Port of Seattle vs. Port of Vancouver: Best Embarkation Port for Your Alaska Cruise?

[@2023Red]

Nice info. As seniors we want the least hassle in leaving the airport to the ship.

[@seemoreseascruises3791]

It seems that Vancouver would be the easiest except there are a few reports that the Vancouver port can get congested. Thanks so much for sharing and for watching!

[@lawrencerose5558]

We live 40 miles south of Vancouver so it’s a toss up. We’ve done both and prefer Vancouver for the reasons covered in the video with one exception. If you’re driving the parking is impossible at the Vancouver terminal. I ended up parking at the airport and taking the train to the terminal. Traffic is also hellish going through the city itself.

[@seemoreseascruises3791]

Thank you for sharing that! I have heard that from others and appreciate you pointing that out for others! Thanks for watching!

[@ceciliapetrowsky2572]

I have been overwhelmed trying to do research for my daughter and her family. This was so incredibly helpful!! Thank you.

[@seemoreseascruises3791]

Thank you! Whichever port you choose it will be an awesome experience. Vancouver will have slightly small ships with more itinerary choices. I have been told that getting around Vancouver is difficult so flying in and taking the train downtown is the best option. Good luck with your research and if I can be of additional service from planning to booking, please feel free to email me at [e-mail]. Thanks for sharing and for watching!

[@jlawrence0181]

I am taking three cruises out of Vancouver in September 2024. The disadvantages of traveling through Vancouver are: 1) Flight costs to Vancouver are significantly higher than Seattle. 2) Hotel costs are very significantly higher even at the airport. I did not find the cruise fares to be significantly different. I liked the fact that we will be on two smaller ships - Celebrity Solstice and HAL Nieuw Amsterdam. Great video. I am still planning the rest of 2024 and not even thinking about 2025!

[@seemoreseascruises3791]

Thanks so much for sharing! All very interesting and helpful findings. Both of the ships that you mentioned are great sizes. We sailed Solstice in Alaska and have been on Nieuw Amsterdam too. The NA recently completed a refresh and I was able to tour her while in Port Everglades. She is in great shape. Thanks again for watching!

[@rickinnes]

Done 6 round trips from Vancouver - we plan ahead and stay at the Pan Pacific at the Cruise terminal . In the morning , our bags are picked up and checked in for us . We get through check in early ( avoiding the crowds ) and last 2 cruises we were on board having a latte by 10:45 am . You were correct , the scenery is absolutely fantastic. The inside passage is such a comfortable cruise instead of being on the open Pacific ocean out of Seattle which can be really rough. Love Vancouver and surrounding mountains .

[@seemoreseascruises3791]

Thank you so much for sharing your experience and tips! This is great! Thanks so much for watching!

[@fogsmart]

I’ll take the inside passage every time. Not even a debate.

[@seemoreseascruises3791]

I'll agree with that one!

[@JulieThompson38]

Our first Alaska cruise was out of Vancouver last year. We drove. Getting through immigration going there was not bad, but it was almost three hours coming home. The port line was hours as well. We would do it again, but we are looking forward to a more streamline experience this time when we leave from Seattle next month.

[@seemoreseascruises3791]

That is great feedback. Thank you so much for sharing! I appreciate you validating some of the research and previous comments. I wish you a spectacular journey on your upcoming sailing out of Seattle! Let me know how it goes there too! Thanks for watching!

[@naren2k6]

I have done a few Alaskan cruises and can say Princess and Holland America are the experts on Alaska. One way trips either North or South are fun too, but roundtrips from Vancouver are best. The finest trips are on Mid size ships witl 1500 to 2500 they cruise up the BC Inside Pasaage both ways, you miss this cruising to Seattle. Its better to cruise to Alaska on a Medium size shp rather then Mega Ship since the ports are small and 4000 people getting off a ship can make for a tough experience, its not the Caribbean, LOL Good video

[@seemoreseascruises3791]

All excellent points! Thanks for sharing. I would hate to see a couple mega ships in some of those ports on the same day. Most of my new clients are choosing Vancouver over Seattle. Thanks so much for watching!

[@wasatchpowder]

Just got back from Seattle port. I've done both. I prefer Vancouver. However, airfare is higher to Vancouver. Easier to get to/from airport to Vancouver port via train. Train in Seattle does not take you all the way to the port. Vancouver airport does not accept my TSA precheck which makes for longer lines in airport. Large ships out of Seattle can't go to Glacier Bay. Instead, Quantum of the Seas went to Tracey Arm, which was a waste. Couldn't get close enough to see the glacier. Stopping in Victoria is a waste. Ship is only in port maybe five hours. Not enough time to see Butchart Gardens.

