Canadian cruisers!!

[bluemeansgo]

I've done a lot of checking exchange rates lately, at the banks, credit unions and currency exchange places. ICE is the worst. The best I've found is the BC Currency Exchange for us in BC. I got some US on Wednesday at a rate of 1.3806. Yesterday is was 1.3860. They post the rate daily on their web page. Looks like they only have locations in Surrey, White Rock and Abbotsford.

 

Whoa, that rate's better than VBCE!

[A&L_Ont]

Canadian Cruisers - if anyone is going on Independence or your ship will disembark at pier 25, do yourselves a favour and do self disembarking and leave early. We missed our 12pm Air Canada flight to Toronto yesterday - we stood in lines for 3 hours to get off ship and through Customs. I knew by reading these boards that it was not a good process for this pier so we went to Guest Services on last sea day to ask for first baggage tags called and got #9 which was 8:30 and we didn't get called until 9:30 - got luggage at 10:10 and stood in Non-US customs line until 11:25. There were only 2 Customs Officers for Non US and were painfully slow. There were about 10 other Canadians that arrived at airport after us in same situation - AC rebooked us on 7;15pm flights - we are exhausted today after getting home at midnight versus 3pm :( Bad ending to a great cruise.

 

Sorry to hear about your customs experience. What a crappy way to end what should have been a relaxing vacation. Thanks for the warning.

[maryann2]

Canadian Cruisers - if anyone is going on Independence or your ship will disembark at pier 25, do yourselves a favour and do self disembarking and leave early. We missed our 12pm Air Canada flight to Toronto yesterday - we stood in lines for 3 hours to get off ship and through Customs. I knew by reading these boards that it was not a good process for this pier so we went to Guest Services on last sea day to ask for first baggage tags called and got #9 which was 8:30 and we didn't get called until 9:30 - got luggage at 10:10 and stood in Non-US customs line until 11:25. There were only 2 Customs Officers for Non US and were painfully slow. There were about 10 other Canadians that arrived at airport after us in same situation - AC rebooked us on 7;15pm flights - we are exhausted today after getting home at midnight versus 3pm :( Bad ending to a great cruise.

I would suggest you get the Nexus card.

$50 for 5 years.

I recently used it at Port Everglades and they are now set up for Global Entry/ Nexus.

I asked where the Global Entry line was and was escorted to the head of the line in front of US passengers and they looked at my passport and waved through.

Felt like a diplomat and everybody stared (What's so special about her LOL).

 

Port of Miami is not set up yet.

Edited February 19, 2016 by maryann2

[phabric]

Canadian Cruisers - if anyone is going on Independence or your ship will disembark at pier 25, do yourselves a favour and do self disembarking and leave early. We missed our 12pm Air Canada flight to Toronto yesterday - we stood in lines for 3 hours to get off ship and through Customs. I knew by reading these boards that it was not a good process for this pier so we went to Guest Services on last sea day to ask for first baggage tags called and got #9 which was 8:30 and we didn't get called until 9:30 - got luggage at 10:10 and stood in Non-US customs line until 11:25. There were only 2 Customs Officers for Non US and were painfully slow. There were about 10 other Canadians that arrived at airport after us in same situation - AC rebooked us on 7;15pm flights - we are exhausted today after getting home at midnight versus 3pm :( Bad ending to a great cruise.

 

My sister was on a HAL cruise Dec 26-Jan 2 and then walked over to the next berth to the Independence Jan 2 -8. The HAL disembarkment went with no problems and RC dissembarkment was very very slow. They were going to a hotel so they didn't have a plane to catch.

[hancogran]

Canadian Cruisers - if anyone is going on Independence or your ship will disembark at pier 25, do yourselves a favour and do self disembarking and leave early. We missed our 12pm Air Canada flight to Toronto yesterday - we stood in lines for 3 hours to get off ship and through Customs. I knew by reading these boards that it was not a good process for this pier so we went to Guest Services on last sea day to ask for first baggage tags called and got #9 which was 8:30 and we didn't get called until 9:30 - got luggage at 10:10 and stood in Non-US customs line until 11:25. There were only 2 Customs Officers for Non US and were painfully slow. There were about 10 other Canadians that arrived at airport after us in same situation - AC rebooked us on 7;15pm flights - we are exhausted today after getting home at midnight versus 3pm :( Bad ending to a great cruise.

 

:eek: Wow.. so sorry to hear this happened to you. It really puts a damper on your cruise.

 

We did self disembark on Oasis in Port Everglades a few weeks ago and we were on the I-95 heading home about 6:45 a.m. It was a breeze getting off the ship and the customs lanes had just opened so there was no lines at all. We had parked at the port so it was only a 5 minute walk to our car and we just paid the parking bill and headed for the interstate. I couldn't believe how quickly we got off.

[hancogran]

I would suggest you get the Nexus card.

$50 for 5 years.

I recently used it at Port Everglades and they are now set up for Global Entry/ Nexus.

I asked where the Global Entry line was and was escorted to the head of the line in front of US passengers and they looked at my passport and waved through.

