Be AWARE - Vancouver Sailings and Canadian Port Calls!!!

[bepsf]

Learned something interesting about Canadian Immigration that may be of interest to certain passengers...

If you are trying to enter Canada for whatever reason, Canadian Immigration (CI) may prohibit you from entering their country if they see via your drivers license that you have had a DUI within the past 10 years.

Several passengers on the 9/12-9/19 Alaska cruise were prohibited from leaving the ship for the reason above. CI noted a certain symbol on their drivers license that alerted them to the passengers having had a DUI. They were told that if their DUI were longer than 5 years ago but less than 10 years (when the prohibition would drop off), they could take a class for $200 to gain permission to enter Canada.

When we were told this by our shipmate, other friends of ours confirmed this by telling a story of their friends who had booked a sailing (on another line) from Vancouver and were prohibited from entering Canada to board their ship. $5000 loss and no coverage by travel insurance for any of these losses.

HAL personel reportedly were just as mystified as our friend was - obviously not their obligation to alert passengers, but an unpleasent note nonetheless.

BTW - Fortunately, our friend had no shore excursions planned, but HAL policy is that a missed shore excursion for whatever reason is a forfeited fee...

Although this did not happen to me personally, I feel that the sources are reputable. I don't know what would have happened if our friend had used a passport for ID instead of his license, and I'm sure that other folks have had different experiences. I just want to relay the info to the best of my memory in the hopes that others won't have this misfortune. And of course, I cannot guarantee that you will or won't be stopped by Canadian Immigration - its just something to be aware of...

[merryecho]

Sorry, but this sounds rather far fetched. I have heard no end of rumours about immigration problems, but this one takes the cake. As someone who travels across the border regularly, I have never had a problem using a drivers license.

[RevNeal]

That's interesting. I've never had a DUI, and I've never heard about any kind of symbol on one's Drivers License. However, the last time I went to Vancouver they didn't look at my Drivers License ... they looked t my Passport. How are they going to know if all they look at is you passport? Would that kinda of data also be linked to your passport?

[sail7seas]

I don't doubt it is true as I do not have a clue. Seems a bit much but who knows, these days. I sure could imagine they would not let you rent a car but not enter the country at all seems rather rigid. But, maybe so.....

In many states, if you get a DUI, you automatically lose your license and must turn it into the authorities for the duration of the penalty period. So, they wouldn't even have a license to show at Immigration.

[Florida Beach]

In many states, if you get a DUI, you automatically lose your license and must turn it into the authorities for the duration of the penalty period.
That's clever. I'd move to any of those state in a heart beat :). Get a DUI and you will have to bike to the bar :p

[RevNeal]

I've done a little research, and it's true -- a DUI is an automatic strike against entering Canada. There are wavers and fees one can bay to be allowed to enter ... but they're strict. Check this website for information on the subject:

http://www.drunkdrivingdefense.com/consequences/bush-dui.htm

This was written before the 2000 election, but its data about DUI and immigration law still applies.

[grandma bev]

Once crossed into Canada in a motorhome and was allowed to keep the shotgun and shells, but they took away my can of mace. Called it a lethal weapon. Became curious and did a little research also. Found this on a Sault Ste. Marie border crossing website:

http://www.liddles.com/374.html





What you are allowed to bring into Canada

You are allowed, per person, 40 ounces of alcohol or 1 case of 24 beer, 1 carton of cigarettes, up to 4 days supply of food, along with personal clothing and fishing equipment.

What you are not allowed to bring into Canada

You cannot bring into the country live bait in water, worms packed in earth, hand guns and unregistered firearms.

DUI Charges and Other Issues

Our Canadian Immigration and Visitor regulations restrict persons with convictions that would be considered criminal charges in Canada to enter Canada. If you have had a DUI (driving under the influence) charge against you, any time in the near or far past, and if it shows up on your records in the US (which can be accessed by our Customs & Immigration officers through co-operative agreements between the US and Canada) then you may be denied entry to Canada. Random checks are common.

A one-time application can be made at the Canadian border for approximately $200 Cdn., taking up to 4 hours to complete, or a permanent application for visitor entry can be made through the Canadian Embassies in the US for a lesser amount ($35 Cdn.); however, this process can take up to 16 months. Some visitors with such convictions have been successful by pre-arranging their border crossing application and carrying letters from their home police force, clergy, etc. indicating their compliance with the rules over the past few years (at least 5 years). We suggest you communicate with a Canadian Immigration office prior to your planned trip if you have such a past charge.

[bepsf]

Yes, Merry - it does seem far fetched, which is why I posted to let folks know that it's true. I was just as shocked as my friend who was denied entrance to Canada in Victoria. (although they let his wife through...) As I stated in my earlier post, I'm sure that others have had different experiences entering Canada - perhaps Victoria is just being more strict than other ports of entry for some reason...

And yes, I'm sure that it would be less likely for an individual to be stopped if they used their passport - another reason for me to go get one too...

Thanks Rev and Grandma Bev for doing the research to back me up - I was in the airport with a slow connection & I couldn't do the research myself...

[dakrewser]

Don't know about the symbol part, but the denial of entry to those with a DUI is certainly true.

[Krazy Kruizers]

Thanks for the information.

Never had a DUI.

Always use passports.

[doone]

As far fetched as this sounds, this is certainly true. I had a friend who lived in Vancouver, she was telling me of this, its is true.

[Orcrone]

That's clever. I'd move to any of those state in a heart beat :). Get a DUI and you will have to bike to the bar :pFlorida Beach,

I doubt loss of license because of DUI is going to stop someone, especially when they're drunk, from driving. I've heard too many cases of someone without a license being stopped for DUI.

[CaptData]

Some of our drinking and driving laws are very strict and come with heavy penelties. In some areas there is a .05 DUI. If you are a new driver (less then a year) it can be a zero level. We have cracked down on drinking and driving. The States will not let you enter even if you had one case of pot posstion (sp) (experimental) for the rest of your life. Why is it hard to believe that Canada does not want drunks who could kill.

This is just MOI.

[TedC]

Add another reason why you should have a passport -- and another reason to think twice, no make that a million, to not drink while driving!

[Searanger]

Hey guys....Up here and I assume down south of the border a DWI is a criminal offence. You can't cross the border...either way if you have a criminal record. (It could be for something as minor as possession 30 years ago..if you don't have a pardon your S.O.L.) As far as I'm concerned a DWI is as serious (if not more so) as any other crime.

Interesting that on a drivers licence there is a symbol that identifies you?

I think it's more that you have been flagged in the computer system by your name and your criminal record comes up on the customs guys computer.

[sail7seas]

I wonder what happens if you board a ship in the U.S. (Maasdam sailing from Boston) and the ship sail to Canadian ports. When this person with the DUI conviction arrives in Canada, are they not allowed to leave the ship? They can't refuse you boarding the ship as you are already there.

[tankerjo2]

As far as the Passport idea go's good luck...years ago we took the Victoria Clipper up out of Seattle and while clearing Customs at the dock in Victoria I took out my Passport..they declined to look at it as they wanted to see my drivers license. On our return trip we were talking to one of the employees on the Clipper and they explained about how at least on Washington drivers licenses their was somekind of indication or code to denote a DUI conviction and that in turn would get someone turned away from entering Canada. They said they had seen more than one person left sitting on the dock waiting for the return ride back to Seattle.

