Alaskan cruise with a DUI

[Delightfulbetty]

We want to take an Alaskan cruise in August of 2018. But, resently found out because of an old DUI, he would be refused into Canada. We are planning to fly to Alaska and take a cruise back to Seattle, Wa. Is there any line that would accept him on if he doesn't get off ship in Vancouver.

[Roz]

It doesn't matter if you get off the ship in Canada or not; all passengers have to be cleared for entrance into Canada. He will not be allowed to board and/or will be escorted off the ship and held when the ship reaches Canada.

 

Go see an attorney to see what you need to get this expunged off his record.

 

Roz

[cherylandtk]

You said this was an old DUI...if so, you should find this post quite helpful:

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showpost.php?p=52912556&postcount=38

You have a year to resolve this, start now and obtain the rehabilitation status.

[jb8162]

I have never heard something like this before. I am taking a New England / Canada cruise in October, I have a Passport, Passport Card and a Birth Certificate. I have no criminal record! Is there anything else needed to enter Canada? Visa? Ship is embarking and returning to New York.

[1025cruise]

You will have an issue booking a cruise that is one way Alaska to Seattle has those cruises are against the PVSA. You might be better off with a round trip cruise that stops in Victoria, and not get off the ship. But, you may still have issues.

[Roz]

I have never heard something like this before. I am taking a New England / Canada cruise in October, I have a Passport, Passport Card and a Birth Certificate. I have no criminal record! Is there anything else needed to enter Canada? Visa? Ship is embarking and returning to New York.

 

The DUI is the issue. Canada treats them very seriously. All you need to take with you is your passport. No visa needed for US citizens to enter Canada.

 

Roz

[zqvol]

Too many unknowns to give the OP an answer, including how old is old.

[DirtyDawg]

We want to take an Alaskan cruise in August of 2018. But, resently found out because of an old DUI, he would be refused into Canada. We are planning to fly to Alaska and take a cruise back to Seattle, Wa. Is there any line that would accept him on if he doesn't get off ship in Vancouver.

 

You said this was an old DUI...if so, you should find this post quite helpful:

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showpost.php?p=52912556&postcount=38

You have a year to resolve this, start now and obtain the rehabilitation status.

 

OP you have a year. You can apply for rehabilitation where Canada might view the DUI as a lesser offence and allow your DH to enter the country. Look into it early with the Canadian authorities and start the process.

[Delightfulbetty]

Thank you all for your help. I think we might just use the full 2weeks doing a land tour of Alaska. The week cruise might have been fun, but, not worth the stress

[LHT28]

I have never heard something like this before. I am taking a New England / Canada cruise in October, I have a Passport, Passport Card and a Birth Certificate. I have no criminal record! Is there anything else needed to enter Canada? Visa? Ship is embarking and returning to New York.

Do you have a DUI in your past ?

 

If not then your passport will be fine

[Host Walt]

The level of scrutiny by Canadian immigrations has increased so the best advice is that you contact the cruise line's 800 number for specifics. It's happened in a few unfortunate situations that a fully ticketed cruise passenger with a current US Passport will be denied boarding by the cruise line.

 

Be sure to have hard copies of all communications if you are advised by the cruise line that you will be permitted to board.

 

See the following on the US Gov't Customs and Border Patrol website:

 

https://help.cbp.gov/app/answers/detail/a_id/402/~/entering-the-u.s.-and-canada-with-dui-offenses

[njhorseman]

The level of scrutiny by Canadian immigrations has increased so the best advice is that you contact the cruise line's 800 number for specifics. It's happened in a few unfortunate situations that a fully ticketed cruise passenger with a current US Passport will be denied boarding by the cruise line.

Be sure to have hard copies of all communications if you are advised by the cruise line that you will be permitted to board.

 

See the following on the US Gov't Customs and Border Patrol website:

 

https://help.cbp.gov/app/answers/detail/a_id/402/~/entering-the-u.s.-and-canada-with-dui-offenses

 

Do you have any documentation of that, because it flies in the face of the timing of when passenger manifests are passed on to Canadian officials. On a cruise originating in the US, the manifest is not turned over to Canadian authorities until after the ship has sailed, so there would be no way that Canadian authorities could tell the cruise line not to allow a passenger to board because they wouldn't have had the opportunity to make such decisions. In fact what happens is the passenger would simply not be allowed to disembark in any Canadian port of call.

 

Note the wording of the CBP web page you've cited:

 

"A Canadian immigration officer will decide if you can enter Canada when you apply for a visa, an Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA), or upon your arrival at a port of entry."

