Criminal Records and Canada

Probably the most frequent question I get is what type of documentation is needed to take a cruise. Usually, this is about passport requirements, but for some individuals, it should also go further to their legal and criminal status. Did you know that you may be denied boarding for a cruise leaving from the US if you have delinquent court-ordered child support? Or if you have ever had a criminal conviction? It's difficult to bring up this type of personal information, I know, but it's important your agent has this information to best assist and guide you.

This is the time of year when people are thinking about cruises to Canada, either Alaskan cruises or fall Canada/New England sailings. Because of this, thought I'd briefly highlight a little-known Canadian immigration law which might affect you.

Over the past several years, Canada has been strengthening their border security, just as the United States has. However, one provision of Canadian immigration law which you might not be aware of could affect your next cruise: Canada may prohibit your entry if you have any type of criminal conviction. This includes such things as DUI or DWI convictions, simple assault and shoplifting.

The US has given Canada expanded access to their criminal databases since 9/11, presumably to ensure better cross-border controls, but the result has been increasing numbers of US citizens turned back at the border. Frequently asked questions about this policy can be found at http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/visit/faq-inadmissibility.asp

However, if you have a conviction in your background, all is not hopeless to cruise to Canada (which includes all Alaska cruises as well as Canada/New England cruises). Depending on the circumstances, you can apply to be deemed "rehabilitated." In general, if the conviction was at least 5-10 years ago and your sentence fully served at least 5 years in the past, you may be able to get a waiver from a Canadian embassy or consulate in advance of your visit. For more information on obtaining a waiver, go to http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/visit/conviction.asp. Do know it can take up to a year for an application to be processed, so if you're planning a trip any time in 2008 or 2009, you need to start the process immediately.

If you have questions regarding this type of immigration question, I am always here to provide guidance on where you can go to get firm answers on your particular situation. Information such as this is always kept in strict confidence, but in order to serve you best, I need to know if there are any situations which might keep you from cruising.

Being Right Isn't Always Good

Sometimes I don't want to be right.

For example, a few weeks ago when United announced their second checked bag fee, I predicted that other major US airlines would soon follow. Unfortunately, that has now proven to be true, as US Air yesterday announced they will be adding a $25 fee for the second checked bag for all economy class fares, with the exception of those purchased by their upper-tier frequent flyers (or for military and unaccompanied minors).

The fee will be effective starting with May 5, 2008 flights.

Whenever you have a second airline following suit on a policy like this, it means the policy is likely to stick, so expect NW, American, Delta and Continental to follow suit soon. One may be a maverick and hold out as a marketing advantage, but luggage fees look to be here to stay.

For most cruisers, this means either just figuring the extra fee into the cost of their vacation, re-thinking driving to the port, or packing lighter and planning on doing more laundry/dry cleaning on the cruise and being more like the Europeans when it comes to brilliance in mixing/matching and accessorizing outfits.

Next prediction I don't want to come true in this regard? Further limitation on weight for bags and enforcement of carry-on weight limits as well. Look to the major European carriers for clues of what to expect.

Australia... Now Easier to Get To!

Yesterday the US and Australia finalized a landmark Open Skies Agreement which will allow for more routes, airlines and frequency of flights between US and Australian cities.

In the past, Qantas and United Airlines have had a virtual lock on routes between the US and Australia, being the only carriers permitted non-stop flights between Australia and the lower-48 states. With this agreement, when it is fully implemented, you can expect not only more choices in airlines, times, frequency and availability, but the increased competition should bring down these traditionally expensive fares.

Expected to jump into the arena quickly are at least one of the Virgin brands, most likely Virgin Blue. Other carriers should also join this lucrative market soon.

This is great news for cruisers, as it will make the increasingly popular Australia/New Zealand cruises more easily accessible. Won't do anything about the flight time, but will make it easier on your pocketbook.

Do I Need a Passport?

The question of whether or not you'll need a passport to cruise today got a little more complicated. Actually that's not quite correct. More like the current complication and confusion is now going to continue at least until June, 2009.

As it stands now, most Caribbean and Mexican cruises leaving from the United States don't require a passport - only a government-issued picture ID and certified birth certificate. You may cruise or drive out of the country and return via road or sea and be just fine. However, the complication comes with air travel. If you must fly out of the US, or return via air from any foreign country (and Mexico and Canada are foreign countries), you must have a passport.

Why is this complicated for cruisers? Let's say something happens and you have to disembark from your cruise in Cozumel to perhaps seek medical treatment or fly home to take care of an emergency back home. You boarded your cruise with your birth certificate and driver's license. Oops. You need a passport to fly back. Suddenly it's very complicated.

I highly recommend anyone who plans to travel outside the country get a passport. Period. They're good for 10 years, right now the hassle isn't too bad or the delays too long to get yours processed. Yes, there's a cost, but amortized over 10 years it's cheap - about $10/year. And it gives you options - you may decide to take a wonderful deal that departs from Europe or South America at the last minute - no need to worry about getting a last-minute passport.

It's also the gold standard for ID. I no longer travel, even domestically, using any other form of ID. It speeds everything up. You have the protection that little blue book affords you with regard to embassies and consulates in other countries.

No matter what the government says is the deadline to get a passport for cruise travel from the US, I say your deadline should be NOW.

How Late IS My Flight?

In an era where, despite the fact there are more domestic home ports, the majority of cruisers still fly to their domestic or international port of embarkation, flight connections become ever more important. Especially as our airports are more congested and some flights are routinely delayed by up to an hour or more. So how do you know if your connection is giving you enough time, or will your flight arrive before your ship leaves?

Of course, I always recommend flying in the day before your cruise. Not only does it mean your first day onboard the ship is more relaxed, you also dramatically increase your odds that you'll be onboard when your ship sails serenely out of port. I also recommend either making your own air arrangements or paying for custom air (deviation) if you purchase cruise line air. But it may not always be possible to add another day to your vacation. So you have to protect yourself.

FlightStats.com to the rescue! This amazing site is a wealth of information. For example, you can check flights you're considering for their overall on-time record, average amount of time they've been late, and most concerning, the latest they've ever been in arriving and frequency of cancellations. When you're trying to figure out flight connections, and whether or not you should choose an earlier first leg or later second leg, this tool is absolutely invaluable. I've changed my mind on flight combinations several times because of the data found here.

You can also track flights in real time - great when you're waiting to pick someone up at the airport. There's a weather overlay showing where there might be trouble elsewhere in the country which could affect your flight. There's even a mobile link so you can access the site from your web-enabled mobile phone or receive text alerts on your phone about your upcoming flights.

I'm not alone in my praise for this site. It's the darling of many travel columnists who use it for the definitive data on delays (regardless of what the FAA or the airlines are saying about flight tardiness improving). I like this tool so much, and feel it's so valuable, I've added their "widget" to the right sidebar on this blog page so you can come use it any time you want!