Are there any U.S. domestic cruises where you don't have to go through customs?

[CruiserBruce]

On 12/15/2023 at 4:36 PM, GimmeOcean said:

And they facial scan you at customs.

No, they facial scan you at Immigration. Customs is about personal property. Immigration is about people.

[Aquahound]

If his parole status prevents him from leaving the U.S., cruises aren't the most ideal vacation option.  That Alaska option you mentioned that operated under a PVSA waiver still left the U.S.  

[sparks1093]

On 12/15/2023 at 6:56 PM, LoganTheCruiser said:

I'm trying to find a cruise that departs from the USA and returns to the USA and doesn't stop in any other countries. Was hoping for a Seattle to Alaska cruise, but they all stop in Victoria BC. Was hoping for a Seattle to Hawaii cruise, but they all seem to leave or return to Vancouver. I have a friend from Ukraine who is here on parole status and cannot leave the USA for a couple of years per the conditions of the parole so they can attain permanent residence here. So I'm trying to find a cruise that would work for them for us to go on together that doesn't involve any international stops and thus no customs upon returning.

 

I did an Alaska cruise back during COVID and they removed the Victoria BC stop because Canada was closed. That was perfect because there was no customs when we got back to Seattle as a result. 

Is anyone aware of any options? Even just a short 3-day to Coco Cay wouldn't work because Coco Cay is technically considered the Bahamas and you have customs upon arrival back in Florida (as stupid as that is). I even spoke with a Port Canaveral CBP officer about this and they said while it's a "very low risk" that my friend would have a problem re-entering with the status they have, there's no guarantees and it's always up to the individual discretion of whatever CBP officer you happen to be standing in front of. That's just not a risk they can take, however low. So I'm trying my best to find something domestic with no customs upon return.

Thanks for your help!

I haven't read the replies but here goes anyway. If I were your friend I wouldn't want to leave the US until my status was finalized. It's just not worth the potential hassle. If you want to take them to a warm place consider flying to one of the US territories. If you just want to be on a ship a Mississippi River cruise. Or just take them some place in the US so they can learn about their new home, there are hundreds of interesting places to see. 

[mammajamma2013]

On 12/15/2023 at 4:56 PM, LoganTheCruiser said:

I have a friend from Ukraine who is here on parole status and cannot leave the USA for a couple of years per the conditions of the parole so they can attain permanent residence here.

Why are you encouraging your friend to break his conditions of parole?

 

Sparks1093 is right. There are so many great places to see in the United States. Maybe wait until he can legally leave the US before taking a cruise?

Edited December 17, 2023 by mammajamma2013
spelling

[ldubs]

2 hours ago, mammajamma2013 said:

Why are you encouraging your friend to break his conditions of parole?

 

Sparks1093 is right. There are so many great places to see in the United States. Maybe wait until he can legally leave the US before taking a cruise?

 

Take it easy now.  The OP's question was about a cruise that would not brake the law.  

[njhorseman]

18 hours ago, navybankerteacher said:

“Customs” does not seem to be the issue,  questions regarding re-entry involve Immigration.

 

17 hours ago, CruiserBruce said:

No, they facial scan you at Immigration. Customs is about personal property. Immigration is about people.

I'm in no way disagreeing with the factual basis of what you're saying, but because the US government agency that conducts the normal processing of people (and goods) at US borders is United States Customs and Border Protection...which as you can see does not include the word "Immigration" in its title, I think it's rather understandable that people refer to it, and the process, as "Customs".

[ldubs]

46 minutes ago, ldubs said:

 

Take it easy now.  The OP's question was about a cruise that would not brake the law.  

 

oops "break". 

[ontheweb]

2 hours ago, ldubs said:

 

oops "break". 

Yes, putting the brakes on the question asked by the OP. 🤣

[sparks1093]

13 hours ago, njhorseman said:

 

I'm in no way disagreeing with the factual basis of what you're saying, but because the US government agency that conducts the normal processing of people (and goods) at US borders is United States Customs and Border Protection...which as you can see does not include the word "Immigration" in its title, I think it's rather understandable that people refer to it, and the process, as "Customs".

Yes, customs and immigration are too different animals. I know that here on the northern border if someone attempts entry whose immigration status is questionable the agents at the port of entry have to call someone with the expertise necessary to sort things out. 

[CruiserBruce]

2 hours ago, sparks1093 said:

Yes, customs and immigration are too different animals. I know that here on the northern border if someone attempts entry whose immigration status is questionable the agents at the port of entry have to call someone with the expertise necessary to sort things out. 

Totally agree. It's important to know and understand the difference between Immigration and Customs because,  depending where you are in the world, the procedures and requirements can be dramatically different. 

[Ferry_Watcher]

OP, your friend's Ukrainian passport would be automatically flagged in the cruise line check-in system for further evaluation.  Without a US Permanent Resident Card (Green Card), the check-in agent could not complete check-in.  (Due to the war, Ukraine has been placed on a list with other Sanctioned countries, such as Cuba, Iran, Syria, etc).