Felt like a diplomat and everybody stared (What's so special about her LOL).

 

Port of Miami is not set up yet.

 

Interesting. :) I never though the Nexus card would make a huge difference but it might be worth looking into if that's the case. I know at times there's a huge lineup at the Queenston/Lewiston bridge to cross but the Nexus lane is never backed up. It's nice to sail through like that. :cool:

[KRUSA]

There are some significant reductions to be had for wine purchases in Gifts and Gear accessed through your booking - look for the codes ending in PR.

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Ourusualbeach]

Interesting. :) I never though the Nexus card would make a huge difference but it might be worth looking into if that's the case. I know at times there's a huge lineup at the Queenston/Lewiston bridge to cross but the Nexus lane is never backed up. It's nice to sail through like that. :cool:

 

Ours arrived the morning that we were leaving for our Christmas cruise. What a great Christmas present they were.

 

The traffic was backed up right to the bottom of the peace bridge...a quick left and we were in a lane with 2 other cars...less than 5 minutes later we were headed south.

 

It was also nice at terminal 18 as we bypassed a huge line waiting at customs. We grabbed a porter to help with our bags and mentioned that we had global entry and he took is to the side entrance and there was one person ahead of us.

 

Entering Canada the lines were the same. Both the regular line and the Nexus lane each had one car. We still chose the nexus lane and it was very quick with just a couple of questions, a smile and a welcome back.

 

The thing that I liked even better than avoiding the line was that every border agent was extremely friendly. There was none of the third degree questioning or getting attitude that you can sometimes be subject to. I realize that we have only dealt with 3 agents and it may have been coincidence but it was a great first impression.

 

Well worth the $50 for 5 years IMO. One of these days I may even get to use it at an airport.

[A&L_Ont]

Ours arrived the morning that we were leaving for our Christmas cruise. What a great Christmas present they were.

 

The traffic was backed up right to the bottom of the peace bridge...a quick left and we were in a lane with 2 other cars...less than 5 minutes later we were headed south.

 

It was also nice at terminal 18 as we bypassed a huge line waiting at customs. We grabbed a porter to help with our bags and mentioned that we had global entry and he took is to the side entrance and there was one person ahead of us.

 

Entering Canada the lines were the same. Both the regular line and the Nexus lane each had one car. We still chose the nexus lane and it was very quick with just a couple of questions, a smile and a welcome back.

 

The thing that I liked even better than avoiding the line was that every border agent was extremely friendly. There was none of the third degree questioning or getting attitude that you can sometimes be subject to. I realize that we have only dealt with 3 agents and it may have been coincidence but it was a great first impression.

 

Well worth the $50 for 5 years IMO. One of these days I may even get to use it at an airport.

 

Ken makes some great points about Nexus.

 

I will add that if you want to use it at the airport you need to have the retina scan done either when you initially apply or later on. We have had our since Septemer and used them a few times. We flew into Toronto 2 weeks ago from Antigua and it worked great. In 30 minutes we were from airplane to car, it used to take a minimum of 45-60 minutes before. It is well worth the investment.

[moopetguy]

retina scan

 

It's a photograph of your irises that they capture, not your retinas :) The iris capture system is completely passive, unlike a retina scan.

[A&L_Ont]

It's a photograph of your irises that they capture, not your retinas :) The iris capture system is completely passive, unlike a retina scan.

 

Thanks for the clarification. I guess I should have said eye scan. Needless to say it is well worth getting it done with if you do Nexus. :)

[moopetguy]

Thanks for the clarification. I guess I should have said eye scan. Needless to say it is well worth getting it done with if you do Nexus. :)

 

Getting a NEXUS membership is the WORST thing anyone can do ;) It's terrible, NOBODY get one (I don't want the NEXUS member lines to get clogged up ;))

[KiwiGal117]

Getting a NEXUS membership is the WORST thing anyone can do ;) It's terrible, NOBODY get one (I don't want the NEXUS member lines to get clogged up ;))

 

LOL! Especially if you fly out of Pearson Terminal 1 to the US on any given weekday morning!!!

 

All kidding aside, it's great - even travelling domestically, you can go through the special NEXUS security lines. I've had one for a few years, and it's made the airport experience so much better. From baggage drop off, through US Immigration and security to the top of the elevators that go down to the gates in less than 10 minutes (this is in Toronto).:)

[moopetguy]

LOL! Especially if you fly out of Pearson Terminal 1 to the US on any given weekday morning!!!

 

Having Global Entry as a bonus to the NEXUS membership is great. I've never seen more than about 4 people checking in at the Global Entry machines in Pearson T1 even though they have a bank of about 20 machines.

 

Now that some cruise terminals have GE set up for re-entry into the U.S., it's even better. Hope they keep adding the GE privilege at more ports!

