What annoys the life out of me is that the cruise company apparently can’t tell you exactly which documents you need for your specific cruise, it’s your responsibility to find out what it is you need. Yet, at boarding they suddenly know exactly what is required, so that they can either deny or allow boarding. They should give you the document requirements as part of your booking confirmation email and again nearer the sailing date in case anything has changed. I don’t understand why there always has to be a mystery around exactly which documents are required 🤬
@@pamelakrumvieda3153airlines are different, because passport control at the airport is separate from the airline, so they can more easily wash their hands of knowing what documents you need. Whereas the cruise line checks everything at boarding and they’re the company you book with
On any trip outside of the US, we do multiple passport checks. The first check is in our driveway. Everyone has to show a passport and license before the car gets started. We do a second one at the airport and A third one before we get on the shuttle to the cruise port. Just slightly paranoid.
I'm the same way with my family. My main priority are our passports and important/required documents and our luggages are second. Better be paranoid than get denied, whether on a cruise or in a country you're trying to visit.
@@ninaelsbethgustavsen2131 Agreed. If somethings stupid but works, it's not stupid! One of my most common recurring nightmares is turning up at the airport/terminal without my passport- it's never happened yet, probably because of how much I stress about it!
Does anyone else find it ironic that Princess said that passengers have to take responsibility for not having the right documentation but will not take responsibility for giving out the wrong information?
The reason for this is that EVERYBODY will use the excuse "But PRINCESS told me blah blah blah...." when there is absolutely no way to prove or disprove what Princess actually told them unless it's in writing. Imagine someone bringing a machine gun on board and when questioned they could just say "PRINCESS told me that guns were okay!" and then Princess would side with the passenger because the customer is always right, correct?'
Sounds convenient. "All we have to do is bury a requirement in section 37, page 238, paragraph 17, subparagraph 4 of annex 2 of the cruise contract in a 2 point font and then tell our agents to lie about it to the passengers, and we get free money? Sweet!"
@@andrewholden1501 Just say no to cruising! It's fun watching these videos but personallly, I wouldn't take the risk any more than I'd play Russian roulette.
@@victoriaguerin2851 Nothing wrong with cruising, if people are too stupid to understand the terms and conditions of the cruise line, then that is their faulty. EVERY cruise lines website tells you everything you need to know and do before sailing. No different if you were going on holiday to another country, there are still terms and conditions. We have cruised for over 10 years and never once had an issue.
On a Cunard cruise departing 1700 from Southhampton, I was told to check in at 1500. But as I was flying in to England that day, owing to nerves over unreliable flights, I got the earliest plane and arrived at Ocean terminal at 0930 hours. I was starving having missed breakfast. There was one wee terminal coffee and sandwich bar. I asked at Cunard check in if I could leave my luggage and go into town to eat. I was offered breakfast on board & allowed to embark immediately. I've held a soft spot for Cunard ever since.
I had the opposite experience with a ferry to Tasmania. The ferry left at 6 pm but due to transport I arrived at 9 am. I was not permitted to leave my bags. To get anything to eat or drink I had to carry my bags with me. So we had 9 hours with nowhere to go. Nowhere to shelter from the weather. Nowhere to put our bags. It was horrible.
That was lovely and I got of a Cunard cruise QM2 next to the ship was a Costa ship I booked to go on , as it was early I asked them if I could leave our luggage some where, they took me my children on board gave us a day cabin and said we can come for lunch. That was so kind and made our Emirate embarkment easy, enjoyed that cruise also.
@@spoly8139 That I am paying a ton of money for something that won't be enough fun to be worth it. I don't want it to be a waste of time and money. It is an expensive cruise, and I haven't been on one before. All the cruise videos I see make me not want to go. They are designed to help everything go smoothly, so I still watch them. My stomach hurts every time.
The thing that gets me is, if the cruise line, at embarkation, knows enough about documentation to deny you boarding, why can’t they share that knowledge with you before hand?
Consider a 6mth world cruise that visits 120 different countries... The cruise line cannot possibly be expected to inform every passenger of the entry requirements of every country on the itinerary. It is the travellers responsibility to check and acquire the relevant documents.
We get travel insurance even it we go across the state. The way US health insurance is split to “in network” and “out of network” you could easily have a $5,000 deductible for both. You might have already completed the one for in network, but even a minor visit to an ER is going to cost $1500 minimum… that would hit the out of network deductible. Paying $150 to $200 for not only trip cancellation, and all the other usual travel coverage, but also medical is critical.A weekend get away can otherwise easily ruin you financially for a while.
Another rule to consider-In several Caribbean, Central and South American countries, it is illegal to wear camouflage clothing. It’s the country’s law, no point in debating it with the law enforcement officials, just don’t do it.
@@HipHopAnotomus The have issues with paramilitary groups there. And it would really ruin the vaccation and tourism score, if the police mistakes a tourist for a insurgent.
US immigration lawyer here. ESTA is not a visa. ESTA is a preclearance system for those wishing to enter on the Visa Waiver Program, i.e. those who are eligible to enter the US without a visa. So, you would get an ESTA preclearance. You would not get an ESTA visa. Note: Canadians do not enter the US on the Visa Waiver Program. Canadians are special and can enter the US without a visa (for short visits), but are not subject to the restrictions of the Visa Waiver Program.
The English couple were non EU citizens. Different rules apply for non EU citizens . Next year, the EU online visa system goes live for all non EU citizens
Out of curiosity; The last time I was in the U.S. (2014) I entered under the VWP, and part of my itinerary included passing through Canada and back into the U.S. At the Canadian checkpoint I was given a seemingly standard „OK to enter for tourism purposes for a short time“ stamp, then another border stamp when I re-entered the U.S. under the same ESTA as before. I'm a UK citizen so I was also an EU national at the time. Outside of the Canadian ESTA program, is this sort of thing still commonplace...Or is it a lot more complicated than it used to be? 😇
@@dieseldragon6756 US immigration law doesn't care about the EU. You're a citizen of the UK and have a UK passport. The program is reciprocal. so all participating countries have pretty much the same rules (though not EXACTLY the same). The program is essentially the same as it was in 2014, except that there has been some fluctuation in certain countries being on the program. No fluctuation in the UK being on the program.
People also don’t listen to travel agents advice. I used to be a TA. I’d tell clients all the time that they need to fly in the night before. But the ones that didn’t, would have cancelled/flight delays would call me and demand I “fix it”. Well, I couldn’t. But it was my fault
Our agent managed to find us a beautiful little bed and breakfast about a 5 minute walk from the cruise port after we told him we planned to fly in the previous day and wanted to not have to hurry the morning of the trip. Well worth the extra night's stay.
Sounds familiar. I worked for many years in a customer service call center for over 200 major retailers (Aeropostale, Fanatics, Dick's Sporting Goods, Adidas, Estee Lauder, Kate Spade, etc.) The third week of every December, the customers who ordered their gifts after the "guaranteed to arrive by the 24th" deadline always accused me and my coworkers of personally ruining their family's Christmas. It was always our fault, never theirs.
I simply do not understand why anybody would travel outside the USA without a passport! It is your international I. D. card! A year ago I was vacationing in South America when a European woman had a medical emergency in my hotel. When the ambulance arrived, the FIRST THING the medics asked for was her passport.
I don’t understand. Let’s say I book the cruise, then I break my leg and now I have crutches. If I’m not needing anything from the cruise line, why do I have to inform them?
@@ImaginationTravelTips For emergency evacuations for they know not to leave someone behind. Or you have mobility issues and may require help for this procedure.
@@yosefmacgruber1920 Also, you knowing who you are is completely irrelevant. It’s not about you knowing who you are, it’s about other people knowing who you are.
My opinion is folks don’t believe a passport is necessary and, also, I’ve read soooo many Fbook posts of people objecting to the cost. Fact is, all those nice little friendly countries that you have visited in the past are changing the rules. Last year, Greenland, Panama, Columbia and 1 other country changed the rules and required a passport!! The cruise lines are just trying to keep up with the changing landscape! Do your research before booking, and if you don’t have a passport, then your mantra should be …. Get a Passport Get a Passport Get a Passport !!!
@@Fomites Don't know what your reference to Trump is about but I've been following US politics for about 8 years from 🇬🇧 specifically 🏴. I'm extremely hateful towards him.
@@FomitesOnly a clown would put their Passport in checked baggage. Probably Americans who’ve never left country before and have no idea about international travel.
If this is your outlook then it must be the same for everything else in your life. All things in life require something to be known or you pay the price.
I guess you don’t enjoy traveling in general. When you leave the country you are responsible to make sure you have the documents. It’s not rocket science
You can be denied entry into Canada if you have a DUI conviction or a serious firearm or violence conviction. I know someone who was denied entry for a vacation in Vancouver because of a conviction over 10 years previously. You can apply in advance for an exemption and entry permit, but you can't do so at the border entry point.
Just wanted to say I appreciate your calm informative info. I rather not watch utubers overdramatizing and loudly making it hard to retain the info for being overly amused by the silly antics of some cruise channels. Ty for being the calm of the seas.
Appearantly Carnival has one of the longest prohibited lists in the cruise industry which I can believe if someone was crazy enough to try and get a canoe on board
No, it doesn't necassarily means it. Its probability is quite high, but still sometimes people use the thing between their ears even before and see something that might cause problems (of what kind ever) and ban it before it actually happens.
I cruised with my grandson last year with a very comprehensive letter that was notarized…Royal Caribbean would not take it as they have their own form. My letter contained the same information but was not typed into their form. They gave me the form and I faxed it to my daughter, she returned it to me and my grandson and I boarded.
Amazingly, years ago, my neighbors parents took their then 7 year old grand daughter on a cruise overseas for 14 days and no one asked for her passport - the two grand parents both had passports. But not the grand daughter. But that was years ago - so the rules must have tightened up considerably since years ago. And yes they did go ashore to two destinations - and did not have to show a passport for the then 7 year old.
When my husband and I divorced I decided not to change back to my maiden name because I wanted to do a few overseas trips with our son and it's a lot easier if you both have the same surname
About 1:20: I learned in all my European travels (I'm not a cruiser) that "flying in on the day" for an event (swapping airlines, boarding, whatever) is not smart at all. Pay for a night in the area and be there early.
Sometimes from the uk its a package holiday with flight included, you generally take the flight they provide as buying it separate and then pay hotel is more expensive.
You could go for a connection (I did it with plane to train a couple times) but you need to allow yourself several hours in between, especially when transferring from a plane, or between planes, or sometimes between trains.
You need at least 2 blank pages. Each page has a space for 6 stamps. Yet when we go enter some countries the custom agent will use a brand new unused page rather than a page that has already been used.
Same thing happens to me. When I visit Eastern Europe, they just flip around and find a totally blank page and stamp it and not doing it in chronological order.
Just out of curiosity, what did you do for your daughter to soothe her undoubtedly hurt feelings when she was left behind? As much as my hormones were affecting my mental state at any given minute when I was pregnant, I would have been pretty upset! 😂😂
I don't know about other cruise lines, but if you have mobility/accessibility issues, Cunard requires you to advise them of this. If you do not, or if your needs change and you don't tell them, you can be denied boarding.
makes sense from a safety perspective. If they need to evacuate the ship and you need help with that, they need to know, as putting someone with a wheelchair on a lifeboat can be difficult if the ship is listing.
US citizens should never leave the US without a passport! You may have to be medically evacuated or have to reenter the States at a different port. These require a passport and it does happen.
@@1007yes You can indeed leave without a passport, as long as the ship returns (voyage ends) at the same port. Regardless of domestic & international ports of call in-between. Aka, a closed circuit cruise. A valid US issued birth certificate and driver's license or state ID is all you need.
I wasn't denied boarding but kicked off before the Royal Caribbeanl ship sailed. Why? Because the strobe lights in the corridor during the lifeboat drill gave me a migraine. They tried to tell me I was having a stroke and had to go to the ER. They unloaded both my luggage and my husband's and dumped it on the dock. They also said we could rejoin the ship at Cozumel, but they confiscated our shipcards. We never got a refund because we "voluntarily left the ship." So cruisers, never tell ship personnel that you're having a headache or upset stomach or anything else that they can blow up into an emergency.
Always record your conversations with cruise line staff. No matter what the company claims, if they give bad information, they are accountable. Just because they claim they are not doesn't mean that will hold up in court. The companies are responsible for bad information provided by their employees. They try and pin 100% of the blame on the passengers so they can keep your money without providing the service you paid for. We got wrongly denied boarding by Royal Caribbean and they tried playing games and tried cheating us out of our money. In the end, we got a full refund.
If one parent is traveling with their children and without the other parent some countries require a permission document from the other parent even if divorced.
Especially if divorced. It's mainly an issue with the non-custodial parent abducting the child and taking them overseas. It is such a big issue that 103 countries have signed up to an international treaty (the Hague Convention) agreeing what to do when it happens (short version: the child should be immediately returned to the country where they are "habitually resident" and the courts there should determine what happens next).
We are taking our children, their spouses, and grandchildren on a cruise next year. Western Caribbean. One of our daughters is divorced with 4 children. Her ex just abandoned them and we don’t know where he is. He’s never tried to contact her or their children. What should she do? She can’t get a permission slip from the father if we can’t find him. His parents don’t even speak with him or know where he is.
Thanks Gary. It's all common sense but it's nice to be reminded. I do feel though, that since the imposition of compulsory travel insurance by cruise lines, insurance companies have increased their charges disproportionally. For example and given we are a year older each holiday but our declared health conditions are identical and excesses are the same our Europe holiday cruise inclusive insurances were: 2017- Au$960; 2018- Au$869; 2019- Au$814 Alaska and US not Europe; 2022 - Au$3064; 2023 - Au$1834 (much shorter duration) and for August this year 2024 -Au$3715 almost 4 times the 2017 cost. It's interesting to note the post covid differences.
As Americans, we booked a TUI river cruise directly through their British office. The documents, as well as their agent made it abundantly clear we had to purchase insurance. No worries.
@U2_UNo, not being insulting. US travellers are far more pedantic about the small print and being particularly litigious want everything made abundantly clear.
When it comes to legalities, contracts, or thousands of dollars coming out of my pocket, it 100% needs to be crystal clear. I don’t care where you’re from.
Fun fact: Nearly all cruises that stop in American ports will go to other countries. This is because of an American law that a cruise ship must be built in America in order to stop in all American ports without an international transit. And we don't really make cruise ships here in America.
Well NCL has Pride of America only in Hawaii. They never touch foreign soil. And was built like a a million years in Europe. That is the only trip I can think of does not touch foreign soil.
@@cruisingforone she was started in the US, finished in Europe, but she is counted as an American-built ship which is why she can do Hawaiian cruises without going to Mexico or Canada
Its actually based on the country of ships registry, not construction. Pride of America is the only US flagged cruise ship. Also as a result of being US flagged, it also has to comply with US labor laws.
My son was denied boarding on a Princess Cruise to Alaska. We repeatedly asked the company if he could board without a Canadian Visa and were told that he was fine if he had a US visa. He was denied boarding at the ship. They need to make it VERY clear about which documents and visas are mandatory.
The advice of a real certified travel agent is so beneficial-I used to be a Travel Agent for Carlson Wagonlit travel. I checked with all countries requirements on entry & departure laws/rules & with our Embassies for rules, warnings & recommendations. Also always be 2 hours ahead on everything! Always have your ID documents & a Visa credit card for big emergencies when you’ve left the ship for tours! Always buy the trip insurance protection - 10% wished they had every cruise!!
Just to say that a US ESTA and Canadian ETA are NOT visas. They are electronic travel authorisations that purely enable to you to board a flight/ ship to the USA or Canada.. It is then up to the immigration officer at the point of entry to determine whether to grant you a visa. Citizens of countries that are part of the visa-waiver programme do not need visas but do need an ESTA and/or ETA to enter the USA/ Canada, The Canadian ETA is valid for 5 years, the USA ESTA is valid for 2 years. My advice is to apply for your respective ESTA/ETA as soon as or even before you book travel to those countries. Both are inexpensive - for instance an ESTA costs $21. DO NOT wait until the day before you travel to apply for your ESTA as it can take up to 72 hours to be approved. Mine took 6 hours, but my husband's took 24 hours. You will be denied boarding even where you've applied for it, but not yet received approval. Also, if you get a new passport during the period of validity of your ESTA/ETA , you will have a new passport number, date of issue and expiry. You will need to apply for a new ESTA/ETA as the authorisations are tied to your passport number. New passport, new ESTA/ ETA. This has caught quite a few travellers out resulting in being denied boarding. If you already have a valid visa for the USA in your passport for the USA you do not need an ESTA. Usually when flying, you will need to enter your visa number when providing advance passenger information details to ensure you are not denied boarding. ANOTHER tip - if you are entering Canada by air, download the ArriveCAN app where you can do go through all the border entry procedures, and avoiding the immigration queues at (participating) Canadian airports. I go to Canada fairly often these days and immigration is a breeze with the ArriveCAN app. I just go to a kiosk in the immigration hall, have my photo taken and fingerprint and that's pretty much it. No stamps at all in my passport either. The bottom line is to take responsibility for ensuring you know what the immigration requirements are for any country that you are visiting. Its really not difficult to find out what is required.
Immigration officers don't grant visas. Embassies and Consulates do, authorized by the State Department. The immigration officer only authorizes your entry after presenting valid documents.
my husband needed a new passport and an ESTA, we got both before we booked just in case there was a problem with either. I'm amazed by people who leave the ESTA until the last minute.
@@aeroAdvocate Not exactly so in US. in US immigration officer at the border determines the conditions of your stay, such as the length, and even status if visa covers several, such as B1/B2, and also have the ability to deny the entry even if your visa is valid. Visa obtained at the consulate is not a guarantee that you will enter US. In continental Europe, indeed, it is more check that all documents are in order. (in UK, in my memory, border immigration has more authority)
Travel between the US & Canada use to have no document requirements at all. They just asked where you were born. Travel between the US & Mexico also had no passport requirements. This was before 911.
US Passport - YES! I used to work shoreside for Princess at Canada Place in Vancouver, and on numerous occasions we had US Citizens try to pass through customs to board the ship with just a birth certificate. I specifically remember one young man saying, "But I'm a US Citizen!" to the officer. Doesn't matter. You can't board a US bound cruise with just a birth certificate when the cruise departs from a Canadian Port. Yes, as an American you have the right to reenter your own country, but the port of entry is dictated by the officers, and they would always require entry through a land border. It's a somewhat common mistake for American cruisers to confuse the rules of a US closed loop cruise with a Canada to US cruise. These passengers were always denied boarding by US Customs.
Still, it's dumb that some cruise lines want the official document (birth certificate). What if you lose it or someone steals it? It's tough getting that kind of document replaced. Just ridiculous that a photocopy is not allowed. That's why I'm reluctant to take a cruise. They have sooooo many tiny rules that can ruin everything if you miss even ONE. Doesn't feel like it's worth the hassle to be stuck at sea with thousands of other loud people on a ship for 3-5 days...
So, don’t be late, have a valid passport with an acceptable exp. date, have the required visa(s); have required travel insurance; don’t be over the preggers gestation range; don’t bring babies under the required age; don’t check/bring contraband contraband on board; don’t be drunk at checking; don’t have COVID symptoms. Got it! Thanks!
This is such an excellent video. Everyone going on a cruise should watch this. The information you provide to us all is very valuable and helpful. Thanks for sharing this and keep up the good work. 🎉
One issue when attempting to use a "Birth Certificate" as ID....in America, many states issue something called a "Birth Record" which is often generically referred to as a birth certificate. That document cannot be used to acquire a passport, so I would assume that the cruise line would not accept it. A true Birth Certificate has a raised seal. Both my wife and I needed to send away for a true Birth Certificate when we got our passports. Simple solution--don't jeopardize a $6000 vacation because you were too cheap to spend $150 on a passport.
The rule about counting blank pages at the end of your passport is pretty lazy of them (the customs people). I've been to countries where they just glue an extension to the page and stamp on it. You are not allowed to tear it off. The point is so you can still have a stamp on your passport if there might not be enough pages left at the end.
There is also something called a "Certificate of Live Birth" issued by some states that is NOT a birth certificate. I have a friend who made that mistake and was denied boarding on a Caribbean cruise departing from Florida.
Yep same here my friend husband was denied boarding royal carribian out of Galveston TX. Born an American because they didn't like birth certificate. Just get your passport! I would not take a chance with anything else.
We were told that passports actually cost closer to $600 and above and can take months to get. Not many people have the option to spend $1800 for a family of 3 to get a passport before spending thousands on the cruise itself. We all went and got our birth certificate from city hall and were able to get our enhanced licenses using them... So if the US DMV will accept them as birth certificates, no reason why a cruise ship wouldn't.
What I get from this is no matter what, if the cruise line decides to deny you to board you are SOL and they get to keep your entire cruise cost. Nice, very nice.
We took our first cruise, May 28, 2023. We got married the week before and my wife was planning to change her name. However, her passport only had 5 months left on it. We asked our travel agent and she assured us that it would be fine. It was fine. The machine that scans the passport accepted my passport but rejected her and we had to go through a line where they checked her passport and gave her a pass.
Glad you got through, but be careful with travel agents. I use them, but they don't know everything, AND if something is in a gray area, keep in mind they work on commission.
What is most shameful, is people save back for a year or more to take these trips and then get denied, that is the most ridiculous thing I have ever heard, and then deny a refund that is on the line of scamming.
And in all that years these people could just spend 1 hour to prepare for the cruise but no. It's how he says the responsibility of the passenger to ensure you have all the necessary documents. Many people these days lack self responsibility
@@dannys942 It's a scam? Imagine you have a boat, and charter it out. And the people do not have the proper documents. Are you going to eat the cost? You food will spoil. You still need to pay the staff on the boat. If you say you would then this would be the reason why you are not in business. I would understand if you were the reason as the owner. But why don't people take responsibility for their own actions. Why should the cruise like refund and lose money because people are late or not prepared?
I caught Covid on a Sydney to New Zealand 10 day cruise. There were numerous Americans on board coughing and sneezing WITHOUT masks. The only reason I was confined for 5 of the 10 day cruise was because I went and talked to the doctor. The doctor told my wife and I that they knew there were people sick on board but, unless those people attended the medical centre there was nothing they could do about it.
I’ve also had several occasions where you can be denied entry to a country if you have a visa from country that is hostile to the country you’re entering. For this reason the British government issued me with 2 passports.
It's worse than that - simply having the wrong stamp in your passport can cause problems. For instance, you can't enter the USA on an ESTA if you've been to one of several countries including Cuba. You instead need to apply for a full visa. I wouldn't mind betting that catches out a few people every year.
On a recent Alaska cruise Royal Caribbean was required to change the itinerary (they claimed the cause was the timing of the tides at the originally intended destination) and was substituting another Canadian port for what had been an Alaskan port. Shortly after, the line sent out a mass email advising of visa requirements that may have changed as a result of the itinerary change. Although U.S. residents weren't affected, apparently Mexican citizens were. So these things can become quite fluid considering that cruise itineraries are not carved in stone.
I wondered the same thing. In fact, the ship departed from Vancouver. But still they sent out a message about how the itinerary change could impact certain passengers.
@@aeroAdvocate If they had a single entry Canadian visa (eg from Mexico) they wouldn't necessarily be able to re-enter Canada. In a situation like that, CBSA (Canadian Border Services Agency) is actually pretty accommodating. The affected people would have been confined to ship, and the ship carry on to the USA.
In 2019 we were on a Caribbean cruise out of Miami and one of the ports (escapes me at the moment) was cancelled due to all passengers not having passports. We weren’t given the exact reason other than a “security concern” of that country. Personally I think the cruise industry should require passports of all passengers (except minor children).
My wife is from a bad-passport country. I thought of taking her on a cruise but looked at the shopping lists of ports and no way would I think of of trying to figure out which visas she would need. We fly, one country at a time!
Gary, that couple who were denied boarding for an Alaska cruise because they did not have an eTA for Canada should not have been denied boarding as they did NOT need one. Overseas visitors to Canada who arrive by plane MUST have an eTA but those who arrive by ship, car or bus do NOT need one. I know this to be true, as a year ago we arrived in Canada after a Viking cruise from Hong Kong to Japan, Alaska and ending in Vamcouver and we and all other foreigners did NOT need an eTA.
One of the problems with any of these controls is that the people controlling you do not know the rules and regulations themselves as thoroughly as they think. But at that moment in time and place, these unimportant little people have the power of a GOD. And they love to exercise that power; they will never accept they are wrong.
