YVR Tips and info needed please - ultra tight on time

[mevans0000]

We will be ultra-tight on time when our Disney Wonder Alaska cruise returns to Vancouver. We are flying WestJet back to the US. We have TSA PreCheck extended comfort seats which supposedly includes "Priority security screening". One in our large party will struggle with the walk to the downtown SkyTrain.

I would appreciate any tips and insights including:
- fastest way off the ship
- how early you were able to disembark
- fastest way to the airport (considering Canada Place to ticket counter/bag drop)
- tips through customs and security
- any thoughts on how quickly this can be done

Thank you! Thank you for any feedback and information!

 

[Joel0917]

How tight. It’s about 35 minutes to airport as long as boarding goes smooth. If your flight is 11 or so I’d say your fine as long as ship ports on time

 

[SomePixiedust]

Fastest way off the ship is to do express walk off which means taking all of your luggage with you and assembling around 7 AM. Once the ship has cleared customs, the line of express walk-offs will be allowed to disembark. Time is always dependent on clearing customs. Sometimes the line is very long so the earlier you line up the closer you'll be to the front of the line.

 

[PrincessShmoo]

We will be ultra-tight on time when our Disney Wonder Alaska cruise returns to Vancouver. We are flying WestJet back to the US. We have TSA PreCheck extended comfort seats which supposedly includes "Priority security screening". One in our large party will struggle with the walk to the downtown SkyTrain.

I would appreciate any tips and insights including:
- fastest way off the ship
- how early you were able to disembark
- fastest way to the airport (considering Canada Place to ticket counter/bag drop)
- tips through customs and security
- any thoughts on how quickly this can be done

Thank you! Thank you for any feedback and information!

We just returned from our Alaska cruise (not DCL). We contemplated using the Sky Train (the station is just across the street from the entrance to Canada Place. It's actually quite convenient, BUT, in the past, when we've used it it's quite likely that seating onboard may not be available. So I'm not sure I'd suggest that, if you have someone who will most likely need a seat.

This time we took a taxi, we did have to wait a short time (maybe 5-6 minutes) at the Canada Place taxi stand, and there was quite a bit of traffic on the road. We were last off the ship, so the line for taxis was practically nil. If you're getting off in the rush of all the "gotta get off" groups, the line will be longer. Once in the taxi, the trip took about 45 minutes to the airport. The fare is approximately $45 (Canadian) each way.

 

[otten]

We will be ultra-tight on time when our Disney Wonder Alaska cruise returns to Vancouver. We are flying WestJet back to the US. We have TSA PreCheck extended comfort seats which supposedly includes "Priority security screening". One in our large party will struggle with the walk to the downtown SkyTrain.

I would appreciate any tips and insights including:
- fastest way off the ship
- how early you were able to disembark
- fastest way to the airport (considering Canada Place to ticket counter/bag drop)
- tips through customs and security
- any thoughts on how quickly this can be done

Thank you! Thank you for any feedback and information!

How tight are we talking?

The challenging thing about YVR is that it is a US preclearance airport which means you go through customs before your flight. TSA pre check doesn’t give you priority through customs. Unless you have nexus or global entry you will wait in the regular line and it can be long. I’d look up what the waits have been like lately. I’ve seen 45-60 minute waits for customs.

To disembark as fast as possible you need to do express walk off and take all your luggage off yourself. There are taxis at Canada Place and if you’re among the first off, there shouldn’t be much of a waits. The drive takes 45-60 minutes depending on traffic.

 

[mevans0000]

I appreciate all the insights. 10:45 flight. Only one of our group is Global Entry. We have 8 people in our group.

I have contemplated arranging a bus to meet us/take us to the airport but that 45-60 minutes seems longer than the reports of the SkyTrain. I had also considered having the walking challenged+2 people take a cab or uber to the waterfront station while the rest walk. One thing I have no perception of is how close the car/uber/taxi drop off at YVR is relative to our check in/bag drop vs the YVR SkyTrain station.

Please keep your insights coming! Thanks!

 

[otten]

Skytrain is faster and more consistent. Do you know how many ships are in port that day? If it’s a busy port day with 3 plus ships there will be even more traffic all going to the airport.

10:45 is really really tight. Realistically you probably won’t get to the airport until at least 8:30. Bag drop can take 30 minutes if there is a line. Customs could be another 30-45 and even with priority screening, 20 minutes for security. If you aren’t able to change your flight, do have a plan in place if the stars don’t align.

Is this a typical Monday DCL disembarkation? Monday mornings are usually pretty busy times at YVR.

Taxis will drop you off at the entrance near the check in counters.

 

[Twilightstar18]

I appreciate all the insights. 10:45 flight. Only one of our group is Global Entry. We have 8 people in our group.

I have contemplated arranging a bus to meet us/take us to the airport but that 45-60 minutes seems longer than the reports of the SkyTrain. I had also considered having the walking challenged+2 people take a cab or uber to the waterfront station while the rest walk. One thing I have no perception of is how close the car/uber/taxi drop off at YVR is relative to our check in/bag drop vs the YVR SkyTrain station.

Please keep your insights coming! Thanks!

If the majority do not have Global entry, the alternative is the CBP MPC- mobile passport control which is an app on the phone. You can presubmit your passport and responses to CBP- when you arrive at the airport you open the app, indicate your arrival and can enter a separate line through customs/immigration. It shortens this wait considerably. This can be used at YVR.

 

[Dug720]

I second making sure you have a back-up plan for what you'll do if you miss the flight. It's way too tight for my personal comfort.

 

[mevans0000]

Two ships arrive in port on our arrival day.

 

[mevans0000]

Any reports of the time you were able to do express walk-off disembarkation are appreciated. That time is certainly one of the biggest wildcards.