[localady]

Also what happens to a passenger with a DUI conviction that gets on the ship in Seward and is to disembark in Vancouver??? Do they have to stay on the ship until they get back to an American port???:eek:

I am curious, does the US rule about no prior convictions apply just to felonies or does it apply to misdemeanors too ??? Would be sad to think that a small offense way back in your history would still haunt anyone years later IMO.:cool:

[dakrewser]

I wonder what happens if you board a ship in the U.S. (Maasdam sailing from Boston) and the ship sail to Canadian ports. When this person with the DUI conviction arrives in Canada, are they not allowed to leave the ship? They can't refuse you boarding the ship as you are already there.
The person would not be allowed off the ship. The same happens to some foreign nationals who cruise into an American port. -dave

[DrivesLikeMario]

One more reason people shouldn't drink and drive. Can't wait to tell my kids this when they get home from school. One more learning lesson. :)

[RevNeal]

The States will not let you enter even if you had one case of pot posstion (sp) (experimental) for the rest of your life. Why is it hard to believe that Canada does not want drunks who could kill.

I agree that each nation has the right to establish laws, control its boarders, and to keep out people who have broken laws in other nations. This goes for Canada, Mexico, and for the United States. However, just as with many countries (including the United States) there really should be a statute of limitations relative to how long the penalty stands as a strike against someone. Canada has something like that by having a "rehabilitation" procedure, and/or a Boarder-crossing fee ($200) .

This being said, it seems to me that the question of "drunks who could kill" should be considered relative to if this person is going to be actually doing something (either drinking or driving or both) while in Canada (or, for that matter, the United States). If all a person is doing is going from the airport to the cruise ship terminal, or is being driven around by shore excursion buses, then I'm not sure [i]how such a person is any danger at all or to anyone. ESPECIALLY if we're talking about your average HAL passenger -- an 80 year old man or woman -- who had a 1966 DWI when he was 42 years old, doesn't have any other kind of record, and isn't even going to be driving while in Canada. Should such people be kept from ever driving in Canada? CERTAINLY ... that makes PERFECT sense. But to not allow them to just cross from an airport to a cruise ship terminal, or to take shore excursions -- none of which will involve them getting behind the wheel of a vehicle (stone cold sober, even) is just over-kill. At least, that's my opinion.

[Jacqueline]

i never taqke my drivers license on a cruise, just like i dont pack the 100 credit cards from every local store. I clean out my wallet as much as possible in case of loss/pick pocketing (last month my dad got hos taken in Sicily). The less one needs to replace the better.
I have only used a passport as ID for about the last 35 years or so. No one has ever asked to see a drivers license in crossing a border. Believe it or not some people really dont drive !
BTW i have no record and am not hiding anything !

[mcduck]

This is not just a Canadian border issue. One of our employee's who has a DUI on his record has had a problem crossing the US border because of it, and whether he gets across or not seems to depend on the mood of the Customs Agent. He has found that if he does tell them that he had a DUI when they ask him if he has a criminal record, that he usually gets through - his guess is that they already know from their computer system and just want to see if he is going to be forthright or lie.

[kruzkeen]

Also what happens to a passenger with a DUI conviction that gets on the ship in Seward and is to disembark in Vancouver??? Do they have to stay on the ship until they get back to an American port???:

This would not be a problem if the American passenger had a passport. Any one disembarking in Vancouver will remember that Canada Customs agents sit at a desk and do not scan passports. They collect an immigration form and wave you on after you have collected your luggage. If you have a transfer voucher to the airport, it is easier as your luggage is trucked to the airport and the inspection is even faster as you are hustled down an escalator to a bus parked next to the ship.

It is several years since I disembarked in Montreal and do not remember the procedure there.

The procedures are more rigorous at Canadian airports.

[RedmondCruiser]

Yes, Canada can deny entry based on a prior DWI. The 10 years mentioned does not make sense. Most states require that a person carry an SR22 filing for three years after conviction. This is on most Drivers Licenses for that time, and that is what Canadian Customs must be looking for. After three years is drops off the license and only a judge can look past three years of a persons record, so I don't see how they can go back for 10 years. Unfortunetly if you get into their computer system you may never get out of it.