An electronic visa for Canada. The US calls it an eSTA. As of early 2025 you will also need an eTA for Schengen countries in Europe. Most (but not all) countries these days that require visas allow travellers to apply and pay electronically.
These are the very reasons why I have stopped, cruising. I used to enjoy going on cruises, especially in the Caribbean, however; due to the variety of rules and the inconsistency of rules amongst the various cruise lines, I have simply stopped cruising. It’s simply not worth it for me if I want to go to someplace in the Caribbean I’ll fly. Thank you very much. 0:06
Because people with babies and toddlers think nothing of inconviencing others because they figure if their life is miserable every elses life should be miserable too. Similiar to a screaming kid on a plane.
there are onboard babysitting/nanny services. not just regular kids club... a woman is sent to your cabin to look after infants, usually women from cleaning staff/ cabin attendants.
Flight delays and weather issues are why our group always gets down to the port city the day before the cruise...sometimes two days, if we want to do some sightseeing. In the past (before I started traveling with them) some of them have had close calls when traveling on cruise day. Also, I cannot imagine traveling without a passport. Since they are good for 10 years, they really are not that expensive....just plan ahead because most cruise lines require your passport to still be good for six months after the end of the cruise.
Gary .. . I read this on the Canadian Government web site about entering into Canada. "Visa-exempt foreign nationals need an eTA to fly to or transit through a Canadian airport. These travellers do not need an eTA when arriving by car, bus, train or boat (including a cruise ship)."
It’s been a month since this video was made and I was told by my travel agent last week that we need a passport for Canada. We are US citizens. Was also told that if we have ever had a DUI (we have not) that we would be denied entry into Canada.
A past offence doesnt deny entry. The pocess allows you to as apply for a visa and declare the offending and you could be approved for a old offence etc. a esta would bf invalid however. A dui or other offence where the offence is discharged by a court can also be considered.
Anyone see a problem there? Canada won't let you in with a DUI. Meanwhile, the US will welcome you, provide free housing and medical care, and doesn't even care you are a cartel member, with the tats to prove it.
This episode probably should be mandatory for travel agents to watch. I bet 90% of them who's not specializing in cruises are not aware of these 'traps'.
Ladies, make sure your ID and cruise paperwork all match as far as your name. If you married, and DL has married name and passport has maiden name , it could be a problem
They just book it. Its the traveller who must check. Dont sssume any ticket is a right to travel. Just like a passport visa and pther requirements are needed to fly
In 2023 a passenger was denied boarding due to an unpaid item in their “shopping cart” when looking at excursion on line. The passenger seemed to change their mind about the item or simply forgot about it. At embarkation they were denied because they were not “paid in full”.
The evening before sailing I log into my account for that cruise line to ensure I have no outstanding items, such as docs or an item in the shopping cart. I take a screenshot showing I’m fully paid, all docs are done, and there are no outstanding items. The screenshot captures the date/time. If something happens to my account after that, it’s on the cruise line to fix it. This has saved me before!
This is the first video of yours that has made think that cruising might just be a huge pain in the ass and not worth the hassle. Who wants to fly across the ocean to be denied the trip you purchased because of some technicality? And even if the cruise line employee has given you the incorrect information? That is insane.
It is definitely worth the hassle! And a good cruise travel agent is worth their weight in gold--they will find out which visas, vaccinations, etc. you need well in advance.
Any trip requires planning and research. When going anywhere, one should always read the information that comes with their ticket from the travel company to ensure they will have the proper documents and arrive on time, plus do research on where they are going such as entry and exit requirements of where they are going, ensuring they have the proper documents, meet the health requirements, and not bring anything that will land them in hot water. It is all about being a responsible adult. If being a responsible adult is a PIA, then I just don't know what to say.
@cvn6555 It sounds like you are US based and take issue with any country that would have the gaul to operate in their own way...Maybe travelling isn't for you after all. Stick to what you know
@@Cheeeesseee3678 Thanks for the advice; I'll be sure to take it under consideration. Pretty sure I'm more addressing the cruise companies screwing someone over a minor technicality or giving their customers bad information and not accepting the blame for having done so. Maybe I'm just full of "gaul", whatever that is.
I hear you but think on the broader side. A delay at any point can has a domino effect for onward ports. And it’s also not soly the cruise line calling the shots. The port authority strictly controls all movement in port. There is a lengthy explanation of what goes on to prepare to sail but you won’t be interested and I don’t have the inclination.
I must say that the Tips For Travellers videos are very well done. They always stay on point, include a lot of useful information and the gentleman who hosts/narrates them is always well spoken. Also, on the technical side, the visual graphics are lively and include many interesting clips. It is always enjoyable to watch one of these videos.
You and me both. I can think of many ways to spend a few thousand dollars and not have to worry about being denied whatever it was I spent the money on. Denying people boarding and then keeping their money is little different from theft. OH! Wait! It IS theft.
You are missing out, just came back this week from a 21 day European cruise to 14 countries on the Baltic Sea, it was my 32nd cruise. My favorite way to travel.
I agree fully. It is a major reduction in stress and removes potentially catastrophic variables like delayed or cancelled flights. I do the same getting off the cruise - you've had enough for one day already.
I'm not sure a judge would agree with them that passengers are responsible when given incorrect information by a representative of the cruise line. The passengers that were given incorrect information should definitely sue.
Canada - if you have any criminal convictions on your record - no matter how old - Canada will likely deny you entry into the country. The process for obtaining approval to enter Canada with criminal convictions is lengthy and expensive. Canada will run your name through their databases when your name appears on a passenger manifest - airplane, ship, train, etc. You will be stopped, and you will likely be denied entry.
That's true for a lot of countries. Visa free travel isn't generally available if you have criminal convictions. I think for the US even being arrested disqualifies you for the visa waiver program.
Thank you for sharing this important information I must say this is too much of a hassle to deal with nowadays. I’m so glad I experienced cruising in the 90s and early 2000s as therefore I’m done with cruising.
For something like a cruise, I have long believed in getting to the area of the cruise port at least a day before the cruise is to depart. Now I started this when we started driving instead of flying, even if it's a 12-16 hour drive (it makes for a FAR more enjoyable vacation than dealing with airlines and airports,) but we started doing this even when flying. If a country requires travel insurance, such as you said the UK does, the cruise line should be required to include such a policy in it's cruise fare, otherwise in effect the government itself is causing the cruise line to post inaccurate fares, as it's not all inclusive, as the fares supposedly are.
Including travel insurance into the fare is highly impractical and would most likely collide with many laws. Medical insurance is heavily (and incompatibly!) regulated in most countries. Options available to an individual might depend on nationality, residency status if living in another country and a ton of other things. It might as well open a can of worms concerning unfair competition.
Good video, Gary. Not a cruiser, but I travel a lot and one German company gets most of my bookings. It bombards me with emails, densely-packed with a mixture of useful information and chaff. Increasingly, I find myself scanning emails rather than reading them. One day, I'm going to miss something important.
I just read today, in fact, that a 100% disabled vet and his 80 year old mom were just denied a cruise out of Port Canaveral because he didn't have enough papers for his service dog. He had the proof of it being a service dog, health, and shot records, but he didn't have the proper documentation that is required by the government in the Bahamas for the dog. At least the cruise line gave him a full refund. This is really awful. Do you think the cruise line should be responsible for letting people with service dogs know what documentation they will need for the countries the cruise visits? They told him the papers he would need, which he had, but evidently they got it all wrong. It can take weeks and months to get the proper documentation from other countries so people better really do the research about every country they are going to visit, for every little thing. Cruising has becoming so complicated and crowded, I don't think it's even worth it to go on one anymore.
We did not need a visa from UK for Canada if arriving by ship and flying out . Is clearly stated Visa-exempt (eTA eligible) travellers The following travellers need an Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA) to board their flight to Canada. However, these travellers do not need an eTA if entering by land or sea - for instance driving from the U.S. or coming by bus, train, or boat, including cruise ship. Andorra Australia Austria Bahamas Barbados Belgium British citizen British National (Overseas) British overseas citizen (re-admissible to the United Kingdom) British overseas territory citizen with citizenship through birth, descent,
The group that were denied boarding because of flight delays is exactly why we never fly day of embarkation, the delays can be caused by a multitude of reasons. We fly in at least the day before if not 2. Also, we never travel without travel insurance, that includes everything we can think of.
Fully agree. It's just common sense to arrive at least a day ahead of going on a cruise. "Things happen" and it is just too risky to cut it so fine and not allow for any delays.
@@kimberiysmarketstrategy Wrong. It's way, way more than "just a passport". It's all the hassles - most of them unnecessary - the crime in ports, the poor expense vs. enjoyment ratio. Are you willing to send me $6,000 for something that I won't even guarantee to deliver, but regardless, I get to keep your money? Didn't think so.
I don't get the mindset of some fellow Americans of being too cheap to get a passport but are willing to spend thousands of USD on a cruise or on a vacation.
Same thing that I’ve heard about people not wanting to pay the upcoming visa for Europe. It’s something like $5 and they are literally balking at this. It’s crazy!
@@WilliamMurphy-uv9pm true. How many times are people absently not charged for a small item in a restaurant when they should have been and it’s stated on the menu? Then when they are charged, they get upset. No gratitude for other times, just mad that the right thing was done.
Great point about visas! Taking a cruise from Southampton in 2025. As a US citizen I won’t need an ETIAS to get to the UK, but will need it to embark because we’re going to Norway.
Yes, and Iceland too. Both are outside the EU but inside the EU's free travel area "Schengen". UK never has been inside this area, and never will be. But there are plans for a UK "ESTA" in due course.
If anyone tells me they’re going on cruise, I tell them to get on these sites. Before,I never purchased travel insurance, nor had a passport & I flew in the day of departure! On these sites I have heard such horror stories. Some young people rented some type of scooter at a port. They crashed with a car causing both to have to be hospitalized with fractures. Neither had insurance so the hospital only put dressings on the fractures & refused to treat them without insurance. In addition, they couldn’t check out until the bill was paid. One of the parents had to come up with money, travel over there to pay the bill & then accompany them home. The husband of a couple had heart issues on ship & had to be air lifted to a hospital. A couple of days later when he was dismissed from the hospital, they had difficulty getting transport back to the ship because they had no passport. Just because you can get back on the ship without a passport doesn’t mean you can get out of another country. These sites can be lifesavers!
My husband and I have been cruising nearly 30 years. Passports are the way to go. We've never had an issue. We also renew our passports within 12 months of expiration. Some countries wont allow you to enter if you passport expires within 6 months. Also, you can purchase insurance independently of the cruise line...its often far cheaper...of course you need to make sure the travel insurance is what is needed for the cruise.
Gary, this article absolutely guarantees I WILL NOT be cruising. Too many hoops to jump through and a lack of standard travel and boarding procedures. I don’t want the angst or headaches you’ve outlined here.
In my opinion, even if you’re from the United States and just doing a cruise that’s Caribbean and you don’t really need a passport. You should bring one because once in a while, a plane has emergency landing and it might land in a different country maybe even a different island that requires a passport, although there might be some exceptions, it would make it easier for you
I’ve never had it an emergency landing, but three times I had a landing in a different city because of thunderstorms which is especially common and the south east of the United States.
And heaven forbid, you need to go to the hospital while in the islands. Then you can't rejoin your ship so you book a flight. Oops! They won't accept your driver's license or birth certificate so that you can fly home. At that time, you find yourself at the US Embassy, applying for a fast track passport so you can go home
Another helpful video on what to watch out for and totally agree with the lines that people need to take responsibility for being prepared to cruise. As to passports, those who feel it necessary to get souvenir stamps for their passport, also run the risk of having that passport invalidated by countries they are entering.
The new European visa system that Canadian and American citizens should apply to is delayed for 2025. My spouse and I who travel in Europe for vacation frequently are always on the lookout for any rule changes.
As an avid cruiser, I'm guessing that since more and more people are booking cruises online, instead of using a travel agent, these questions are not getting addressed ahead of time as they should. A good travel agent not only answers those questions, but they are also beneficial for helping with anything else that can/does come up.
