The night before, we requested the front desk at the hotel to call in two taxis(vans) for transportation to the pier. Being a Monday we were warned that it can take 45-50mins to get to the port.
Our check-in time was 11:30 am , so we safely left hotel around 10:15am.
Vancouver port is huge. The porters helped unload the bags. Things can get crazy around here. So be watchful of who is unloading and where your bags are being taken. One mistake we did was not attaching the luggage tags beforehand (because we were unsure of how to do it). Turns out you simply trifold the printed sheet, loop it around the handle and staple the ends. The porter helped us with this. At this point all your bags are checked in and you will now get them in your cabin later in the day.
Multiple cruise ships were boarding at the port, but the staff will direct you where to go to check in.
At the checkin counter, they will check your passports and confirm with you the credit card on file to which the onboarding charges will apply. Then they will give you room keys/IDs for each person in the room , including child. Once you get your room keys, you will go through security and after that you are ready to board the ship.
The entire check in process took about 45-60 mins considering we were a large group.
When we got on the ship we were told that rooms were not ready yet and were directed to the Garden Cafe for lunch. Garden Cafe serves breakfast/lunch/dinner in a buffet style. We enjoyed first of our many meals at the cafe.
Around 2 pm they made an announcement that rooms were ready.
Here is our room #5574 - with picture view window.
The ship departed from the port on time. The Mandatory Lifeboat Drill was at 4 pm. Your assembly station is listed on your key card. Ours was E. The location of all the assembly stations is in the Daily Info Sheet (see below)
After drill everyone went out on the Deck 12 and 13 to watch as we sailed away. Sailing under the Lions Gate bridge was a beautiful sight.
Since the weather was nice and warm, many including our family decided it would be good to enjoy the pool. Really not many opportunities to use the pool on an Alaska cruise !! The pool water was warm and salty( non chlorinated).
Starting at 6 pm was the Art Scavenger Hunt in the Art Gallery. You had 20 clues for 20 paintings and if you got them all right you won a prize - an art print and id card holders. It was a great activity to do as a family and we won a prize for getting them all right!
The show that night was "Welcome Aboard Show"at 7:15 pm (and 9:15 pm) . Its a preview of all the shows over the next few days. The theater was packed and we didn't make it in time to find good seating but caught a glimpse of some performances.
After the show we dined at O'Sheehans Bar and Grill. Their chicken wings were very good and so were their salads. Their special that night , the Grilled Bbq Salmon was not the best.
TIP OF THE DAY: Pack some basics (medication, swim wear etc) in a backpack or carry on so that you can enjoy the pool and other facilities without having to wait on your luggage to come in. Our luggage was delivered to our rooms around 6 pm.
Our check-in time was 11:30 am , so we safely left hotel around 10:15am.
Vancouver port is huge. The porters helped unload the bags. Things can get crazy around here. So be watchful of who is unloading and where your bags are being taken. One mistake we did was not attaching the luggage tags beforehand (because we were unsure of how to do it). Turns out you simply trifold the printed sheet, loop it around the handle and staple the ends. The porter helped us with this. At this point all your bags are checked in and you will now get them in your cabin later in the day.
Multiple cruise ships were boarding at the port, but the staff will direct you where to go to check in.
At the checkin counter, they will check your passports and confirm with you the credit card on file to which the onboarding charges will apply. Then they will give you room keys/IDs for each person in the room , including child. Once you get your room keys, you will go through security and after that you are ready to board the ship.
The entire check in process took about 45-60 mins considering we were a large group.
Around 2 pm they made an announcement that rooms were ready.
Here is our room #5574 - with picture view window.
The ship departed from the port on time. The Mandatory Lifeboat Drill was at 4 pm. Your assembly station is listed on your key card. Ours was E. The location of all the assembly stations is in the Daily Info Sheet (see below)
After drill everyone went out on the Deck 12 and 13 to watch as we sailed away. Sailing under the Lions Gate bridge was a beautiful sight.
Since the weather was nice and warm, many including our family decided it would be good to enjoy the pool. Really not many opportunities to use the pool on an Alaska cruise !! The pool water was warm and salty( non chlorinated).
Starting at 6 pm was the Art Scavenger Hunt in the Art Gallery. You had 20 clues for 20 paintings and if you got them all right you won a prize - an art print and id card holders. It was a great activity to do as a family and we won a prize for getting them all right!
The show that night was "Welcome Aboard Show"at 7:15 pm (and 9:15 pm) . Its a preview of all the shows over the next few days. The theater was packed and we didn't make it in time to find good seating but caught a glimpse of some performances.
After the show we dined at O'Sheehans Bar and Grill. Their chicken wings were very good and so were their salads. Their special that night , the Grilled Bbq Salmon was not the best.
TIP OF THE DAY: Pack some basics (medication, swim wear etc) in a backpack or carry on so that you can enjoy the pool and other facilities without having to wait on your luggage to come in. Our luggage was delivered to our rooms around 6 pm.
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