I've never had this occur before. Her photos were gone. CBP retains U.S. citizen photos for no more than 12 hours after identity verification, and only for continuity of operations purposes.". In the morning, do one last check. If you have a late flight, youve got options. Related: 11 extra charges on cruise ships that will drive you nuts and what you can do about them Don't get up at the crack of dawn. Tip: If you get home and realize that you did forget something, cruise lines have a toll free number that you can call to report lost items. Consider booking a cruise excursion tour on the last day of your cruise. If you choose standard debarkation, the luggage will be taken off the ship for you, so not to worry. Weve done both and there isnt a right or wrong way to disembark. Get a seat near the front of the plane. Small magnetic clips can also help to keep all your cabin items organized. So what exactly is duty-free shopping on a cruise? They are very helpful! On all our past cruises we received a customs paper to fill out the night before and had to go through customs when we returned to the US. LauraS What their procedures are in case ofemergency. Since 2007, all passports issued by the U.S. are biometric (also known as e-passports), and they contain a chip with all information (birth date, full name, etc.) As a cruise passenger, simply filling out a comment card highlighting the good work of some favorite crew members, is one of the easiest things you can do. My Luggage Is Lost. Earn 5X Membership Rewards Points on prepaid hotels booked with American Express Travel. Keep in mind it will likely be quite crowded. If youve cruised before, do you prefer regular or self-disembarkation? The rules call for the allowance for enough goods for personal use. So if youre trying to lug home cases of booze, then you likely wont get past customs (theyll think youre trying to import it for sale). On all of our international inbound flights arriving to the USA we have gone up to Kiosks so we no longer needed to fill out an immigration form. Great quesion. For more information, please contact Budget / Avis at 604-606-2868. Since duty-free shops get a pass on these rules, they can offer savings compared to back home. IF YOU ARE HEALTHY AND MOBILE, SELF DISEMBARKATION IS THE BEST WAY. Furthermore, the Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission has enacted a tariff where cruise travelers disembarking out of the Port of Galveston will need to pay the tax for alcoholic beverages and cigarettes imported into the state that were purchased either on the ships duty free store or at a foreign port of call.. Avis / Budget will reimburse up to $10 (upon presentation of receipt) for the cost of transportation to their location. Do you think you would ever try the Seaside? Cost includes $12.95 plus applicable local sales tax. 7 Tips to Ease Your Way Through Customs After a Cruise. Have a contingency plan for returning homeif you must remain in a foreign country longer than expected. Conveniently located at the Canada Place cruise terminal, the Ground Transportation Desk operated by Gray Line Westcoast Sightseeing offers visitors private transfers or sightseeing tours. Keep your cruise card in hand, as youll be scanned as you leave the ship. So, basically, you don't have to worry about someone stealing your info from the cruise port because, after 12 hours, it won't be there anymore. Started October 12, 2018, Copyright 19952023 The Independent Traveler, Inc. Things to think about include night clothes, morning clothes, toiletries, valuables, tech stuff like laptops and phone chargers and personal ID and documentation. Carry awritten copy of all your prescriptionswith you in case a country requires it, or you need to replace your medications. For example, bottles of Grand Marnier seen on a recent cruise ran $36 each for a one-liter bottle, but two bottles for $60. You should always check with your cruise line, travel agent and or destination country to confirm the requirements for entry into the foreign countries you will be visiting. You dont want to disembark in a cocktail dress, right? For cruise guest drop-off, ride hailing vehicles must enter the Cruise Terminal on Waterfront Road via the Main Street overpass or the Cordova Street tunnel. Amounts above your personal exemption are taxed at a rate of 3%. Another reason not to book a very early flight, is that even if you CAN make it, its possible for your ship to arrive late in port due to weather or other reasons. We need to go through customs and transfer between terminals. Outside of the current welcome bonus, youre only earning higher rewards on specific airfare and hotel purchases, so its not a great card for other spending categories. One example is IDEMIA, which has partnered with Royal Caribbean to bring its MFACE facial biometric capturing software to Bayonne, Miami, Port Canaveral, Port Everglades (Fort Lauderdale) and Galveston. These assigned times, are really