[dakrewser]

Yes, Canada can deny entry based on a prior DWI. The 10 years mentioned does not make sense. Most states require that a person carry an SR22 filing for three years after conviction. This is on most Drivers Licenses for that time, and that is what Canadian Customs must be looking for. After three years is drops off the license and only a judge can look past three years of a persons record, so I don't see how they can go back for 10 years.
They can ask you. You can lie, of course, but if they find out they can bar you permanently. The US does.

-dave

[RevNeal]

SR22

What's an SR22?

[Thatsright]

My florida licence has a spot on it where they state what kind of driver you have been. Mine says "good driver" in the corner - maybe that is where they write the code for DUI of you have had one???

[bepsf]

Rev--

An SR 22 is a certificate you get from your insurance company to give to the DMV to prove that you are appropriately insured.

Receiving one from an insurer automatically spikes your rates as a former DUI driver - one of the many reasons I gave up owning a car 6 years ago (I'd much rather cruise than own a car in San Francisco...)

[jfishe]

It's not just a DUI - my brother in law has a felony assault charge on his record from almost 12 years ago (he was young and stupid... ok he's still not bright !). He travels frequently as a sound engineer for a band. He uses his passport everywhere and travels to Europe usually 3-4 times a year with no problems. However, he can't cross the Canadian border from anywhere in the US. I'm not sure what flags it, perhaps your social security #. But, he doesn't argue, he just smiles and says thanks and then calls me to pick him up when he tries to cross from Washington into Canada ! The immigration officers are usually friendly and have let him know how to get the charge changed to allow his entrance into Canada.

[merryecho]

Mea Culpa- this one sounded so bizarre it had the ring of urban legend. I stand corrected. One more nail in the coffin of US/Canadian relations.

[RevNeal]

I will be curious to see what happens if/when Quebec decides to withdraw from the Canadian Union and form an independent nation. Will the rest of Canada -- particularly the Western Provinces -- petition for statehood in the USA? I've heard lots of discussion about this, but am curious as to what some Canadians here have to say.

[spcl4cs_gal]

I will be curious to see what happens if/when Quebec decides to withdraw from the Canadian Union and form an independent nation. Will the rest of Canada -- particularly the Western Provinces -- petition for statehood in the USA? I've heard lots of discussion about this, but am curious as to what some Canadians here have to say.

I honestly don't think Quebec will ever leave to form their own country. Granted the voting during the referendums is usually pretty close, but I think the federal government will put forth some emergency bill that prohibits them from leaving the country. I have never heard of the western provinces wanting to declare statehood should Quebec separate. What I have heard is that they would look into motions to declare themselves separate from the remainder of the country. Quite frankly, should Quebec or the West wish to separate, let 'em go...but revoke their Canadian passports, their Canadian currency, their Canadian EVERYTHING, and see how quickly they all become the world's newest third world nations. Quebec and the rest of them don't know how good they have it but if they hate being in this country so much, move south of the border and stop complaining. I have taught French in the public school system up here for 21 years and am sick and tired of the complainers in Quebec.

Anyway, enough of the sermon for the time being. :)

[bepsf]

I wonder what happens if you board a ship in the U.S. (Maasdam sailing from Boston) and the ship sail to Canadian ports. When this person with the DUI conviction arrives in Canada, are they not allowed to leave the ship? They can't refuse you boarding the ship as you are already there.

That's right, S7S - they make you stay aboard ship for the time that is in Canadian port, which is exactly what happened to my friend. (I didn't bother trying - wasn't interested in going ashore for only 2 hours in the evening when I could enjoy a nice relaxing dinner aboard ship)

[CanSail]

I will be curious to see what happens if/when Quebec decides to withdraw from the Canadian Union and form an independent nation. Will the rest of Canada -- particularly the Western Provinces -- petition for statehood in the USA? I've heard lots of discussion about this, but am curious as to what some Canadians here have to say.

No Rev. Canadians do not want to be part of the U.S., we love our neighbours but we are proud to be Canadian.

