Questions about embarking in Vancouver

[xlxo]

Perhaps you read another thread - it took them about an hour from cab to ship... how much faster do you want?

I agree 60 minutes is great, but for a senior with troubles standing and young kids.... it can feel much longer. Some have hit 2 hrs or more during 3 ship days.

I have done boarding in Vancouver in 30 minutes from curb to cabin. A wheelchair works wonders.

 

[TestingH2O]

Glad all worked out well! Asking is definitely helpful. My original point (not really a complaint, but certainly open for improvement) is that the hotel does *NOT* IMO cater to the cruising public staying there... which is a huge missed opportunity. Why do i say this? No offer for luggage. Nothing in room. No signs in elevator. No signage in lobby or lower level.

It definitely sounds like you had a rough experience. After staying there though, I disagree about not catering to cruisers. We found them to be incredibly accommodating and easy to work with. I feel like the concierge you spoke to was kind of like some of those DCL folks we've all spoken to on the phone: misinformed and/or poorly trained.

As far as the port itself, I looked it up online and was very clear what needed to be done. I do think DCL should share the numbered steps with cruisers before they travel. It was very helpful but not very hard to find on the port's website.

https://www.portvancouver.com/cruis...ing_wp_cron=1500600878.8890769481658935546875

I think DCL forgets that not every ship sails out of PC and therefore those ports aren't organized as clearly as their own.

 

[#NotMyName]

Thanks for the link!

 

[Racer X]

It definitely sounds like you had a rough experience. After staying there though, I disagree about not catering to cruisers. We found them to be incredibly accommodating and easy to work with. I feel like the concierge you spoke to was kind of like some of those DCL folks we've all spoken to on the phone: misinformed and/or poorly trained.

As far as the port itself, I looked it up online and was very clear what needed to be done. I do think DCL should share the numbered steps with cruisers before they travel. It was very helpful but not very hard to find on the port's website.

https://www.portvancouver.com/cruis...ing_wp_cron=1500600878.8890769481658935546875

I think DCL forgets that not every ship sails out of PC and therefore those ports aren't organized as clearly as their own.

Agree - and thanks for your comments

It was far from a rough experience i didn't mean to infer that. My point continues to be that the Pan/Port/DCL had major disconnects. Sure, its easy to figure that out, we did! I am not still roaming the terminal 3 weeks later! But as a PR/Organizer there was no effort made to make that an easy process.

 

[Kontos]

I'm on the Aug 2 sailing with a 12:30 PAT. since there's 3 ships in that day would you guys suggest getting to Port early when they open just to get through customs? I feel like waiting to get on board won't be too bad just don't want to deal with a crazy long lineup at security causing any delays.

It's our first cruise so want to get on board as soon as we can

 

[Racer X]

Hi - far from an expert here as others have done this more than once, there were 3 ships the day we sailed, and we arrived at the check in area about 1030 and it was fairly quick to move through. We had a 11:30 PAT and we were onboard by 12:15. The Wonder was late turning around passengers that day for some reason. I think if it were me with a 12:30 PAT i would get there about 11ish? Lets see if that is the consensus.