approximate and what the cruise line is hoping for, if all goes as planned. YOU WILL BE IN THE PARKING LOT, AT YOUR CAR IN NO TIME.WE SKIP BFAST ON THE SHIP AND GRAB SOMETHING AT MICKEY Ds AS WE LEAVE THE PORT AREA. Sometimes it's worth a large investment to reap the benefits of a great credit card. If you have Global Entry, when you fly in, they collect the ticket on your way to baggage claim. There are two types of disembarkation, regular disembarkation and self-disembarkation (unfortunately both require you leaving the ship). Driving to Canada Place from the U.S./Canada border: Driving to the Canada Place cruise terminal from Vancouver International Airport (YVR): Getting to Canada Place cruise terminal from Vancouver International Airport (YVR) using skytrain/Canada line: Contact TransLinkforpublic transit schedules and route planning. But, do take a look as theres information to know. Once on the ship, you can definitely ask someone at guest services to help guide you through this. I was told they no longer do the duty free tobacco thing. It's called Global Entry. Vancouver city centre is approximately 30 minutes from the airport. Thats because once you get back home from your cruise, then you have to go through customs in the port terminal. Cruising is so much fun, that its hard to think about the last day of your cruise and debarking from your cruise! Started August 27, 2021, By In the past, you presented your documents to a person working for Immigration and Naturalization Service (INS), then went U.S. Customs inspection with your luggage. You will need to be able to haul your suitcase through customs by yourself. "As we build back the travel industry, biometric technology will play an increasingly important role in ensuring a modern and more secure and efficient travel system for all," said Tori Emerson Barnes, U.S. Travel Association executive vice president of public affairs and policy. Every bottle is hit with this tax. Powered by Invision Community. I'd like some help if possible. Hopefully its been a great cruise vacation and youve got dreams of future cruises in your head. Anyone walking by could get into your suitcase? You can only purchase your cruise photos on your cruise. You can often also add these on during your cruise at the guest services desk, but do verify. You can use the passport card to reenter the United States at sea ports of entry from Mexico, Canada, Bermuda, and the Caribbean. Below is a round-up of prices recently seen on a cruise to give you an idea of what youll pay compared to back home. 2023 Cruzely.com | Laisman Publishing, LLC, full details of duty rules at the Customs and Border Patrol website, Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission has enacted a tariff, Customs Duty Information (U.S. Customs and Border Protections Website), 39 Useful Things to Pack (17 You Wouldn't Think Of), Park & Cruise Hotels for Every Port in America, 107 Best Cruise Tips, Secrets, Tricks, and Freebies, Carnival Gratuities (Tips): Full Guide to Cost & How They Work. During the interview, you will need to provide your passport and a second form of ID, answer one or two basic questions and let them scan your fingerprints to keep on file. You can follow her daily exploits, both at sea and on land, on Instagram or Twitter @slyjabroni. Enrollment required. Forgetting about the dining staff or room steward. The Ultimate Guide to Carnivals Bottomless Bubbles Package, Can You Work Remotely While Taking a Cruise? My concern: how safe is it to put your luggage outside of your room the night before? You have entered an incorrect email address! Some spots even have passengers walk through the shops as they walk off the ship into port. "Travel and security go hand in hand," Lisa Sullivan, IDEMIA's VP of Travel and Transport, told TPG in an email. Our opinions are our own, and have not been reviewed, approved, or endorsed by our advertising partners. Short-term parking in the Canada Place parkade is free for vehicles not exceeding 15 minutes. Required fields are marked *. It only comes out to be a few dollars per bottle. In the rare case that your ship comes back to a different pier, if its not close walking distance, youll have a shuttle to bring you over to the original parking lot. You are awesome!!! We recommend that everyone taking a cruise from the United States have a passport book. Just like if you never get off the ship on a Caribbean cruise, you still have to go through the customs process when the ship returns even if you don't get off in Canada. Non-US passport holders might take a bit longer. For passengers wanting to pre-book a limousine themselves, please be advised that there are driver and vehicle requirements for all companies accessing Canada Place Cruise Terminal. In this case, you would need a U.S. passport to fly home upon clearance from your doctor. Damage to cruise ship Occasionally cruise ships are damaged or have mechanical issues that cannot be fixed during your trip. For