A cruise ship vacation can be a singularly unique experience. It provides travellers with a way to step outside the usual box of flying or driving to a destination. Canada has a lot to offer in terms of ports of call. There are beautiful scenic stops at ports in Vancouver, St. John’s, and Halifax.
Entering Canada on a cruise ship
When you leave your cruise ship and step onto Canadian soil as a foreign national, you are subject to the same border regulations and procedures as when you get off a plane, or drive through the border. The same rules apply whether you are briefly stopping over in Canada or scheduled for an extended stay.
Therefore, if you are inadmissible to Canada for any reason, such as a past criminal record, it can negatively affect your cruise vacation experience. If you have committed any criminal infraction in the past, you may be inadmissible to Canada. For example, if you are an American citizen scheduled to go on a cruise tour starting in Vancouver and ending in Hawaii, and you have a DUI, you could be denied entry to Canada. This would cause you to miss your voyage.
Another situation which may arise is if you are on a cruise tour originating in a foreign country, and there is a stop at a Canadian port. You may not be allowed to come ashore due to your inadmissibility. In other words, your travel companions will be exploring the sights and sounds of the city, while you have to stay on the ship.
Find out your status
Cruise lines are sometimes remiss in informing their clients about the risks of going on a cruise tour while having a criminal past. This is why it is so important to find out whether you are in fact criminally inadmissible to Canada. If you have any questions regarding this topic or any others, please give us a call toll-free at 1-866-972-7366.