[SuiteTraveler]

There are plenty of small ship cruises and yacht cruises that are ONLY within Alaska and NEVER go near Canada. My advice would be to simply try one of these - they ARE amazing!

http://akcruises.com/akcruise-2018/alaskandreamcruises.html

 

http://www.akcruises.com/small-ship-cruises.htm

[jb8162]

The DUI is the issue. Canada treats them very seriously. All you need to take with you is your passport. No visa needed for US citizens to enter Canada.

 

Roz

Thanks for the info!

[mean.green10]

You can file for an exemption with Canada, but you need to go thru a Canadian law firm to finish the process before sailing.

 

 

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[Husky61]

Canada is the only foreign country in the world that has access to NCIC, the federal criminal history depository system. That being said, it is the responsibility of the arresting agency to enter an arrest into this system. Quite often arrests are not entered, particularly if they are minor misdemeanors. It is also not mandatory to enter any arrest into NCIC.

 

The OP has the right to request a copy of their NCIC transcript which will enable he/she to verify if the DUI was entered. If it wasn't entered, the OP can cruise with peace of mind that he/she will not be denied entry into Canada based on that arrest.:)

[bastrop52]

Here is the number of the Canada Border Services. 506-636-5064. Choose English or French then choose #1, then #8. Listen to the options there, but do not select anything. Stay on the line & a border patrol agent comes on the line. You will be able to discuss your situation & get general guidance there. The website is very confusing as each situation is unique. You need to speak to a live person. Good luck.

[donaldsc]

Thank you all for your help. I think we might just use the full 2weeks doing a land tour of Alaska. The week cruise might have been fun, but, not worth the stress

 

Actually your problem is a positive. A 2 week land trip in AK is always much better than any cruise to AK.

 

DON

[Rooster Jones]

Rarely do people report back on this type stuff, but I just got off a Seattle to Seattle cruise that had a stop in Victoria. I was able to get off in Victoria with no problem, I wasnt questioned, but obviously I filled out my Canada form that asks for information and turned it in prior. I regrettably had a DUI in 2000 and then again in 2006. Perhaps I slipped through, but better safe than sorry, bring any paperwork showing that you've fulfilled the legal ramifications of any serious arrest you've had.

[sloopsailor]

You will have an issue booking a cruise that is one way Alaska to Seattle has those cruises are against the PVSA. You might be better off with a round trip cruise that stops in Victoria, and not get off the ship. But, you may still have issues.

 

It makes no difference whether a person gets off the ship in Victoria or not, you will still be in Canadian waters, so it very well could be an issue. Most likely he will be denied boarding at the beginning of the cruise. Everyone must be cleared to enter Canada whether they plan to or not.

[dogs4fun]

Learn something new each day - I had no idea that DUIs are treated as felonies in Canada. I frequently fly into Toronto & have never heard of anyone being refused entry (maybe I simply haven't noticed or there were no criminal convictions for any going through immigration).

I wonder if drug possession is also treated as a felony in Canada - pot is now legal in many states in the US (no, I am not contemplating transporting pot - way too old to begin a drug odyssey at this stage in my life - please no flames).

It appears from the link that only serious crimes are reasons for refused entry (i.e., felonies) - do I have this right?

[sfaaa]

It appears from the link that only serious crimes are reasons for refused entry (i.e., felonies) - do I have this right?

 

A border agent can deny entry to a visitor at his descretion if he deems the visiting person is inadmissible under the law or the motive for visiting is dubious or not credible.

[SbbquilterUT]

We recently completed a RT cruise out of Seattle with a stop in Victoria - a member of our party had an old DUI, traveled with his passport and did not encounter any issues. Perhaps we were just lucky.

[Husky61]

As I said earlier, if the DUI was not entered into NCIC, then Canada would not know you had one.

[K32682]

Learn something new each day - I had no idea that DUIs are treated as felonies in Canada. I frequently fly into Toronto & have never heard of anyone being refused entry (maybe I simply haven't noticed or there were no criminal convictions for any going through immigration).

I wonder if drug possession is also treated as a felony in Canada - pot is now legal in many states in the US (no, I am not contemplating transporting pot - way too old to begin a drug odyssey at this stage in my life - please no flames).

It appears from the link that only serious crimes are reasons for refused entry (i.e., felonies) - do I have this right?

What matters is how Canada regards the crime. A DUI might be a misdemeanor in America but it is regarded as an indictable (felony) offense here.

 

Meanwhile, drug offenses are taken much more seriously by the Americans. A summary (misdemeanor) drug offense in Canada is grounds for refusal. I know several well-established business executives who had to acquire waivers to enter the U.S.A. when CBP discovered they'd been busted for pot decades ago.

 

Even though it doesn't apply with cruises, Americans are also well advised to leave their guns at home when coming to Canada. Your 2nd Amendment rights to do not apply here and despite the warnings at the border every so often some dummy goes to jail when caught trying to bring his handgun into Canada.