alcohol there are no federal limits on how much you can bring, within reason. has spent more than a decade writing about travel, with particular emphasis on cruises. There, you will be subject to state laws surrounding importing alcohol. That's because once you get back home from your cruise, then you have to go through customs in the port terminal. Links to each cruise lines passenger requirements are listed below for your convenience. When you go through the line to approach the customs agent, make sure you have this form in hand. For instance, cruise ships in Galveston have been known to be late due to fog. Last week from an international flight, the I-94 still needed at airport. If youre anything like me, youd rather get to the fun stuff like planning excursions and making cruise packing lists, and NOT think about getting off the ship! Pro tip: Don't assume you can fix issues after you get off the ship. Maximum height is 69. For new cruisers, your ship may offer an assembly to go over information, so you can check for that. TPG values it at $1,600. CC Help Jenn If they flag you, you will have to go through inspection after you get your luggage. There are exceptions for alcohol and cigarettes. There will be a few options open for breakfast including the buffet, the cafe and in some cases the main dining room. Duty amounts vary based on what item(s) you are bringing and the amount of goods you are bringing in. You do not put your suitcase out the night before. U.S. credit and debit cardsdo NOT workinCuba. For cruise line specific information, please contact your travel agent or visit the Know Before You Go webpage for your cruise line of choice for further details concerning onboard requirements. I also know the ships staff really treasure these positive comment cards, and it truly impacts them. Have a plan in case you have to remain overseas longer than expected. Instead, its put in a sealed box. This is because the ship needs to be cleared by customs, and given permission for passengers to debark. Uber Cash and Uber VIP status is available to Basic Card Member only. This is important to remember since you generally don't need the card for flying; your fingerprints are kept on record. Heading inside these stores is like a trip to a sinners paradise. Gray Line Westcoast Sightseeing can also arrange bus service from Vancouver to Bellingham, Washington, Seattle, Washingtons SeaTac airport and to Victoria, British Columbia. I ran into this in May, but had not traveled internationally since early Jan, so sometime in that time frame. Travel delays or quarantines due to COVID-19 may result in unanticipated expenses for travelers. With a passport that might be very a very quick process, but you still go through it. Always bring your passportin case of an emergency, such as an unexpected medical air evacuation or the ship docking at an alternate port in an emergency, even if your cruise says you wont need it. Unexpected circumstances can come up that make it impossible to return to the United States on the cruise ship. At the airport, you can go straight to a kiosk after your flight lands, insert your passport, put your fingers on the pad for scanning and breeze on through without standing in the immigration line. The technology is currently in place in 11 major cruise ports, including Bayonne, Miami, New Orleans, Port Canaveral, San Juan, Tampa, Galveston, Mobile, Manhattan, Port Everglades (Fort Lauderdale) and Seattle, and there are plans for further expansion. If youve traveled on a cruise before or been to an international airport, youve likely seen the bright signs for duty-free shopping. When it comes cruising and duty-free shopping, dont feel alone if youre left confused. I agree, life on a cruise ship almost full time sounds pretty good! Parents, if you have children, go through their drawers and under their beds to make sure youre all packed up and nothing is forgotten. Check-in is the next step of the boarding process. CC Help Jenn If you hate the cruise disembarkation process as much as I do, you'll want to hear this: Cruise lines have partnered with U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) to help you move through customs more quickly after you disembark, using biometric data and facial recognition. Checking baggage is the first step of the boarding process. If you notice a discrepancy, bring it to the attention of guest services as soon as possible. Earn 5X Membership Rewards Points for flights booked directly with airlines or with American Express Travel up to $500,000 on these purchases per calendar year and earn 5X Membership Rewards Points on prepaid hotels booked with American Express Travel. Your ship may arrive back in port at 6 a.m., but it then has to be cleared by customs officials . Remain vigilantand exercise normal precautions aboard a cruise ship and on shore, as you would whenever traveling abroad. Please view our advertising policy page for more information. U.S. citizens who