Time for Flight Home after Alaskan Cruise?

[bamagirl@hrt]

We are doing the Alaskan cruise in June 2017. We plan to arrive in Vancouver on Friday before embarking on Monday so that we can explore Vancouver during the weekend. We plan to fly home the Monday we disembark. What is the earliest time you recommend booking a flight? We have late dinner seating - doesn't that determine when we leave the ship? You can tell we've only cruised once, and that was almost 8 years ago!

Thanks for your help!

 

[dclpluto]

We are doing the Alaskan cruise in June 2017. We plan to arrive in Vancouver on Friday before embarking on Monday so that we can explore Vancouver during the weekend. We plan to fly home the Monday we disembark. What is the earliest time you recommend booking a flight? We have late dinner seating - doesn't that determine when we leave the ship? You can tell we've only cruised once, and that was almost 8 years ago!

Thanks for your help!

You don't have to eat breakfast at the time they give you. Go to cabanas and get your breakfast. Make it easier and give us the times of the flights you are thinking about.

 

[bamagirl@hrt]

I'm still looking. The cheapest flight home for me leaves at 9:45am, but that seems early to get off the boat and to the airport on time. For another $150 per person I can leave at 1:40pm. That seems the best choice to me. The last thing I want to do at the end of what should be an amazing vacation is miss my flight. Or be so rushed that I'm stressed out.

 

[bcwife76]

I'm still looking. The cheapest flight home for me leaves at 9:45am, but that seems early to get off the boat and to the airport on time. For another $150 per person I can leave at 1:40pm. That seems the best choice to me. The last thing I want to do at the end of what should be an amazing vacation is miss my flight. Or be so rushed that I'm stressed out.

You will NOT make a 9:45am flight, trust me. If the next time is 1:40 then take that one. You really shouldn't be booking a flight any earlier than 11:30/12noon.

 

[bamagirl@hrt]

Thanks so much! I was thinking noon was probably the earliest I should look, but I wanted to check with those who know best!

 

[xlxo]

Another vote for the 1:40pm flight.

I love 2nd feeding....

• you get an extra hour to sleep in or pack.
• you lose an hour travelling from Alaska to Pacific Time
• you get to wait and enjoy yourselves in the dining room waiting for your debarkation time.
• try to get the latest debarkation time to enjoy that pixie dust service!

tentative timeline

• 8:15am at the trough
• 9:30am walkoff
• 9:45am retrieve luggage and customs
• 10am grab cab (crowds thin out at this time being the last ones off)
• 10:30am arrive at YVR for 3hrs of security, customs, and check-in
• 1:40pm wheels up with dreams on your return to Vancouver for the things you didn't have time for.... (hint Glacier Bay).

 

[xlxo]

Hmm... for $150 a person more.... that covers the cost of an extra hotel night in the bonus port. Have you consider delaying to a Tuesday departure?

Lots to do in the area with the extra day.... Victoria? Whistler? Seattle?

 

[Geomom]

1:40PM should be good! It is 1/2 an hour without traffic from the port to the airport, then security/customs, etc.

Based on this year's debarkation process: Late breakfast on the last morning was either 8:30AM or 8:45AM depending on which restaurant you are in. Express walk off is after 8AM.

 

[dclpluto]

9:45 way too early.

Before my Hawaii cruise last year DCL was getting done their last Alaska cruise of the year. My wife and I was going to breakfast figure we will take a look at the ship,and the ship wasn't there. Waited about 5 minutes and seen it coming. 9:45 don't event think about it.

 

[IBelieveInTheMagic]

I've done the DCL Alaska cruise twice now and this past August we had a 1:00pm flight home and were lucky to find one at that time. Definitely echo the others, no way would I do the 9:45am flight. Most flights leave later at night or first thing in the morning so if you found a cheaper flight home on Tuesday, it might be a good idea as @xlxo mentioned a spend another night if it's going to cost you another $150 per person for the 1:40pm flight. Not sure what they are running for you on Tuesday though

The 1:40pm flight won't be that long for you, especially if you have Late dining. As noted, you don't have to go to the MDR for breakfast and next year, the Wonder will have Cabanas which has been open for breakfast.

Heather

 

[DisneyParkFan]

We are doing the Alaskan cruise in June 2017. We plan to arrive in Vancouver on Friday before embarking on Monday so that we can explore Vancouver during the weekend. We plan to fly home the Monday we disembark. What is the earliest time you recommend booking a flight? We have late dinner seating - doesn't that determine when we leave the ship? You can tell we've only cruised once, and that was almost 8 years ago!

Thanks for your help!

I would suggest any time after 1:30pm. I agree with giving 3 hours at least for customs and security. I got picked by Canadian Customs to search through my luggage. They made a complete search emptying out the entire suitcase and carry-on bag. Although they tried to be polite it was unsettling. This was the day right after the Orlando shooting. (They only lost/misplaced one item out of my belongings) So give yourself plenty of time.

 

[xlxo]

If you need inspiration.....

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCBVetwDgnwdu5Y1LV9WQuNg/videos

 

[fanominnie]

I am also taking Disney cruise to Alaska June 2017 out of Vancouver. We both have Global Entry from TSA so should help get through airport security more quickly. Do you think it is possible to make a 10:40 flight? I appreciate you experienced DCL folks advice!

 

[Geomom]

I am also taking Disney cruise to Alaska June 2017 out of Vancouver. We both have Global Entry from TSA so should help get through airport security more quickly. Do you think it is possible to make a 10:40 flight? I appreciate you experienced DCL folks advice!

10:40AM? It's really too early. I believe it's recommended not to have a flight home before Noon. It does take 1/2 hour to get from port to the airport (with no traffic). You're also counting on the Wonder getting in on time that morning--and while express walkoff is usually by 8AM, there could always be a delay in coming into port for some reason.

 

[xlxo]

I think Global Entry will save you only 5 or 10 minutes in the security line..... Get a later flight!

Otherwise Vancouver is a great port to be stuck without a plane or boat.

 

[richkaryn]

1:40PM should be good! It is 1/2 an hour without traffic from the port to the airport, then security/customs, etc.

Based on this year's debarkation process: Late breakfast on the last morning was either 8:30AM or 8:45AM depending on which restaurant you are in. Express walk off is after 8AM.

We did express walk off on the May 30-June 6 for an 11:45 am flight (was 11:55am when we booked and got bumped up) and we were off the ship by 7:50 and at the airport by 8:30-8:35am.