Entering the US via air, leaving on a cruise ship - Anything to worry about?

[mjt57]

We're flying to Hawaii for a few days then getting on a cruise ship which will then sail around the islands and porting overnight at a couple of ports. Then it sails to Canada, porting in Vancouver.

I have a valid Aussie passport and an ESTA.

Traveller.gov.au says that if an Aussie enters the US via air then departs by other means, say a car, or cruise ship, then to contact the US immigration people (it points to a US government website). However, there is no relevant info and finding links to ask a question is proving impossible.

So, I thought that I'd ask here if anyone's done this? And if so, what did you have to do?

Thanks.

 

[opusman]

I'm sure the cruise line would provide a manifest to CBP of all passengers, so they will know you have left the country.

Make sure you get an entry stamp when entering Canada if you want to make sure you have proof.

 

[get me outta here]

The good news is that arriving in CA by ship means you don't need what CA calls an Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA) for CAD7.

 

[mjt57]

The good news is that arriving in CA by ship means you don't need what CA calls an Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA) for CAD7.

Thanks. I've already checked into that.

 

[mjt57]

I'm sure the cruise line would provide a manifest to CBP of all passengers, so they will know you have left the country.

Make sure you get an entry stamp when entering Canada if you want to make sure you have proof.

Thanks. We'll be in Canada for a week or so, then catching a bus down to Washington State, so hopefully there will be no problems there. Otherwise I'll be in a bit of a bind as we fly home from LAX.

What frightens me is how these people are treating visitors. Maybe I'm paranoid, but listening to a fellow who was forced to strip naked in front of a half a dozen or more CBP officers including women and grilled mercilessly for 17hrs doesn't bode well.

I want to make sure that I don't go through the same ritual.

 

[Strategic Aviation]

Were your passports issued towards the end of last year / early this year?

http://www.australianfrequentflyer....ralian-passport-issue-detain-lax-81213-2.html

The good news is that arriving in CA by ship means you don't need what CA calls an Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA) for CAD7.

Thanks. I've already checked into that.

Don't spend that CAD7 all at once

 

[bobe]

We flew into Honolulu and out by ship Noooooo problem

 

[clazman]

They are very keen to see that you leave.

I had a one way from Ottawa to Vegas and they wanted proof of how I was leaving the US.

Simple showed the exit flight from LA and all was sweet

 

[mjt57]

We flew into Honolulu and out by ship Noooooo problem

How long were you there for?

 

[bobe]

5 days, than came back to oz on celebrity century about 3yrs ago

 

[mjt57]

5 days, than came back to oz on celebrity century about 3yrs ago

Things may have changed a bit since then going by the rhetoric coming out of Washington and the reports of arrested travellers either entering or transiting through the US.
I don't suppose it matters if you're going to Canada or Oz. I'll see how we go with this trip. If there are no hassles then I'll be happy (obviously). But if it is getting worse for people to visit the US then I'll look at spending my tourist dollars elsewhere.

I pity the business travellers who may have no choice in the matter, though.