Customs in Vancouver

[cruisin'couple]

Does anyone know what the Customs procedures are in Vancouver? We'll be docking in Vancouver after a southbound land/cruise in Alaska--which means we'll be entering Canada from the US and then making connections back to the Continental US. What happens to us (and our luggage) AFTER our shuttle bus arrives at Vancouver International Airport from the ship? Do we have to go through Customs and baggage inspection? If so, how long does this procedure take? Any information would be appreciated.:)

[NAHA]

We took a flight from the U.S. to Vancouver when we did our Hawaiian cruise last year.

 

On the day we arrived, the lines were fairly long at customs, but they moved quickly. It was about a 45 minute wait to approach the desk.

 

They asked for our passports and other information and then we were done. We only had our carry on luggage with us. I don't know for sure how our other baggage was handled.

 

Hope this helps.

[Bluenose Sandy]

You might want to look into Royal Caribbean's US Direct service. Here's a cut-and-paste from the Royal Caribbean site (it's somewhere under Before You Go):

 

 

"Vancouver International Airport now offers cruise guests US Direct, a new service program designed to get you to your ship as quickly as possible. US Direct may save you up to two hours of customs and immigration wait times. In order to be eligible to participate in US Direct, the following criteria MUST be met prior to your arrival in Vancouver for your cruise vacation:

- You must be a U.S. Citizen or Legal U.S. resident.

- Arrive into Vancouver prior to 2:00 PM on the day of the sailing on a flight originating from the United States.

- Be an air/sea guest OR have purchased our cruise only transfers in advance.

- Place the Royal Caribbean ship baggage tags on all checked luggage prior to checking in for the flight to Vancouver. If you do not have luggage tags or need more, please contact your travel agent. ALL checked luggage must be pre-tagged as you will not claim your luggage at the airport.

 

Guests who meet all eligibility requirements, but do not have a Royal Caribbean International transfer may contact their travel agent for transfer purchase options.

 

Upon arrival to Vancouver, follow the green US Direct signs and watch for airport staff at the US Direct transfer point. Please have your proof of citizenship and bus transfer voucher in hand. Do not proceed down the escalators for entry into Canada."

 

 

Sounds simpler than clearing customs twice, anyway.

[winncove]

We have a precruise hotel booked and I've read you should not have your ship tags on the luggage. So we can not do customs to board the ship then but will have to go thru reg. customs before going to hotel? The way I read this is you have to arrive before 2 & be going to the ship to use US Direct. On return we will be going from ship to airport. Read you can do the customs on board & luggage will be sent direct to airport. Also haven't been able to get an answer about charges for this service. Anyone know? Think $10 or $25 pp. Seems confusing for first timer but maybe later Docs will explain it all better.

[attitudeda]

We have a precruise hotel booked and I've read you should not have your ship tags on the luggage. So we can not do customs to board the ship then but will have to go thru reg. customs before going to hotel? The way I read this is you have to arrive before 2 & be going to the ship to use US Direct. On return we will be going from ship to airport. Read you can do the customs on board & luggage will be sent direct to airport. Also haven't been able to get an answer about charges for this service. Anyone know? Think $10 or $25 pp. Seems confusing for first timer but maybe later Docs will explain it all better.

 

We did the Alaska cruises back in August and arrived the day before our cruise. We waited about 25 min. to go through customs. You are correct about if you arrive the day before don't put your ship tags on your luggage.

 

We did the US Direct program for the return trip. You can purchase that while onboard. The cost is 20pp for the bus transfer and 15pp for 2 pieces of luggage. The day of disembarkment you report to one of the ships bars to receice your airline boarding passes. Then you are escorted to to a bus and taken to Vancouver Int airport. Once at the airport you will go through a seperate screening area and thats it. The next time you see your luggage after putting it outside your cabin door the night before is when you arrive home. This is very easy. :)

[winncove]

Thanks for the explanation of the procedure. We have transfers thru RCI if we continue w/their air. Don't you still pay some to use the USD services even if we have the bus Transfers thru RCI? Surely not more per bag either.So glad to hear a short wait going in to Canada! I've seen 2 hrs on here a couple times! Did you do the Inside Passage on Serenade too? See it as Aug in your signature! Any great hints for that? Newbie to Alaska. Excited!

[attitudeda]

Thanks for the explanation of the procedure. We have transfers thru RCI if we continue w/their air. Don't you still pay some to use the USD services even if we have the bus Transfers thru RCI? Surely not more per bag either.So glad to hear a short wait going in to Canada! I've seen 2 hrs on here a couple times! Did you do the Inside Passage on Serenade too? See it as Aug in your signature! Any great hints for that? Newbie to Alaska. Excited!

 

We arrived in Vancouver around 11:00 am the day before and waited about 25 -30 min to enter. We took a taxi to the pier on the day of the sailing. It was 20pp for the bus transfer and another 15pp for luggage 2 pieces pp.

 

Yes we did the inside passage it was beautiful.

[wcal]

Last August we did a southbound Alaska cruise and arrived in Vancouver. Customs entering Canada was easy. You pick up your luggage in the terminal and hand your declarations form to a Canadian customs agent. Similar to entering the US after a Caribbean cruise. We spent the weekend in Vancouver, what a nice city. We took a taxi to the Vancouver airport for our flight back home. US flights have their own terminal with US customs agents located there. You check in with the airline and get your boarding pass and airline luggage tags than take your luggage with you through US customs. This is where the problem arises, the lines are very long and it will probably take about an hour to get through, it did us. After passing through US customs they take your luggage than you pass through securty, just like in US airports. That moves along quite fast so no real problem. Since your flight will be an international flight they board one half hour early. Just allow at least two hours at the airport before your flight and you should be OK. Vancouver is a very nice city and spending some time there is worth it, if you have the time. If you cannot spend post cruise time there than the US direct program is the way to go.

[cmich068]

The US places customs agents in Canadian Airports for "preclearance".

 

That means that travellers from Canada do not need to go through customs in the United States, and planes from canada can land in the Domestic terminals stateside (with the exception of third leg airlines like El Al that do not use preclearance on TLV-YYZ-LAX routes.)

 

Which is why you need to get to the terminal earlier for a US Bound flight than a Canada bound or International bound flight.

[phoenixlady]

For the person who flew in the day before, we are also flying in the day before but we won't be landing until 9:45 pm (credit card rewards flights, not what I would have chosen). We're both senior citizens and spending 2 more hours at the airport would really be hard on us. Is that what we can expect? And what about when we leave because we're also planning to stay in Vancouver post-cruise? :confused: