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What's the Issue with Embarking in Vancouver?


Georgia_Peaches
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Or is there one? I've read some random comments on CC regarding the hassle of going through customs prior to boarding when embarking in Vancouver. What are the specific hassles? Approximately how long does it take to get from curbside to ship? We're planning an Alaska cruise for next summer and I'm trying to determine which ship based on port of embarkation.

Thank you in advance.

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Many Canadian airports, and apparently the Vancouver cruise port, preclear you thru US Customs and Immigration just prior to going thru security. This only happens when the next stop is on US soil. Saves time at the other end, so I don't mind.

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US immigration PRIOR to boarding??? Bizarre.

Not really; the cruise is departing from Canada and going to several ports in the US. If they did not do the immigration at the departure port then they would either have to do immigration of all passengers while on-board prior to the first port of call or at each of the US ports of call.

 

Recently went through the same immigration procedure in Vancouver prior to boarding a train to Portland. There are also some European airports with US immigration prior to boarding a direct flight to the US.

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We sailed out of Canada Place in May and then again in June and had no issues. We sailed Celebrity Millennium (Friday departure) in May and Holland America Nieuw Amsterdam (Saturday departure) in June. Friday had one ship in port and Saturday we had two ships in port. We normally get to the port around 11:15 AM at the latest and are on board the ship by about noon.

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As others have explained, you are leaving Canada and going on to the US. Saves a lot of time doing the US immigration as you board. Security is security. We have to deal with it. Lots of ports we have visited required security to enter the port and Celebrity has their own security to board the ship. When we sailed out of Canada Place two years ago it was pretty quick and easy. The only draw back is once you board the ship, you cannot get off again until the first port.

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As others have explained, you are leaving Canada and going on to the US. Saves a lot of time doing the US immigration as you board. Security is security. We have to deal with it. Lots of ports we have visited required security to enter the port and Celebrity has their own security to board the ship. When we sailed out of Canada Place two years ago it was pretty quick and easy. The only draw back is once you board the ship, you cannot get off again until the first port.

Yes, security is security. I frequently travel outside the country, and I’ve cruised with Celebrity before, so I’m well aware of that. Like the OP, I prefer to know roughly how much time I will need for security lines in any given port or airport, and Vancouver will be a new embarkation port for me.

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We just embarked in Vancouver for a seven day to Alaska, not on Regent, but am sure the process was the same. After you check in for your cruise and get an ID, you’re directed to another area in Canada Place...a one minute walk...where you stand in line for about 10 minutes for US Immigration. It’s not a big deal, but it is another hassle in an already hectic morning. From there we were ushered into the cruise line’s waiting area prior to boarding the ship. Took about 40 minutes in total to get on the ship.

The process saves zero time on the other end. You still have to go through Canadian customs after retrieving your luggage and prior to airport shuttle, and then US Immigration at the airport.

That said, we prefer departing from Vancouver over Seattle. The first day from Seattle is a sea day, the first day from Vancouver is through the scenic inside passage.

 

 

 

 

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We just embarked in Vancouver for a seven day to Alaska, not on Regent, but am sure the process was the same. After you check in for your cruise and get an ID, you’re directed to another area in Canada Place...a one minute walk...where you stand in line for about 10 minutes for US Immigration. It’s not a big deal, but it is another hassle in an already hectic morning. From there we were ushered into the cruise line’s waiting area prior to boarding the ship. Took about 40 minutes in total to get on the ship.

The process saves zero time on the other end. You still have to go through Canadian customs after retrieving your luggage and prior to airport shuttle, and then US Immigration at the airport.

That said, we prefer departing from Vancouver over Seattle. The first day from Seattle is a sea day, the first day from Vancouver is through the scenic inside passage.

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Thank you! This is very helpful. We’ve not been to Alaska, and have been most interested in itineraries from Vancouver (especially since we’d like to spend time there before the cruise) so it’s nice to know you prefer them despite any initial hassles.

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To Silkroad: If folks didn't clear US Immigration at the Vancouver cruise terminal then just consider the delay when the first US port of call is a small Alaskan community and US Immigration has to be done there. Most of those communities don't have large cruise terminals and the ships just berth along the piers. Just makes sense to have the US Immigration staff at the Vancouver cruise terminal. And when we flew out of Vancouver last fall heading home to Alaska we also went through US Immigration at the Vancouver airport so when we landed in Seattle we just de-planed and went to our next gate for the flight up to Fairbanks. And for those who are wondering -- the luggage was tagged in Vancouver for both flights so the next time we saw our bags it was in Fairbanks.

