Alaska Disembarkation questions

[Katybug236]

I am trying to book flights home (to the East Coast) and the flight that would get me home the same day is leaving at 11:30am disembarkation day

We are traveling with no kids and will be pulling out own luggage.

Is that enough time to get to the airport, through customs and all that jazz?

 

[KingRichard]

So we faced this challenge this past year.

Before noon is a risk.

I seen your taxi post.

If you don't have that much luggage we walked to the train(200 yards the most) and was at airport in 15-20 minutes and it is very cheap.

We had breakfast on ship and picked up luggage down stairs(we usually carry off) and was at our GATE at 10am.

Of course I booked a 1:30 flight and we sat there a long time. lol

If the ship is delayed, traffic, you could run very close.

 

[xlxo]

Possibly doable... working backwards....
10:30am flight
9:30am is latest for checkin..... once past security, you have time for breakfast in the post-security area.
8:45am is the latest for taxi
8:15am is the latest for walking off the ship. Customs was fast, but locating luggage can take time.

Walk off is around 7:30am. However sometimes the ship can be delayed.

If you choose a later afternoon flight.... you can also get a Disney breakfast on the Wonder.... you paid for it.

 

[Katybug236]

We will be walking off with our luggage (we will take it to breakfast with us or skip breakfast altogether)

What I am trying to do is get home the same day the ship docks. I am finding it difficult being as we live on the east coast. That, and I have no idea how long customs takes. The last time I did an international trip was 10 years ago

I'm curious (cruise newbie here) why would the ship be delayed coming into port?

 

[She Taz]

If your flight is domestic and you only need to be at the airport by 1030 totally doable. If it's a US flight you have to be there by 930 and clear American Customs. That could be close. On our Alaskan cruise last year we were late getting into Vancouver. The walk offs weren't cleared to disembark until almost 830.

 

[Dug720]

I would think it would be cutting it too close - I know it's too close for me anyway. Everything would have to go like clockwork for the above posted schedule, and I've heard numerous reports of immigration taking a very long time at the airport - way too many for me to be comfortable with cutting things that close.

I get that you want to get back to the East Coast that day, but keep in mind that if you don't make that flight, getting you on another one for even the next day may be next to impossible - particularly if you are traveling with others (I travel solo and have multiple airport options, so in the event of a flight cancellation (I never cut it close enough for it to be a missed flight) it's much easier for me to get home on an earlier flight.) I would personally rather plan on either:

a) a red-eye flight that night so you've got breathing room - yes, you'll be tired if work the next day is the issue, but better there and tired than not there when expected or

b) just suck it up and pay for a hotel that night - at least you'll have budgeted for it rather than getting hit with a surprise necessary expense because you missed a flight.

 

[DISNEY FANTASY]

Our disembarkation timeline.

7.15. Express walk off as doors opened.
7.25 Pre booked shuttle to Vancouver airport.
8.25 At airport.
8.45 At check in.

So all went well, then,

Over an hour to go through USA border control

 

[BuzzLightyearInTampa]

Sounds risky. Why not take a later flight and do something in Vancouver instead? We did Van Dusen Botanical Gardens the day we got off the ship and stayed another day and did Stanley Park. We then took the subway all the way to the airport (much cheaper than a taxi and super easy).

The problems we encountered on the way home were insufficient time to go through immigration and customs in Houston. It was a terrible airport experience with several planes arriving ~ 5:00 AM and most of the lines at immigration still closed. I'll never go through that airport again.

 

[lanejudy]

... I'm curious (cruise newbie here) why would the ship be delayed coming into port?

While not common, delays arriving at port happen. Medical emergency onboard requiring an unplanned detour, weather challenges at sea may also result in a different route than planned, mechanical problems, etc. I know Galveston has problems with fog that keep ships out of the port area sometimes for hours -- though I haven't specifically heard of that in Vancouver.

Also, even if the ship arrives in port on time, there can be delays with Customs clearing the ship for debarkation. The ship itself must be cleared and this occurs before passengers are even allowed off. If there are multiple ships arriving in port that morning, and/or scheduling challenges with Customs officials, debarkation could be delayed even if the ship is docked.

Personally, I'd opt for a later flight. But I don't know all the options and your personal situation. I just prefer not to be that rushed or stressed, especially at the end of a wonderful vacation.

Enjoy your cruise!

 

[IBelieveInTheMagic]

I am trying to book flights home (to the East Coast) and the flight that would get me home the same day is leaving at 11:30am disembarkation day

We are traveling with no kids and will be pulling out own luggage.

Is that enough time to get to the airport, through customs and all that jazz?

This is always a "hot topic" just like the departures from MCO at 11:30am Of course every sailing is different and can have issues, the good thing is most do not. I think you have to look at the whole picture and do what you feel is best with those options.