Would Alaska want to be part of Canada? No I don't think so, even though we also share cold temperatures and bears (but our bears know the metric system to decide how cold it really is outside)

Good question Rev., you always want to make us think don't you.

Happy Sailing To All

[BSeaBob]

CanSail]No Rev. Canadians do not want to be part of the U.S., we love our neighbours but we are proud to be Canadian.
Yes....
but I often think that Alberta/BC/WA/Oregon/Montana and Idaho would make a great NEW COUNTRY

[ekerr19]

I think there are many states that actually show "restrictions" on Driver's Licenses... in Colorado, there is what is known as a "red license" which allows a person convicted of DUI the ability to meet certain criteria to drive "to and from work" only. If you are caught driving on a route that is not considered "to and from" - you loose your ability to do even that.

There are also a couple of other different types - my favorite, the under 21 license is in a vertical format, rather than horizontal - it easily identifies anyone under 21 and because of its unique format - date of birth can't be altered. :)

[CanSail]

Yes....
but I often think that Alberta/BC/WA/Oregon/Montana and Idaho would make a great NEW COUNTRY


O.K. BSeaBob - Now you have to name that country!!!

[jonikal]

Hmmmm. If Canada is so vigilant and strict about DUI's on U.S. tourists' drivers licenses let's hope their enthusiasm for law and order carries over to keeping the terrorists from coming over their border into the United States.

[merryecho]

This is truly absurd. With a 30 year old dui one can enter nearly any other country on earth with no problem, but not our dear neighbor to the north. I hope this regulation (which has apparently only been used for the past couple of years) soon becomes common knowledge, it will be interesting to see what happens when US/Canada tourism takes a nosedive.

[dakrewser]

This is truly absurd. With a 30 year old dui one can enter nearly any other country on earth with no problem, but not our dear neighbor to the north. I hope this regulation (which has apparently only been used for the past couple of years) soon becomes common knowledge, it will be interesting to see what happens when US/Canada tourism takes a nosedive.
It's been much longer, though, that a 30-year old felony has kept visitors out of the US. Reciprocity has a lot to answer for!

-dave

[x lindsay x]

I hope this regulation (which has apparently only been used for the past couple of years) soon becomes common knowledge, it will be interesting to see what happens when US/Canada tourism takes a nosedive.
I live about 5 minutes away from the Canadian boarder and this policy is well known in my area and it has not stopped any tourism. A friend of the family has a DUI offense on his record but it doesn't stop him from going over the boarder every week to play in a golf league, it's risky but he has been doing it for years without any problems. He is able to do this because they almost never ask to see any identification on the way into Canada when you are driving, they do however almost always ask for it on the way back into the US.

[RevNeal]

No Rev. Canadians do not want to be part of the U.S., we love our neighbours but we are proud to be Canadian.

Of this I have little doubt ... the question was one of speculation; if one province (a big one, with 7.5 million people) were to withdraw, would other provinces see it as a viable option as well? Would Ontario join Quebec? Would the western provinces find any advantage in turning to the USA? These were just a collection of questions that we kicked around one night at the dinner table on the old ss Rotterdam back in the mid-1990s. It made for interesting discussion, as it was the first time I had ever heard that one of the provinces was talking about succession. My new-found friends from Alberta were curious as to what laws governed the admission of new states into the USA, and that begin our discussion. It wasn't so much that these Canadians didn't want to be Canadians, it's that they were afraid that there might come a day when there wouldn't be a Canada anymore.

