Arrival/customs at Port Vancouver

[CisforCookie991]

Good morning! Can someone talk me through the process for arriving at Port Vancouver and US customs? We’re trying to target getting on the ship close to the time staterooms are open (which I’m assuming is still around 1:30?). I’m reading that the port is kind of a mess and customs can take forever. On the plus side, I checked the port schedule and looks like Wonder is the only ship leaving that day. What PAT should I shoot for? Thanks!

 

[Flossbolna]

With three ships in port it took us 30 minutes from arriving at the port to stepping onto the ship. I would shoot for 12:45 pm PAT if your goal is to be as close as possible to 1:30 pm. If you don’t mind being later than 1:30 pm, get a 1 pm PAT. You can also always arrive later that your PAT.

 

[NAB]

You drop your luggage off if your hotel doesn’t do that for you. We went down the side walk to the garage at the side of the building. There was a truck there taking it. There is signage . If you are up on main level you will take an elevator down.

Than more signs telling you to continue down the same way. I believe you go up to a room to check in than go I think down a walk way to immigration? We were from Canada so we I don’t remember talking to them…lo we were showed to go to another room to wait for our group number to be called. Than on to the ship.

It sounds like a lot but really you follow the people…lol we were there a day early so we actually checked out where we’re were to go the day before. Each step up until immigration. Lots of people to help you so don’t worry.

It went faster than I thought it would.

 

[tvguy]

Okay, I'm confused. Customs and Immigration on the departure day? I don't recall that, only on our return. This was October 2019, so it could have changed or my memory has faded, but I don't recall any issues at the cruise terminal. But it WAS October, there were two ships in port. Our cruise on Celebrity was about half empty, Vancouver to Los Angeles cruise. We almost booked the other ship that was in port, HAL. It was a HAL cruise from Vancouver to Honolulu with no ports, 7 sea days, and I suspect it was also only partly full as it too was a repositioning cruise.

 

[Flossbolna]

Okay, I'm confused. Customs and Immigration on the departure day? I don't recall that, only on our return. This was October 2019, so it could have changed or my memory has faded, but I don't recall any issues at the cruise terminal. But it WAS October, there were two ships in port. Our cruise on Celebrity was about half empty, Vancouver to Los Angeles cruise. We almost booked the other ship that was in port, HAL. It was a HAL cruise from Vancouver to Honolulu with no ports, 7 sea days, and I suspect it was also only partly full as it too was a repositioning cruise.

At least for Alaska it’s US customs and immigration happening in Vancouver. Maybe it’s only for Alaska cruises, but it seems efficient to do it there also for other US destinations since they have the ability.

When you return to Vancouver from Alaska you clear Canada customs and immigration.

 

[happycamper47]

Maybe it’s only for Alaska cruises,

That's because you are leaving Canada going to the US (Alaska) albeit on the boat. When you return you only do Canadian Customs since you are re-entering Canada from the US.

 

[Flossbolna]

That's because you are leaving Canada going to the US (Alaska) albeit on the boat. When you return you only do Canadian Customs since you are re-entering Canada from the US.

I meant as compared to cruises that go from Vancouver to Hawaii or San Diego. Not sure if they go through US customs in Vancouver, too or at their destination.

 

[Tikibear]

On our first cruise from Vancouver to San Diego we breezed through Canadian customs. It was when we hit US customs that the real hang up came. Too few machines and too few agents with surly attitudes. It really delayed the whole process. After we got through the CBP checkpoint things went very smooth.

 

[sadiecatie]

I honestly don’t remember the customs process at all - which probably means it was very smooth and not worth noting. I think it was also about 30 minutes for us from arriving to stepping on the ship. Super easy.

 

[Joel0917]

We did it last year. It was a breeze. Let us in the ship like 1115/1130. Us customs super easy scan your passport and photo in like kiosk and if approved they just wave you through.
Coming back was easy too as well. However drivin back to Seattle we were randomly stopped at us customs to Washington and searched for fruit and food. So that was like 30 minute delay.

 

[happycamper47]

I meant as compared to cruises that go from Vancouver to Hawaii or San Diego. Not sure if they go through US customs in Vancouver, too or at their destination.

You wouldn't before going to Hawaii or San Diego, only when you arrived there.

 

[auntlynne]

I wouldn’t expect 1:30 for rooms available, anymore.

It hasn’t happened on any cruise I have taken the last few years - any cruiseline. It may be different on the Wonder; I haven’t done that since 2011.

From this report, they arrived at port 10:45, through check-in at 11, and boarding ship by 11:45 (Pearl Castaway, BG 2). Rooms ready around 2 pm

(First trip to the final frontier - 8 night Alaska - 9/11/23 - completed)​

 

[happycamper47]

I wouldn’t expect 1:30 for rooms available, anymore.

We've only had one out of 8 DCL that went beyond 1:30 since the restart in 2021.

 

[tvguy]

That's because you are leaving Canada going to the US (Alaska) albeit on the boat. When you return you only do Canadian Customs since you are re-entering Canada from the US.

Yeah, my cruise from Vancouver, our first port was Victoria. We did U.S. Customs in San Francisco.

 

[bcwife76]

Yeah, my cruise from Vancouver, our first port was Victoria. We did U.S. Customs in San Francisco.

Yes Victoria doesn't offer US customs clearance, port is too small for that I believe. Our very first cruise ever (Disney Wonder) was Vancouver to San Diego, first stop was Victoria. We also cleared US customs in San Diego (which was a clusterf*** and almost put my husband off cruising for life).

 

[auntlynne]

We've only had one out of 8 DCL that went beyond 1:30 since the restart in 2021.

I figured someone would have a different experience (or better recall). I’m juggling memories of 9 cruises (yes, since 2021) and quit taking notes many years ago. But I do remember having to wait (til when?)

I’d still recommend not rushing aboard based on rooms being ready by a certain time; that is when I expect a delay in readiness would happen.

I am slowly weaning myself off from early boarding; it’s been woven into my cruising mentality. I do like the lack of shorter check-in queues after the initial crowd rush.

Thanks for the info - and good news.