U.S. Direct--Recent Experience

[sunflower877]

Has anyone had any recent experience using the U.S. Direct program in Vancouver? How did it go? We'll be sailing on HAL.

[sunflower877]

My family and I attempted to use the US Direct program for our Alaskan cruise last week. We set everything up ahead of time by booking a transfer from the airport to the ship with Holland America, put the cruise tags on our luggage and flew to Vancouver. When we arrived, we followed the signs labeled US Direct, as well as the directions of the Vancouver airport employees. The path to the US Direct desk was very clearly marked with helpful employees stationed at several points along the way.

 

Unfortunately, when we arrived at the US Direct desk, the didn't have my father listed on their reports, only the other family members. The assured us that we didn't need to worry, that their lists are occasionally incorrect, but that they wouldn't be able to process us due to this error. We were directed downstairs to go through the regular customs system. Luckily, the lines were very short and we cleared customs very quickly.

 

After clearing customs, we found a Holland America rep and they directed us to the waiting point for transfer to the ship. Our bags were still transferred directly from the airport to the ship, we did not have to pick them up at baggage claim.

 

So I think the US Direct program would work very well, as long as your name is on their list. It seemed very well organized and there were lots of people to help. It was very nice to not have to pick up our bags at the airport. That was definitely a plus.

[Putterdude]

Unfortunately, when we arrived at the US Direct desk, the didn't have my father listed on their reports, only the other family members.

 

Thank you for sharing your experience with us. I am curious, who did you speak with at the desk, was it Canadian customs officer or a HAL person...also do you have any sense who may have dropped the ball re your father?

[ceilidh1]

Names will only get on the "list" if complete and correct immigration info has been entered into the cruise personalizer in advance. This includes full and correct passport info and expiration date, date of birth, and citizenship. If any of this is missing, or enteretd incorrectly, the you cannot be pre-cleared and are thus not eligible for the program. Hope this helps...

[Putterdude]

Thanks ceilidh1, thanks for your usual insightful post. For those who don't know it ceilidh1 works for, I believe, Princess at Canada Place and is a wealth of information on these types of topics.

[PennyAgain]

For those who are interested in using home bound US Direct, both your ship and your airline have to be on the official list.

 

It is worth doing to avoid the lines at the Vancouver airport.

[Bowie MeMe]

We are flying to Quebec City 3 days early for a cruise on Crown Princess. Would US Direct work for us using BWI - Cleveland- Quebec City then arriving in Manhatten port 2 weeks later? Will not have a transfer to hotel in Quebec City (Fairmont Chateau Frontenac) because of self-planned early arrival and not sure if we will have transfer or Taxi in New York City (LGA)

[Putterdude]

We are flying to Quebec City 3 days early for a cruise on Crown Princess. Would US Direct work for us using BWI - Cleveland- Quebec City then arriving in Manhatten port 2 weeks later? Will not have a transfer to hotel in Quebec City (Fairmont Chateau Frontenac) because of self-planned early arrival and not sure if we will have transfer or Taxi in New York City (LGA)

 

To my knowledge this program is only available in Vancouver.

[Ephraim]

We are flying to Quebec City 3 days early for a cruise on Crown Princess. Would US Direct work for us using BWI - Cleveland- Quebec City then arriving in Manhatten port 2 weeks later? Will not have a transfer to hotel in Quebec City (Fairmont Chateau Frontenac) because of self-planned early arrival and not sure if we will have transfer or Taxi in New York City (LGA)

 

US Direct exists in Vancouver only. And Quebec City flights that are direct to the US have to clear customs in the US instead of in Canada.

[scottbee]

We are flying to Quebec City 3 days early for a cruise on Crown Princess. Would US Direct work for us using BWI - Cleveland- Quebec City then arriving in Manhatten port 2 weeks later? Will not have a transfer to hotel in Quebec City (Fairmont Chateau Frontenac) because of self-planned early arrival and not sure if we will have transfer or Taxi in New York City (LGA)

 

It's not offered in Quebec City, but in your case even if it was, you wouldn't be able to use it because you intend to stay in Canada. US Direct is a way of skipping entering Canada altogether; where

 

• You're coming from the USA
  
• You're headed to a cruise ship where they USA pre-clear you to enter the USA as your 1st port of call (ie you clear USA customs in Vancouver, instead of Skagway Alaska).
  
• And you're going straight from airport to cruise ship
  

[Bowie MeMe]

Thanks for the information. I did not know about the program and now I do. Skipping customs and other lines will always get my eye.

[ceilidh1]

Names will only get on the "list" if complete and correct immigration info has been entered into the cruise personalizer in advance. This includes full and correct passport info and expiration date, date of birth, and citizenship. If any of this is missing, or enteretd incorrectly, the you cannot be pre-cleared and are thus not eligible for the program. Hope this helps...

 

The other requirements are that you must have pre-purchased the cruiseline transfer and all of your bags must have been tagged with the cruise luggage tag. If you qualify for it, US Direct cuts out a lot of line-ups and wait time since you will not have to join the masses at Canada Place for security screening (this is done right as you get off the bus) and US CBP (immigration). You literally get off the bus and go straight through to check-in - on a two ship day, cutting at least 40 minutes to an hour off your wait time.

[cmtom89]

Has anyone had any recent experience using the U.S. Direct program in Vancouver? How did it go? We'll be sailing on HAL.

 

We used it in June and it was a breeze. We also sailed on HAL. We deplaned and were going up the stairs to check in for the cruise at Canada Place in under 50 minutes....felt like a VIP experience in many ways. Luggage arrived in our stateroom later that day (we were a bit worried that it may not:eek:) but all went smoothly. Would highly recommend it to anyone that is eligible for the program.