Assigned embarkation times

[NEWBIE ROSE]

Hi gang,
THE CLOCK IS TICKING!!
We received our travel doc's the other day and our embarkation time is 2pm for a 5pm departure. I have read various posts on this subject that advise coming earlier, some say as early as 11:30, and that you can often board then before the rush. Is that so? or does 2pm mean 2pm ??

Your invaluable advice, "please and thankyou"

Rose

[Lana537]

Hello Rose!

From what I could tell from your countdown clock and what you said, I am guessing that you are leaving from Vancouver on the Veendam on Sept 11?

We recently took an Alaskan cruise from Vancouver. We were cruising on Royal Caribbean from the Balantine pier. There are two piers in Vancouver---Holland America uses the other, "closer" pier; I'm sorry I cannot remember the name. The two piers are close together; you'll be able to see your ship to know you are in the correct place.

We arrived from our hotel by cab rather early; I think it was 11-ish. We handed our luggage off to the porters and proceeded upstairs. The pier representatives gave us a boarding-group number card (Number 1) and asked us to have a seat and wait for customs---the customs people come and start working at noon.

Indeed we lined up at noon, we were through customs in three minutes and on the ship in another three minutes.

All cruise lines state some sort of boarding time in their ticket-booklets, but for every cruise we have ever taken, we have always arrived at the pier early, gotten in line early, and have been among the first to board. We think it's worth it!

Have a lovely trip!

Lana

[SeetheSea]

I agree with Lana. Our upcoming October cruise will be our 9th and we always try to get there between 11 and noon. It only backfired on us one time, (immigration wouldn't let the passengers of the previous cruise disembark - never found out why).
If you arrive early you can have lunch at the buffet and don't forget your swimsuits in your carry-on and you can jump in the hottub while waiting for everyone else to board. Or my personal favorite, take a nap.

[NEWBIE ROSE]

Thanks for the advice. Yes, we do sail on the Veendam, Sept. 11th. Getting butterflies...