Do I Need Esta For Alaska Cruise?

If you are a UK citizen traveling by land to the United States, you do not need to apply for an ESTA. However, if you are joining an Alaskan cruise in Vancouver and returning to Vancouver, you will need an ESTA for entry into the US or re-entering the US as a cruise ship passenger. If your holiday includes an Alaskan cruise or has a flight connection via the USA, you will need a USA Visa.

An ESTA is required for each family member traveling on the cruise. If you do not obtain ESTA approval, you should expect to be denied entry. Cruise lines and WMPH Vacations highly recommend carrying a valid passport. U.S. citizens without a valid passport must provide proof of citizenship.

Americans do not need a tourist visa for an Alaska cruise. The U.S. State (ESTA) is required before boarding a plane or boat for the United States. The information provided is based on UK passports and does not cover India tours.


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Do you need a US visa for an Alaska cruise?

A valid passport is required for all non-US and non-Canadian citizens for all Alaska itineraries and a multiple reentry visa (B-2 Visitor’s Visa) may be required for foreign cruise passengers sailing from the United States.

Do i need esta for alaska cruise from uk
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Do you need an ESTA on a cruise ship?

For US Sailings:Non-US Citizens will require a passport valid at least 6 months after your cruise ends and the necessary visa for entry into the United States. On Transatlantic and Transpacific sailings European and Chinese guests will require ESTA (Europe) and EVUS (China). ESTAs are mandatory for everyone travelling to the US. You must apply for an ESTA no later than 72 hours before departing for the United States. Real-time approvals are not available and arriving at the airport without a previously approved ESTA will likely result in being denied boarding.;

  • For cruises departing Australia calling into only Australian ports, Australian citizens require either a valid passport or government issued pictured and laminated ID card to be used as identification. Children aged 17 years and under will require a passport or Birth Certificate to travel or government issued photo ID. Children under 16 years of age, who do not have a passport or Photo ID, must have a copy of their birth certificate or their parents Medicare Card.
  • For all other nationalities, a passport (plus visa if needed in Australia) is required.
Do i need esta for alaska cruise from canada
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Do you need a passport for Alaska cruise to Holland America?

Travel by Land or Sea:Travel document requirements vary based on cruise itinerary and whether international flights are required. Passports or Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative (WHTI) compliant documents are required for cruises to Alaska, Bermuda, Canada, Caribbean, Hawaii and Mexico. U.S. and Canadian citizens ages 16 and above may present one of the following valid WHTI-compliant documents:

  • Passport (recommended travel document) (valid for travel by air, land and sea)
  • Passport Card (valid for land and sea border crossings only)
  • U.S. or Canadian Issued Enhanced Driver’s License (EDL) – (valid for land and sea border crossings only, not valid on Yukon Land+Sea Journeys due to air travel included in the journey)*
  • Other documents approved by the Department of Homeland Security

For a list of approved documents visit: cbp.gov/travel/us-citizens/western-hemisphere-travel-initiative.

Can I go on a cruise if I dont have a visa?

Guests of all Nationalities should contact the Embassy (Consular Services) of each country on your cruise for specific visa requirements, information, forms and fees for your nationality. Guests may then contact a company that assists with securing and processing visas for travelers.

Do I need an ESTA for an Alaskan cruise from Vancouver
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Do you need eTA for Alaska cruise?

With Alaska being part of the United States of America, UK citizens travelling to the state on a cruise must obtain an ESTA (Electronic System for Travel Authorization). If you have flights to Canada booked you will need to obtain an eTA (Electronic Travel Authorization) to get into Canada. If you arrive at a Canadian port by cruise ship then an eTA or visa is not usually required.

Where do Alaska cruises leave from and where do they dock?. Most Alaska cruises depart from Vancouver because of its favourable geographic location and shorter sailing distance to the scenic Inside Passage. Vancouver is also the only cruise port that offers both one-way and roundtrip Alaska cruises, meaning you can choose to sail from Vancouver and fly back from Alaska. There are also Alaska cruises which depart from Seattle.

If you are unsure about where Alaska cruises dock, then it very much depends on the package you choose. Whittier, Seward, Ketchikan, Juneau, Skagway, Anchorage, and Fairbanks are all places where Alaska cruises can dock. Depending on your desired Canada and Alaska cruise package, there are some cruises where you can even dock at the Yukon and from there you can explore the iconic Dawson City and Whitehorse.