[@seemoreseascruises3791]

Thanks so much for sharing! These are great points for everyone to hear.

[@Lord.Kiltridge]

I have been to Alaska twice. 2022 solo out of Vancouver on Koningsdam. 2024 with my wife out of Seattle on Edge. For Vancouver, I flew in same day, caught the Canada Line train from airport to the cruise port and boarded the ship. Return was the same in reverse. Seattle was more challenging and more expensive. Although I like Edge more than Koningsdam, Holland America's itinerary was better, and Koningsdam was still very nice. Another great vid., Doug. All the best.

[@seemoreseascruises3791]

Thank you so much SIR! I appreciate your comments so much! You add such great personal experience to the mix. Interesting that Seattle was more challenging and cost more. Vancouver does have a great process from airport to cruise terminal though traveling same day is cutting it close as you know. From my bookings, I have to say after all of the options most have chosen HAL out of Vancouver for 2025. I have offered several Princess and Celebrity but HAL does have strong itineraries. That is what I normally recommend that guests look at first, itinerary, then ship, then amenities and cost. Thank you for sharing as always, and of course for watching!

[@abrahamclott5604]

I traveled solo in May on the Sapphire Princess from Vancouver up to Whitier and back--two seven day trips b2b. Chose Vancouver so I could do this longer trip and get further north. Wanted the extra time and was paying for hotel and air anyway. Roundtrip travel from NYC to Vancouver was easy. Loved Vancouver. Loved the cruise(s). Princess has excellent itineraries including extended times in Port and good docking locations. No complaints, only praise.

[@EdwardMulcahy]

Canada Place where the ships sail from in Vancouver is a mid sized terminal. It's not bad if there are only 2 ships alongside. But if there are three, or four, you're in a sardine can. It gets extremely crowded. Also note, that once you go through USCBP there's no turning back, and outside of a couple of water fountains, there is nothing to buy, read or drink. So if you plan on checking in early and waiting in the boarding lounge, bring food and drink. The ship controls when you board, not anyone else. Having said that, the lines for Security can get pretty long if you think about arriving, let's say 60 to 90 minutes before the published boarding times. And after Security, is USCBP, so you go from one long line, to another. Unfortunately these lines can be agonizingly slow. The Cruise Passenger Representatives do their best to keep you in good humour, so don't ask them what time you will board. They don't know until the ship gives the OK. But if it's a nice sunny day, just looking out the Canada Place windows is well worth your pre boarding wait. After the OK is given, boarding is quick and very efficient.. And one last thing, there is only one elevator and escalator between Check In and Security. And if you have to leave your luggage down at P2, again only one elevator. But, to me, it's a beautiful port to sail from!!!

[@seemoreseascruises3791]

Thank you so much for the detail! This is fantastic information! I really appreciate you sharing and for watching!

[@exploreconmigo9090]

Excellent video! New subscriber. Greetings from Canada 🇨🇦 🎉🍁

[@seemoreseascruises3791]

Thank you so much for watching and subscribing! We leave for our New England Canada cruise in two weeks! Look for that review when we get back home! Can't wait to visit Nova Scotia, PEI and Quebec City!

[@harveypersinger6389]

Really enjoyed your video - great overview of AK offerings! We live in the Seattle area, so an AK cruise is easier for us than others. Also, RT Seattle is easier for us. We have done 7 AK cruises in the past, mostly RT Seattle but also Vancouver to AK and AK to Vancouver. All were great and you can't go wrong by doing any that you described. AK is a great place to sail. We are looking forward to a 17-day AK cruise on the Grand Princess RT Seattle in May 2025.

[@seemoreseascruises3791]

Thank you! You are so well positioned to enjoy this amazing region! It makes complete sense for you to sail out of Seattle and there are great itinerary choices from both ports. That 17-day sounds like an awesome adventure. Thanks for sharing and for watching!

[@elmarbartel2699]

Thank you very much for your fine explanations. May I kindly ask you which cruise line you might recommend my wife (60) and me (70) to rather comfortably visit the cities of Vancouver and Seattle (may be also included Vancouver Island, but not necessarily). We are long time travelers from Germany and would like to be safely tour guided during our stay in those cities. Best wishes.

[@seemoreseascruises3791]

I would recommend Holland America Line and Princess Cruises for Alaska cruises out of either port. Both cruise lines will offer the best itineraries having serviced the region longer than most other cruise lines. They both also have cruise tours that allow you to cruise for 7 days then do a land tour in the northern parts of Alaska. I would recommend that you use Viator for local Vancouver, Vancouver Island and Seattle tours. The operators have been vetted and are very trustworthy. The Viator tours also can almost always be refunded up to 24 hours in advance. I hope that helps! Thanks so much for watching!

[@elmarbartel2699]

@ Wow!!! 🙏✨ Thank you so much. May be for us that comes down to just fly to one of both cities, enjoy the Viator guided tours and may be fly to the other city to kind of the same there. We‘ll think it through. Your answer helps a lot as a base. 👍🎶 Kind regards

[@SNS8R03]

Ships stopping in Victoria do arrive later now because of the new requirement to travel slower for the sake of the wales, because of that, some lines have changed arrival into victoria to eariler in the day. South bound ships arrive into victoria from the open ocean, not the inside vancouver island, Gorgia straight

[@seemoreseascruises3791]

Thanks so much for sharing! This is new information to me and I appreciate the insights. Yes, those southbound Seattle roundtrips do come in from the open ocean so the entry is not as spectacular as it would be coming into Vancouver. Thanks for watching!

[@passportalwaysready]

Cruises from Vancouver have a more scenic voyage as they sail between Vancouver island and the mainland. Cruises from Seattle are on the outside of Vancouver Island - so less scenic and higher chance of rough seas

[@seemoreseascruises3791]

Yes - agreed! Depending on the itinerary, some of those Seattle cruises don't get to the inside passage until day two or three. You really need to check out the course on the itinerary map. Thanks for sharing and for watching.

[@ellisonketovore]

Smaller ships are deployed out of Vancouver primarily due to the limited clearance under the Lions Gate Bridge

[@seemoreseascruises3791]

Excellent information! Thanks for sharing. I did see that some ships have been delayed out of port due to the tide levels and being able to clear that bridge. Thank you for watching!

[@ellisonketovore]

@@seemoreseascruises3791 Largest of the season is the NCL Bliss which makes one or two visits / season and they must wait for the ideal tide conditions to make it under the bridge. Becoming an increasing problem for Vancouver as ships grow in size.

[@CraigBrooks-st2rz]

Your pictures at 9:30 of the British Columbia legislature, Empress Hotel and Harbour are actually of Victoria, British Columbia not Vancouver, British Columbia. Victoria is capital of BC. Canadian here who grew up in Vancouver and Victoria.

[@seemoreseascruises3791]

Looks like your comment posted twice. I appreciate the heads up! I'll attempt to edit within KZbin.

[@seemoreseascruises3791]

Thanks again Craig for pointing out the clip mistake. I was unable to edit within KZbin but I did make a correction note in the description. I used the wrong clip from my B-roll footage.

[@lynnewilliams542]

Vancouver is the superior port to sail from hands down

[@seemoreseascruises3791]

It has some very positive attributes for sure! Thanks for sharing and for watching.

[@gerardacronin334]

Well, I live in BC, so the choice of Vancouver is obvious! It’s only a 4 hour drive or a 50 minute flight away in my own country. I prefer smaller ships anyway. As for people who need to go to YVR, just take the Skytrain.

[@seemoreseascruises3791]

Fantastic! That seems to be the consensus! Thank you for sharing and for watching!

[@patti1044]

Just back from B2B Vancouver - Seward- Vancouver. Such a great cruise with two opportunities to sail into Hubbard Glacier. Really like how easy it was to enter Canada with the Arrive Can app. We stayed in a B&B near the airport - easy after a day of travel. Next morning the Air Train to the pier area was inexpensive and easy. Have sailed from Seattle multiple times and enjoy those as well but the itineraries are less interesting for us. A final thought - the final day of that trip was perfect for sailing the Inside Passage - clear sky, sunny for fun viewing of the wildlife.

[@seemoreseascruises3791]

Fantastic! This is such great feedback and details for the audience! I can not thank you enough. This is exactly why I made this video, to inform on what real cruisers have experienced. The Arrive CAN app did not work for us when we tried it last so I am glad to hear that there have been improvements! I advise everyone to check it out! Thanks again for sharing and I am so thrilled that you had an amazing experience! I so appreciate you watching and sharing your thoughts!

[@luvsmickey]

I think a lot of your pros are correct but I think Vancouver and Seattle are very comparable as wonderful cities to visit but a lot would say Vancouver has just as much in its downtown core but is also so close to natural attractions with the North Shore being a very short drive over the bridge. Flight delays are actually less frequent at YVR and during the Alaska cruise scene, there is no weather that would affect flights! One con to Vancouver is that Carnival doesn’t cruise out of there, at least not in 2024 and taller ships like the Discovery Princess don’t do the Alaskan cruises out of Vancouver because of fitting under the Lions Gate Bridge.

[@seemoreseascruises3791]

Thanks for sharing and this is great info! I also understand that the larger ships sometimes have to wait if they miss their window and adjust due to tide levels for the bridge. Thanks for watching!