Would Alaska want to be part of Canada? No I don't think so, even though we also share cold temperatures and bears (but our bears know the metric system to decide how cold it really is outside)

Let us say that the United States of America has gone through a major internal convulsion; California, Oregon, and Washington have broken off to found their own nation, the deep south has withdrawn to form its own country, Texas, New Mexico, and Arizona have all been annexed by Mexico, Hawaii has declared their independence and re-established its monarchy ... all that's left of the United States of America is the central part of the country and the North East. Would Alaska want to stick with them, or would it take the newly realized option of succession and and would it turn to Canada? Perhaps ... given DIFFERENT circumstances all sorts of things are possible. Are any of these likely? Nope. Of course, we've got a hotly debated election coming up in the few months, and the result could launch a new civil war ... particularly if it looks like one side or the other is trying to hijack the election ... or throw it to the courts (again).

Good question Rev., you always want to make us think don't you.

Absolutely. We learn and grow best by thinking ... and when we stop thinking we usually die.

[spcl4cs_gal]

Hmmmm. If Canada is so vigilant and strict about DUI's on U.S. tourists' drivers licenses let's hope their enthusiasm for law and order carries over to keeping the terrorists from coming over their border into the United States.


Ummm it isn't up to Canada who to let into the US. That's the job of US Immigration the last time I checked. Hey, your name wouldn't be Colin Powell would it? :)

[RevNeal]

Ummm it isn't up to Canada who to let into the US. That's the job of US Immigration the last time I checked.

Very true ... but, if Canada is going to turn away people with 30 year old DUIs on their record, shouldn't they be turning away terrorists too ... terrorists who are wanting to cross over into the USA? Oh ... wait ... terrorism isn't against the law in some of the countries these "people" come from. Oh, silly me! :eek:

[Esme]

Hmmmm. If Canada is so vigilant and strict about DUI's on U.S. tourists' drivers licenses let's hope their enthusiasm for law and order carries over to keeping the terrorists from coming over their border into the United States.

That is the dumbest statement I have ever heard. It was your US Customs/Immigration people who let them into the US, not our Canadian Customs/Immigration. :rolleyes:

[boards]

The last time I went over to Detroit I had to go through US Customs and they let me in. I'm hoping that will be true this Sunday when four of us try to go through the US customs to do a trip through your great country.
I'm also hoping when we return that the Canadian Customs will let us back in.
I'm pretty sure that's how it works.

So if terriorists got into your country - your US Customs let them in.

Have a great cruise Rev.

[jonikal]

Ummm it isn't up to Canada who to let into the US. That's the job of US Immigration the last time I checked. Hey, your name wouldn't be Colin Powell would it? :)

;) I didn't word my comment correctly. I was thinking in terms of Canada being quite liberal in letting in a lot of undesirables from all over the world without too many questions asked.....some of whom then head to the US. And while some do cross under the auspices of US Immigration and would be subjected to a watch list check, others use the lengthy, porous border to gain illegal entry. It's the latter I worry about. I guess my point is that the prospect of a terrorist getting a welcome mat while an ancient DUI merits this type of scrutiny is blatantly ridiculous.

[trvlnut]

The question should be do we allow anyone who has a criminal record to cross any border. The argument that it happened in the past and should be forgiven is not enough. A law was broken and consequences should be understood. Poor Canada, if they stiffen up their border requirements they risk the wrath of being inconsiderate. If they allowed things to be the same they are too lax and are accused of allowing terrorists to infiltrate into the US

[RevNeal]

That is the dumbest statement I have ever heard. It was your US Customs/Immigration people who let them into the US, not our Canadian Customs/Immigration.

:)
But it was your Canadian Customs/Immigration people that let them into Canada, from whence they can cross over into the US along our VERY long and mostly unwatched boarder.

[boards]

This could get very ugly, so I would like to just say that there problems on both sides of the borders that need to be addressed to correct them.

So like I said Rev., I hope you have a great cruise and will be looking forward to meeting you Nov. 2005 and but not to discuss this problem though.

[RevNeal]

This could get very ugly, so I would like to just say that there problems on both sides of the borders that need to be addressed to correct them.

So like I said Rev., I hope you have a great cruise and will be looking forward to meeting you Nov. 2005 and but not to discuss this problem though.

