Worried about being denied boarding

Hi,

This is our first cruise to Alaska (Canada) and I was very surprised when I read about the chance of being denied boarding at Seattle because of a record.

DH has a misdemeanor trespassing conviction from 17 years ago. I have no idea about how to start figuring out if we will be denied boarding. On one hand, I have to believe that some of the thousands of people who cruise to AK/Canada have convictions and it is never a problem. I've been cruising and on these boards for over 10yrs. I've never heard about it until I read it here last night. DH wants to just go and 'chance it' because he feels the probability is very low. If it were just him and I- no problem. If we got turned away we would just stay in Seattle and vacation there. But we will be having our young-ish children with us and I don't think I'm willing to pull the rug out from underneath them at the RCCL check in counter.

Any advice? I'm honestly very confused even after reading the webpages about the temporary residency. Is there a list of 'not allowed in Canada' floating around that I can call some Canadian official and see if DH is on it?

We cruise in July. If it provides any more information, we did go to Nigara Falls (via car) about 3 yrs ago and had no problem.

Thanks for any advice.

I have no experience with this, but did find this link online that may help:

https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/immigrate-canada/inadmissibility/overcome-criminal-convictions.html

It doesn't seem like there would be an issue based on the crime and time since it occurred. Just to be safe, I would follow the steps to contact them in advance to make sure. It could save you a lot of time, worry and potential loss. If you were to not be allowed to board once there, you may not be refunded the cruise fare.

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I'm no expert! I've been to Canada several times, having driven there and flown plus arrival by ship. Once I was questioned and I told them I'd had a speeding ticket before. They let me in, no problem. But here's a good page to read. From what I read since the conviction is more than 10 years old it might not be relevant now. You've got plenty of time to work this out before traveling. I'd work on it now instead of waiting. Just to be on the safe side. Good luck!

http://www.temporaryresidentpermitcanada.com/misdemeanor.php

If he's already crossed the border the only new risk is if his offence happened somewhere that e.g. found money in the last 3 years to digitise old records, or otherwise added his record to a database that links with his passport. 3 years ago he'd have needed a passport or equivalent documentation to get across the land border at Niagara, rather than just a driving license, as that change kicked in 2009 IIRC, so I would agree that (assuming no other offences committed since!) he seems at a very, very low risk of any problems.

Only way to be 100% sure is to follow the link 2 above and go through the whole rehabilitation rigmarole to guarantee whatever is on his file is dealt with for good.

I am not a lawyer, But I am currently working on this problem for a family member, and started the other thread about this. From what I can determine, your DH should have no problems boarding or enjoying the cruise. It would appear that trespass is not one of the "crimes" that would deny you entry, and He has already entered Canada with a "record" so it would appear that he is not on the naughty list.

One frustrating thing about this is that I have been unable to find out how exactly you apply for a Temporary Resident Permit. Every Website says that you can apply for one, to resolve the issue, but doesn't say how you apply for it.

I am not a lawyer, But I am currently working on this problem for a family member, and started the other thread about this. From what I can determine, your DH should have no problems boarding or enjoying the cruise. It would appear that trespass is not one of the "crimes" that would deny you entry, and He has already entered Canada with a "record" so it would appear that he is not on the naughty list.

One frustrating thing about this is that I have been unable to find out how exactly you apply for a Temporary Resident Permit. Every Website says that you can apply for one, to resolve the issue, but doesn't say how you apply for it.

Not a lawyer either but trespassing is on this website:

http://www.temporaryresidentpermitcanada.com/criminal-record.php

I would consult a specialist in this area.

Not a lawyer either but trespassing is on this website:

 

http://www.temporaryresidentpermitcanada.com/criminal-record.php

 

I would consult a specialist in this area.

If it was a misdemeanor crime he might be OK as the rules state:

"If an individual only has a single misdemeanor on their record, ten years after they complete their full sentence they may be deemed rehabilitated by virtue of time and considered admissible to Canada once again"

However, if s/he has more than one misdemeanor or a felony, all bets are off as I understand it

However, I am not an attorney, I only play one online - best bet would be to contact someone with intimate knowledge of the issues pertaining....

One frustrating thing about this is that I have been unable to find out how exactly you apply for a Temporary Resident Permit. Every Website says that you can apply for one, to resolve the issue, but doesn't say how you apply for it.

I actually linked you directly to the official Canadian gov't page for TRPs, which includes details on how to fill out the form, on your other thread. Re-reading your comments there, it seems you got the wrong end of the stick about terminology - technically a T.R.PERMIT is only issued at the border, in-person; when applied for in advance it is a T.R.VISA just like for the folks who are from countries without reciprocal no-Visa travel. So it's nothing to do with whether someone is a US citizen or not which form they complete - non-criminal Americans don't need a Visa, criminal Americans do!

Direct link to the fillable PDF form is here to avoid any further confusion - fill it out with details of the offence and all other requested info, pay $200, wait for many months. Right now if you are someone who would be rejected without one, you must ASK at the border when crossing for a TRP - it's not something that would be offered unsolicited by a CBSA agent lest it be perceived as soliciting a bribe ("I can't let you in, but if you give me $200 and fill this form in I will reconsider your application to enter Canada")

Hi,

 

 

 

This is our first cruise to Alaska (Canada) and I was very surprised when I read about the chance of being denied boarding at Seattle because of a record.

 

 

 

 

 

DH has a misdemeanor trespassing conviction from 17 years ago. I have no idea about how to start figuring out if we will be denied boarding. On one hand, I have to believe that some of the thousands of people who cruise to AK/Canada have convictions and it is never a problem. I've been cruising and on these boards for over 10yrs. I've never heard about it until I read it here last night. DH wants to just go and 'chance it' because he feels the probability is very low. If it were just him and I- no problem. If we got turned away we would just stay in Seattle and vacation there. But we will be having our young-ish children with us and I don't think I'm willing to pull the rug out from underneath them at the RCCL check in counter.

