Flying into Canada for Alaska cruise - do we have US immigration at first US port?

[wales4ever]

We are from the UK

We fly into Vancouver for a few days before our Alaska cruise. We obviously have Canadian immigration.  What happens when we sail and stop at the first port in Alaska?  Do we get off and go through more immigration for the US?

[kochleffel]

You'll clear US immigration and customs when boarding the ship in Vancouver.

[martincath]

Since you seem to be on the Sun AK/coastal repo cruise 3 October, poster above is correct - US immigration happens at the pier before boarding under the Canadian-US joint Preclearance legislation. This kicks in whenever your first port after leaving Vancouver is in the US and is vastly more efficient, despite the complaints from many past cruisers about how long it takes to get onboard in Vancouver. Imagine how long it would take to clear 2000 people in a tiny Alaskan port instead though... well, you'll actually get a chance to experience how bad that is in Astoria thanks to NCL taking you to Victoria after the Alaskan part!

 

The other good news for you is that this late in the season, odds are very low you'll be sharing Vancouver with anyone so boarding should still be quick. Official port timetable is here - usually updates in about March with all the ships for the current cruise season (still has 2019 at this point in time).

 

[wales4ever]

Thanks both for the great replies. (Can't wait for Astoria)

[bonvoyagie]

Yes you will go through Canadian customs at the airport before you go any further into the city. You will then go through US Customs while boarding the ship - yes this adds a step to the process - but with less than 2k pax it should not take that long.

 

Too bad that you visit AK then Seattle then Victoria before Astoria and San Diego. That time of year the entrance to Astoria - the Columbia River Bar  - may be closed to ship traffic due to weather - yes is does happen. Astoria does not have a C&I office so they would have to bring someone out of Portland just for the Sun. 

 

We went through the C&I check in Bar Harbor on the way back from a Canada and New England cruise. For us US citizens it did not take long at all to go through all 2300 pax - I know we had a mix of US and Canadian passengers.

 

Enjoy your cruise

 

[don't-use-real-name]

The customs immigration clearance for USA citizens goes real smooth - - -

You show your passport and the agent looks you in the eye and says something like:

 

Welcome back

Having a nice day

Enjoy your stay

 

Some disarming comment to see your reaction to stress etc.

 

After that NCL places a little sticker on the back of your key card and you are good to go

either ashore on excursion visit or just stay on the ship.

With three or more agents it moves along rather rapidly - assembly line fashion ---

and oh Yes it does help if the CBI are timely getting on the ship to do the business.

Some ports with tendering and weather (fog) may present problems.

 

For other foreign nationals may depend on were they are from - Canada and the UK are

not the usual suspects and are moved along real quickly - If you are from lower east

Afghanistan - you don't cruise these waters frequently - so what's up !

 

Seriously the whole operation moves along so good it is not a real problem except

for the waiting in line to get it done.

Have passport and key card in hand - passport opened to the inside page with photo ID.