank you all SO much! Unfortunately, we can't stay any extra time. Daughter graduates from high school on 5/21. We are flying in a day early, trying to get there as early as possible. Will have to leave immediately due to work constraints etc. Next time I will build in time for sure!!

I did put another thread up......do you think it is worth booking the air and transfers through DCL aka Dreams Unlimited or just booking air on my own and grabbing a taxi.

Thanks again!!