2016 Alaska Notes (just returned)

[mathgeek]

Thanks for a great review! Regarding Global Entry at embarkation - did you need to show your GE cards, or were your passports sufficient? So far I haven't carried the cards with me, but I read that the actual cards are needed to use the GE line when disembarking at Port Everglades (Ft. Lauderdale).

They just looked at the passports at embarkation. At the airport on the way out they asked for cards but while we were getting them out they spotted the "CBP" sticker on one of the passports and said that was the same thing and waved us on. Although only one of our three passports had the sticker, so not sure if that was really relevant. We do bring the cards as backup just in case.

We needed our cards to get into the quicker security line at YVR, which we didn't have with us. They said they couldn't tell if we had GE just by looking at the passport and thus had no way of checking without the cards. But then we were able to use our passports at the GE kiosks for immigration. So definitely bring the cards.

Thanks for the info (may look into taking the CanadaLine downtown instead of taxi but there are 4 of us, two adults and two children ages 13 and 7, so not sure how much of a cost savings that will be).

5. Glad to hear you took the train from the airport-- we were planning on that. Just 2 adults, light packers, no kids, so should not be a problem.

Agree that CanadaLine was easy and efficient!

 

[anricat]

Where did you find the Navigators from their cruise?

http://disneycruiselineblog.com/201...7-night-alaskan-cruise-vancouver-may-23-2016/

 

[IWannaBeAMousketeer]

How long does it take to get Global Entry status? If I apply for it now, will I be able to use it in August? That sounds really handy!

Possibly. You fill out the application on-line and they usually give you conditional approval (background check) in a week or so. After your status updates, you will get an email explaining how to schedule your interview. How quickly you get an interview depends on a number of things - how busy the enrollment office near you is, how flexible you can be in scheduling. When my daughter cleared the first status and we went to set up our interview, we ended up booking her a month out, but there were a handful of appointments before that. The appointments change all the time with people rescheduling - check frequently. When I went through the process a few years ago, I was able to get an interview the next day because a spot happened to open up when I checked. I have heard that they are backed up right now since so many people have decided to enroll because of the crazy security lines.

Once you get through your interview and approved, you can immeditaly use your Known Traveler Number on your flight reservations to get Pre-Check (you should call the airline to update any existing reservations). I believe you can also use the Global Entry kiosk at Customs (where it uses your Passport & fingerprints). The card is mailed and takes a few more weeks to arrive, but seems to only be used for certain things. The officer doing the interview told us it was only used for land border crossings, but it seems others have used it in a few more situations.

 

[NancyIL]

We needed our cards to get into the quicker security line at YVR, which we didn't have with us. They said they couldn't tell if we had GE just by looking at the passport and thus had no way of checking without the cards. But then we were able to use our passports at the GE kiosks for immigration. So definitely bring the cards.

Thanks for the info. Didn't your boarding passes say "TSA Pre-check"? I know that the passport has to be scanned in order for anyone to know that we have Global Entry, but I'll try to remember to bring our cards for our Sept. Pacific Coastal cruise that departs from Vancouver.

 

[mathgeek]

Thanks for the info. Didn't your boarding passes say "TSA Pre-check"? I know that the passport has to be scanned in order for anyone to know that we have Global Entry, but I'll try to remember to bring our cards for our Sept. Pacific Coastal cruise that departs from Vancouver.

TSA Pre is a different service used only for flights leaving from a US airport, so our boarding passes didn't have it in Vancouver. TSA Pre ends up being a perk that you happen to get once you've passed the requirements for GE b/c the process to qualify for GE is more stringent than TSA Pre.

 

[anricat]

We didn't realize that Global Entry came with TSA Pre Check and just got Pre Check. I wish we'd paid a little more and gotten Global Entry. We didn't at the time because we weren't traveling internationally very much. Now we have our Alaskan cruise coming up and we've been going to Mexico twice a year. It would have been nice. The only other down side to Global Entry (besides it being more expensive) is that children must also apply. With Pre Check, my daughter doesn't have to have it and still gets the benefits of it while traveling with us. With Global Entry, if your child doesn't have it, you can't use it.

 

[NancyIL]

TSA Pre is a different service used only for flights leaving from a US airport, so our boarding passes didn't have it in Vancouver. TSA Pre ends up being a perk that you happen to get once you've passed the requirements for GE b/c the process to qualify for GE is more stringent than TSA Pre.

I forgot about TSA Pre-check being only at US airports! I'll write myself a note to bring our Global Entry cards to Canada. Thank you!

 

[thinkoflaura]

this was great -- exciting stuff!

you seem like you know your way around discounts... i guess there are no deals on the Cap Bridge in vancouver? I haven't found any either!

also - you mentioned mosquitos... I guess bug spray needs to go in the suitcase, huh?

 

[CanuckOnaBoat]

thank you! this is great. Are there updated menus?

 

[thndrmatt]

you seem like you know your way around discounts... i guess there are no deals on the Cap Bridge in vancouver?

AAA was 10% off I think, but that's the only thing we used.

 

[Kate0716]

Following

 

[lillygator]

thanks for all the info!

 

[cruisehopeful]

How was your experience with the Tracy Arm/Endicott arm day?