Questions for early Alaskan cruisers!

[gonemousin']

I too am thinking about this tour but noticed in another post that they had a 7:45 tour.

Since you did the 10am was that the first one or the second?
What time did you get back? did they drop pick up/drop off at the ship? or could you be dropped off in town or at the musuem?

thank you

We were on the second tour - meet time was 9:50. We got back to the ship around 2:45pm, after about an hour at the glacier. Yes, they picked us up dockside and they stopped to drop a few folks off at the Mt. Roberts tram area (near shopping) at the end of the excursion - the same spot where the free shopping shuttle drops off and picks up. The bus driver said it was the only place he could drop people off due to town ordinance.

 

[HiMagicFan]

The information you gave me is helping me decide cuz I am getting excited as I will be able to do my ressies on 06/1

 

[LAWalz23]

Alaskan king crab was available in one of the lunch buffets in parrot cay as well...

Do you remember which day? Thanks.

 

[sheri117]

1. We arrived at Canada Place at 9:45AM. There were roughly 10 families in line ahead of us. Port security opened at 11AM on the dot.

2. We moved through security quickly, followed the line of people to the health form declaration desk (filled it out in lightening speed) and proceeded to the empty check in queue. Got boarding group #3.

3. The CM checking us in was definitely new to the process and a bit slow. Sweet as pie, but unsure of herself and had to ask her supervisor several 'how to' questions. I had to remind her to give us our CC lanyards.

4. After checking in, we got in line for the supervisor's desk. The girl working the desk was super pleasant and showed us a list of available cabins - of which, approximately 25 were verandahs. They had nearly every verandah cabin available for upgrade including navigator's verandahs. We booked an ocean view 9C Gty cabin with kids sail free (2A, 2C). Our total cruise fare was just a hair under $2,800. I wasn't thrilled with the cabin we were assigned on floor 2 (in the back with terrible reviews). We upgraded to a 5A on deck 7 midship for $560. We could have upgraded to a 7A for $350 or a 6A for $315 (I have no idea why the 6A was cheaper than the navigator's verandah, but it was), but they didn't have any available that slept 4. We were still THRILLED with our upgrade. I thought the cost was very reasonable and we spent more time on our verandah than anywhere else. So our total cruise cost was $3,300 for our family of 4...in a 5A. Truly an incredible value. Oh, one other thing to note, the $560 fee for our upgrade was added to our room charges. We did not have to pay for it at the port.

5. After finalizing the upgrade, we went to pick up the kids club bracelet for my youngest DD. By then, it was 11:30AM...at 11:35AM, they started boarding concierge/group 1. They never called group 2, they went straight to boarding groups 1-3. We were in line and got to the card swiping point quickly. They swiped 3 out of 4 of our key to the world cards and the computers went down. It took about 5 minutes for them to reboot, swipe my DH through and as we were entering the gangway for the ship, I noticed the computers went down again. Fortunately, it didn't slow us down much, but there weren't many people on the boat with us for quite a while, so I think a lot of people were impacted by the computer problems. As others have reported, they offered a free glass of wine or smoothie at dinner to make up for the troubles.

We were at a computer desk checking in when the computers went down, and were SOOOO lucky. It took about 20 minutes, but they managed to get us checked in, but I understand people behind us waited a long, long time. We got to the port (from the Pan Pacific, so it was not hard!) at about 10:30, and I think we got on the ship at about noon. We had boarding number 6, but it went super fast once they started calling numbers. For us, it was smooth. Not so smooth if we'd been even 5 minutes later!

 

[sheri117]

How difficult was it to get taxis? What time could you disembark?

Also wondered if anyone took the skytrain to the airport after the cruise? How long, how much and was it crazy busy?

