Vancouver Airport & US Customs

[rnjoel]

Hi everyone!

 

Well, we leave June 12 for Fairbanks, to begin our two week land/tour trip with Princess. While I was going thru our docs this evening, I found that, on the return, we have a 35 minute connection in Salt Lake City for our flight to Orlando.

 

Question: Do we go thru US customs in Vancouver, or in Salt Lake? If it's Salt Lake, we're never gonna make our flight home!!!

 

Ease my mind everybody!

 

Happy Sailings!

 

Joel & Ron

 

2004 Alaskan Adventure on the Island Princess departs

 

 

[virginia600]

Vancouver,, You both have my sympathy

[Thoth]

If you fly out of Vancouver, you will go through customs there. Give yourself plenty of time at that airport. It was terrible last September!!

[rnjoel]

Thanks for the info! Our flight out is the day after our cruise disembarks, and it's at approx 6AM. I've heard that YVR isn't THAT bad at that early hour. But we'll be there in plenty of time just in case.

 

Thanks again!!

 

Happy Sailings!

 

Joel & Ron

 

2004 Alaskan Adventure on the Island Princess departs

 

 

[LibertyBelle]

If your flight is the day after the crusie I would not worry too much. We flew out last year the day after at 11:00am and breezed through customs with no delays... We planed this year the same way. Figuring there are 4 ships in port the same day we are, the airport will probably be a nightmare the day we return so we got a hotel room at the Airport Fairmont and we will leave the following day One thing to remember though is that there is an airport improvement fee that you must pay (IN CASH) when you are going through customs. It is well worth it though as the Vancouver airport obviously uses it for improvement (the airport is beautiful)... But I believe it was $10 per person Canadian ($7.00 US)...this caused us a little delay as we had to find the ATM for cash.

 

 NCL Sun...Alaska

 

 Halloween...Explorer of the Seas

 

 Disney Magic Repositioning...Ca-FL

 

 

RCCL Enchantment of the Seas 2003; Carnival Spirit 2003; RCCL Brilliance of the Seas 2002; RCCL Voyager of the Seas 2002; Disney Wonder May & Dec 2001; Disney Magic 2001; RCCL Sovereign of the Seas 2000; Disney Magic 1999; Disney Wonder 1999; Carnival Ecstasy 1999; NCL Norway 1998; Carnival Fantasy 1998; NCL Leeward 1997; Commodore Caribe I 1986

[rnjoel]

Thanks for the info, Liberty! I finally took the time to go the YVR website, and I read about that improvement tax. But, I think it said that flights after June 1, 2004 (or maybe it was May 1) had the tax built into the price of the ticket. I'll probably be prepared either way, though!

 

Thanks again and have a wonderful trip!

 

Happy Sailings!

 

Joel & Ron

 

2004 Alaskan Adventure on the Island Princess departs

 

 

[BEAV]

We went through YVR last May and the machines to pay the improvement tax accept credit cards. We just inserted our AMEX card, out popped two receipts and away we went.

 

As to your 35 minute connection in SLC, I wish the airlines would quit scheduling transfers so close! Since most airlines don't serve food, or at least complete meals anymore, it's tough to take a transcontinental flight without the opportunity to purchase food at your connection point. Make sure you buy food in YVR before hit the skies to MCO!

[rnjoel]

Hi Beav,

 

One reason I was worried about the connection time....we're flying first class using FF miles. We NEVER pay for first class, so it's rare that I get this opportunity. Food shouldn't be a concern as long as we make that connection. I'm so afraid that we'll miss it, then get put back in coach on the next available flight. I'm looking forward to the comfortable flight almost as much as I am the trip itself! (Can you tell we always travel coach??) LOL!

 

Happy Sailings!

 

Joel & Ron

 

2004 Alaskan Adventure on the Island Princess departs

 

 

[cujosmom]

LibertyBelle - If you're still reading this thread.... did you stay at the Fairmont Airport last year, too? I am assuming there is no breakfast with the room. We are booked to stay there post-cruise because of the convenience. Was it a nice hotel? Anything you can tell me would be appreciated.

 

Until we set sail to Alaska on the Serenade of The Seas

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[BSeaBob]

Cujosmom.......The hotel is great and very handy to the departure area.

 

Re: Customs & Immigration. According to Press release earlier this year one is supposed to be able to get boarding passes for your flts leaving same day from staff aboard your ship and go directly to boarding at the airport. This would be for USA bound folks as you are cleared for USA already aboard the ship. Haven't heard of this working in actual fact yet. Just repeating the press info from YVR and Immigration.

[ZPOOD@AOL.COM]

question?

We are have a connection to make in Toronto, then fly into Vancouver, will we have to go though it twice?

 

Susan

[Urban trekker]

You will clear customs in Toronto but not Vancouver as both cities are in Canada.