When I fly internationally, I always fly into the nation I am cruising from several days before my cruise. I do this in case the flight(s) are delayed even a day or two. When cruising out of Southampton, U.K., I like to spend several days in London and visit places nearby, such as Stonehenge and Windsor Castle. I agree with not allowing people to board a ship who are sick. I am sorry these people are ill, however, I do not want to get sick from these people on my vacation. People need to be considerate of other passengers when boarding. The needs of the healthy should not be compromised by the needs of a few sick people.
@@donkiml5805 yes it may, BUT it would have to be cruise specific travel insurance, not the travel insurance that you would use to go on a package holiday to the canaries.
I also fly to an international destination a day or two early: it not only insures that I’ll be able to board the ship but gives me time to do a bit of sightseeing in the port city.
Have you heard of any issues regarding middle names not being on cruise reservations? First and last name match exactly, but government ID has middle name but cruise reservation does not.
I found this video extremely helpful! We are set to leave on an Alaskan cruise next weekend. One of the people in our parties passport will expire a couple days shy of six months from the end of our cruise. That would deny her boarding. I went round and round with Norwegian Cruise line to try to find out what options we had. They were absolutely of no help - until I called and told them that I wanted to get a full refund and cancel the cruise. Then they got a little helpful about birth certificate and government issued ID. However, they did not tell us what we learned in this video, that if the name on your government issue ID, is not the same as that on your birth certificate (due to marriage), then you need those documents as well. I hope this cruise is fabulous and changes my mind, but at this point, I don’t know that I would cruise with NCL, or any other cruise line again, that cannot provide better than this.
With a passport expiry date over 10 years from issue (by 2 months), and 20 days to my cruise, I've just panic researched getting a fast track renewal...but on double checking - and as someone else mentioned - the 10 year rule apparently relates to the issue date not being more than 10 years old on the day of entry to the EU. The issue to expiry dates can apparently still be more than 10 years in duration, as long as it hasn't been more than 10 years since the date of issue on the day of entry to the EU. This appears to be what happened with the Sutherlands and seems to match up on my t's & c's. I hope 🙏
That is correct. The information given in the video was very misleading. However it amazed me that however many times this issue was reported in the news people still kept getting caught out.
I went a cruise shortly after the pandemic when passport renewals were taking for ever. Mine didn’t come in time and I had to go the birth certificate route. I was so paranoid the entire trip and basically stayed on the ship out of fear I would get stuck without a passport. 🤣🤦🏻♀️
My wife and I just went on one out of Seattle. She let her passport expire so I could only book a US start and finish. I scoured everything I could find on birth certificates and where and how and was still worried when we embarked. I don't even think they scrutinized it in the least. It obviously had her maiden name it and not a word was uttered about the difference in that and the booking name. Probably because it was just Canada.
why do people still insist on flying in the day of the cruise? I always fly in with at least 3 days usually 5 days at times to enjoy the port of departure
If you buy your air through the cruise line, they commonly set it up for the day of departure. It's dopey. I suppose people objected to paying a hotel night, so they just went with same-day arrivals rather than arguing. The result, though, is that you often have to argue to get your air for the day before. Or so I have read.
Remember that Americans only get half the number of paid vacation days that people get in every other first world country. So unlike the rest of us, they don't have the time to sit around and relax for a few days in the departure port.
Airlines have very similar rules. Plan to get there early. Plan to have the proper papers. Plan to get there a day ahead of time in fact in case your flight is delayed.
I have never been on a cruise. I don't have any desire to go on a cruise. Being surrounded by strangers all the time, limited time to explore ports, and being in foriegn countries. There are so many things here in the USA to do and see.
Just have a passport for anywhere outside USA. You don't need it for Hawaii. Visa is only needed for communist countries, like Vietnam, China. Visa is just an extra money scheme by the commies. If you have all sorts of complications, just stay at home & waddle around in your backyard.
US Consumer Protection Agency and the Department of Transportation needs to take a look at these cruise line practices with regards to denying the service people pay for and refusing to refund their money, often thousands of dollars. I can't think of another service or business that gets away with that kind of outrageous behavior.
If I dont have the right visa to usa I dont allowed enter even the plane tickets cost 4000 $. Do you find usa government transport should pay me back and pay for may return ticket to Italy
erm you not heard of a company called DISNEY. some guys wife died due to food allergies issues at a resturant he was told "because you accepted a disney+ free trial 10 years ago the T&C's say you can never sue us"
Well...put it into context. The number of people denied boarding is infinitesimally small. When all the reasons and examples are put in one video it skews it. And most of the documentation requirements are not cruise specific. Bottom line, for any international travel, make sure you use a passport, that it is current, not extended and has blank visa pages and you won't have any problem boarding (oh, and show up on time!).
Lol look at at the average intelligence of people and then consider that there are hundreds cruise ships floating around at any given time anywhere with 2, 3, 4000+ people on them. Obviously it’s not that hard!
Think about it this way. There are dozens of rules to driving a vehicle, and they vary state to state including toll booths, etc. and it’s ok to learn what is needed before traveling
Another little known fact is that Canada will not admit any traveler with a criminal misdemeanor in the last 10 years… so something like a DUI may bar you from Canada. You can apply for the Canadian rehabilitation program .. but it’s expensive and very difficult to complete without legal help. Strangely enough it’s completely up to the discretion of the Canadian customs agent on whether or not they enforce this rule but it’s a gamble to plan a cruise if you aren’t sure
Ughhh... Turning up late for check in and being refused boarding, then blaming late arrival by plane. I ALWAYS fly into my departure city at least 24hrs early to avoid any unforeseen delays. Also worth mentioning, you still need the relevant documents even if you intend to remain on board the ship for the duration of the cruise. (Yes, some people just like to cruise and not disembark.)
![Felix "Unfair" | [Stray Kids : SKZ-PLAYER]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/Oswujxm2Ag0/mqdefault.jpg)
What annoys the life out of me is that the cruise company apparently can’t tell you exactly which documents you need for your specific cruise, it’s your responsibility to find out what it is you need. Yet, at boarding they suddenly know exactly what is required, so that they can either deny or allow boarding. They should give you the document requirements as part of your booking confirmation email and again nearer the sailing date in case anything has changed. I don’t understand why there always has to be a mystery around exactly which documents are required 🤬
Cruising sounds like one gigantic nightmare--all for the pleasure of getting nickeled and dimed to death in a giant petri dish.
@@comicus6769, why are you here? The documentation issues are a part of international travel.
Airlines aren't any different. You better know what you need to be allowed on your flight or you aren't boarding.
Thank you for this information! This is really helpful.
@@pamelakrumvieda3153airlines are different, because passport control at the airport is separate from the airline, so they can more easily wash their hands of knowing what documents you need. Whereas the cruise line checks everything at boarding and they’re the company you book with
On any trip outside of the US, we do multiple passport checks. The first check is in our driveway. Everyone has to show a passport and license before the car gets started. We do a second one at the airport and A third one before we get on the shuttle to the cruise port. Just slightly paranoid.
Better paranoid than denied boarding.
Not paranoid.
But clever !
Love from Norway 🚢🇳🇴
I'm the same way with my family. My main priority are our passports and important/required documents and our luggages are second. Better be paranoid than get denied, whether on a cruise or in a country you're trying to visit.
@@ninaelsbethgustavsen2131 Agreed. If somethings stupid but works, it's not stupid!
One of my most common recurring nightmares is turning up at the airport/terminal without my passport- it's never happened yet, probably because of how much I stress about it!
Smart
Does anyone else find it ironic that Princess said that passengers have to take responsibility for not having the right documentation but will not take responsibility for giving out the wrong information?
the must be part of the IRS as the IRS accepts no responsibility for incorrect tax information.
The reason for this is that EVERYBODY will use the excuse "But PRINCESS told me blah blah blah...." when there is absolutely no way to prove or disprove what Princess actually told them unless it's in writing.
Imagine someone bringing a machine gun on board and when questioned they could just say "PRINCESS told me that guns were okay!" and then Princess would side with the passenger because the customer is always right, correct?'
Sounds convenient. "All we have to do is bury a requirement in section 37, page 238, paragraph 17, subparagraph 4 of annex 2 of the cruise contract in a 2 point font and then tell our agents to lie about it to the passengers, and we get free money? Sweet!"
@@andrewholden1501 Just say no to cruising! It's fun watching these videos but personallly, I wouldn't take the risk any more than I'd play Russian roulette.
@@victoriaguerin2851 Nothing wrong with cruising, if people are too stupid to understand the terms and conditions of the cruise line, then that is their faulty. EVERY cruise lines website tells you everything you need to know and do before sailing. No different if you were going on holiday to another country, there are still terms and conditions.
We have cruised for over 10 years and never once had an issue.
On a Cunard cruise departing 1700 from Southhampton, I was told to check in at 1500. But as I was flying in to England that day, owing to nerves over unreliable flights, I got the earliest plane and arrived at Ocean terminal at 0930 hours. I was starving having missed breakfast. There was one wee terminal coffee and sandwich bar. I asked at Cunard check in if I could leave my luggage and go into town to eat. I was offered breakfast on board & allowed to embark immediately. I've held a soft spot for Cunard ever since.
I had the opposite experience with a ferry to Tasmania. The ferry left at 6 pm but due to transport I arrived at 9 am. I was not permitted to leave my bags. To get anything to eat or drink I had to carry my bags with me. So we had 9 hours with nowhere to go. Nowhere to shelter from the weather. Nowhere to put our bags. It was horrible.
That was lovely and I got of a Cunard cruise QM2 next to the ship was a Costa
ship I booked to go on , as it was early I asked them if I could leave our luggage
some where, they took me my children on board gave us a day cabin and said
we can come for lunch. That was so kind and made our Emirate embarkment
easy, enjoyed that cruise also.
That's wonderful. A big tick for Cunard.
RCL have instant boarding. They don't even bother with allocating times. Been on board Symphony (6000 pax) by 11am in less than 15 minutes.
Do not fret, you paid for that convenience handsomely.
you have thoroughly inspired me to stay home and appreciate my daily walk to the mailbox😳
Oh I can totally agree with you 😮 !!
I have my very first cruise scheduled with my adult daughter next spring. I'm terrified.
@@donnahampton3632 Terrified of what?
@@spoly8139 That I am paying a ton of money for something that won't be enough fun to be worth it. I don't want it to be a waste of time and money. It is an expensive cruise, and I haven't been on one before. All the cruise videos I see make me not want to go. They are designed to help everything go smoothly, so I still watch them. My stomach hurts every time.
I agree I’ll never cruise!
The thing that gets me is, if the cruise line, at embarkation, knows enough about documentation to deny you boarding, why can’t they share that knowledge with you before hand?
Because they'd rather keep your money and not have to feed you or clean your cabin.
@@lucindawelenc2191 Empty rooms mean a lot less income both for the cruise line and the employees.
Its just buck passing to reduce the possibility of the cruise line making mistakes.
@@boscobeans Not when they bump passengers at the dock after they have paid in full. Did you view the video?
Consider a 6mth world cruise that visits 120 different countries... The cruise line cannot possibly be expected to inform every passenger of the entry requirements of every country on the itinerary. It is the travellers responsibility to check and acquire the relevant documents.
Always have travel insurance. On our cruise my other half had to see the doctor. Insurance cost $100, cost of medical services $7000.
What line were you on? I was admitted to medical services and it only cost $350
We get travel insurance even it we go across the state. The way US health insurance is split to “in network” and “out of network” you could easily have a $5,000 deductible for both. You might have already completed the one for in network, but even a minor visit to an ER is going to cost $1500 minimum… that would hit the out of network deductible. Paying $150 to $200 for not only trip cancellation, and all the other usual travel coverage, but also medical is critical.A weekend get away can otherwise easily ruin you financially for a while.
What 'medical services' did they provide to you for $7000?
Royal Caribbean..... Checked heart and other possible issues. Was in for over 3 hours. Good thing we had insurance.
If u take more than 2 trips a year, I just purchase Allianz annual travel insurance where they’ll cover your entire year of travel trips
Another rule to consider-In several Caribbean, Central and South American countries, it is illegal to wear camouflage clothing. It’s the country’s law, no point in debating it with the law enforcement officials, just don’t do it.
I'd say camouflage clothing abroad is also generally a bad idea, because you won't know if it has cultural implications.
Wow I had no idea. I don't wear camo anyway, but that's actually really good to know.
I learned something, thanks.
@@HipHopAnotomus The have issues with paramilitary groups there. And it would really ruin the vaccation and tourism score, if the police mistakes a tourist for a insurgent.
On our recent trip with stops at Costa Maya and Cozumel, I saw camo and public smoking at those Mexican ports. Maybe Mexico is more lenient.
US immigration lawyer here. ESTA is not a visa. ESTA is a preclearance system for those wishing to enter on the Visa Waiver Program, i.e. those who are eligible to enter the US without a visa. So, you would get an ESTA preclearance. You would not get an ESTA visa. Note: Canadians do not enter the US on the Visa Waiver Program. Canadians are special and can enter the US without a visa (for short visits), but are not subject to the restrictions of the Visa Waiver Program.
And a follow-up on that - you don't enter the US "on ESTA". You enter on VWP (Visa Waiver Program).
The English couple were non EU citizens. Different rules apply for non EU citizens . Next year, the EU online visa system goes live for all non EU citizens
Out of curiosity; The last time I was in the U.S. (2014) I entered under the VWP, and part of my itinerary included passing through Canada and back into the U.S. At the Canadian checkpoint I was given a seemingly standard „OK to enter for tourism purposes for a short time“ stamp, then another border stamp when I re-entered the U.S. under the same ESTA as before. I'm a UK citizen so I was also an EU national at the time.
Outside of the Canadian ESTA program, is this sort of thing still commonplace...Or is it a lot more complicated than it used to be? 😇
@@dieseldragon6756 US immigration law doesn't care about the EU. You're a citizen of the UK and have a UK passport. The program is reciprocal. so all participating countries have pretty much the same rules (though not EXACTLY the same). The program is essentially the same as it was in 2014, except that there has been some fluctuation in certain countries being on the program. No fluctuation in the UK being on the program.
I’ve been on several cruises over the years and never experienced any problems boarding. A simple rule is to read everything before you travel.
People also don’t listen to travel agents advice. I used to be a TA. I’d tell clients all the time that they need to fly in the night before. But the ones that didn’t, would have cancelled/flight delays would call me and demand I “fix it”. Well, I couldn’t. But it was my fault
Our agent managed to find us a beautiful little bed and breakfast about a 5 minute walk from the cruise port after we told him we planned to fly in the previous day and wanted to not have to hurry the morning of the trip. Well worth the extra night's stay.
Sounds familiar. I worked for many years in a customer service call center for over 200 major retailers (Aeropostale, Fanatics, Dick's Sporting Goods, Adidas, Estee Lauder, Kate Spade, etc.) The third week of every December, the customers who ordered their gifts after the "guaranteed to arrive by the 24th" deadline always accused me and my coworkers of personally ruining their family's Christmas. It was always our fault, never theirs.
“Always wake up in the city your meeting/event is in.”
Most people never take resposibilitiy for their own faults.. in generall!
We are all flying in 2 days early from New England / St. Louis for a new years cruise out of Miami this year. And we all have valid passports !!!
I simply do not understand why anybody would travel outside the USA without a passport! It is your international I. D. card! A year ago I was vacationing in South America when a European woman had a medical emergency in my hotel. When the ambulance arrived, the FIRST THING the medics asked for was her passport.
I don’t understand. Let’s say I book the cruise, then I break my leg and now I have crutches. If I’m not needing anything from the cruise line, why do I have to inform them?
@@ImaginationTravelTips For emergency evacuations for they know not to leave someone behind. Or you have mobility issues and may require help for this procedure.
So then why are birds not required to present passports? So then birds are given more respect than humans? I know who I am.
@@yosefmacgruber1920 Hard to tell if you’re being serious or not, because if you are that’s the stupidest thing I have ever read.
@@yosefmacgruber1920 Also, you knowing who you are is completely irrelevant. It’s not about you knowing who you are, it’s about other people knowing who you are.
My late husband used to work for the US Dept of State. Passports.
Please don't put your passport in your checked luggage.
Kind of obvious but some people don't do obvious.
My opinion is folks don’t believe a passport is necessary and, also, I’ve read soooo many Fbook posts of people objecting to the cost. Fact is, all those nice little friendly countries that you have visited in the past are changing the rules. Last year, Greenland, Panama, Columbia and 1 other country changed the rules and required a passport!! The cruise lines are just trying to keep up with the changing landscape! Do your research before booking, and if you don’t have a passport, then your mantra should be …. Get a Passport Get a Passport Get a Passport !!!
@@duncanbryson1167 Perhaps they just forget? Are you always as hateful as this or just most of the time? Trump was convicted I guess.
@@Fomites
Don't know what your reference to Trump is about but I've been following US politics for about 8 years from 🇬🇧 specifically 🏴. I'm extremely hateful towards him.
@@FomitesOnly a clown would put their Passport in checked baggage. Probably Americans who’ve never left country before and have no idea about international travel.
That is a great explanation for not spending money on a cruise.
Indeed - the whole trauma is like a budget airline experience. Rather stay home!
If this is your outlook then it must be the same for everything else in your life. All things in life require something to be known or you pay the price.
Why are you and other like minded people watching a cruising video is what I would like to know? 😮
I guess you don’t enjoy traveling in general. When you leave the country you are responsible to make sure you have the documents. It’s not rocket science
You can be denied entry into Canada if you have a DUI conviction or a serious firearm or violence conviction. I know someone who was denied entry for a vacation in Vancouver because of a conviction over 10 years previously. You can apply in advance for an exemption and entry permit, but you can't do so at the border entry point.
Just wanted to say I appreciate your calm informative info. I rather not watch utubers overdramatizing and loudly making it hard to retain the info for being overly amused by the silly antics of some cruise channels. Ty for being the calm of the seas.
+1 - I can't watch these drama "Queens" who do nothing but yap yap yap.
Yes, I stopped watching them.
Pitiful attempt at being reality stars?!! Let's not forget the Amazon commercials they add. 😳
@@aeroAdvocate You don't mean Frank and Kevin, do you?
On Carnival, prohibited items include boats and canoes, which can only mean someone once tried to bring them aboard
Bringing a small boat or kayak seems cool to me. You can use it in port, or if the ship hits an iceberg.
Can't bring a portable washing machine. I mean who knew that was a thing.😂
Appearantly Carnival has one of the longest prohibited lists in the cruise industry which I can believe if someone was crazy enough to try and get a canoe on board
maybe that happened years ago after they had seen "Titanic" in the movies LOL
No, it doesn't necassarily means it. Its probability is quite high, but still sometimes people use the thing between their ears even before and see something that might cause problems (of what kind ever) and ban it before it actually happens.
I cruised with my grandson last year with a very comprehensive letter that was notarized…Royal Caribbean would not take it as they have their own form. My letter contained the same information but was not typed into their form. They gave me the form and I faxed it to my daughter, she returned it to me and my grandson and I boarded.
when I took my nephew to London, I needed notarized statements from both parents at Heathrow
Amazingly, years ago, my neighbors parents took their then 7 year old grand daughter on a cruise overseas for 14 days and no one asked for her passport - the two grand parents both had passports. But not the grand daughter. But that was years ago - so the rules must have tightened up considerably since years ago. And yes they did go ashore to two destinations - and did not have to show a passport for the then 7 year old.
Thanks for sharing ! doesn't apply now.
but good to know there are cruise line forms as well!!
When my husband and I divorced I decided not to change back to my maiden name because I wanted to do a few overseas trips with our son and it's a lot easier if you both have the same surname
About 1:20: I learned in all my European travels (I'm not a cruiser) that "flying in on the day" for an event (swapping airlines, boarding, whatever) is not smart at all. Pay for a night in the area and be there early.
Sometimes from the uk its a package holiday with flight included, you generally take the flight they provide as buying it separate and then pay hotel is more expensive.
You could go for a connection (I did it with plane to train a couple times) but you need to allow yourself several hours in between, especially when transferring from a plane, or between planes, or sometimes between trains.
You need at least 2 blank pages. Each page has a space for 6 stamps. Yet when we go enter some countries the custom agent will use a brand new unused page rather than a page that has already been used.
Same thing happens to me. When I visit Eastern Europe, they just flip around and find a totally blank page and stamp it and not doing it in chronological order.
I think they use a new stamp for each new trip (entry/exit) or for each visa if you travel on a visa.
My daughter got banned for being pregnant but the cruise line allowed us to change passengers and bring my sons friend instead. So that was good.
I'm genuinely curious, how do they know? I look about 6 month pregnant after eating taco bell.
@@kristinak6092 Hahahaha!😊💓And karen, you're very sweet to look at the bright side.🌸💓
@@kristinak6092
Probably just read quickly through a standard list and ask if they have any
Just out of curiosity, what did you do for your daughter to soothe her undoubtedly hurt feelings when she was left behind? As much as my hormones were affecting my mental state at any given minute when I was pregnant, I would have been pretty upset! 😂😂
I don't know about other cruise lines, but if you have mobility/accessibility issues, Cunard requires you to advise them of this. If you do not, or if your needs change and you don't tell them, you can be denied boarding.
Most cruise lines have an accessibility questionnaire if you book an adapted cabin. Plan ahead.
makes sense from a safety perspective. If they need to evacuate the ship and you need help with that, they need to know, as putting someone with a wheelchair on a lifeboat can be difficult if the ship is listing.
A very reasonable position to take. It seems significantly stranger that some companies would not require this info
US citizens should never leave the US without a passport! You may have to be medically evacuated or have to reenter the States at a different port. These require a passport and it does happen.
You literally can't leave the US without scanning out with a passport. Does not matter if it's at a land crossing or airport.
@@1007yes That is absolutely not true. People do this on cruise ships every day.
@@1007yes You can indeed leave without a passport, as long as the ship returns (voyage ends) at the same port. Regardless of domestic & international ports of call in-between. Aka, a closed circuit cruise. A valid US issued birth certificate and driver's license or state ID is all you need.
Because we’re allowed to 😂
Just say you’re seeking asylum.
Excellent video. As someone who has never cruised before this is an go to video that everyone first time cruiser needs to see!
I wasn't denied boarding but kicked off before the Royal Caribbeanl ship sailed. Why? Because the strobe lights in the corridor during the lifeboat drill gave me a migraine. They tried to tell me I was having a stroke and had to go to the ER. They unloaded both my luggage and my husband's and dumped it on the dock. They also said we could rejoin the ship at Cozumel, but they confiscated our shipcards. We never got a refund because we "voluntarily left the ship."
So cruisers, never tell ship personnel that you're having a headache or upset stomach or anything else that they can blow up into an emergency.
Always record your conversations with cruise line staff. No matter what the company claims, if they give bad information, they are accountable. Just because they claim they are not doesn't mean that will hold up in court. The companies are responsible for bad information provided by their employees. They try and pin 100% of the blame on the passengers so they can keep your money without providing the service you paid for. We got wrongly denied boarding by Royal Caribbean and they tried playing games and tried cheating us out of our money. In the end, we got a full refund.
If one parent is traveling with their children and without the other parent some countries require a permission document from the other parent even if divorced.
This is smart, as some parents take their child with them to another country so that their divorced former spouse no longer get to see their kid.
Especially if divorced. It's mainly an issue with the non-custodial parent abducting the child and taking them overseas. It is such a big issue that 103 countries have signed up to an international treaty (the Hague Convention) agreeing what to do when it happens (short version: the child should be immediately returned to the country where they are "habitually resident" and the courts there should determine what happens next).
@@thomasdalton1508yes I had this with Carnival took him ages to get him to sign the paperwork…
Especially if divorced :)
We are taking our children, their spouses, and grandchildren on a cruise next year. Western Caribbean. One of our daughters is divorced with 4 children. Her ex just abandoned them and we don’t know where he is. He’s never tried to contact her or their children. What should she do? She can’t get a permission slip from the father if we can’t find him. His parents don’t even speak with him or know where he is.
I just can't fathom not traveling internationally without a passport! I take it even going from Canada to the US.
Absolutely, both Canada and the US have required passports to cross the border for years.
I take mine even when I travel between states. As not all states (including mine) have met the Federal standards for ID'S.
@@leighsweet6846Federal standards for ID are not in effect yet are they? I thought that had been pushed back to 2025?
Me too.! If I'm out of my country, I always keep it on me. You never know...
Us too. But we've depended on our passports since hubby's military posting at CFE Baden Soellingen Germany in 1988.
Providing this information is why you are clearly the best at what you do. Thank you!
Don’t forget DUIs. If you’ve had one, you need to fill out forms for Canada months in advance if the cruise originates or stops in Canada.
Having an eyepatch and a parrot on your shoulder is also problematic.
😅
So, Arrr me arty...what about me wooden peg-leg! Do I needs to gets er fumigated for pests?
Saying "Shiver me timbers".
A hook…
Gold !!
Thanks Gary. It's all common sense but it's nice to be reminded. I do feel though, that since the imposition of compulsory travel insurance by cruise lines, insurance companies have increased their charges disproportionally. For example and given we are a year older each holiday but our declared health conditions are identical and excesses are the same our Europe holiday cruise inclusive insurances were: 2017- Au$960; 2018- Au$869; 2019- Au$814 Alaska and US not Europe; 2022 - Au$3064; 2023 - Au$1834 (much shorter duration) and for August this year 2024 -Au$3715 almost 4 times the 2017 cost. It's interesting to note the post covid differences.
@U2_U I'm guessing you're from the US
yes the costs are going up a lot
As Americans, we booked a TUI river cruise directly through their British office. The documents, as well as their agent made it abundantly clear we had to purchase insurance. No worries.
@U2_UNo, not being insulting. US travellers are far more pedantic about the small print and being particularly litigious want everything made abundantly clear.
When it comes to legalities, contracts, or thousands of dollars coming out of my pocket, it 100% needs to be crystal clear. I don’t care where you’re from.
Fun fact: Nearly all cruises that stop in American ports will go to other countries. This is because of an American law that a cruise ship must be built in America in order to stop in all American ports without an international transit. And we don't really make cruise ships here in America.
Well NCL has Pride of America only in Hawaii. They never touch foreign soil. And was built like a a million years in Europe. That is the only trip I can think of does not touch foreign soil.
Where was Pride of America built?
@@cruisingforone she was started in the US, finished in Europe, but she is counted as an American-built ship which is why she can do Hawaiian cruises without going to Mexico or Canada
Its actually based on the country of ships registry, not construction. Pride of America is the only US flagged cruise ship. Also as a result of being US flagged, it also has to comply with US labor laws.
@@niuhuskieguyThe Jones Act says that only American made ships can be US-flagged, so it is both
My son was denied boarding on a Princess Cruise to Alaska.
We repeatedly asked the company if he could board without a Canadian Visa and were told that he was fine if he had a US visa. He was denied boarding at the ship.
They need to make it VERY clear about which documents and visas are mandatory.
The advice of a real certified travel agent is so beneficial-I used to be a Travel Agent for Carlson Wagonlit travel. I checked with all countries requirements on entry & departure laws/rules & with our Embassies for rules, warnings & recommendations. Also always be 2 hours ahead on everything! Always have your ID documents & a Visa credit card for big emergencies when you’ve left the ship for tours! Always buy the trip insurance protection -
10% wished they had every cruise!!
Just to say that a US ESTA and Canadian ETA are NOT visas. They are electronic travel authorisations that purely enable to you to board a flight/ ship to the USA or Canada.. It is then up to the immigration officer at the point of entry to determine whether to grant you a visa. Citizens of countries that are part of the visa-waiver programme do not need visas but do need an ESTA and/or ETA to enter the USA/ Canada, The Canadian ETA is valid for 5 years, the USA ESTA is valid for 2 years. My advice is to apply for your respective ESTA/ETA as soon as or even before you book travel to those countries. Both are inexpensive - for instance an ESTA costs $21. DO NOT wait until the day before you travel to apply for your ESTA as it can take up to 72 hours to be approved. Mine took 6 hours, but my husband's took 24 hours. You will be denied boarding even where you've applied for it, but not yet received approval. Also, if you get a new passport during the period of validity of your ESTA/ETA , you will have a new passport number, date of issue and expiry. You will need to apply for a new ESTA/ETA as the authorisations are tied to your passport number. New passport, new ESTA/ ETA. This has caught quite a few travellers out resulting in being denied boarding. If you already have a valid visa for the USA in your passport for the USA you do not need an ESTA. Usually when flying, you will need to enter your visa number when providing advance passenger information details to ensure you are not denied boarding. ANOTHER tip - if you are entering Canada by air, download the ArriveCAN app where you can do go through all the border entry procedures, and avoiding the immigration queues at (participating) Canadian airports. I go to Canada fairly often these days and immigration is a breeze with the ArriveCAN app. I just go to a kiosk in the immigration hall, have my photo taken and fingerprint and that's pretty much it. No stamps at all in my passport either.
The bottom line is to take responsibility for ensuring you know what the immigration requirements are for any country that you are visiting. Its really not difficult to find out what is required.
Immigration officers don't grant visas. Embassies and Consulates do, authorized by the State Department. The immigration officer only authorizes your entry after presenting valid documents.
@@aeroAdvocate they do. Eg a 90 day stay tourist visa
my husband needed a new passport and an ESTA, we got both before we booked just in case there was a problem with either. I'm amazed by people who leave the ESTA until the last minute.
@@aeroAdvocate Not exactly so in US. in US immigration officer at the border determines the conditions of your stay, such as the length, and even status if visa covers several, such as B1/B2, and also have the ability to deny the entry even if your visa is valid. Visa obtained at the consulate is not a guarantee that you will enter US. In continental Europe, indeed, it is more check that all documents are in order. (in UK, in my memory, border immigration has more authority)
And the border agents can be total jerks! Both directions USA/Canada.
I miss the old days when things were not so complicated.
Instead of enjoying a vacation it has become a chore.
So when do you think passports and other personal ID weren't needed? Were you traveling in the 18th century?
Travel between the US & Canada use to have no document requirements at all. They just asked where you were born. Travel between the US & Mexico also had no passport requirements. This was before 911.
@@lorijharman-runyan6433Spot on! Thank you for clarifying my point .
@@lorijharman-runyan6433 Spot on! Thanks for clarifying my point.
@@fedex1339 Your Welcome! 😊
US Passport - YES! I used to work shoreside for Princess at Canada Place in Vancouver, and on numerous occasions we had US Citizens try to pass through customs to board the ship with just a birth certificate. I specifically remember one young man saying, "But I'm a US Citizen!" to the officer. Doesn't matter. You can't board a US bound cruise with just a birth certificate when the cruise departs from a Canadian Port. Yes, as an American you have the right to reenter your own country, but the port of entry is dictated by the officers, and they would always require entry through a land border. It's a somewhat common mistake for American cruisers to confuse the rules of a US closed loop cruise with a Canada to US cruise. These passengers were always denied boarding by US Customs.
Does a Canadian with a valid Canadian passport leaving from Vancouver to Alaska and back to Vancouver need anything else? Like a VISA?
@@gingerella7934 No, all that would be needed is the passport, assuming they are travelling for pleasure.
@@RusteyGuy Ok thank you so much!
Haha. Because borders are always so guarded and enforced. What a joke.
Still, it's dumb that some cruise lines want the official document (birth certificate). What if you lose it or someone steals it? It's tough getting that kind of document replaced. Just ridiculous that a photocopy is not allowed. That's why I'm reluctant to take a cruise. They have sooooo many tiny rules that can ruin everything if you miss even ONE. Doesn't feel like it's worth the hassle to be stuck at sea with thousands of other loud people on a ship for 3-5 days...
So, don’t be late, have a valid passport with an acceptable exp. date, have the required visa(s); have required travel insurance; don’t be over the preggers gestation range; don’t bring babies under the required age; don’t check/bring contraband contraband on board; don’t be drunk at checking; don’t have COVID symptoms. Got it! Thanks!
Travel insurance is not required, am I wrong?
@@kimberlycroteau3683 Depends on the cruise.
Some cruises do require it.
This is such an excellent video. Everyone going on a cruise should watch this. The information you provide to us all is very valuable and helpful. Thanks for sharing this and keep up the good work. 🎉
One issue when attempting to use a "Birth Certificate" as ID....in America, many states issue something called a "Birth Record" which is often generically referred to as a birth certificate. That document cannot be used to acquire a passport, so I would assume that the cruise line would not accept it. A true Birth Certificate has a raised seal. Both my wife and I needed to send away for a true Birth Certificate when we got our passports. Simple solution--don't jeopardize a $6000 vacation because you were too cheap to spend $150 on a passport.
The rule about counting blank pages at the end of your passport is pretty lazy of them (the customs people). I've been to countries where they just glue an extension to the page and stamp on it. You are not allowed to tear it off. The point is so you can still have a stamp on your passport if there might not be enough pages left at the end.
@@largol33t12 It's a requirement from the shittiest country in the world apart from North Korea, South Africa.
There is also something called a "Certificate of Live Birth" issued by some states that is NOT a birth certificate. I have a friend who made that mistake and was denied boarding on a Caribbean cruise departing from Florida.
Yep same here my friend husband was denied boarding royal carribian out of Galveston TX. Born an American because they didn't like birth certificate. Just get your passport! I would not take a chance with anything else.
We were told that passports actually cost closer to $600 and above and can take months to get. Not many people have the option to spend $1800 for a family of 3 to get a passport before spending thousands on the cruise itself.
We all went and got our birth certificate from city hall and were able to get our enhanced licenses using them...
So if the US DMV will accept them as birth certificates, no reason why a cruise ship wouldn't.
What I get from this is no matter what, if the cruise line decides to deny you to board you are SOL and they get to keep your entire cruise cost. Nice, very nice.
We took our first cruise, May 28, 2023. We got married the week before and my wife was planning to change her name. However, her passport only had 5 months left on it. We asked our travel agent and she assured us that it would be fine. It was fine. The machine that scans the passport accepted my passport but rejected her and we had to go through a line where they checked her passport and gave her a pass.
This is an interesting fact to know.
Many country tries require a passport with at least 6 months good on it. Best check with a countries consulate.
Glad you got through, but be careful with travel agents. I use them, but they don't know everything, AND if something is in a gray area, keep in mind they work on commission.
What is most shameful, is people save back for a year or more to take these trips and then get denied, that is the most ridiculous thing I have ever heard, and then deny a refund that is on the line of scamming.
And in all that years these people could just spend 1 hour to prepare for the cruise but no. It's how he says the responsibility of the passenger to ensure you have all the necessary documents. Many people these days lack self responsibility
It seems a bit harsh to not refund, but it's probably impossible to find someone else to take their place at the last moment.
it is absolutely scamming!
you can be denied for a million idiotic reasons and get no refund!
thats the epidemy of scamming!
@@dannys942 Except none of the reasons he listed were idiotic. They were all sensible and reasonable.
@@dannys942 It's a scam? Imagine you have a boat, and charter it out. And the people do not have the proper documents. Are you going to eat the cost? You food will spoil. You still need to pay the staff on the boat. If you say you would then this would be the reason why you are not in business. I would understand if you were the reason as the owner. But why don't people take responsibility for their own actions. Why should the cruise like refund and lose money because people are late or not prepared?
I caught Covid on a Sydney to New Zealand 10 day cruise. There were numerous Americans on board coughing and sneezing WITHOUT masks. The only reason I was confined for 5 of the 10 day cruise was because I went and talked to the doctor. The doctor told my wife and I that they knew there were people sick on board but, unless those people attended the medical centre there was nothing they could do about it.
I’ve also had several occasions where you can be denied entry to a country if you have a visa from country that is hostile to the country you’re entering. For this reason the British government issued me with 2 passports.
It's worse than that - simply having the wrong stamp in your passport can cause problems. For instance, you can't enter the USA on an ESTA if you've been to one of several countries including Cuba. You instead need to apply for a full visa. I wouldn't mind betting that catches out a few people every year.
Russia and israel and palestine are on that list. North korea raises euebrows
On a recent Alaska cruise Royal Caribbean was required to change the itinerary (they claimed the cause was the timing of the tides at the originally intended destination) and was substituting another Canadian port for what had been an Alaskan port. Shortly after, the line sent out a mass email advising of visa requirements that may have changed as a result of the itinerary change. Although U.S. residents weren't affected, apparently Mexican citizens were. So these things can become quite fluid considering that cruise itineraries are not carved in stone.
How would that affect anyone? The ship would have stopped in another Canadian port either way due to the Jones Act/PVSA.
I wondered the same thing. In fact, the ship departed from Vancouver. But still they sent out a message about how the itinerary change could impact certain passengers.
@@aeroAdvocate If they had a single entry Canadian visa (eg from Mexico) they wouldn't necessarily be able to re-enter Canada. In a situation like that, CBSA (Canadian Border Services Agency) is actually pretty accommodating. The affected people would have been confined to ship, and the ship carry on to the USA.
In 2019 we were on a Caribbean cruise out of Miami and one of the ports (escapes me at the moment) was cancelled due to all passengers not having passports. We weren’t given the exact reason other than a “security concern” of that country. Personally I think the cruise industry should require passports of all passengers (except minor children).
My wife is from a bad-passport country. I thought of taking her on a cruise but looked at the shopping lists of ports and no way would I think of of trying to figure out which visas she would need. We fly, one country at a time!
Gary, that couple who were denied boarding for an Alaska cruise because they did not have an eTA for Canada should not have been denied boarding as they did NOT need one. Overseas visitors to Canada who arrive by plane MUST have an eTA but those who arrive by ship, car or bus do NOT need one. I know this to be true, as a year ago we arrived in Canada after a Viking cruise from Hong Kong to Japan, Alaska and ending in Vamcouver and we and all other foreigners did NOT need an eTA.
One of the problems with any of these controls is that the people controlling you do not know the rules and regulations themselves as thoroughly as they think. But at that moment in time and place, these unimportant little people have the power of a GOD. And they love to exercise that power; they will never accept they are wrong.
Also wanted to say this also you can't get one.
Staff sometimes don't know what they think, always ask for a supervisor.
What is an eTA?
An electronic visa for Canada. The US calls it an eSTA. As of early 2025 you will also need an eTA for Schengen countries in Europe. Most (but not all) countries these days that require visas allow travellers to apply and pay electronically.
These are the very reasons why I have stopped, cruising. I used to enjoy going on cruises, especially in the Caribbean, however; due to the variety of rules and the inconsistency of rules amongst the various cruise lines, I have simply stopped cruising. It’s simply not worth it for me if I want to go to someplace in the Caribbean I’ll fly. Thank you very much. 0:06
According to the Canadian government website an eTa is only required if arriving by air. It is not required if arriving by sea or land.
Why would anybody take a 6 month old on a cruise? 6 month old are to much work at home much less on a cruise.
Intelligence is neuro-divergent so it should not be expected of others.
That makes no sense
Because people with babies and toddlers think nothing of inconviencing others because they figure if their life is miserable every elses life should be miserable too. Similiar to a screaming kid on a plane.
there are onboard babysitting/nanny services. not just regular kids club... a woman is sent to your cabin to look after infants, usually women from cleaning staff/ cabin attendants.
Ridiculous
Flight delays and weather issues are why our group always gets down to the port city the day before the cruise...sometimes two days, if we want to do some sightseeing. In the past (before I started traveling with them) some of them have had close calls when traveling on cruise day.
Also, I cannot imagine traveling without a passport. Since they are good for 10 years, they really are not that expensive....just plan ahead because most cruise lines require your passport to still be good for six months after the end of the cruise.
We do at least 2 days before. One reason is if the airlines lose your bag, it usually takes about a day to get it to you.
and if they can't find it, it gives you time to go shopping for replacement items.
The problem isn't the 10 years, it's the 4 months before it expires that one forgets about it.
I almost miss my second cruise, i was stuck in traffic for 4-5 hours becase there was truck roll over on highway ,since then i go few days before
Gary .. . I read this on the Canadian Government web site about entering into Canada. "Visa-exempt foreign nationals need an eTA to fly to or transit through a Canadian airport. These travellers do not need an eTA when arriving by car, bus, train or boat (including a cruise ship)."
If you get medevaced you will likely go through a Canadian airport so you will need an eTA.
No need for an eTA when leaving Canada by air. We have entered Canada by cruise ship and flown home from Vancouver - no eTA required.
@@Kiwidaedong ETA is a pre-clearance for arrival by air. There are no immigration checks for leaving Canada
This is such great and helpful information, Gary. I love to send your videos to cruising clients! So educational for us all.
It’s been a month since this video was made and I was told by my travel agent last week that we need a passport for Canada. We are US citizens. Was also told that if we have ever had a DUI (we have not) that we would be denied entry into Canada.
A past offence doesnt deny entry. The pocess allows you to as apply for a visa and declare the offending and you could be approved for a old offence etc. a esta would bf invalid however. A dui or other offence where the offence is discharged by a court can also be considered.
@@paulgerrard9227 I knew someone who was denied entry because he had a DUI at the age of 26. He was in his 60's. One never can know for sure.
Anyone see a problem there? Canada won't let you in with a DUI.
Meanwhile, the US will welcome you, provide free housing and medical care, and doesn't even care you are a cartel member, with the tats to prove it.
This episode probably should be mandatory for travel agents to watch. I bet 90% of them who's not specializing in cruises are not aware of these 'traps'.
These aren’t really traps, but just regulations of customs and immigration or even rules of the ship for safety reasons.
Who / how would make it MANDATORY for travel agents ??? These points are the responsibility of the passenger - not travel agents
Ladies, make sure your ID and cruise paperwork all match as far as your name. If you married, and DL has married name and passport has maiden name , it could be a problem
@@MickeyMouse-zu2ykbecause there are too many irresponsible cry babies in this world
They just book it. Its the traveller who must check. Dont sssume any ticket is a right to travel. Just like a passport visa and pther requirements are needed to fly
In 2023 a passenger was denied boarding due to an unpaid item in their “shopping cart” when looking at excursion on line. The passenger seemed to change their mind about the item or simply forgot about it. At embarkation they were denied because they were not “paid in full”.
wow that's harsh! Presumably they weren't even booked on the excursion because they hadn't paid for it.
@@FreeSpirited66 correct
So they should have been able to just go online and remove the item from the cart, or pay for it. Problem solved in a minute.
@@CaptainKremmen had they done that before embarkation it might have been ok. But they didn’t, and were denied boarding.
The evening before sailing I log into my account for that cruise line to ensure I have no outstanding items, such as docs or an item in the shopping cart. I take a screenshot showing I’m fully paid, all docs are done, and there are no outstanding items. The screenshot captures the date/time. If something happens to my account after that, it’s on the cruise line to fix it. This has saved me before!
This is the first video of yours that has made think that cruising might just be a huge pain in the ass and not worth the hassle. Who wants to fly across the ocean to be denied the trip you purchased because of some technicality? And even if the cruise line employee has given you the incorrect information? That is insane.
It is definitely worth the hassle! And a good cruise travel agent is worth their weight in gold--they will find out which visas, vaccinations, etc. you need well in advance.
Any trip requires planning and research. When going anywhere, one should always read the information that comes with their ticket from the travel company to ensure they will have the proper documents and arrive on time, plus do research on where they are going such as entry and exit requirements of where they are going, ensuring they have the proper documents, meet the health requirements, and not bring anything that will land them in hot water. It is all about being a responsible adult. If being a responsible adult is a PIA, then I just don't know what to say.
@cvn6555 It sounds like you are US based and take issue with any country that would have the gaul to operate in their own way...Maybe travelling isn't for you after all. Stick to what you know
@@Cheeeesseee3678 Thanks for the advice; I'll be sure to take it under consideration. Pretty sure I'm more addressing the cruise companies screwing someone over a minor technicality or giving their customers bad information and not accepting the blame for having done so. Maybe I'm just full of "gaul", whatever that is.
I hear you but think on the broader side. A delay at any point can has a domino effect for onward ports. And it’s also not soly the cruise line calling the shots. The port authority strictly controls all movement in port. There is a lengthy explanation of what goes on to prepare to sail but you won’t be interested and I don’t have the inclination.
I must say that the Tips For Travellers videos are very well done. They always stay on point, include a lot of useful information and the gentleman who hosts/narrates them is always well spoken. Also, on the technical side, the visual graphics are lively and include many interesting clips. It is always enjoyable to watch one of these videos.
I've never had the slightest desire to go on a cruise, and this just provides me with another reason why.
You and me both. I can think of many ways to spend a few thousand dollars and not have to worry about being denied whatever it was I spent the money on. Denying people boarding and then keeping their money is little different from theft. OH! Wait! It IS theft.
@@thewaywardwind548I'm sure it's rare.
Ditto
You are missing out, just came back this week from a 21 day European cruise to 14 countries on the Baltic Sea, it was my 32nd cruise. My favorite way to travel.
Just said the same thing myself. Garry makes cruises sound revolting.
Always fly in or travel to the port a day ahead of time.
At least.
I agree fully. It is a major reduction in stress and removes potentially catastrophic variables like delayed or cancelled flights. I do the same getting off the cruise - you've had enough for one day already.
@@coldlakealta4043 Exactly.
I'm not sure a judge would agree with them that passengers are responsible when given incorrect information by a representative of the cruise line. The passengers that were given incorrect information should definitely sue.
Only in America, and they would have no case, it's always in the cruise terms and conditions.
@@andy70d35 Information explicitly provided by the cruise line would trump the terms and conditions.
@@andy70d35 You can't put something illegal in your terms and conditions and expect to enforce them. Bring on the lawsuits!
@@victoriaguerin2851 What's illegal? I don't agree with the cruise lines' policies, but this comment doesn't make sense.
How would you prove it? Get everything in writing?
Canada - if you have any criminal convictions on your record - no matter how old - Canada will likely deny you entry into the country. The process for obtaining approval to enter Canada with criminal convictions is lengthy and expensive. Canada will run your name through their databases when your name appears on a passenger manifest - airplane, ship, train, etc. You will be stopped, and you will likely be denied entry.
That's true for a lot of countries. Visa free travel isn't generally available if you have criminal convictions. I think for the US even being arrested disqualifies you for the visa waiver program.
I know someone who lives in Canada that got arrested and convicted for narcotics possession. He cannot come to the US
I saw this on a border show once., Someone admitted they had a driving while intoxicated charge 20 years ago and was denied entry.
No more trump visits for you
this is going to ruin's trump's travel plans to Canada! 🤣
Thank you for sharing this important information I must say this is too much of a hassle to deal with nowadays. I’m so glad I experienced cruising in the 90s and early 2000s as therefore I’m done with cruising.
One of the best videos I have watched on cruising. Thank you so much! Very well done!!
For something like a cruise, I have long believed in getting to the area of the cruise port at least a day before the cruise is to depart. Now I started this when we started driving instead of flying, even if it's a 12-16 hour drive (it makes for a FAR more enjoyable vacation than dealing with airlines and airports,) but we started doing this even when flying.
If a country requires travel insurance, such as you said the UK does, the cruise line should be required to include such a policy in it's cruise fare, otherwise in effect the government itself is causing the cruise line to post inaccurate fares, as it's not all inclusive, as the fares supposedly are.
Including travel insurance into the fare is highly impractical and would most likely collide with many laws. Medical insurance is heavily (and incompatibly!) regulated in most countries. Options available to an individual might depend on nationality, residency status if living in another country and a ton of other things. It might as well open a can of worms concerning unfair competition.
This channel made me an experienced cruiser b4 my 1st cruise 7 yrs ago.
Good video, Gary.
Not a cruiser, but I travel a lot and one German company gets most of my bookings. It bombards me with emails, densely-packed with a mixture of useful information and chaff. Increasingly, I find myself scanning emails rather than reading them. One day, I'm going to miss something important.
I just read today, in fact, that a 100% disabled vet and his 80 year old mom were just denied a cruise out of Port Canaveral because he didn't have enough papers for his service dog. He had the proof of it being a service dog, health, and shot records, but he didn't have the proper documentation that is required by the government in the Bahamas for the dog. At least the cruise line gave him a full refund. This is really awful. Do you think the cruise line should be responsible for letting people with service dogs know what documentation they will need for the countries the cruise visits? They told him the papers he would need, which he had, but evidently they got it all wrong. It can take weeks and months to get the proper documentation from other countries so people better really do the research about every country they are going to visit, for every little thing. Cruising has becoming so complicated and crowded, I don't think it's even worth it to go on one anymore.
We did not need a visa from UK for Canada if arriving by ship and flying out . Is clearly stated Visa-exempt (eTA eligible) travellers
The following travellers need an Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA) to board their flight to Canada. However, these travellers do not need an eTA if entering by land or sea - for instance driving from the U.S. or coming by bus, train, or boat, including cruise ship.
Andorra
Australia
Austria
Bahamas
Barbados
Belgium
British citizen
British National (Overseas)
British overseas citizen (re-admissible to the United Kingdom)
British overseas territory citizen with citizenship through birth, descent,
The group that were denied boarding because of flight delays is exactly why we never fly day of embarkation, the delays can be caused by a multitude of reasons. We fly in at least the day before if not 2. Also, we never travel without travel insurance, that includes everything we can think of.
Agreed. It’s all just simple common sense…..
Fully agree. It's just common sense to arrive at least a day ahead of going on a cruise. "Things happen" and it is just too risky to cut it so fine and not allow for any delays.
Thanks Gary. You have given me more information that guarantees I won't do a cruise. Lots of hoops and hassles that I don't want to deal with.
Its just a passport
@@kimberiysmarketstrategy Wrong. It's way, way more than "just a passport".
It's all the hassles - most of them unnecessary - the crime in ports, the poor expense vs. enjoyment ratio.
Are you willing to send me $6,000 for something that I won't even guarantee to deliver, but regardless, I get to keep your money?
Didn't think so.
I don't get the mindset of some fellow Americans of being too cheap to get a passport but are willing to spend thousands of USD on a cruise or on a vacation.
Same thing that I’ve heard about people not wanting to pay the upcoming visa for Europe. It’s something like $5 and they are literally balking at this. It’s crazy!
These are the same people that refuse to buy travel insurance and then do brilliant things like rent scooters on a Caribbean island. 🤦🏻♀️
I feel as though a passport is a great investment. It's a great form of identification everywhere and you only have to renew them every ten years.
@@ImaginationTravelTips Changes that cost a traveler more work or ANY increase in price will be resisted. Call it human nature.
@@WilliamMurphy-uv9pm true. How many times are people absently not charged for a small item in a restaurant when they should have been and it’s stated on the menu? Then when they are charged, they get upset. No gratitude for other times, just mad that the right thing was done.
Thank you!! This is extremely comprehensive. I’m in the US doing a first cruise but there are many considerations for international cruises.
Cruise rule 101: never fly in the day of cruise departure. Always give yourself an extra day.
Who would go on any kind of holiday without insurance? Mental!
Great point about visas! Taking a cruise from Southampton in 2025. As a US citizen I won’t need an ETIAS to get to the UK, but will need it to embark because we’re going to Norway.
I thought you wouldn't have to, but I had to look it up and indeed you do. Just shows how you got to keep on top of these things.
Yes you do!
Yes, and Iceland too. Both are outside the EU but inside the EU's free travel area "Schengen". UK never has been inside this area, and never will be. But there are plans for a UK "ESTA" in due course.
Seems strange I checked for our cruise for 2024 and don't need for Norway, guess ETIAS are not started until 2025
@@andy70d35 That’s correct.
If anyone tells me they’re going on cruise, I tell them to get on these sites. Before,I never purchased travel insurance, nor had a passport & I flew in the day of departure! On these sites I have heard such horror stories.
Some young people rented some type of scooter at a port. They crashed with a car causing both to have to be hospitalized with fractures. Neither had insurance so the hospital only put dressings on the fractures & refused to treat them without insurance. In addition, they couldn’t check out until the bill was paid. One of the parents had to come up with money, travel over there to pay the bill & then accompany them home.
The husband of a couple had heart issues on ship & had to be air lifted to a hospital. A couple of days later when he was dismissed from the hospital, they had difficulty getting transport back to the ship because they had no passport. Just because you can get back on the ship without a passport doesn’t mean you can get out of another country.
These sites can be lifesavers!
My husband and I have been cruising nearly 30 years. Passports are the way to go. We've never had an issue. We also renew our passports within 12 months of expiration. Some countries wont allow you to enter if you passport expires within 6 months. Also, you can purchase insurance independently of the cruise line...its often far cheaper...of course you need to make sure the travel insurance is what is needed for the cruise.
NCL won't give Canadians travel insurance any more. FYI.
@LWard-yt8ye Many European cruise lines won't let you sail without insurance.
@skilltreed540 OH, ok, good to know as we're going in April. Thank you!
Gary, this article absolutely guarantees I WILL NOT be cruising. Too many hoops to jump through and a lack of standard travel and boarding procedures. I don’t want the angst or headaches you’ve outlined here.
In my opinion, even if you’re from the United States and just doing a cruise that’s Caribbean and you don’t really need a passport. You should bring one because once in a while, a plane has emergency landing and it might land in a different country maybe even a different island that requires a passport, although there might be some exceptions, it would make it easier for you
I’ve never had it an emergency landing, but three times I had a landing in a different city because of thunderstorms which is especially common and the south east of the United States.
You need a passport because many islands are not US possessions
And heaven forbid, you need to go to the hospital while in the islands. Then you can't rejoin your ship so you book a flight. Oops! They won't accept your driver's license or birth certificate so that you can fly home. At that time, you find yourself at the US Embassy, applying for a fast track passport so you can go home
@@catherineyagecic416 yes another reason why it’s very wise to take along the passport
Another helpful video on what to watch out for and totally agree with the lines that people need to take responsibility for being prepared to cruise. As to passports, those who feel it necessary to get souvenir stamps for their passport, also run the risk of having that passport invalidated by countries they are entering.
The new European visa system that Canadian and American citizens should apply to is delayed for 2025. My spouse and I who travel in Europe for vacation frequently are always on the lookout for any rule changes.
Thanks for the great information, I'm not going, too complicated!!
As an avid cruiser, I'm guessing that
since more and more people are
booking cruises online, instead of using
a travel agent, these questions are not
getting addressed ahead of time as
they should. A good travel agent not
only answers those questions, but they
are also beneficial for helping with
anything else that can/does come up.
When I fly internationally, I always fly into the nation I am cruising from several days before my cruise. I do this in case the flight(s) are delayed even a day or two. When cruising out of Southampton, U.K., I like to spend several days in London and visit places nearby, such as Stonehenge and Windsor Castle.
I agree with not allowing people to board a ship who are sick. I am sorry these people are ill, however, I do not want to get sick from these people on my vacation. People need to be considerate of other passengers when boarding. The needs of the healthy should not be compromised by the needs of a few sick people.
Travel insurance should help in this situation.
@@donkiml5805 yes it may, BUT it would have to be cruise specific travel insurance, not the travel insurance that you would use to go on a package holiday to the canaries.
I also fly to an international destination a day or two early: it not only insures that I’ll be able to board the ship but gives me time to do a bit of sightseeing in the port city.
That's how I had the pleasure of exploring Southampton before a Queen Anne Cunard cruise.
Have you heard of any issues regarding middle names not being on cruise reservations? First and last name match exactly, but government ID has middle name but cruise reservation does not.
That's why you should fly in the day before. Have a passport and use it on all trips.
Sound advice
License to steal. How hard is it to sue a cruise line?
I found this video extremely helpful! We are set to leave on an Alaskan cruise next weekend. One of the people in our parties passport will expire a couple days shy of six months from the end of our cruise. That would deny her boarding. I went round and round with Norwegian Cruise line to try to find out what options we had. They were absolutely of no help - until I called and told them that I wanted to get a full refund and cancel the cruise. Then they got a little helpful about birth certificate and government issued ID. However, they did not tell us what we learned in this video, that if the name on your government issue ID, is not the same as that on your birth certificate (due to marriage), then you need those documents as well.
I hope this cruise is fabulous and changes my mind, but at this point, I don’t know that I would cruise with NCL, or any other cruise line again, that cannot provide better than this.
With a passport expiry date over 10 years from issue (by 2 months), and 20 days to my cruise, I've just panic researched getting a fast track renewal...but on double checking - and as someone else mentioned - the 10 year rule apparently relates to the issue date not being more than 10 years old on the day of entry to the EU.
The issue to expiry dates can apparently still be more than 10 years in duration, as long as it hasn't been more than 10 years since the date of issue on the day of entry to the EU.
This appears to be what happened with the Sutherlands and seems to match up on my t's & c's.
I hope 🙏
Yes. If the 10 year rule was precisely as Gary stated, many many (perhaps most) passports renewed pre-2018 would be useless for entry to the EU.
That is correct. The information given in the video was very misleading. However it amazed me that however many times this issue was reported in the news people still kept getting caught out.
I went a cruise shortly after the pandemic when passport renewals were taking for ever. Mine didn’t come in time and I had to go the birth certificate route. I was so paranoid the entire trip and basically stayed on the ship out of fear I would get stuck without a passport. 🤣🤦🏻♀️
My wife and I just went on one out of Seattle. She let her passport expire so I could only book a US start and finish. I scoured everything I could find on birth certificates and where and how and was still worried when we embarked. I don't even think they scrutinized it in the least. It obviously had her maiden name it and not a word was uttered about the difference in that and the booking name. Probably because it was just Canada.
why do people still insist on flying in the day of the cruise? I always fly in with at least 3 days usually 5 days at times to enjoy the port of departure
If you buy your air through the cruise line, they commonly set it up for the day of departure. It's dopey. I suppose people objected to paying a hotel night, so they just went with same-day arrivals rather than arguing. The result, though, is that you often have to argue to get your air for the day before. Or so I have read.
Americans have very little vacation time.
I have 52 days of vacation annually
Remember that Americans only get half the number of paid vacation days that people get in every other first world country. So unlike the rest of us, they don't have the time to sit around and relax for a few days in the departure port.
52 days is great, but it doesn't come with free hotel stays and meals, does it?
Airlines have very similar rules. Plan to get there early. Plan to have the proper papers. Plan to get there a day ahead of time in fact in case your flight is delayed.
I have never been on a cruise. I don't have any desire to go on a cruise. Being surrounded by strangers all the time, limited time to explore ports, and being in foriegn countries. There are so many things here in the USA to do and see.
Soooo basically your saying, going on a cruise is more complicated than flying to the moon......thanks
In some ways going on a cruise is more complicated than going to the Moon. You don't yet need a passport or visa to go to the Moon.
And the time tables are just as strict and potentially just as fluid.
Just have a passport for anywhere outside USA. You don't need it for Hawaii. Visa is only needed for communist countries, like Vietnam, China. Visa is just an extra money scheme by the commies. If you have all sorts of complications, just stay at home & waddle around in your backyard.
Considering the majority of astronauts have to undergo at least a year of training.... naw.
Yup!😂😂
US Consumer Protection Agency and the Department of Transportation needs to take a look at these cruise line practices with regards to denying the service people pay for and refusing to refund their money, often thousands of dollars. I can't think of another service or business that gets away with that kind of outrageous behavior.
If I dont have the right visa to usa I dont allowed enter even the plane tickets cost 4000 $. Do you find usa government transport should pay me back and pay for may return ticket to Italy
erm you not heard of a company called DISNEY.
some guys wife died due to food allergies issues at a resturant he was told "because you accepted a disney+ free trial 10 years ago the T&C's say you can never sue us"
@@philiprice7875 and the court ruled against them on that.
@@philiprice7875 exactly!
I never have been on a cruise, and thought about doing one, but now, after hearing all those insane restrictions, I say: NEVER!
Well...put it into context. The number of people denied boarding is infinitesimally small. When all the reasons and examples are put in one video it skews it. And most of the documentation requirements are not cruise specific. Bottom line, for any international travel, make sure you use a passport, that it is current, not extended and has blank visa pages and you won't have any problem boarding (oh, and show up on time!).
Lol look at at the average intelligence of people and then consider that there are hundreds cruise ships floating around at any given time anywhere with 2, 3, 4000+ people on them. Obviously it’s not that hard!
Think about it this way. There are dozens of rules to driving a vehicle, and they vary state to state including toll booths, etc. and it’s ok to learn what is needed before traveling
Another little known fact is that Canada will not admit any traveler with a criminal misdemeanor in the last 10 years… so something like a DUI may bar you from Canada. You can apply for the Canadian rehabilitation program .. but it’s expensive and very difficult to complete without legal help. Strangely enough it’s completely up to the discretion of the Canadian customs agent on whether or not they enforce this rule but it’s a gamble to plan a cruise if you aren’t sure
Ughhh... Turning up late for check in and being refused boarding, then blaming late arrival by plane. I ALWAYS fly into my departure city at least 24hrs early to avoid any unforeseen delays.
Also worth mentioning, you still need the relevant documents even if you intend to remain on board the ship for the duration of the cruise. (Yes, some people just like to cruise and not disembark.)
People on my next cruise say they don't land in cruise city til 12:30 pm day of. 🤯 hell no I'm always day before