Taxis were easy to get - there was a huge line of them entering/leaving the port. We got ours from Pan Pacific, though - they just whistled them out of the port line. I can't say enough nice things about the service at Pan Pacific. They wanted $6/bag to store our luggage at the port - Pan Pacific took it for free (and a hefty tip that still saved us a ton). They suggested areas to walk, and made sure we had our cabs when we needed them. What a great hotel! (BTW, we DID stay there before the cruise - but we got in late and left early).

 

[neoavatara]

Do you remember which day? Thanks.

If I remember correctly, it was the last day (Monday).

 

[Shanonn]

Do you remember which day? Thanks.

It was on Monday.

 

[Cerberus9]

We were at a computer desk checking in when the computers went down, and were SOOOO lucky. It took about 20 minutes, but they managed to get us checked in, but I understand people behind us waited a long, long time. We got to the port (from the Pan Pacific, so it was not hard!) at about 10:30, and I think we got on the ship at about noon. We had boarding number 6, but it went super fast once they started calling numbers. For us, it was smooth. Not so smooth if we'd been even 5 minutes later!

We were 5 minutes later. It was definitely not smooth.

 

[Chirple]

Did anyone fly Continental operating through Air Canada? I booked through the Continental website, but it says its an Air Canada flight.

The reason I ask is because the last time I checked Air Canada didn't charge for a first checked bag, but Continental does charge. It won't be a huge deal if we each need to pay for one bag roundtrip, but I was curious.

 

[neoavatara]

I was booked technically as 'Air Canada' from Vancouver home. But it ended up being a United flight, and was charged. I would guess that you will be charged too...but who knows.

 

[brentm3]

We were 5 minutes later. It was definitely not smooth.

We were 5 minutes earlier, sorry about that, but thanks for the wine!

 

[joycsk]

Did anyone fly Continental operating through Air Canada? I booked through the Continental website, but it says its an Air Canada flight.

The reason I ask is because the last time I checked Air Canada didn't charge for a first checked bag, but Continental does charge. It won't be a huge deal if we each need to pay for one bag roundtrip, but I was curious.

We SPECIFICALLY booked Air Canada so that we could get 1 free checked bag/passenger for our family of 4. Below, I have copied the policy as was emailed to me with our confirmed reservation. I recommend that others "check" their airline reservation receipts to see what it says about checked luggage. We are on the flight that, I believe, is also branded as Continental. If someone tries to charge me for checking our bags, I will throw a complete hissy fit!
(Especially since we paid the upcharge for bulkhead seats! - My 6'2" husband will take all the space he can get on a 6 hr flight.)

Checked Baggage Policy
Passengers travelling with Air Canada and Jazz are entitled to a free checked baggage allowance, depending on route and/or fare purchased.

* When the number, weight and/or overall dimensions of your checked baggage exceed the limits of your free checked baggage allowance, additional checked baggage charges will apply.
* Ensure your checked bags are properly identified.
* Please do not pack valuables in your checked baggage. Excess valuation may be declared on certain types of articles. Special rules apply to fragile, valuable or perishable articles.

Maximum overall
measurement
(Length + Width + Height) Maximum Weight
Economy Class
(view complete
baggage allowance) 158cm
62" 23 kg
50 lbs Bags weighing between 24 kg - 32 kg (51 lbs - 70 lbs) will be subject to additional charges payable at the airport.
Executive Class
Executive First
Up to 3 bags 158cm
62" 32 kg
70 lbs

* Bags exceeding 32 kg (70 lbs) in weight, 292cm (115 in) in linear dimensions (length + width + height, wheels & handles included) or 203 cm (80 in) in length are not accepted as checked baggage. Please contact Air Canada Cargo for handling.
* If more than one carrier is providing the transportation for your journey, each carrier may apply different rules on baggage.

 

[SanDiegoSteph]

Checked Baggage Policy
Passengers travelling with Air Canada and Jazz are entitled to a free checked baggage allowance, depending on route and/or fare purchased.

Oooh, Joy, from my "can't help myself" lawyer cynicism, that above phrase could come back to haunt you on this...

By telling you that getting "free" checked baggage depends on the route or fare purchased leaves open the legal door for Air Canada/Continental to charge you.

I would try now to get an email or some other writing (even from a desk agent on Air Canada letterhead from your local airport) that confirms that you will have 1 free checked bag for everyone in your party for the specific flight(s) and date(s) you are flying to have available when you check in to and from Vancouver.

A gate "guard" will probably let you slide if you can produce something like that, but you don't want to be at their mercy if you don't have to be- customer service just 'ain't the way it used to be in the airline biz!

Good Luck!

 

[eandesmom]

Oooh, Joy, from the "can't help myself" lawyer cynicism, that above phrase could come back to haunt you on this...

By telling you that getting "free" checked baggage depends on the route or fare purchased leaves open the legal door for Air Canada/Continental to charge you.

I would try now to get an email or some other writing (even from a desk agent on Air Canada letterhead from your local airport) that confirms that you will have 1 free checked bag for everyone in your party for the specific flight(s) and date(s) you are flying to have available when you check in to and from Vancouver.

A gate "guard" will probably let you slide if you can produce something like that, but you don't want to be at their mercy if you don't have to be- customer service just 'ain't the way it used to be in the airline biz!

Good Luck!

Piggybacking on this.

We have this issue ALL the time with Delta/Alaska and United/others and in every single case the airline you (we) are flying on, not the one you booked on, is the baggage check fee policy that applies. I have never had it work in my favor.

I always book Delta, to MCO from Seattle as for some spastic reason they are cheaper than Alaska. BUT it is an Alaska flight under a code share. Delta has first bag free, Alaska charges.

I have to pay. Every time.

If it's considered an international flight though, most airlines don't charge for the first, seems odd that Continental would. I know United doesn't in that case, having done a United/Lufthansa combo recently, under Lufthansa.

 

[smb6]

If it's considered an international flight though, most airlines don't charge for the first, seems odd that Continental would. I know United doesn't in that case, having done a United/Lufthansa combo recently, under Lufthansa.

Apparently the one exception they make is if your flying between the US and Canada. Lucky me

 

[neoavatara]

I flew United from Vancouver to Chicago, and they did charge.

 

[LAWalz23]

If I remember correctly, it was the last day (Monday).

It was on Monday.

Thank you from my me and my Mom!

 

[llqool]

I always book Delta, to MCO from Seattle as for some spastic reason they are cheaper than Alaska. BUT it is an Alaska flight under a code share. Delta has first bag free, Alaska charges.

Wait....delta has first bag free?? We are flying them from Norfolk to Vancouver and I didnt think ANY bags were free. I cant even get them to confirm that my active duty military husband can check bags for free, and just about every other airline has it clearly stated on their website. Delta has given me several different answers, both on the phone and via email.

 

[flexsmom]

Wait....delta has first bag free?? We are flying them from Norfolk to Vancouver and I didnt think ANY bags were free. I cant even get them to confirm that my active duty military husband can check bags for free, and just about every other airline has it clearly stated on their website. Delta has given me several different answers, both on the phone and via email.

Delta gives first (or more sometimes) bag free for certain levels of their frequent flyer club, as well as for tickets paid for using certain credit card types such as the Delta Skymiles AmEx. Some other AmEx or credit cards probably have similar deals.

According to the Delta website, active duty on orders to or from duty stations are exempt from all baggage fees. Active duty going on vacation not in conjunction with orders would therefore not qualify. That was on the Baggage section of the Travel Information area and is consistent with what I've heard from friends who are still on active duty.

 

[buddywesley]

Wait....delta has first bag free?? We are flying them from Norfolk to Vancouver and I didnt think ANY bags were free. I cant even get them to confirm that my active duty military husband can check bags for free, and just about every other airline has it clearly stated on their website. Delta has given me several different answers, both on the phone and via email.

If you have a Delta Amex card you will get free bags (one per person in your travel party)