Passport clarification for Alaska cruise

[Cruisers02]

I know you need a passport to board cruise ship in Vancouver. Question...is Canada required a “6 month” rule for passport? My passport will expire a week after my cruise. Embarking in Vancouver. Disembark in Seward. Thanks 

[leaveitallbehind]

I believe you will be OK as far as Canada is concerned, but it is not just a Country guideline as each cruise line has their own requirements. You are best to confirm this through your cruise line as their boarding requirements vary from line to line.  

Edited June 4, 2019 by leaveitallbehind

[sparks1093]

25 minutes ago, Cruisers02 said:

I know you need a passport to board cruise ship in Vancouver. Question...is Canada required a “6 month” rule for passport? My passport will expire a week after my cruise. Embarking in Vancouver. Disembark in Seward. Thanks 

As stated as long as your cruise line doesn't require it Canada doesn't require it of US citizens (most of them recommend it but of course there is a difference).

[Cruisers02]

Thank you for the answers ! Calling HAL for the ìno. 

[sparks1093]

20 minutes ago, Cruisers02 said:

Thank you for the answers ! Calling HAL for the ìno. 

Just be mindful that the CSR's aren't experts and they may say it's required when it's not. Best source of info is the website.

 

[Cruisers02]

Thank you for advice ! Went to HAL website “highly recommended passport valid six months after completion of cruise”. I guess it’s only recommended not a requirement 

[sparks1093]

13 minutes ago, Cruisers02 said:

Thank you for advice ! Went to HAL website “highly recommended passport valid six months after completion of cruise”. I guess it’s only recommended not a requirement 

That's how I read it as well. Have a great cruise!

[zqvol]

You need to ignore what HAL says and check with the Canadian immigration authorities. You will probably be flying into Canada and those are the rules that apply, NOT the ones for getting on the ship. IF you can't get out of the airport you can't get on the ship.

HAL doesn't care, because you clear customs and immigration back  into the US prior to boarding the ship. US immigration doesn't care as long as it is valid when you clear.

[Cruisers02]

I did checked out Canadian official website. It’s only stated that US Citizen visitors need a passport but nowhere specific about six months rule. It’s also has a page instructions for Cruise Passengers. From what I got from it, you don’t even have go through customs, just meet your cruise line representatives on level 2. Representatives will direct you to your transportation to terminal. It’s very confusing !!

Edited June 4, 2019 by Cruisers02

[Cruisers02]

Copy from an official Canadian Immigration website 

 

“If you’re coming to Canada to visit, work or study, you can’t stay beyond the expiry date of your passport.”

 

This’s from an official Vancouver Airport (YVR) for Cruise Ship Passengers 

 

USA and international arrivals:

1. Follow the Canada Arrivals signs to the Canada Customs Hall.
2. In the Canada Customs Hall (baggage claim area) and the International Reception Lobby, you will be met by a cruise line representative and escorted or directed to appropriate ground transportation services to the cruise ship piers.

 

Any thoughts or comments regarding the above quotes? Thanks 

Edited June 4, 2019 by Cruisers02

[sparks1093]

Here's a link to what the US State Department says about the topic which may be easier to understand:

https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/international-travel/International-Travel-Country-Information-Pages/Canada.html

 

You can also check with your airlines, they should be able to provide some clarity.

[Cruisers02]

47 minutes ago, sparks1093 said:

Here's a link to what the US State Department says about the topic which may be easier to understand:

https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/international-travel/International-Travel-Country-Information-Pages/Canada.html

 

You can also check with your airlines, they should be able to provide some clarity.

Thanks! I saw that too but it said if you enroute to Europe. Wish I was going to Europe but I’m not 🥴. Checking with airline is a good tip. Thanks 

Edited June 4, 2019 by Cruisers02

[leaveitallbehind]

8 hours ago, zqvol said:

You need to ignore what HAL says and check with the Canadian immigration authorities. You will probably be flying into Canada and those are the rules that apply, NOT the ones for getting on the ship. IF you can't get out of the airport you can't get on the ship.

HAL doesn't care, because you clear customs and immigration back  into the US prior to boarding the ship. US immigration doesn't care as long as it is valid when you clear.

 

That isn't good advice as there are two separate guidelines - what the Country of entry requires to enter their country and what the cruise line requires to board their ships.  They both matter.  It's one thing to be able to fly into a country but yet another to be able to board a ship for cruise from that country.

 

The cruise lines do care as they have their own boarding guidelines which do vary from cruise line to cruise line.  As example, a passport is not required for US citizens to take a closed loop cruise departing and ending in the same US based port.  Yet there are cruise lines that require a passport to board their ship to do the same itinerary as another that does not require it.

 

You need to check each cruise line's boarding document requirements as well as those of the county of entry to be sure.  In this case, the OP is fine as HAL's requirements don't conflict with those of the country of entry.

[klfrodo]

But will your Airline allow you to board the aircraft for the flight to YVR with that expiration date?

[Ferry_Watcher]

A closed loop cruise is very different from flying internationally from a US city into Canada.  You could be prevented from boarding your international flight by your US airline check-in agent because of expiration date of your passport.  Best to check with your airline.

Hoping for the best outcome for you!