Agreed ... absolutely agreed. :D

[dakrewser]

:)
But it was your Canadian Customs/Immigration people that let them into Canada, from whence they can cross over into the US along our VERY long and mostly unwatched boarder.If they have felony convictions on their record then they don't get into Canada. Without a felony conviction, they can come directly from Saudi into the US.

-dave

[merryecho]

You mean they will not be admitted to Canada if they ADMIT to felony convictions, (by the way, a first DUI is not a felony in most US states) or if they have a record that can be easily tracked by computer, both of which are not probable unless they have a very serious record.

[dakrewser]

(by the way, a first DUI is not a felony in most US states)
Yep, just one more thing to hold against incumbent legislators.....

-dave

[merryecho]

Speaking of incumbent legislators, I read on the gocanada website that, because of his DUI, George W Bush had to get a special dispensation from the Canadian government before he could visit Canada.

[spcl4cs_gal]

If they have felony convictions on their record then they don't get into Canada. Without a felony conviction, they can come directly from Saudi into the US.

-dave

And we all know how cozy DC is with the Saudis... ;)

[Lynnees]

I will be curious to see what happens if/when Quebec decides to withdraw from the Canadian Union and form an independent nation. Will the rest of Canada -- particularly the Western Provinces -- petition for statehood in the USA? I've heard lots of discussion about this, but am curious as to what some Canadians here have to say.


I can guarantee you that the rest of Canada has absolutely no interest in joining the U.S. That one comes out once in a while but it's usually started in the U.S. Never going to happen.

Mind you, Quebec is never going to leave Canada either. It can't do without the money it gets from the rest of Canada. They just bleat a lot.

Marilyn

[Lynnees]

Hmmmm. If Canada is so vigilant and strict about DUI's on U.S. tourists' drivers licenses let's hope their enthusiasm for law and order carries over to keeping the terrorists from coming over their border into the United States.


As much as I don't want to see terrorists in this or any other country, I would just like to point out that it's U.S. Customs that allow terrorists or anyone else in the U.S. Canada has no say in who goes into the State.

[ekerr19]

It's been much longer, though, that a 30-year old felony has kept visitors out of the US. Reciprocity has a lot to answer for!

-dave
dave-

You are so right. Let's not blast our neighbors to the North... I have found them to be alot more lenient, open and forward thinking... JMOI :)

[RevNeal]

I can guarantee you that the rest of Canada has absolutely no interest in joining the U.S. That one comes out once in a while but it's usually started in the U.S. Never going to happen.

Well ... it was brought up during dinner by a couple of Albertans on a HAL cruise about 10 years ago. They were quizzing me about US laws governing admission of new states. Based upon the totality of the discussion it was entirely hypothetical ... not really serious, but curious as to the broadest range of options that MIGHT be available.

Mind you, Quebec is never going to leave Canada either. It can't do without the money it gets from the rest of Canada. They just bleat a lot.

Can the rest of Canada survive, as Canada, with the 7.5 million people of its second most-populous Province? I would imagine you could, but my friends from Alberta were speculating what might happen if Quebec's leaving were to occasion other Provinces to leave. Utterly, totally, and completely hypothetical ... about like California withdrawing from the USA to form an independent nation.

[ekerr19]

And we all know how cozy DC is with the Saudis... ;)
Alison-

You are so right there... it's all about oil, and oh yes, Halliburton.. but I will refrain from politics on these boards.... :)

[spcl4cs_gal]

Alison-

You are so right there... it's all about oil, and oh yes, Halliburton.. but I will refrain from politics on these boards.... :)


Kinda scary though isn't it, Ekerr? It's getting so you don't know who your friends are anymore. :)

[tankerjo2]

Alison-

You are so right there... it's all about oil, and oh yes, Halliburton.. but I will refrain from politics on these boards.... :)

Yep, who needs all that nasty oil? Heck HAL can just start issuing all the passengers a pair of oars when they embark.

