Canada/New England Back-to-Back Cruises

[flickchick]

Hello - 

We are doing HAL back to back cruises to Canada/New England in August - so Boston to Montreal to Boston.

 

Wondering if anyone is familiar with the disembarkation/embarkation process in Montreal.  Specifically

1. What time would we be allowed off the ship in Montreal?  After other passengers have disembarked?
2. On the flip side of that, are there any time guidelines that we would be required to follow when re-embarking in Montreal? 
3. Also is it a formal re-embarkation where we would board with new passengers?  Or possibly a separate line for those of us continuing on?
4. What kind of customs requirements are there for Canada/NE cruises?  I read something that indicated the first Canadian port visited is where clearance would be received, but not sure if this is correct. 
5. Some of our family will not be continuing on the second leg of the trip, and will be staying in Montreal after the first cruise.  If the ship arrives at 7:00 am, and they disembark as soon as possible thereafter, approximately how long would that process take?  Depending on the circumstances, we would like to assist them with relocating to the hotel, and touring a bit of Montreal before our cruise leaves.

 

As always, thank you in advance for any advice or recommendations.

 

Happy Sailing!  Chris

[fishywood]

Questions 1,2, and 3 would best be answered on the HAL board as to their policies for back-to-back cruisers. Very likely you can leave the ship at your leisure as soon as it has been cleared--together with your disembarking family members if you choose--and then can reboard anytime after general boarding has commenced. You shouldn't have to stand in any check-in line, only go through security--but again that is up to HAL.

 

There will be an Immigration (not Customs) inspection of your passport at the first Canadian port (and likewise at the first USA port of your return trip). Likely onboard the ship quite early in the morning, though no guarantees it would not be ashore which would take a lot more time. Customs procedures would only be done at your port of final disembarkation.

[flickchick]

Thanks fishwood - will post in the HAL forum as well.  Also appreciate the Immigration vs Customs info.

[princeton123211]

On 6/23/2019 at 6:32 PM, flickchick said:

• What time would we be allowed off the ship in Montreal?  After other passengers have disembarked?
  • You can disembark with the self disembarkation folks as soon as the ship has been cleared. I would recommend going either early or late as you'll stand in some sort of a line in between during the main push. 
• On the flip side of that, are there any time guidelines that we would be required to follow when re-embarking in Montreal? 
  • You should be back on board half hour to 45 min prior to the gangway closing. As you'll already have your key card you wont need to stand in those lines and can proceed directly to the gangway. 
• Also is it a formal re-embarkation where we would board with new passengers?  Or possibly a separate line for those of us continuing on?
  • It's not a formal re-embarkation-- they will either give you a new key card at the pursers desk the night before. This can change from cruise to cruise so just ask them a few days ahead of time what the process is. 
• What kind of customs requirements are there for Canada/NE cruises?  I read something that indicated the first Canadian port visited is where clearance would be received, but not sure if this is correct. 
  • Nothing out of the ordinary. The ship is usually cleared early the morning you arrive and you proceed ashore through customs. Fun little fact to keep in mind-- Canada will deny you entry if you've ever had a DUI or other criminal offense on your record-- if disembarking in Montreal they will escort you directly to the airport or if in transit will make you remain on the ship. 
• Some of our family will not be continuing on the second leg of the trip, and will be staying in Montreal after the first cruise.  If the ship arrives at 7:00 am, and they disembark as soon as possible thereafter, approximately how long would that process take?  Depending on the circumstances, we would like to assist them with relocating to the hotel, and touring a bit of Montreal before our cruise leaves.
  • If they are self disembarkating they can leave first thing and carry their bags off and you can walk off with them. If not you can wait until their group is called and disembark with them then. Totally your choice-- you would be on their schedule.