Passport Needed? LA to Vancouver

[Carrie in AZ]

Thanks in advance for answering another passport question.

We are US citizens living in the US. Do we need passports to sail on the LA to Vancouver cruise? We'd be flying home from Vancouver to Arizona.

Thanks again!

 

[Gilland18]

Yes you will need a passport to fly from Canada to US.

 

[Mom323]

Thanks in advance for answering another passport question.

We are US citizens living in the US. Do we need passports to sail on the LA to Vancouver cruise? We'd be flying home from Vancouver to Arizona.

Thanks again!

You will need a passport. This not a "closed loop" cruise.

From U.S. Customs and Border Protection site

https://help.cbp.gov/app/answers/detail/a_id/1139/~/documents-needed-to-take-a-cruise

Most cruises beginning and ending in the U.S. are considered "Closed Loop," meaning they begin and end at the same port in the U.S. For instance, if you board a cruise ship at Fort Lauderdale, Florida, and after visiting at least one foreign port of call, such as Bermuda, or Cancun, return back to Fort Lauderdale, you have taken a closed loop cruise.

If, on the other hand, you - say - board a cruise ship in San Diego, California, sail through the Panama Canal (stopping at a foreign port during the cruise), and end the cruise in Miami, Florida, you have not taken a closed loop cruise and the following information does not apply to you. As of June 1, 2009 you need a passport (including infants).

 

[Carrie in AZ]

Thank you so much!

 

[mellers]

Thanks in advance for answering another passport question.

We are US citizens living in the US. Do we need passports to sail on the LA to Vancouver cruise? We'd be flying home from Vancouver to Arizona.

Thanks again!

Since you are flying, yes. You'll need a passport book. You can get away with an Enhanced ID or Passport Card if you fly into and out of Seattle, but not if you're flying out of Vancouver.

 

[trimix]

Since you are flying, yes. You'll need a passport book. You can get away with an Enhanced ID or Passport Card if you fly into and out of Seattle, but not if you're flying out of Vancouver.

Does the airport even matter? Since this is not a closed-loop cruise, aren't passport books required? They are also required for the flight, but my understanding of the WHTI is that you need a passport anytime you are not on a closed-loop cruise or on a cruise that originates in a foreign port.

 

[PrincessShmoo]

Does the airport even matter? Since this is not a closed-loop cruise, aren't passport books required? They are also required for the flight, but my understanding of the WHTI is that you need a passport anytime you are not on a closed-loop cruise or on a cruise that originates in a foreign port.

I belive that they could do this without a passport. I'm am NOT in way telling them to not get one! We travel with passports.

If they cruise from LA-Vancouver they can travel with BC and photo ID. If, in Vancouver, they fly back to the US, they will need the passport book.

If they drive from Vancouver to Seattle and fly home from there, they would only need an enhanced DL or passport card to cross the border.

 

[TDC Nala]

I dont' think they can get into or out of Canada without a passport. I didn't think it was OK anymore to enter Canada with only a birth certificate and photo ID.

 

[PrincessShmoo]

I dont' think they can get into or out of Canada without a passport. I didn't think it was OK anymore to enter Canada with only a birth certificate and photo ID.

I could be wrong

I've read that crossing the border by car (from either Mexico or Canada) can be done without the passport book.

 

[disneyfaninaz]

A passport card works for land crossings of both Mexican and Canadian borders into and out of the US. However, for flying, you have to have a passport book. As far as the cruise goes, you would have to check the State Departments rules on that.

 

[trimix]

I live less than 15 miles south of Canada and cross regularly. These days they will not let you walk or drive across without a WHTI-compliant ID (passport book or card, enhanced drivers license, or trusted traveler card).

If you are under 16 they are supposed to let you cross with just a birth certificate, but that's the only exception I am aware of.

 

[mellers]

I belive that they could do this without a passport. I'm am NOT in way telling them to not get one! We travel with passports.

If they cruise from LA-Vancouver they can travel with BC and photo ID. If, in Vancouver, they fly back to the US, they will need the passport book.

If they drive from Vancouver to Seattle and fly home from there, they would only need an enhanced DL or passport card to cross the border.

Actually, they can't take the cruise with a birth certificate and photo ID anymore. They have to have either an Enhanced ID or Passport Card if they plan to fly into and out of Seattle, or a passport book if they plan to fly into or out of Vancouver, BC.

Enhanced IDs allow you to travel into and out of Canada by land or sea, but NOT by air.

So, hypothetically:

You fly into Seattle
Take the QuickShuttle to a Vancouver hotel - use your Enhanced ID/Passport Card
Take a taxi to Canada Place
Board the ship using your Enhanced ID or Passport Card
Return to Vancouver - use your Enhanced ID/Passport Card
Take the QuickShuttle to Sea-Tac - use your Enhanced ID/Passport Card

So it can be done. However, there are risks--if something happened to you, or a family member, while you were in Vancouver, you would HAVE to return to Sea-Tac by bus or car--there would be no option to fly home immediately. In an emergency, that could be a problem.

 

[sissy_ib]

I could be wrong

I've read that crossing the border by car (from either Mexico or Canada) can be done without the passport book.

This is true. But you would need the passport card or enhanced ID.