 

Have a great cruise

 

Dennis

 

Sun Princess to Alaska May 2000

Norwegian Sun Panama Canal 4/11/04

Norwegian Sun - Pacific Coastal 4/27/04

[grouchy]

They have made some improvements at the airport and promised no horrible waits and crappy service.They also say that there is a special check in for cruisers-hope they are right.

 

Time for another Cruise!

[palermo22]

I am not sure if I am misreading your question or whether everyone else is. If you are departing Vancouver then you would have to clear Canadian customs there - if the first airport you are deplaning is SLC then you might have to go through U.S. Customs there being its the first airport you are hitting in the U.S. - having been all over the world but not coming back to the U.S. through Canada - I am not sure if U.S. Customs treats Canada (since it's in North America) the same as all other countries - if it does then you will have to go through Customs in SLC.

 

Jerry K

From:Baltimore/Washington, D.C. -- Lived in Bonn; Buenos Aires; Caracas; Almaty; Beijing; Rangoon; Scottsdale and now Las Vegas (and long visits to an additional 83 countries)

 

 

 

[ZPOOD@AOL.COM]

Another question, If my luggage is being checked through to Vancouver, will I still have to go thru customs in Toronto?

 

Susan

[Urban trekker]

At the first port of entry to a foreign country you have to report to and clear customs - usually entering Canada they will ask to see your passport/ID and ask a few questions about the purpose of your visit to Canada - also answer the questions truthfully and you should be on your way in a few minutes.

Hope this helps somewhat and enjoy your cruise

 

Dennis

 

Sun Princess to Alaska May 2000

Norwegian Sun Panama Canal 4/11/04

Norwegian Sun - Pacific Coastal 4/27/04

[rnjoel]

It's me again!

 

Thanks for all the good info. I finally found the info on the YVR website. Looks like US Customs has an office right there in Vancouver. We'll go thru US customs right there! Here's the link:

http://www.yvr.ca/guide/around/gov_services_usa.asp

 

Happy Sailings and thanks again!

 

Joel & Ron

 

2004 Alaskan Adventure on the Island Princess departs

 

 

[grouchy]

sorry-doesn't work that way. The downtown office is not for that purpose.

 

Time for another Cruise!

[BEAV]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by palermo22:

I am not sure if I am misreading your question or whether everyone else is. If you are departing Vancouver then you would have to clear Canadian customs there - if the first airport you are deplaning is SLC then you might have to go through U.S. Customs there being its the first airport you are hitting in the U.S. - having been all over the world but not coming back to the U.S. through Canada - I am not sure if U.S. Customs treats Canada (since it's in North America) the same as all other countries - if it does then you will have to go through Customs in SLC.

 

Jerry K

From:Baltimore/Washington, D.C. -- Lived in Bonn; Buenos Aires; Caracas; Almaty; Beijing; Rangoon; Scottsdale and now Las Vegas (and long visits to an additional 83 countries)

 

 

<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

 

Although normally one would clear US customs at the first point of entry in the US, it's different for flights from Canada to US. US Customs is in place inside the airport at Vancouver and US-bound passengers clear US customs/immigrations there. Flights are then treated as domestic from YVR to the US.

 

 

 

 

[rnjoel]

Thanks, Beav! That's what I thought! I'm glad we'll take care of it right at the beginning!

 

Happy Sailings!

 

Joel & Ron

 

2004 Alaskan Adventure on the Island Princess departs

 

 

[happytravelleruk]

Hi,

We too are flying into Toronto from Europe and then onto Vancouver. As our bags will be booked through to Vancouver, will we have to retrieve them in Toronto to clear customs then recheck them in or is it simply a case of going through passport control and on to the connecting flight and picking the luggage up in Vancouver? Sorry is this seems naive but we have never done internal flights before!

 

 

firsttimer uk

[grouchy]

Because you are from the UK-your bags will go on to Vancouver and you will clear customs there.

 

Time for another Cruise!

[cruiseryyc]

Um, I hate to disagree with Grouchy but as Toronto is your first point of entry into Canada, you will have to get your bags in order to go through customs. You will then immediately put them onto a conveyor belt for your connecting flight to Vancouver.

[Tobin]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by firsttimeruk:

Hi,

We too are flying into Toronto from Europe and then onto Vancouver. As our bags will be booked through to Vancouver, will we have to retrieve them in Toronto to clear customs then recheck them in or is it simply a case of going through passport control and on to the connecting flight and picking the luggage up in Vancouver? Sorry is this seems naive but we have never done internal flights before!

 

 

firsttimer uk<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

 

You will need to go through Canadian customs and immigration in Toronto, as it is your first arrival point in Canada.

 

Your bags will be tagged for Vancouver, but you will have to collect them in Toronto for customs. Once through customs, there will be a place to drop you bags for for connecting flights.

[grouchy]

Just saying what happens to my sister when she comes to visit from England.

 

Time for another Cruise!