[RevNeal]

Heck HAL can just start issuing all the passengers a pair of oars when they embark.

;) What do you mean "start"? All you "suite" passengers may not realize this, but they've been handing out oars to all us inside-cabin passengers for years now!!!!! ;) :D

hehehe
;)

[Lovebirds]

about like California withdrawing from the USA to form an independent nation.
I thought they already did. Their laws and customs don't bear any resemblance to those in the rest of the country:D

[Lovebirds]

;) What do you mean "start"? All you "suite" passengers may not realize this, but they've been handing out oars to all us inside-cabin passengers for years now!!!!! ;) :D

hehehe
;)
i thought it looked like the lower row of portholes could be removed and fitted with oarlocks.

Stroke....Stroke....Stroke

[Druke I]

California as independent nation might be going a bit far - but I do support the movement to split the state into two parts: Superior California (Northern) and Inferior California (the remains).

[RevNeal]

i thought it looked like the lower row of portholes could be removed and fitted with oarlocks.

Stroke....Stroke....Stroke

Remember Ben Hur?

"Battle Speed!"

WHUMP WHUMP WHUMP

"Ramming Speed!"

whumpwhumpwhumpwhumpwhumpwhumpwhump!

That's us!
And you only thought that vibration came from the engines!

[Lovebirds]

Remember Ben Hur?

"Battle Speed!"

WHUMP WHUMP WHUMP

"Ramming Speed!"

whumpwhumpwhumpwhumpwhumpwhumpwhump!

That's us!
And you only thought that vibration came from the engines!
Hope you've been working out on the rowing machine in the gym. You're gonna have a lot of rowing to do, not to mention manually pumping the water in/out of the locks.

Have a great cruise

[LovetheSea]

Simple solution.. Get a Passport! Use that for I.D.

[x lindsay x]

Simple solution.. Get a Passport! Use that for I.D.
an even simpler solution... don't drink and drive.

[dakrewser]

an even simpler solution... don't drink and drive.
YEAH!

[luv2cruise123]

Do you HAVE to have a passport to cruise to Canada? I'm assuming not from the few posts I've read prior to this. I THOUGHT they had started REQUIRING passports??????????????

I have one myself, but was wondering about friends who will be traveling/cruising there.

[luv2cruise99]

I say GOOD FOR CANADA! It's nice to see they take drunk driving so seriously. I wish the U.S. could find a way to KICK drunk drivers out of the country!

But I don't understand how the Canadian immigration would ever know you have a drunk driving conviction if you are simply leaving the ship temporarily in port and not permanently disembarking. It has been a couple of years since I've been on a cruise that stopped in Canada, but the last time I was, I don't remember being asked for a driver's license just to leave the ship for the day in port. And couldn't those with a conviction simply use a passport, or even a State issued I.D. card as identification?

[Rustynail]

Hmmmm. If Canada is so vigilant and strict about DUI's on U.S. tourists' drivers licenses let's hope their enthusiasm for law and order carries over to keeping the terrorists from coming over their border into the United States.
At least we didn't train the pilot's. Look into the mirror before your so quick to point the finger.

[TedC]

Rusty,
Good one!


Jonikal,
Let's hope OUR officials and border patrols are vigilant!

[BADBUOY]

Rusty,

Your absolutely right! We often tend to blame anyone and everyone for problems that many people feel are beyond our control.

Also, I can't believe the number of you people who seem to think that DUI's is not a big deal! It is a felony in many states and most definately should become law in all. Where is your common sense?

Here I'll give a gun to the drunks in your neighborhood and like driving let's hope they get home without using it as a weapon while under the influence.

Driving while intoxicated is a crime and if your caught you are a criminal and should be treated as one. If that means you cannot enter a country, apply for a job or be treated like the rest of us law abiding citizens then so be it.

we are so focused on world politics the world around us in crumbling and nobody seems to give a rat's a$$.

Shame.