 

But to the original question -- the only time I remember delays in going through the US Immigration prior to boarding a ship in Vancouver was when we boarded at Ballantyne (sp?) a number of years ago. We have found the process at Canada Place to be very smooth. And for the one-way trips northbound when passengers arrive at either Seward or Whittier you just walk off the ship.

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Thank you! This is very helpful. We’ve not been to Alaska, and have been most interested in itineraries from Vancouver (especially since we’d like to spend time there before the cruise) so it’s nice to know you prefer them despite any initial hassles.

 

 

 

We got to Vancouver a few days early and had an absolute blast. There’s a free shuttle from Canada Place to the Capilano Suspension Bridge, which was a lot of fun to visit. Not only is the bridge unique, but there’s a circular walkway jutting out from a cliff, an elevated hike on wooden platforms and bridges in the rainforest canopy, and a great walk through the forest as well.

 

We also rented bikes and rode around Stanley Park on a bikeway along the perimeter sea wall. Totally easy, but totally enjoyable as well. And then we kept riding to Granville Island...a farmers market and enclave of craft shops and restaurants that’s a great place to have lunch.

 

If you haven’t been, you’ll love Vancouver!

 

 

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We sailed Millennium in June. We had two nights in Vancouver prior to boarding. We had such fun in Vancouver...our vacation truly started well before our cruise officially began. We weren't in a hurry to get on the ship.

 

Millennium was the only ship in port. As others have said...there's the back and forth for check in. Upstairs for checking into the cruise...back downstairs to go through US immigration...then finally you can board. Canada Place was the easiest boarding experience we've ever had...probably because we waited until closer to 2 PM to board. Had a great morning in Vancouver and then breezed through all the lines and boarded with cabins ready and available.

 

The Sailaway from Vancouver was lovely!

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Or is there one? I've read some random comments on CC regarding the hassle of going through customs prior to boarding when embarking in Vancouver. What are the specific hassles? Approximately how long does it take to get from curbside to ship? We're planning an Alaska cruise for next summer and I'm trying to determine which ship based on port of embarkation.

Thank you in advance.

I love boarding in Vancouver at Canada Place. Cruise terminal is very convenient to downtown Vancouver and public transportation ("Skytrain"). On our last cruise from Vancouver in September 2017, we happened to have some personal business to attend to in Vancouver. At noon we dropped off our large luggage at the port, held onto our small carryon bags, then took care of business in Vancouver. This caused us to board later than usual (~2:30-3:00pm) and it was very quick. We had our Global Entry cards ready for US Immigration but there were no lines at all and we did not need these cards. Additionally, the port employees were cheerful, helpful, and very abundant. It almost seemed as if we couldn't walk more than 10 feet without a friendly employee providing directions to board the ship.

 

For us, the lesson we learned for future cruises is to avoid the noontime rush and board later in the day, with the added benefit of being able to go straight to your cabin. Of course many cruisers want to board as early as possible; to each his/her own.

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From the comments, sounds like maybe there have been some improvements made. We purposely avoid embarkation in Vancouver as the last two times we did so, there were horrendous lines and nobody seemed to know what they were doing. On top of it all, the last time out, there were three ships in port and there were only two US immigration officers. Whew ... we got through relatively quick compared to others. Our time waiting in lines was about 4 hours, some people waited well over 6 hours. There was an angry mob onboard by the time we set sail. Me? I grabbed that glass of champagne and put it all behind me but with lessons learned. Sail out of Seattle! That's just what I do now based on my past experiences ... but as mentioned, others make it seem as though it has improved. That gives me some hope.

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Or is there one? I've read some random comments on CC regarding the hassle of going through customs prior to boarding when embarking in Vancouver. What are the specific hassles?

 

I did an Alaska cruise last year from Vancouver. Per this web page, because you are visiting all United States ports, you are considered to be entering U.S. jurisdiction upon boarding the cruise ship. It's normal.

 

Also, when you are flying back home through YVR, you pass through US customs prior to boarding your United States flight. This makes your United States flight a domestic flight rather than an international flight.

 

I thought it would get interesting as I would be passing through Canada customs to get off the ship, catch the cab to the airport, and then pass through US customs. Nope. Canada customs just waived most of us through. However, it took over an hour to pass through US customs. The cab ride from the port to the airport was fairly quick.