Your flight is 11:30am as you stated (I saw some comments referring to it being 1030am so just wanted to be sure). We also had a flight around this time in 6/2013 and we had to get home since it was a Sunday and next day Monday being work. We came in 2 days ahead of time and DH couldn't spend the extra work day. The flight times home sucked and the only one I found that would work was the one at 1130am.

We weren't initially given the first tag off the ship (Ariel) so I made sure we did get the first tags to get off the ship and that was no problem. We had main dining and ate in the MDR and although we didn't rush, we didn't take our time either. They called the Ariel tags not too long after we were finished and we grabbed our suitcases, went through customs and the taxi's were waiting right underneath and we hopped in. It took about 30-35 mins and moderate rush hour traffic.

I mentioned this recently in another post about this same subject. Once the taxi dropped us off there was a sky cap type person that worked there, not for the airlines and he offered to help us and it was a flat $10 (and any extra tips). He explained he could speed us through the process as he knew exactly what to do and where to go and this was invaluable my first time through Vancouver. We went through the process of printing the boarding passes, paying for the luggage, then checking in with the agent, then dropping off the luggage and then he guided us after that where to go to enter TSA and do the passports with customs, etc. It was well worth the $10 and tip we gave him and we were sitting at our gate with plenty of time to go.

I'm not a big risk taker but I had read reports before I booked the flight and felt the odds were in my favor and we really needed to get home before Monday (also on the East Coast) so we went for it, no issues.

Heather

 

[IBelieveInTheMagic]

Sounds risky. Why not take a later flight and do something in Vancouver instead? We did Van Dusen Botanical Gardens the day we got off the ship and stayed another day and did Stanley Park. We then took the subway all the way to the airport (much cheaper than a taxi and super easy).

The problems we encountered on the way home were insufficient time to go through immigration and customs in Houston. It was a terrible airport experience with several planes arriving ~ 5:00 AM and most of the lines at immigration still closed. I'll never go through that airport again.

Hmm...not sure where you were connecting to, but that was the nice thing about Vancouver and why it takes a little longer since you clear immigration and customs there and don't need to do it where you connect through the next US stop. We were on American going home and connected through DFW and just went to our next gate - easy peasy. Did you do anything different to have to go through immigration and customs in Houston? Just curious for the next time we are in Alaska!

Heather

 

[sassysocks]

We had that same concern, but we would be flying down south. We have a DD that we didn't want to fly in to late or early the next day. We finally decided to just stay another day and fly out early the next morning. I didn't want to be super stressed right after having a relaxing vacation.

 

[xlxo]

I'm curious (cruise newbie here) why would the ship be delayed coming into port?

My Princess cruise was 2 hours late pulling into San Fran a few years ago. Strong wind and rough seas was the cause. Many were extremely upset with the late arrival. Personally, I loved being able to sleep in.

Heads up.... I think the Wonder had exclusive access to the Vancouver cruise terminal in 2014 Mondays... making things super efficient. Looking at http://www.cruisetimetables.com/fromvancouvercanada-17aug2015.html .... I notice on some weeks the Wonder shares the cruise terminal with TWO other ships in 2015. This can increase operational delays.

 

[sambycat]

we would not try this.

 

[bcwife76]

Getting through US immigration and customs at Vancouver airport can sometimes be long and tedious. Depends on how many flights to the US are departing that morning, etc. Plus is it a weekend or a week day? Honestly 11:30am is cutting it very close.

 

[Dug720]

I'm curious (cruise newbie here) why would the ship be delayed coming into port?

Fog, high winds, high waves... On an Alaskan cruise, add in the possibility of whale traffic. When whales are spotted, ships have to stay 100 yards away from them (obviously whales don 't have to abide by this), so once one or pods are spotted, the ship will slow down to ensure that it does not knowingly plow into one. So theoretically a pod or group of pods could cross between the ship and the way to the dock, thus delaying the ship.

 

[DISNEY FANTASY]

Fog, high winds, high waves... On an Alaskan cruise, add in the possibility of whale traffic. When whales are spotted, ships have to stay 100 yards away from them (obviously whales don 't have to abide by this), so once one or pods are spotted, the ship will slow down to ensure that it does not knowingly plow into one. So theoretically a pod or group of pods could cross between the ship and the way to the dock, thus delaying the ship.

One cruise was delayed face due to a medicaill emergency and had to port to assist them going to hospital, anther was delayed by a engine problem en cruise.

Canada place can have up to four ships, in, so the Winder could get delayed by other cruise traffic.

 

[Dug720]

One cruise was delayed face due to a medicaill emergency and had to port to assist them going to hospital, anther was delayed by a engine problem en cruise. Canada place can have up to four ships, in, so the Winder could get delayed by other cruise traffic.

Yep. Any number of reasons.

 

[Donna3271]

We had an 11:30 AM flight back to NYC area. We did express walk-off. We were at the airport a little past 8, and sat around with 3 grumpy kids.

I think you are fine, but I am sure others will have different opinions.