Cruising with a DUI

[cyclenut]

There's more
http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/visit/conviction.asp


Overcoming criminal inadmissibility

This information is intended for general guidance and reference only. A legal decision on your inadmissibility can only be made at the time you seek entry into Canada either through an application or at a port of entry.

That right there is the kicker. Based on what you've described, it seems unlikely that you'll have a problem. You've talked to someone "official" in Canada AND it will have been 10 years ago AND you'll only be in port for 3 hours ... on a cruise ship that leaves and returns to a US port.

The question is, do you take that chance.

Another question I have is, do you have trip insurance? If so, does it cover you if you are not allowed to board the ship? I think it just might. Meaning, you might not be out all your money if you choose to go and take that chance. I would check into that as well. It should be part of your decision process. No, you won't be able to recover ALL of your expenses, but at least you wouldn't be out EVERYTHING.

 

[Niebz]

That right there is the kicker. Based on what you've described, it seems unlikely that you'll have a problem. You've talked to someone "official" in Canada AND it will have been 10 years ago AND you'll only be in port for 3 hours ... on a cruise ship that leaves and returns to a US port.

The question is, do you take that chance.

Another question I have is, do you have trip insurance? If so, does it cover you if you are not allowed to board the ship? I think it just might. Meaning, you might not be out all your money if you choose to go and take that chance. I would check into that as well. It should be part of your decision process. No, you won't be able to recover ALL of your expenses, but at least you wouldn't be out EVERYTHING.

Yes, trip insurance is the way to go in this situation and beyond that you just have to take your chances that you won't be denied boarding. If regular policies won't cover this you could consider DCL trip insurance. If your reason for cancellation is denied by their insurance company they at least allow you to put your total cruise cost towards another future DCL cruise. Of course if you never intend to cruise with Disney again this wouldn't be an option.

 

[shiltsy]

Canadian resort owners have been fighting this law for quite some time and it is set to be repealed or at least significantly changed. Link with more information to follow on next (10th) post.

 

[shiltsy]

Here is a link with more information... I also read about this in the Star Tribune and can't seem to find the article:

http://www.rainyriverrecord.com/node/14219

 

[pixie08]

For the cruises leaving from Seattle...

The cruise is leaving from a US city to an Us State. From the cruise critics and other forums it doesn't seem the Canadian government gets involved until Victoria. So for those concerned they may have to stay aboard for that port, that is when it seems you go through Canadian customs.

Also it seems the Canadains do not ask for passanger lists before the ships leave from Seattle, again only before the ship pulls into a Canadian port. That info could be wrong but it sounds right. I can't imagine the Canadian government screening every ship that leaves from a US city to Alaska a US state until it hits Canadian water.


Still better safe then sorry but it seems most people have not had problems with this in the past. Out of Vancouver would be a very different story.

 

[MommaluvsDis]

What about seeking an expungementof the charge from your record? Seems the OP would have plenty of time for this before the party cruises.

 

[juliebug1997]

They may have to transmit the passenger manifest to the Canadian authorities ahead of time and that could result in denied boarding.

This is a tough one. Normally entry into Canada is a glance at your ID and a "have a nice day" but you never know. Ever since I moved to Texas, I've always been questioned about gun ownership and if I was carrying weapons upon entry into Canada. I even got referred to secondary screening once in Windsor, ON. Considering my mother is Acadian, I consider it my birthright to enter Canada.

I went to Canada once. For three hours. On our way back across the border, my three companions were pretty much waved through after showing their driver's licenses (this was just before you needed your passport). I had my passport and license. I was stopped and quizzed about what I was doing in Niagara Falls, how long I was there, where exactly I was born and several other questions. I couldn't believe that I was one the once with the most documentation about being an American citizen but I was hassled the most. SMH.

OP, I hope that everything goes smoothly for your cruise. Fingers crossed!

 

[gooftroop22]

What about the reverse....A Canadian with a DUI travelling to Port Canaveral for a Dream cruise....anyone have any experience with this?

 

[Wadekind]

I went to Canada once. For three hours. On our way back across the border, my three companions were pretty much waved through after showing their driver's licenses (this was just before you needed your passport). I had my passport and license. I was stopped and quizzed about what I was doing in Niagara Falls, how long I was there, where exactly I was born and several other questions. I couldn't believe that I was one the once with the most documentation about being an American citizen but I was hassled the most. SMH.

OP, I hope that everything goes smoothly for your cruise. Fingers crossed!

3 cars with Canadian plates ahead of us entering the US questioned and let through. We were Mom, Dad and 2 kids with passport cards US plates. We had to pull over beside a van, get out of the car and they scanned it.

 

[sayhello]

Another question I have is, do you have trip insurance? If so, does it cover you if you are not allowed to board the ship? I think it just might. Meaning, you might not be out all your money if you choose to go and take that chance. I would check into that as well. It should be part of your decision process. No, you won't be able to recover ALL of your expenses, but at least you wouldn't be out EVERYTHING.

Yes, trip insurance is the way to go in this situation and beyond that you just have to take your chances that you won't be denied boarding. If regular policies won't cover this you could consider DCL trip insurance. If your reason for cancellation is denied by their insurance company they at least allow you to put your total cruise cost towards another future DCL cruise. Of course if you never intend to cruise with Disney again this wouldn't be an option.

I checked with both www.insuremytrip.com and www.tripinsurancestore.com, and both people said that being denied boarding for this reason would NOT be covered by trip insurance. So the DCL insurance giving you a future cruise credit would be your only option.

Sayhello

 

[Gigi22]

If you have broken a law in your own country, your ability to travel to another country may be affected. After all, if you disregard your own country's laws, how is another country to believe that you will respect its' laws?

 

[MCourtney]

If you have broken a law in your own country, your ability to travel to another country may be affected. After all, if you disregard your own country's laws, how is another country to believe that you will respect its' laws?

Touche

 

[pixie08]

If you have broken a law in your own country, your ability to travel to another country may be affected. After all, if you disregard your own country's laws, how is another country to believe that you will respect its' laws?

That is not the question. Some people have committed these DUI's or other misdemeanors 10 or 20 years ago when they were teenagers (or very young) and now are 30, 40 or fifty years old. In the US they are misdemeanors most of the time, but in Canada they are felonies.

I read something on cruise critic I found to be very funny. They compared it to Jean Valjean, who pays for stealing one loaf of bread for his whole life. Did he learn his lesson? I think so.

Still that is not what is being asked on the forum, simply how to help someone who is in a situation get the proper documentation they need. It is a very hard topic to navigate.

 

[gooftroop22]

Anyone have any experience with a Canadian with a DUI and travelling to the US...whether for a cruise or a vacation....

 

[HartNSoul76]

Does this rule apply to Mexico?

 

[Niebz]

Anyone have any experience with a Canadian with a DUI and travelling to the US...whether for a cruise or a vacation....

My Dad has travelled to the USA many times with a previous DUI however the offence was committed in his early 20s and he is now in his 50s. I'm guessing there's no longer any record of the offence. I know that I've been asked at customs if I've ever committed a felony. Not really sure how it would go if someone was forthcoming about a DUI because it sounds like in the US it doesn't count as a felony.

 

[sissy_ib]

Does this rule apply to Mexico?

It's not a rule. It's a Canadian law. So no.

 

[pixie08]

Can someone just explain why DCL insurance would benefit those who are in this situation?

I know DCL uses an outside company, and when I checked their policy it did have a clause about not taking responsibility for immigration issues. So would these travelers even get a credit I am not familiar with DCL insurance, never used it. It seems like even this is grey area, and a call by DCL?

 

[Niebz]

Can someone just explain why DCL insurance would benefit those who are in this situation?

I know DCL uses an outside company, and when I checked their policy it did have a clause about not taking responsibility for immigration issues. So would these travelers even get a credit I am not familiar with DCL insurance, never used it. It seems like even this is grey area, and a call by DCL?

The thing about their insurance is that if your claim is denied by the insurance company (as would likely happen in this case) DCL (not the insurance company) will allow you to put the cost of the cruise towards another cruise. It's basically like having cancel for any reason insurance but instead of getting the cash, you get a credit towards another future DCL cruise.

 

[rosermama]

What kind of law is this....

I am so glad I stumbled across this thread. My DH had been arrested for a DUI 5 years ago but by sheer dumb luck they lost his paperwork so his driving record reads that he was convicted of reckless driving (which is a misdemeanor)

I am going to do some research to make sure this isn't an issue in Canada cause we are booked on the Alaska 2013 out of Vancouver.