Who does not need an ESTA?

Religious workers, performers and artists, representatives of foreign countries on official business, journalists/media representatives.

Can non-US citizens go on a cruise?

If you are not a U.S. citizen or an LPR, you will need a passport and/or the appropriate documentation based on the status you are seeking in the United States for any type of cruise, closed loop or not.

What do non US citizens need for cruises?

An LPR is required to present an I-551 (Green Card) for reentry into the United States. If you are not a U.S. citizen or an LPR, you will need a passport and/or the appropriate documentation based on the status you are seeking in the United States for any type of cruise, closed loop or not.

Do I need a visa for Alaska from UK
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Do I need a visa to get off a cruise ship?

One thing to bear in mind: you should have a valid visa for all ports of call that require them, even if you do not plan to disembark. Emergencies either yours or the ship’s could force a situation that would make a visa unexpectedly necessary.

Here are some countries that require a travel visa for U.S. citizens on cruises.

  • Australia Cruise Visas
  • Bahrain Cruise Visas
  • China Cruise Visas
  • Egypt Cruise Visas
  • Ghana Cruise Visas
  • India Cruise Visas
  • Indonesia Cruise Visas
  • Jordan Cruise Visas
  • Kenya Cruise Visas
  • Myanmar (Burma) Cruise Visas
  • Papua New Guinea Cruise Visas
  • Qatar Cruise Visas
  • Sri Lanka Cruise Visas
  • Tanzania Cruise Visas
Alaska cruise visa requirements for UK citizens
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Do I need an ESTA for an Alaskan cruise?

Note: It is important to PRINT a copy of the document for your records. The printout is not required upon arrival into the United States, as the officers have the information electronically. Some airlines require the printout upon check-in, so please check with your respective airline.

Although specific travel plans are not required, the address where you will be staying in the United States is required to complete the application. If multiple locations are planned, you only need to enter the first address. If a complete address is not known, you can enter the name of the hotel or location you will visit.

When applying for ESTA, APT guests will need to list their first point of contact when arriving – this could be the first USA hotel or in some cases the cruise portion of your trip. All addresses can be found listed on your itinerary or below.

ESTA application
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Do I need a eTA on a cruise to 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).;

Citizens from select visa-required countries may be eligible to apply for an eTA, instead of a visa, to travel to Canada by air. However, these travellers need a visitor visa when arriving by car, bus, train, or boat, including a cruise ship.;

Important – former residents of Canada: Permanent resident (PR) status does not expire. If you once lived in Canada many years ago, you could still have PR status. Learn more to avoid travel delays.;

How to fill in an ESTA for a cruise
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What documents are needed to cruise to Alaska?

Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative (WHTI) Compliant Documents. When traveling to Alaska you will need to bring one of the below documents with you. U.S. citizens traveling to and from U.S. ports are required to travel with at least one Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative compliant document.

  • Valid U.S. Passport
  • Passport Card
  • Original or suitable quality copy of a Birth Certificate (Issued by a government agency: state/county/city) and a government issued photo ID if 16 years of age and older.
  • Original Certificate of Naturalization
  • Trusted Traveler Program Membership Card, e.g., Nexus Card, Sentri Card or Fast Card
  • Enhanced Tribal Card
  • A Consular Report of Birth Abroad
  • Enhanced Driver’s License (EDL) – only acceptable at land and sea ports of entry. It cannot be used for air travel outside the U.S. The word ‘Enhanced’ must appear on the driver’s license. The following five states currently issue an EDL: Michigan, Minnesota, New York, Vermont and Washington.

Copies of U.S. passports and naturalization papers, hospital and baptismal certificates are not WHTI compliant documents, therefore, are NOT acceptable.

Travel Agents for Cruises to Alaska. For additional questions on traveling to Alaska, please use our cost saving travel agent services. Our travel agents can assist you in planning and booking your next vacation. Not only can our travel agents provide you with great cruise specials, they can also provide you with valuable reviews and feedback that will make your travels to Alaska enjoyable! Contact a travel agent directly by calling 1-800-683-0206.


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Do I Need Esta For Alaska Cruise
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Debbie Green

I am a school teacher who was bitten by the travel bug many decades ago. My husband Billy has come along for the ride and now shares my dream to travel the world with our three children.The kids Pollyanna, 13, Cooper, 12 and Tommy 9 are in love with plane trips (thank goodness) and discovering new places, experiences and of course Disneyland.

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