 

What would probably happen in Seattle if your friend showed up with their Ukrainian passport and all their US Immigration Status Parole paperwork, is that the Documentation Team would involve supervisors, who in turn would enlist the local Port Agent who can get into the weeds regarding complicated travel documents.  The Port Agent would give a definitive answer, (and it sounds like the particular Parole status that your friend has prevents them from traveling outside the US).  If your friend was denied boarding due to document issues, they shouldn't expect any type of refund.  So this would be a double loss for your friend.   

 

At this point, as others have suggested,  it would be best to just enjoy a US river boat cruise, or a road trip and bide their time until they receive their Green Card.

 

 

[Zach1213]

4 hours ago, CruiserBruce said:

Totally agree. It's important to know and understand the difference between Immigration and Customs because,  depending where you are in the world, the procedures and requirements can be dramatically different. 

 

Two things that travelers should know are completely different - immigration vs customs, and direct vs non-stop (flights). 

[sanger727]

On 12/15/2023 at 7:36 PM, LoganTheCruiser said:

Ah! That's right. I completely forgot about the Passenger Vessel Services Act. And because all cruise lines are registered abroad for tax reasons, that makes sense. Thank you! I will look into trying to find an NCL cruise with that exception.

 

Just curious what the cruise appeal is? This NCL cruise is allowed because it starts and ends in Hawaii. It would be just as easy to fly to Hawaii for a land trip. As others have said, there is no way any other cruise would work because they all leave the US. Why not go to Florida or somewhere else on a land trip so you aren't shackled to one itinerary. 

[SelectSys]

On 12/15/2023 at 3:56 PM, LoganTheCruiser said:

I have a friend from Ukraine who is here on parole status and cannot leave the USA for a couple of years per the conditions of the parole so they can attain permanent residence here. So I'm trying to find a cruise that would work for them for us to go on together that doesn't involve any international stops and thus no customs upon returning.

I am going to ignore the chatter about immigration.  Please realize that your friend is not alone.  I know someone from a country that came to the US seeking asylum and has been waiting 8 years to get their case heard.  In all of this time they have not been able to leave the US without jeopardizing their asylum claim.  It was only by filing a lawsuit against USCIS were they able to finally get a hearing to consider their case and that is still about a year away.

 

On 12/16/2023 at 2:36 PM, mscinmia said:

Being your friend is from Ukraine, she may be able to get advance parole.  Most folks from Ukraine can get refugee status because of the situation there.  Worth it to check with USCIS.  https://www.uscis.gov/i-131

I would not be so sure of this.    Anything relating to what you posted would only be relevant to someone who entered under an I-131 process.  Asylum cases and refugees use a different process.

 

To the OP - this topic more than anything else I have seen on CC really requires specific knowledge.  I wouldn't even tempt anything without consulting a real immigration expert such as an attorney or agent. Anything you read hear is useless and is for entertainment purposes only. 

 

BTW - In my opinion, which is worth nothing, your friend should simply stick to the terms of their entry conditions and not subject themselves to additional risk.  The good news is that the US is a large country and has many travel options.

Edited December 18, 2023 by SelectSys

[ontheweb]

3 hours ago, Ferry_Watcher said:

OP, your friend's Ukrainian passport would be automatically flagged in the cruise line check-in system for further evaluation.  Without a US Permanent Resident Card (Green Card), the check-in agent could not complete check-in.  (Due to the war, Ukraine has been placed on a list with other Sanctioned countries, such as Cuba, Iran, Syria, etc).

 

What would probably happen in Seattle if your friend showed up with their Ukrainian passport and all their US Immigration Status Parole paperwork, is that the Documentation Team would involve supervisors, who in turn would enlist the local Port Agent who can get into the weeds regarding complicated travel documents.  The Port Agent would give a definitive answer, (and it sounds like the particular Parole status that your friend has prevents them from traveling outside the US).  If your friend was denied boarding due to document issues, they shouldn't expect any type of refund.  So this would be a double loss for your friend.   

 

At this point, as others have suggested,  it would be best to just enjoy a US river boat cruise, or a road trip and bide their time until they receive their Green Card.

 

 

Always good to hear from someone who is on the front line when it comes to the problem stated and knows exactly how it would be handled.

[jazzydiver]

On 12/16/2023 at 2:53 PM, chengkp75 said:

 An open jaw cruise (that begins at one US port, and ends at a different US port) is required to stop at a far distant port.  A "far distant" port is defined as any port not in North or Central America, the Caribbean, Bahamas, or Bermuda.

Ah, OK, that explains why Panama Canal cruises seem to universally include a stop in Cartagena.

[CruiserBruce]

39 minutes ago, jazzydiver said:

Ah, OK, that explains why Panama Canal cruises seem to universally include a stop in Cartagena.

Yes, that is the exact reason. Although they could also use any of the ABC islands as well.