Some transportation questions- Vancouver and Alaska

[Ladybugx87]

We will be traveling with our 5 year old and 9 month old on an Alaskan cruise next year and have a few questions.

- if we will only use DCL transfers, do we need a car seat for our little ones? Based on other posts, I think no. Now, if we do decide to bring them, can we strap them into the DCL transfer vehicles? Would they be needed for any DCL excursion? I, of course, want to be safe but I don't want to travel with the car seat if we can't use it. Appreciate any guidance here.

- if we are staying at pan pacific, am I right that I need to have transfer to and from airport but won't need transfer to the port? How can I have our luggage brought for us?

- my flight options home are either 8:50am or 5:45pm- i assume I need 5:45 pm. Is this right?

- and one LAX question- is 2 hours 15 minutes enough time for customs and transfer? I haven't flown through lax for awhile.

Thanks!!

 

[bumbershoot]

Pan pacific is on the pier of the port. Transferring is walking.

Yes you want the later flight home.

If you will be in a normal vehicle for Canada you would be a seat of some sort for the older one as well, because Canada's requirements are more stringent than the US. So the question is if the cruise transfer is a coach.

Lax...which way are you talking about? You will clear us customs in Vancouver when leaving so there shouldn't be customs at lax. I you are talking about going through customs in lax on the way to Canada, then I've missed info bc I'm on a mobile. Either way I think you'll be ok. Just brisker walking if you're clearing customs then moving on to the Canada flight. (But that's all a big if because customs mystifies me as to when you do it lol, though I do know that you will clear US customs in Vancouver before the US bound flight)

 

[PrincessShmoo]

We will be traveling with our 5 year old and 9 month old on an Alaskan cruise next year and have a few questions.

- if we will only use DCL transfers, do we need a car seat for our little ones? Based on other posts, I think no. Now, if we do decide to bring them, can we strap them into the DCL transfer vehicles? Would they be needed for any DCL excursion? I, of course, want to be safe but I don't want to travel with the car seat if we can't use it. Appreciate any guidance here.

- if we are staying at pan pacific, am I right that I need to have transfer to and from airport but won't need transfer to the port? How can I have our luggage brought for us?

- my flight options home are either 8:50am or 5:45pm- i assume I need 5:45 pm. Is this right?

- and one LAX question- is 2 hours 15 minutes enough time for customs and transfer? I haven't flown through lax for awhile.

Thanks!!

DCL transfer vehicles are busses. Busses don't have the necessary seat belt/connections for child car seats. Same with any excursions - most are on busses.

 

[xlxo]

Boat pulls in around 7am and first off is 7:30pm for those prepared to carry off luggage themselves.

Do you want breakfast? 7am or 8:15 shift? If you are staying at the lower floors, you might not get off until 9:30 or 10am to have your checked-luggage extracted. Once luggage was located, customs was fast for me (3 min). It may be slower for other travellers.

You are not going to make that 8:50 flight that needs you at the airport 2hrs earlier (6:50am). Budget 30 to 40 minutes for a taxi ride from Cruise ship terminal to airport.

I thought car seats are only needed for rentals and private vehicles. Buses and taxi's are excluded.

 

[lbgraves]

If you are staying at the Pan before your cruise, just call bell services to pick up your luggage from your room with your DCL tags on it. They will take it to the port area and check it with DCL for you.

 

[disneyfaninaz]

DCL transportation from the airport will only run on the day of the cruise. You will bring your luggage with you and check it in at the port. If you are coming in before your departure date, you need to find alternative transportation to the Pan.

The bell services at the Pan Pacific will gladly take your luggage down to the terminal the morning of your cruise and check your bags.

DCL does not recommend a flight earlier than 12:30 PM. If you stayed at the Pan before your cruise, they will gladly hold your bags for you while you tour the city after your cruise until its time to leave for the airport. You will then have to get your own transportation.

DCL transportation from the ship to the airport: You will pick up your luggage from the terminal and carry it with you to the DCL bus to the airport. Once at the airport you retrieve your luggage and check in for your flight.

 

[Ladybugx87]

I didn't realize we did customs before leaving vancouver. That's great! We will still take later flight.

Pan pacific is on the pier of the port. Transferring is walking.

Yes you want the later flight home.

If you will be in a normal vehicle for Canada you would be a seat of some sort for the older one as well, because Canada's requirements are more stringent than the US. So the question is if the cruise transfer is a coach.

Lax...which way are you talking about? You will clear us customs in Vancouver when leaving so there shouldn't be customs at lax. I you are talking about going through customs in lax on the way to Canada, then I've missed info bc I'm on a mobile. Either way I think you'll be ok. Just brisker walking if you're clearing customs then moving on to the Canada flight. (But that's all a big if because customs mystifies me as to when you do it lol, though I do know that you will clear US customs in Vancouver before the US bound flight)

 

[noahdove]

What is the sense in using Disney transportation from the cruise terminal to airport if you have to take it to the bus and then again at the airport to check it? Have a missed something? Thank you

 

[PrincessShmoo]

What is the sense in using Disney transportation from the cruise terminal to airport if you have to take it to the bus and then again at the airport to check it? Have a missed something? Thank you

There are people who don't rent cars or do private transportation. or want to pay for a taxi. It's just a means of transportation from the ship to the airport.

 

[xlxo]

What is the sense in using Disney transportation from the cruise terminal to airport if you have to take it to the bus and then again at the airport to check it? Have a missed something? Thank you

I guess its like shore excursions. If you are from another country and not familar with which transfer company to trust... staying with your cruise line gives you additional security.

I assume the disney transfers happen in the cruise ship terminal. If you use other transfers.... are you forced to drag your luggage 300 meters up to street to the Pan Pacific entrance? Do the other services go direct to the airport, or do they stop at other hotels along the way which delays the trip?

Have you heard about "unlicensed taxi's" in your travels?
http://www.news1130.com/2012/04/07/rogue-cabbies-turning-up-in-downtown-vancouver/

If you travel luggage heavy, I'll be happy to pay convenience for a taxi or transfer instead of using the $2.75/$4/$9 Canada Line.

 

[Ladybugx87]

For us, we are traveling with a 5 year old, 9 month old, and my parents (70 ish) so I'm willing to pay for convenience vs saving a bit with the other options. I just have to see if timing makes sense to do DCL transfers.
Thanks everyone.

 

[tnshsms]

For us, we are traveling with a 5 year old, 9 month old, and my parents (70 ish) so I'm willing to pay for convenience vs saving a bit with the other options. I just have to see if timing makes sense to do DCL transfers.
Thanks everyone.

I know this post is old, but as I look at DCL transfers from the port to the airport for our cruise in May, I'm curious if this is the route you took and how you liked it.