Sun Princess, Voyage of the Glaciers (Vancouver - Seward/Anchorage), May 15, 2000.

EMBARKATION

As first time cruisers we arrived at Canada Place (embarkation terminal in Vancouver) not knowing what to expect or do. Arriving on our own, we had been dropped off outside the terminal, and carried our luggage down from the street and into the terminal where we could find Princess embarkation booths for some of the ship's lower decks, but none which corresponded to ours. Princess staff were very harried, and while not rude, weren't much help when approached. We finally figured out that we should give our luggage to the longshoremen out in the parking area, and found a counter with a sign that indicated Caribe-Aloha decks, pointing to a door marked NO ENTRY. Many (aprox. 100) people were milling around and none knew what to do. Finally, a Princess staff member came to 'man' the counter and said we should check there before going through. We stood in line for 20 min. watching one group of morons hold everything up because they had not filled out their embarkation forms. I couldn't see how they could possibly get everyone onboard before sailing-time when another staff member came by and said we should 'Just go ahead.' Once through, we were in another large area with many booths for specific decks and staterooms; and embarkation was a breeze! The whole process would have only taken 10 min. if we knew, or had been told what to do in the first place. Customs clearance consisted of being asked 'Are you American or Canadian?' If one answered 'Yes' one was waived through - that's it! Read more