Going through customs in and out of Vancouver?

[tnshsms]

Are you flying to DFW on June 27th? That's the flight we're on and we've had a few changes since first booking last August on points. Hope it doesn't get bumped up any earlier!

No, we are flying on May 30th but I'm guessing they probably run the same two flights from Vancouver to DFW all summer. I plan to write a trip report when we get back so hopefully I'll have something good to report for you!

 

[jujubiee4]

How far is the skytrain from the port (walking distance)? Was originally going to take a cab but thinking maybe Skytrain if
not too far. Anyone know how much disney charges?

 

[Imahikergirl]

(Bolding mine.) $50 CAD (so ~USD 40 at current exchange rates) for Nexus, which includes Global Entry. BUT you do have to get to a NEXUS enrolment centre for the interview, which is probably not very convenient for most US travellers who are not frequent visitors to Canada. Most (maybe all?) NEXUS enrolment centres are in Canadian airports or along the land border. Also note that for NEXUS (probably true for GE too?), all members of your travelling party must have NEXUS in order to use it, including children.

Another good thing about Nexus is that children's cards are free. Got mine and DD for $50 just before she turned 18.

 

[The Grays]

No, we are flying on May 30th but I'm guessing they probably run the same two flights from Vancouver to DFW all summer. I plan to write a trip report when we get back so hopefully I'll have something good to report for you!

Are you on the cruise leaving the 30th?

 

[FigmentSpark]

I'm curious... is the ship considered U.S. soil? Do you actually 'leave' Canada once you board. I wondered if a Canadian who goes on this trip needs a passport and at what point it becomes necessary.

 

[Imahikergirl]

It looks like you clear US Customs prior to boarding at Canada Place and Canada Customs in the way back. I know there are different rules for ID when arriving by land and sea, but it's best to have your passports for emergency flights home.

 

[tnshsms]

Are you on the cruise leaving the 30th?

No, we leave the 23rd and get back the 30th. We are the very first sailing to Alaska this year.

 

[uncw89]

Are you flying to DFW on June 27th? That's the flight we're on and we've had a few changes since first booking last August on points. Hope it doesn't get bumped up any earlier!

Are you on the June 20th cruise? If so, see ya there!!! We are flying home on June 28th.

No, we are flying on May 30th but I'm guessing they probably run the same two flights from Vancouver to DFW all summer. I plan to write a trip report when we get back so hopefully I'll have something good to report for you!

Can't wait to read your report!! I'm on the June 20th cruise and can't wait!!

 

[ShelsGoingToDisney]

How far is the skytrain from the port (walking distance)? Was originally going to take a cab but thinking maybe Skytrain if
not too far. Anyone know how much disney charges?

It's less than a block to walk to the Skytrain from Canada Place. Very, very easy. We did it with 3 kids (14, 11, & 9 at the time). Each kid had their own suitcase to roll. Walking to and riding the Skytrain was a breeze. I would totally recommend it to anyone.

 

[xlxo]

I generally prefer the $35 ($28 USD) taxi carload for terminal to airport convenience...

• Do not use that the first Skytrain entrance. That train takes you to India (Surrey).
• Pay attention to which Canada Line train.... one takes you China (Richmond).

 

[WendyDarling]

Are you on the June 20th cruise? If so, see ya there!!! We are flying home on June 28th.

Yes, can't wait!! Arriving on the 18th and staying 2 nights at the Pan Pacific first.

 

[uncw89]

Us too!! I can't wait either!! Hope to see you there!! Are you in any of the cruise groups?

 

[SuperDry]

I'm curious... is the ship considered U.S. soil? Do you actually 'leave' Canada once you board. I wondered if a Canadian who goes on this trip needs a passport and at what point it becomes necessary.

Once you board the ship in Vancouver, you are considered admitted to the United States. So yes, a Canadian would require a passport or similar document. This arrangement is what allows the ship to stop at multiple ports in Alaska without the passengers having to go through US Immigration and Customs at each port. Unlike most countries that DCL visits, the United States doesn't make an Immigration and Customs inspection exception for day visitors on a cruise ship. All people entering the US must go through the inspection. There are some cruise lines that have itineraries that stop at multiple US ports as part of a round-the-world cruise, such as stopping at San Diego, then Los Angeles, then San Francisco. In such cases, all passengers come ashore even for the day must go through the full inspection at each port. The special arrangements in Vancouver for Alaska-bound cruises work around this problem by pre-clearing everyone into the US as they board in Vancouver.

