Cruises to Alaska usually stop in Canada, and there are certain one-way cruises that leave from or return to Canada, or pass through Canada on an extended itinerary. Below you'll find important information regarding travel ID, traveling with minors, and criminal records, including misdemeanors and DUIs.
CRIMINAL RECORDS:
Anyone with a criminal record may be excluded and denied entry into Canada due to heightened security and enforcement. For this reason, more people with past criminal charges or convictions are refused entry into Canada. Almost all convictions (including DUI, DWI, reckless driving, negligent driving, misdemeanor drug possession, all felonies, shoplifting, theft, etc.) may make a person inadmissible to Canada, regardless of how long ago they occurred. This applies to anyone stopping in Canada on a cruise, regardless of length of stay, and even if the passenger does not plan to get off the ship while in Canada.
It is recommended that persons who have been charged in the past or who have past convictions obtain the necessary documents before attempting to enter Canada. A waiver of exclusion may be issued, with a processing fee, but this process has been known to take a long time.
For more information about whether you are inadmissible, go here:
http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/information/inadmissibility/index.asp
For a rehabilitation application, go here:
http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/information/applications/rehabil.asp
Entry into Canada is solely determined by Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) officials in accordance with Canadian law. Please refer to the CBSA website for full details, at http://www.cbsa.gc.ca.
TRAVEL ID:
On closed-loop cruises to Alaska (beginning and ending in the same American port), cruise passengers can check in with either a passport valid for six months post-travel, or a passport card, or two forms of matching ID: original, state-issued, certified birth certificate, and matching government ID with photo, such as a driver's license. If the two don't match, a bridge document is required, such as a marriage license or divorce decree. Children 15 and under only need an original, state-issued birth certificate. Please note: the birth certificate cannot be one that was issued by the hospital, and it cannot be a copy. It must be certified, original, and issued by the state.
Please be aware that 1) there are certain excursions on an Alaska cruise that enter Canada. On these excursions a passport (book) or passport card might be required, and 2) if something happens during your day in Canada and you need to fly back to the U.S. in an emergency, you will not be able to do so without a passport book. Passport "books" are regular passports.
One-way cruises: U.S. to Canada or the reverse: A passport book valid for at least six months post-travel is required for all ages. Travel.state.gov indicates that your passport need only be valid during the time of travel for travel to Canada, but some cruise lines and airlines require that passports be valid for a minimum of six months past the date of your travel, so it is essential that your passport have six months left after you return.
U.S. citizens do not need visas. Non-U.S. citizens may require a visa due to new laws. For complete information about visa requirements, consult the Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC) website at http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/visit.
The name on your cruise reservation must match your travel ID.
TRAVEL WITH MINORS:
If you are traveling with a minor who is not your own child or for whom you do not have full legal custody, you may be asked by officials for an authorization form. This is because of increased incidents of child trafficking and kidnapping. Canada is VERY strict about this issue. Please contact us for a form. You may or may not be asked to present it, but you do not want to be caught without it.
Carrying the proper travel ID, having permission to travel with minors not your own, and obtaining an approval for rehabilitation in order to visit Canada -- if necessary-- is strictly the responsibility of the traveler.
