Today we leave our rental in Marpole and head to the Canada Place cruise terminal in downtown Vancouver. It is Canada Day (it is a 4th of July-like Independence Day celebration). The Canadian holiday celebration is sure to mean bigger crowds at the docks. We are also advised by the cruise line to get to the port early, as our cruise ship will be leaving earlier than anticipated due to tides and water levels. We need to get going.

Earlier in the week, we noticed a lovely brunch restaurant across from the pier. We plan to arrive early, have a delightful brunch and then walk across the street to the cruise check in. It should be an easy start to the cruise.

The restaurant is busy, but we get a lovely table near the windows with a view of the plaza and Canada Place. I relax, because I am only a few steps from the ship. I can see it out the window.

While eating a scrumptious lemon curd waffle, I comment on the large stage that has been set up in the street in front of the cruise terminal. We chat and talk about our adventure into the Yukon and the Klondike. I look out again and notice that the police are blocking off the plaza and the walkway to Canada Place. That was how we were getting to the cruise dock! I selected this place precisely because it is/was easy to get to the port. Now our known path is not accessible… It seems my best laid plans are always subject to change.

We pay our bill and exit the restaurant. Rolling our suitcases, we walk a few extra blocks down the street before we find a place we are allowed to cross the street. We will have to walk back up the sidewalk. A small inconvenience.

I can see our ship, Holland America’s Zaandam, sitting at the pier. It looks huge, even though it is a smaller ship compared to others running the Alaska circuit. I am gawking and realize that we need to go inside the convention center for processing. Dodging Canada Day celebrants, tourists, and cruise passengers; we finally get inside the building and into the correct line. The cruise boarding process staff aren’t quite ready, so we take our place and wait. While in line, we meet a trio of sisters taking their Mom on holiday. They have never taken a cruise and have lots or questions. We are asked to drop off our luggage with the porters while we wait.

Finally the line is moving. I have already checked in online, so we only have to take a quick photo and scan our boarding pass. It takes minutes and we are waived through to steps leading downstairs. I am on my way.

Except there is another long line. The security line hasn’t opened. There are two cruise line’s worth of guests queuing and the border agents aren’t set up. We were told to arrive early but someone forgot to tell security. So we wait and wait some more.

Eventually we make it through the bag check and the passport control. I am on my way! Until we enter a large room filled with chairs. We are asked to take a seat. They are quite clear about where we are to sit. There must be method to their madness. Unfortunately, a number of people seem determined to ignore direction. They try to sit in places that are closer or not as crowded despite directions. “You will be released to the ship in order! Please comply with directions!” is shouted over and over. It must be exhausting to work with such defiant tourists all day.

After about ten minutes, we are escorted (along with the rest of the row that actually followed directions) to our ship. Up the gangway. Through ship security. We have arrived! We take our backpacks and head up to the Lido deck. Our luggage will be delivered to our room.

Even though we just ate, we find a table by the outdoor pool. A cup of hot tea and a dessert is in order. We celebrate Canada Day and we celebrate the start of our Yukon Adventure. It is nice to be back on a Holland ship. Goodbye Canada Place and Hello Zaandam!