 

[xlxo]

If you believe in what's on this shirt..... you are going to the wrong Vancouver...

 

[bumbershoot]

I wondered if a Canadian who goes on this trip needs a passport and at what point it becomes necessary.

You need a passport. It's an Alaskan cruise. Even if you don't get off the ship you still need that ID.

How far is the skytrain from the port (walking distance)? Was originally going to take a cab but thinking maybe Skytrain if
not too far. Anyone know how much disney charges?

This is the "back" side of the WAterfront Station. You enter/exit on the side closer to that big building. That big building houses Pan Pacific. You can see one of the white "sails" of Canada Place to the right, though I've seen the Disney ships on the other side of the Pan. Still, it's part of Canada Place.

Now, as convenient as that is, I didn't actually love the process of taking the skytrain into downtown. With bags it was just really awkward for me. I would have greatly preferred a taxi. (alas, it was my idea to take the skytrain for research for the dis LOL)

Another good thing about Nexus is that children's cards are free. Got mine and DD for $50 just before she turned 18.

Are they really?????

 

[Imahikergirl]

I'm curious... is the ship considered U.S. soil? Do you actually 'leave' Canada once you board. I wondered if a Canadian who goes on this trip needs a passport and at what point it becomes necessary.

I looked it up and as part of the WHTI, Canadian citizens can present a valid passport, Enhanced Driver’s License, or Trusted Traveler Program card (NEXUS, SENTRI or FAST) when arriving by land or sea. Children 16 and under only require birth certificates. That being said, I would bring passports anyways. Safer to have it in case it's asked for than to not have it and try and argue your case.

 

[wisblue]

What exactly is the step by step process for getting from the ship to the gate for a flight to the US from YVR if you are using Disney transfers to the airport?

When you get to the airport do you go through US customs first, or do you check your bag with the airline first? I assume you also have to go through regular airport security once you have cleared US customs and checked your bags.

Are the airline counters reasonably close to customs, or do they have some type of "curbside check-in" if you have your boarding passes already?

 

[PrincessShmoo]

What exactly is the step by step process for getting from the ship to the gate for a flight to the US from YVR if you are using Disney transfers to the airport?

When you get to the airport do you go through US customs first, or do you check your bag with the airline first? I assume you also have to go through regular airport security once you have cleared US customs and checked your bags.

Are the airline counters reasonably close to customs, or do they have some type of "curbside check-in" if you have your boarding passes already?

Can't speak to using DCL transfers, but this was the way it worked for us:

After arriving at the airport, we checked our bags (after filling out the Customs form). The bag check just puts the tags on the bags, as we had to actually hand them over to the security people behind the check in counter for screening. I can't recall if we handed them our customs form there, but I think we did. Then we went to the immigration area. Big line, once through the immigration check we were considered "in the US", so were not required to go through again once reaching our home airport. Then to our gate to wait.

 

[cruisehopeful]

What exactly is the step by step process for getting from the ship to the gate for a flight to the US from YVR if you are using Disney transfers to the airport?

When you get to the airport do you go through US customs first, or do you check your bag with the airline first? I assume you also have to go through regular airport security once you have cleared US customs and checked your bags.

Are the airline counters reasonably close to customs, or do they have some type of "curbside check-in" if you have your boarding passes already?

I just did this last month and can't even remember exactly when we went through Canadian customs, other than it was very easy. It was essentially a walk through where they just asked us what type of fruit we had with us (which is what I marked on my declaration form.) I'm assuming we did this after getting our luggage at the port and before we went on the bus to the airport.

At the airport, we checked luggage at the airline desk and went through security. The security line was slow. Immediately afterward, we went to US customs which had no line. The agent we had was from the city we live in, so we just talked about that for a few minutes and then we were on our way to our gate.

Both the security line and the waiting area by the gate were very dirty and smelly. I wasn't expecting that. I wouldn't want to go barefoot through the security.

 

[l4dk]

Please share with me your experiences going through customs at the Vancouver airport. Of course, I've only heard bad stories and I am assuming that most people don't have any issues. Does it take a long time? We will be flying in from Seattle, with U.S. passports. Are there any tips/tricks to making it quicker or less dramatic?

Our return flight is at noon, but I am assuming since we will be starting in Vancouver, we would only go through customs when we arrive in Seattle and that it won't be a big deal since we are U.S. citizens.

We came back yesterday our return flight was at 7am. We made it to the airport at 4:50am it was good no issues or really big lines. Hassle free.