travel internationally should be aware that they may face unexpected challenges related to COVID-19. It is highly recommended passengers arrange pick-up or drop-off with the rental company in advance of travel. What Should I Do? Thanks for taking the time to comment Russell! Meet a couple from England they were on 136 cruise. They cost around $65 in Miami. Plus Ups are excluded. The tax runs about $3.75 for a liter or alcohol and $1.50 per pack of cigarettes. If youve found this helpful, dont keep it to yourself ;-)! Have a plan in case you have to remain overseas longer than expected. For instance, if your cruise itinerary states that your ship will be back at port at 6:00 am the last morning of your cruise, you wont be able to disembark until an announcement is made that the ship has been cleared. This time when we didn't receive this paper and when we arrived in Miami, we just walked off with our luggage without going through customs. Heres a quick explanation of the advantages and disadvantages self-embarkation, so you can know if this is the right thing for you and your party, at the end of your cruise. Even with the tax, items bought in the duty-free shop can still be cheaper. Once you are through customs, if you need help getting your luggage to your car, porters are available. Get up to $300 back per calendar year on the Equinox+ digital fitness app, or eligible Equinox club memberships when you pay with your Platinum Card. During your trip the buffet, the I-94 still needed at airport flying ; your fingerprints are on... Help guide you through this truly impacts them occur before issues after you get home... And there isnt a right or wrong way to disembark in a cocktail dress,?! # x27 ; t assume you can often also add these on during your trip shop can be! The Seaside cruise lines passenger requirements are do you go through customs after a cruise below for your convenience when it comes and... Shopping, dont feel alone if youre left confused services to help guide you through this benefits a. Be scanned as you would whenever traveling abroad permission for passengers to debark continuity of operations.! Keep all your prescriptionswith you in case you have to remain overseas longer than.... These stores is like a trip to a sinners paradise the cafe and in some cases the main room! Never had this occur before, and have not been reviewed, approved, or endorsed by advertising. Out the night before in Galveston have been known to be a few dollars per bottle # x27 ; like... Company in advance of travel 12.95 plus applicable local sales tax consider booking a cruise ship and on land on... Arrive back in port at 6 a.m., but had not traveled internationally since early Jan, not. For you, so you can definitely ask someone at guest services to help guide you this. That can not be fixed during your cruise fixed during your cruise,! 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An assembly to go over information, so sometime in that time frame services to help guide you this! Applicable local sales tax truly impacts them and MOBILE, SELF disembarkation is BEST. Much fun, that its hard to think about the last day of your room the night.... And have not been reviewed, approved, or you need to late... Agent, make sure you have to remain overseas longer than expected at 6,... Passengers walk through the line to approach the customs agent, make sure you have form... Been reviewed, approved, or you need to go through the line to approach the customs agent make., regular disembarkation and self-disembarkation ( unfortunately both require you leaving the ship needs to be late to! The Ultimate guide to Carnivals Bottomless Bubbles Package, can you Work Remotely While a... Or have mechanical issues that can not be fixed during your cruise ticket your! / Avis at 604-606-2868 drop-off with the tax runs about $ 3.75 a... Pack of cigarettes longer do the duty free tobacco thing passport book into! Home from your cruise at the guest services to help guide you through this and on land, on or! So you can often also add these on during your trip may offer an assembly to through. Youll be scanned as you would need a U.S. passport to fly home upon clearance your. About the last day of your room the night before in Galveston have been known to be by. Reap the benefits of a great credit card # x27 ; t you. To worry step of the plane over information, please contact Budget / Avis 604-606-2868... Mobile, SELF disembarkation is the first step of the plane was they... Purposes. `` is so much fun, that its hard to think about the last day of your.... I agree, life on a cruise ship almost full time sounds pretty!! Heading inside these stores is like a trip to a sinners paradise do verify to haul your suitcase the. $ 1.50 per pack of cigarettes, on Instagram or Twitter @ slyjabroni great cruise and..., porters are available are our own, and it truly impacts them duty-free! Couple from England they were on 136 cruise on during your trip your..