[Virtopia]

Wow, I've been convinced!! I'll be applying for one before my upcoming cruise :)

[westerngardener]

Getting a NEXUS membership is the WORST thing anyone can do ;) It's terrible, NOBODY get one (I don't want the NEXUS member lines to get clogged up ;))

 

We originally got our Nexus membership as we cross the border from 'Vancouver' to Blaine, WA, by car. Now instead of cueing up for over an hour, we breeze through within 10 minutes, even during a statutory holiday.

 

When we go through YVR, same deal, we go to a short line even for the security portion and coming back it's even better using the terminals.

 

Will definitely be renewing. So worth it! :)

[Funbobby68]

Might have to look into this as we often cross at Sumas

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Forums mobile app

[hancogran]

Ours arrived the morning that we were leaving for our Christmas cruise. What a great Christmas present they were.

 

The traffic was backed up right to the bottom of the peace bridge...a quick left and we were in a lane with 2 other cars...less than 5 minutes later we were headed south.

 

It was also nice at terminal 18 as we bypassed a huge line waiting at customs. We grabbed a porter to help with our bags and mentioned that we had global entry and he took is to the side entrance and there was one person ahead of us.

 

Entering Canada the lines were the same. Both the regular line and the Nexus lane each had one car. We still chose the nexus lane and it was very quick with just a couple of questions, a smile and a welcome back.

 

The thing that I liked even better than avoiding the line was that every border agent was extremely friendly. There was none of the third degree questioning or getting attitude that you can sometimes be subject to. I realize that we have only dealt with 3 agents and it may have been coincidence but it was a great first impression.

 

Well worth the $50 for 5 years IMO. One of these days I may even get to use it at an airport.

 

Great timing to receive your Nexus card Ken! :) Now that the Canadian dollar is in in the toilet, we don't go down to shop as often as we used to but it still sounds like it would be a great thing to have.. and the price for 5 years is reasonable too.

 

I know what you mean about the border agents. I find as we get older, we get less hassle. :p The majority of them are great... professional but friendly. There's always the odd one who likes to grill but we always sail through without any bother.

 

I am definitely going to look into getting Nexus cards. I always thought we had to present ourselves in person to get one.. didn't realize it could be done online. :)

[hancogran]

Question about these Nexus cards... Did everybody just complete the application online or did you print out the form and send it with the required photocopies and documents? I am convinced I need to get one of these! ;)

[maryann2]

 

I am definitely going to look into getting Nexus cards. I always thought we had to present ourselves in person to get one.. didn't realize it could be done online. :)

You apply on line but you do have to go for an interview a few weeks later once approved. I had a choice of places to go for the interview and in fact it was quicker to go across the border in Blaine. Then also got the Iris scan for using it in airports.

I only received mine recently and did notice that coming back through US airports did have TSA pre-check on my boarding card.

 

Just saw the post about sending it in. I brought my documents with me when I went for the interview.

Edited February 20, 2016 by maryann2

[Ourusualbeach]

Question about these Nexus cards... Did everybody just complete the application online or did you print out the form and send it with the required photocopies and documents? I am convinced I need to get one of these! ;)

 

If you apply by mail it is $50 CDN. If you apply on line it is $50 US. Screwy rules.

 

We applied by mail but be prepared that it will take longer to get your conditional approval. Also when we went for our interview the agent was NOT happy that we applied by mail as he had more information to enter, he really gave us (me) a hard time. He obviously had not had his morning coffee.

 

Once you get your conditional approval you can set up a time for an interview at one of the different border crossings. We received conditional approval early December. At the time the first appointment for Pearson was middle of February, for FT. Erie it was beginning of January. We ended up going to Gananoque and had an appointment within a week. 7 days after our interview our cards arrived in the mail. Just regular post, no option for expedited delivery.

[A&L_Ont]

Question about these Nexus cards... Did everybody just complete the application online or did you print out the form and send it with the required photocopies and documents? I am convinced I need to get one of these! ;)

 

We applied on-line. Once we were conditionality approved we had our interviews scheduled within a week for Fort Erie. Toronto Perason would have been a 6 weeks for 3 appointments in a row. We also got the iris scan done at the same time. Not every location does this. A great investment.:)

 

This video link says it all for a car crossing.

 

Calgary airport pre-security.

Edited February 20, 2016 by A&L_Ont

[moopetguy]

NEXUS interview appointments open up all the time as people cancel/rebook/etc. So if you don't see an appointment time that you like in the near future and are booked a few weeks (or more) out, just keep checking the site and you may get one sooner.

[moopetguy]

We applied on-line. Once we were approved we had our interviews scheduled within a week for Fort Erie. Toronto Perason would have been a 6 weeks for 3 appointments in a row. We also got the iris scan done at the same time. Not every location does this. A great investment.:)

 

This video link says it all for a car crossing.

 

Calgary airport pre-security.

 

Fort Erie also has free parking and you're unlikely to encounter anything remotely like the crazy Toronto-area traffic. :)

[hancogran]

Thanks everyone for all the info. Since we're not in a desperate rush, I will mail the completed form (and pay the $50 Canadian). ;) Sounds like a great thing to have. I know there's been a few times when I've wished I had one..like when there used to be an hour or more wait at the border to cross. :eek: