Uk to us cruise with criminal record?

[Davedaviea2012]

Hi im planning on going on a cruise with my partner from uk to the usa new york i have a criminal record from a few years ago i am planning on using the esta visa waiver program now i no it asks for any criminal convictions but i am going to tick no as i no if i apply for a full visa i will be denied what i am asking is is travelling by ship to the us the same as by plane? Has anybody else travled by cruise ship with a criminal record and managed to get into the us? Also if the worst happens and i am found out to have lied on my visa waiver ino i will be denied entry to the country but what will happen will i be put back on the cruise ship? Or will it be a plane? Ino i have a criminal record but i have paid for those crimes and put it all behind me any help ,answer,or suggestions would be gratefull thanks

[GUT2407]

Hi im planning on going on a cruise with my partner from uk to the usa new york i have a criminal record from a few years ago i am planning on using the esta visa waiver program now i no it asks for any criminal convictions but i am going to tick no as i no if i apply for a full visa i will be denied what i am asking is is travelling by ship to the us the same as by plane? Has anybody else travled by cruise ship with a criminal record and managed to get into the us? Also if the worst happens and i am found out to have lied on my visa waiver ino i will be denied entry to the country but what will happen will i be put back on the cruise ship? Or will it be a plane? Ino i have a criminal record but i have paid for those crimes and put it all behind me any help ,answer,or suggestions would be gratefull thanks

 

 

You my friend are asking for trouble, if caught you will have another criminal record.

[Viv0828]

Perhaps you should consult a lawyer who specializes in these types of issues??

[sail7seas]

Surely you don't think any of us are going to recommend you lie on a Visa application. Nothing good can come of that.

 

Happy you are on a better track in your life now but international travel may not be in your immediate future. You should likely get professional advice. What you learn here will be worth nothing as we don't know your particular circumstances.

 

Good luck.

[FlyerTalker]

US Customs and Immigration doesn't care whether you arrive by air, sea, land - all entry to the USA is subject to the same rules. Even moreso, the cruiseline will likely check that you have the proper documentation even before you board, as they are responsible.

 

Thought problem....given that the USA and UK cooperate and share immigration data, do you think that they would NOT crosscheck the UK databases before issuing an electronic visa? Did you think that this would be different than a "full visa" (to use your terminology)?

 

Simple rule....if you lie, you merely compound your problem by adding a new one. As others say, get professional legal advice and check the truthful boxes.

[Flatbush Flyer]

OP: "paid for those crimes" and now planning a new one?

[sfaaa]

Do you really think you can fool an immigration officer or his computer data base and get away with it? Please do yourself and everyone a favor and stay where you are. And I mean it in a good way.

[jaydeemdm2015]

You can still enter the US with past criminal records depending on what they were for obviously. There are just more hoops to go through. The ESTA will not work if you lie on it and you will be found out.

[2irisheyes]

In the words of John McE "you cannot be serious".

[chengkp75]

Leaving all the morality, etc, behind, I can tell you from experience what happens to individuals who enter the US illegally by ship.

 

1. The CBP will have had the 5 days or so of the TA to cross-check the passenger manifest against criminal databases to find your record. It is done on every cruise, and there are people arrested upon disembarkation for things like outstanding warrants.

 

2. You will be detained, in custody, until an immigration judge can hear your case. The cruise line will be liable for the accommodations and security.

 

3. You will be placed on a plane, most likely escorted to the door of the plane by a US Marshal who's time will be paid for by the cruise line, and the cruise line will pay for the air fare.

 

4. Your ticket contract allows for the cruise line to pass down any fine incurred because of your passage on their vessel (most commonly used to pass on the PVSA fines, but still applicable in this instance), so if you used a credit card to pay for the cruise, they will immediately charge the cost of accommodation, security, legal fees, US Marshal, and airfare to your credit card. Even if they don't immediately charge your card, they will proceed to sue you to recoup the cost.

 

I have had to deal with stowaways on ships many times, and I can tell you that the companies are not happy, as there is considerable expense involved, which is why they will try to determine if you are eligible to travel in the first place, before allowing you to board.

 

By all means get legal opinion, but no lawyer, US or UK, will tell you to lie on a visa application.

[paul929207]

Another possibility is that when you arrive to board the ship, you will be denied boarding. No refund. Most likely no trip insurance covers "I lied on the visa app". So you will be out the cost of the cruise.

[jaydeemdm2015]

In the words of John McE "you cannot be serious".

 

That gave me a smile

[navybankerteacher]

A rare occurrence: all responders to OP were in essential agreement, which virtually never happens on CC. Does anyone else feel that OP might be kidding us by asking such a question virtually certain to bring such predictable responses?

[MCC retired]

OP: "paid for those crimes" and now planning a new one?

 

Agreed :mad:

[john watson]

You need to disclose the truth; the whole truth and nothing but the truth.

 

My understanding is that serious criminals are not issued with British Passports.

 

If you have a passport; and I believe you do, simply answer the questions accurately and it will save you a lot of time, money and trouble. Whether you will be allowed to enter the USA will be down to their authorities. ESTA screens out people identified on different lists and a more detailed look may then come about.

 

Regards John

[sfaaa]

Any competent immigration law or criminal lawyer would charge $200/hr and up + disbursements for consultation. This will be an expensive cruise to go no matter how this turns out.

[ger_77]

If you are ever planning on travelling anywhere after this cruise, I strongly urge you to be truthful on your visa application, otherwise you might find you are unable to leave your home country ever again. Forget about the visa, have you ever heard the phrase "Passport Denied" ?

Walks away shaking her head.

 

Smooth Sailing ! :) :)

[myfuzzy]

Before you consider even buying a ticket for a cruise, if whatever, your "criminal" past is, If you think your record will (would) impeed any overseas travel, I would contact my legal council first, ask him/her for any advise on the possibility of travel, If they defended your case, they should know what legal ramifications would occur if you did leave your country, if they would find no problem, I would verify that information with the cruise line legal department. And then would I get in touch with any customs/immigration departments which you would be attempting to enter their country for advise..........All this BEFORE leaving my house..........GOOD LUCK

Edited March 7, 2015 by myfuzzy

[lamchops]

Hi im planning on going on a cruise with my partner from uk to the usa new york i have a criminal record from a few years ago i am planning on using the esta visa waiver program now i no it asks for any criminal convictions but i am going to tick no as i no if i apply for a full visa i will be denied what i am asking is is travelling by ship to the us the same as by plane? Has anybody else travled by cruise ship with a criminal record and managed to get into the us? Also if the worst happens and i am found out to have lied on my visa waiver ino i will be denied entry to the country but what will happen will i be put back on the cruise ship? Or will it be a plane? Ino i have a criminal record but i have paid for those crimes and put it all behind me any help ,answer,or suggestions would be gratefull thanks

 

I knew someone who tried to go on a cruise starting from the USA. He was denied entry at the airport due to a "weed" charge from the 1970's. He was told that he can apply for a special pardon for future visits to the USA. There was a fee attached to the application which he would of forfeit if the pardon was denied. It's best to check the US border services website for instructions. Only you will know if the charge is serious enough to be pardoned or not.

 

Those same rules apply to entry to Canada as well.

[mips]

10 years ago when I went to the Embassy in London to get my 'green card visa' There was a huge queue of people there for a 'holiday visa' These people all had various criminal backgrounds and most were in there 50s and rather bemused by the whole process as it was new then. I chatted with many people in the huge long line (once we got inside the Embassy those applying for green cards were split up into a much smaller group). I was out fairly quickly but saw a lot of people leaving that were very happy to have the required proper piece of paper to go to Disneyland.

 

So yes it will be a PITA, yes it will take all day in London but I know that most got cleared to come to the USA (I asked the man who processed my visa, he said that they rarely denied unless it was drug trafficking.). One man I spoke with had an ABH on his record and he got his visa.

Edited March 7, 2015 by mips

[alexspepa]

just curious - haven't i read here that US citizens with a DUI/DWI on their record have an issue when trying to enter Canada(misdemeanor in US but felony in Canada)? could a cruise line deny boarding because of that? Obviously this would affect many US passengers on Alaska cruises, correct?

[6rugrats]

just curious - haven't i read here that US citizens with a DUI/DWI on their record have an issue when trying to enter Canada(misdemeanor in US but felony in Canada)? could a cruise line deny boarding because of that? Obviously this would affect many US passengers on Alaska cruises, correct?

 

Yes. If you are interested, search in the Alaska forum and you can pull up many discussions.

[dsrdsrdsr]

You might not be denied entry into the country. You might be allowed into one of their finest jails for a spell. Certainly the cruise company won't want you back, and they'll put you off at the first non-US port if they're forced to have you.

 

You need a visa. If what you've done is so bad you won't get a visa, then you need to learn to live with that.

[crystalspin]

One man I spoke with had an ABH on his record and he got his visa.

 

That's a lovely thought.

[GUT2407]

Any competent immigration law or criminal lawyer would charge $200/hr and up + disbursements for consultation. This will be an expensive cruise to go no matter how this turns out.

 

 

Only $200 / hr :eek:

 

 

At least the story will have a happy ending a lawyer will be able to afford a cruise :D