Re-Brand Alaska Cruises as Alaska/Canada Cruises to Encourage Passengers to Have Correct Travel Documents

[Ferry_Watcher]

Would it be possible for the cruise lines like Celebrity and Royal Caribbean to promote Alaska cruises as Alaska/Canada cruises so passengers who book these cruises know that their ship will be stopping in Canada? consistent numbers of both US and foreign citizen travelers arrive without the necessary documentation to travel to Canada.

 

There are a surprising number of US citizens who don't realize that they need proof of citizenship (passport or US issued birth certificate w/ gov't issued photo ID) in order to board a cruise ship sailing to Alaska. There are US passengers who arrive for their cruise not quite making the connection that they are traveling on a foreign flagged ship that will be stopping at a foreign port (usually Victoria, BC) - and they need proof of citizenship. Unless they can come up with last minute documentation (their US issued birth certificate), they cannot board the ship.

 

Some foreign passengers - passport holders from countries like India, Mexico, China, Philippines, South Africa, Brazil and over 160 other countries need a Canada Visa in order to board a cruise ship sailing to Alaska (with a port-of-call in Victoria, BC Canada).  Some foreign passengers assume that if they have a US Visa, it somehow it 'covers' them for the short, usually hours long visit to Victoria, BC Canada.  Many of the foreign passengers (as well as the US passengers without the needed proof of citizenship), will just assume that all will be fine if they stay on the ship while it is in Victoria, BC.  It is a huge shock to find out that they will be denied boarding at the pier, like in Seattle.

 

I understand that cruise lines can't be in the business of letting every passenger know what documents are required for each sailing, and that the responsibility rests with the individual passenger to do their due diligence.  However, re-branding the very popular (and filled to capacity) Alaska sailings as an Alaska/Canada cruise might save some passengers heartbreak when they are faced with the reality that they have arrived at check-in without the required citizenship documents or Canada visa, and they will not be able to sail on their dream/once-in-a-lifetime cruise.

 

Thank you for your consideration.

[Ferry_Watcher]

I am disappointed that my question/concern wasn't addressed by the Celebrity corporate leadership.

 

At least I tried.....

 

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