 

[Disnsyncey]

If the majority do not have Global entry, the alternative is the CBP MPC- mobile passport control which is an app on the phone. You can presubmit your passport and responses to CBP- when you arrive at the airport you open the app, indicate your arrival and can enter a separate line through customs/immigration. It shortens this wait considerably. This can be used at YVR.

Mobile passport is SO HANDY I heard that it could make my global entry even faster, but that just negated my global entry....so I had to wait behind 3 people instead of 0 people...but for anyone who doesn't have global entry, that's the way to go!

 

[jimmymc]

Skytrain leaves every 6 minutes to YVR from Waterfront Station and takes just under 30 minutes, 40 including the walk from the pier to the station. A taxi takes about the same time in light traffic. You could definitely have the slower walkers take a cab. I think the distance from the train station to baggage drop off at the airport is negligible in the grand scheme of things, plus the actual drop off traffic could be a pain. The train station is pretty close to the US check in desks.

YVR offers mobile passport control. Have everyone use it: https://www.cbp.gov/travel/us-citizens/mobile-passport-control

There should also be a priority security line at the US gates, so you can use that.

Fastest way off the ship is self-disembarking. If you really want to be first off, I would be in the atrium by 15 minutes before the published start time they give you on the second to last day of the cruise.

I've seen reports that 7:30 is a normal time to clear customs. So if you self-disembark early, you'll be through customs by 7:45. Then with the walk, buying tickets, and train, you'll be at the check in desk at 8:45. Westjet requires you drop off your bags by 9:30, so you should have plenty of time, but it will probably feel stressful the whole time.

 

[mevans0000]

Skytrain leaves every 6 minutes to YVR from Waterfront Station and takes just under 30 minutes, 40 including the walk from the pier to the station. A taxi takes about the same time in light traffic. You could definitely have the slower walkers take a cab. I think the distance from the train station to baggage drop off at the airport is negligible in the grand scheme of things, plus the actual drop off traffic could be a pain. The train station is pretty close to the US check in desks.

YVR offers mobile passport control. Have everyone use it: https://www.cbp.gov/travel/us-citizens/mobile-passport-control

There should also be a priority security line at the US gates, so you can use that.

Fastest way off the ship is self-disembarking. If you really want to be first off, I would be in the atrium by 15 minutes before the published start time they give you on the second to last day of the cruise.

I've seen reports that 7:30 is a normal time to clear customs. So if you self-disembark early, you'll be through customs by 7:45. Then with the walk, buying tickets, and train, you'll be at the check in desk at 8:45. Westjet requires you drop off your bags by 9:30, so you should have plenty of time, but it will probably feel stressful the whole time.

Thank you! Excellent intel!

 

[Lewisc]

Review the CoC. What is the deadline for checking luggage? What time are you required to be at the gate? What time does boarding start?

I agree with PP, have a plan B.

Edited to add I see 930 is the deadline to check your bags. Some airlines the time is an absolute rule, computer enforced. The system won't print the tag at 931. I don't know your airlines policy

You have 2 mobility challenged pax. Can they handle any luggage? Do you need wheel chair assistance?

 

[mevans0000]

Review the CoC. What is the deadline for checking luggage? What time are you required to be at the gate? What time does boarding start?

I agree with PP, have a plan B.

Edited to add I see 930 is the deadline to check your bags. Some airlines the time is an absolute rule, computer enforced. The system won't print the tag at 931. I don't know your airlines policy

You have 2 mobility challenged pax. Can they handle any luggage? Do you need wheel chair assistance?

Thank you! Appreciate the feedback and the 75 minute info, I feared it was 90 min.

Actually one mobility challenged (was going to send 2-3 people with them in the above description). They don't need wheelchair assistance but cannot handle baggage.

All of this info is very helpful. My main mystery now is the time range to expect to walk off the ship. I expect to line up early for the express walk off and think I can make this work if we walk off no later than 8am. It seems like the biggest challenge is making the 930e baggage check in deadline. Since we will be checked-in, it seems like making that sets us up well to make the 1045 flight. Maybe not...feedback appreciated.

 

[Dug720]

Actually one mobility challenged (was going to send 2-3 people with them in the above description). They don't need wheelchair assistance but cannot handle baggage.

For self-disembark, you need to be able to handle your own luggage. There are no porters or luggage assistance. Will others in your party be able to handle their luggage plus the luggage for the mobility challenged plus any kids who can't handle their own? I've seen near disasters on other ships where people were trying to self-disembark with not enough people to safely handle the luggage.

 

[mevans0000]

For self-disembark, you need to be able to handle your own luggage. There are no porters or luggage assistance. Will others in your party be able to handle their luggage plus the luggage for the mobility challenged plus any kids who can't handle their own? I've seen near disasters on other ships where people were trying to self-disembark with not enough people to safely handle the luggage.

Thanks, we will be good for this. One who cannot manage an 7 in our group who can help.

 

[Lewisc]

the biggest challenge is making the 930e

Getting THROUGH US customs could be an issue, particularly if you just make the 930 deadline.

Once you booked that flight Getting everyone global entry should have been a priority.

Years ago I was on a Carnival cruise. It took an extra hour for the ship to clear. A crew member had drugs necessitating a more thorough search. NOT common.

 

[mevans0000]

Getting THROUGH US customs could be an issue, particularly if you just make the 930 deadline.

Once you booked that flight Getting everyone global entry should have been a priority.

Years ago I was on a Carnival cruise. It took an extra hour for the ship to clear. A crew member had drugs necessitating a more thorough search. NOT common.

agreed on Global Entry but sadly I didn't realize this issue soon enough.