 

 

 

 

 

Any advice? I'm honestly very confused even after reading the webpages about the temporary residency. Is there a list of 'not allowed in Canada' floating around that I can call some Canadian official and see if DH is on it?

 

 

 

 

 

We cruise in July. If it provides any more information, we did go to Nigara Falls (via car) about 3 yrs ago and had no problem.

 

 

 

 

 

Thanks for any advice.

I am interested in what you have decided to do. I too have a trespassing charge from over 15 years ago. I was never fingerprinted etc. just paid a fine and never thought twice about it until now. I have read the linked info and not sure about filling out forms and paying the $200. When I search the county database where I was charged...it’s not even listed when I search my name. I always thought that after seven years with no further charges it’s off my record. What have you decided? When is your cruise? We leave out of Seattle too.

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Can I ask how Canada knows a person's criminal history?. Do they run your license or something before your allowed into the country?

My husband and I have have cruised all over the Careibean and ive never heard of this before. He did something stupid when he was 18 now 54 this was 37 years ago. His breaking into his parents house only it wasn't him it was his crazy brother he took the fault for. This is his one and only incident. Is this going to be a problem? Will we be able to board in Seattle? If was a felony but has been pardoned and his rights restored over 20 years ago. What if he has a passport? I didn't want to start a new thread for this since it's the topic of discussion. Any advice would be appreciated.

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Can I ask how Canada knows a person's criminal history?. Do they run your license or something before your allowed into the country?

My husband and I have have cruised all over the Careibean and ive never heard of this before. He did something stupid when he was 18 now 54 this was 37 years ago. His breaking into his parents house only it wasn't him it was his crazy brother he took the fault for. This is his one and only incident. Is this going to be a problem? Will we be able to board in Seattle? If was a felony but has been pardoned and his rights restored over 20 years ago. What if he has a passport? I didn't want to start a new thread for this since it's the topic of discussion. Any advice would be appreciated.

 

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They share criminal background data with the US.

They share criminal background data with the US.

Well great. Wasn't expecting this. I wonder why the cruiselines do not share valuable information like this. I would have never know about this if not for this board. I wonder how long it would take to get approved to enter Canada if he would be considered to be rehabilitated. I laugh as I write this. He doesn't even speed. Good thing we have about 6 months before we sail or before I sail lol.

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Well great. Wasn't expecting this. I wonder why the cruiselines do not share valuable information like this. I would have never know about this if not for this board. I wonder how long it would take to get approved to enter Canada if he would be considered to be rehabilitated. I laugh as I write this. He doesn't even speed. Good thing we have about 6 months before we sail or before I sail lol.

 

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For what it's worth, most of the threads I've read are about DUIs (which Canada takes very seriously), and it's been less that people are denied boarding in Seattle, more that they are denied disembarkation at ports in Canada. (So they just can't get off the ship for that stop, obviously they can get off for the Alaska ports.)

Can I ask how Canada knows a person's criminal history?. Do they run your license or something before your allowed into the country?

My husband and I have have cruised all over the Careibean and ive never heard of this before. He did something stupid when he was 18 now 54 this was 37 years ago. His breaking into his parents house only it wasn't him it was his crazy brother he took the fault for. This is his one and only incident. Is this going to be a problem? Will we be able to board in Seattle? If was a felony but has been pardoned and his rights restored over 20 years ago. What if he has a passport? I didn't want to start a new thread for this since it's the topic of discussion. Any advice would be appreciated.

 

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The ships transmit the data of every passenger to most countries that they are visiting. In many countries this is a formality and never gets checked. In other countries, especially well developed computerized countries, this is checked to see if the person meets criteria to enter.

And really, it isn't the cruise lines responsibility to check to see if you are allowed entrance into a country you plan to visit. If you think there is a potential problem with your visit you should check with the country in advance.

Oh, and as was mentioned, most often it comes in the form of not being allowed to leave the ship in port. For instance I could do a Southern Carib cruise, but would not be allowed to leave the ship in Columbia, while DW would be allowed to get off.

Oh, and as was mentioned, most often it comes in the form of not being allowed to leave the ship in port. For instance I could do a Southern Carib cruise, but would not be allowed to leave the ship in Columbia, while DW would be allowed to get off.

Thanks so much for the responses Im thinking we'll be ok based on what I've read. We been on quit a few cruises in the past and was always cleared to go to shore. I think Grand Cayman is under British rule and we just came back from there in November no problems at all. Worst case scenario I guess he'll stay on the boat while I visit Victoria.

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I would check regardless, it is much nicer to know in advance that way you can plan accordingly.

For what it's worth, most of the threads I've read are about DUIs (which Canada takes very seriously), and it's been less that people are denied boarding in Seattle, more that they are denied disembarkation at ports in Canada. (So they just can't get off the ship for that stop, obviously they can get off for the Alaska ports.)

I know someone who was caught at the Montreal airport. He flew in 2 days early for his cruise. He was told when he got off the plane that he had to leave the country via plane in 24 hours, so no way of getting on his cruise. This was for a DUI many years previously. This happens on East Coast cruises for Canada NE.

Spoke with to a supervisor my husband will not have any problems. We will have passports and has passed multiple background checks he told me that when he got his cdl license 10 years ago they checked the NCIC or something like it's a federal database and he's clean. I was told that Canada checks the same database. So we're good. Thanks for everyones input.

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