 

It should be noted that United States Customs preclearance isn't all that unusual. They are at many major airports in the Carribean, Ireland, and UAE, plus the Victoria port for the car ferry.

 

Please note that if you have a prior DUI or crime on your record, you may want to visit this Canada Border Protection page.

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From the comments, sounds like maybe there have been some improvements made. We purposely avoid embarkation in Vancouver as the last two times we did so, there were horrendous lines and nobody seemed to know what they were doing. On top of it all, the last time out, there were three ships in port and there were only two US immigration officers.

 

I must have gotten lucky then. When I went on the cruise on August 27th, 2017, only the Celebrity Infinity and Holland America Noordam were at the Vancouver port. I won't disagree that it was a choke point, but there were certainly more than two agents on duty that day. It took my mom and I less than an hour to board.

 

As for cruising out of Seattle... this means a "quickie" stop at Victoria, BC to satisfy regulations. Sorry, but that port is worth more than a "quickie", although I would suggest a several day visit.

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From the comments, sounds like maybe there have been some improvements made. We purposely avoid embarkation in Vancouver as the last two times we did so, there were horrendous lines and nobody seemed to know what they were doing. On top of it all, the last time out, there were three ships in port and there were only two US immigration officers. Whew ... we got through relatively quick compared to others. Our time waiting in lines was about 4 hours, some people waited well over 6 hours. There was an angry mob onboard by the time we set sail. Me? I grabbed that glass of champagne and put it all behind me but with lessons learned. Sail out of Seattle! That's just what I do now based on my past experiences ... but as mentioned, others make it seem as though it has improved. That gives me some hope.

 

That was my experience in Vancouver and I'll never sail from that port again. Maybe they've fixed it, maybe they haven't. I'm not taking the chance. I cannot stand for over 4 hours.

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That was my experience in Vancouver and I'll never sail from that port again. Maybe they've fixed it, maybe they haven't. I'm not taking the chance. I cannot stand for over 4 hours.

 

 

 

There were two ships in port on our embarkation day a couple weeks ago and we waited about 10 minutes. I think your experience was probably an aberration.

 

 

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OK. Thanks. I understand now. It just seemed odd to go through US immigration in Canada instead of the first US port.

It is the same as they do at the airport, where you clear US immigration in Canada before you board your flight to the US.

Then when you land in the USA, you walk right off the plane with no hassle, just as if you were arriving on a domestic flight.

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Thank you all for your thoughtful replies and great information. I completely understand now about the customs issue. A similar thing happened on one itinerary a while back where we entered Key West after some other place...can't remember. But US customs boarded the ship and we had to go through a line before being allowed off. Now if I go to Key West, I make sure it's at the beginning of the itinerary, not the end. So I guess we will give Vancouver a try. Like others have said, we want to visit the city a few days prior to boarding so I guess we will risk the lines and hope for the best.

CM

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I boarded in Vancouver in May for a HAL cruise. There were 3 ships in port that day (two HAL and one Princess), and it was the second or third week of the Alaska cruising season, which I was warned by others on Cruise Critic is when Vancouver tends to have the most issues.

 

We arrived at about 11am and were directed downstairs to check our baggage with the porters. From there, we were directed back upstairs and into a very large holding room where we were given a number to wait. This, as I understand it, is the "new" process that was developed to combat the long lines at Customs. We were in that large room for about 45 minutes before our number was called and everyone with that number was escorted back downstairs to go through security and then Customs.

 

We have Global Entry, which did not do anything for the relatively short security line but did allow us to go to a dedicated booth at Customs, so it was maybe 5 minutes to get through it. However, we got to skip in front of several hundred people, and this is where the major hold-up was occurring. Consider that I was "in line" in the big room for 45 minutes and then would have had to stand in an actual line for who-knows-how-long after that. And when we got to the big room, it was only about 1/4 full; by the time we left, it was about 3/4 full. There was no way to skip this part, even with Global Entry.

 

From Customs, we proceeded to the HAL check-in desks to get our room keys. That part was practically empty, and the check-in people asked us if the lines were long because they had seen very few people come through. We were on the ship by about 1pm, so it took about 2 hours from start to finish, and that was because we arrived before "the rush" and also had Global Entry. All of the ships set sail late that day because of the Customs lines.

 

So, I think it's a matter of how many ships are in port and what time of year it is. They are probably better staffed in June and July but then become a little stretched thin as the season winds down. Vancouver is a wonderful city, though, and I chose to depart from there so we would sail in the Inside Passage up the coast, which was great!

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