Cruise Ship On-Board Check-in Program
Vancouver International Airport, in partnership with participating cruise ship companies and airlines, offers on-board check-in for eligible cruise ship passengers.
Eligible passengers who choose to participate in Onboard check-in AND who have a cruiseline issued bus transfer are able to benefit from an agreement with Canadian and US Government Agencies, whereby they will be transferred direct from their ship to their gate "in-transit" with our new
US Direct program.
How does the 'On Board Check-in' Program Work?
This program is designed to speed up the airline check-in process for U.S.-bound cruise ship passengers and their baggage. Eligible passengers check-in for their flight on board their ship, rather than at Vancouver International Airport.
Prior to disembarking from their cruise ship, eligible passengers each receive an airline boarding pass, as well as a "Pink Card" that allows customer service staff to easily identify them at the airport. Baggage is transported directly to the airport for loading onto the aircraft, which means that passengers do not have to handle their baggage until they arrive at their final destination in the United States.
Who's Eligible?
To be eligible for the On Board Check-in Program, you must be a U.S. Citizen or Permanent U.S. Resident disembarking the ship in Vancouver and flying on the same day directly to a U.S. destination from Vancouver International Airport. Additionally, you must be sailing with a participating cruiseline and flying on a participating airline to use this program.
Participating Cruise Lines and Airlines
If you are eligible for the On Board Check-in Program, see below to identify cruise and airline participants.
Cruiselines:
- Carnival Cruiselines
- Celebrity Cruises
- Holland America
- Norwegian Cruise Line
- Princess Cruises
- Royal Caribbean International
Airlines:
- Air Canada
- Alaska Airlines
- Delta Airlines
- Horizon Airlines
- Northwest Airlines
- United Airlines
Cruise passengers arriving at the airport fall into two categories:
- Air/Sea guests - bused directly from the port
- Independents - make their own travel arrangements to the airport, for example by taxi
How Does Passenger Processing Work at the Airport?
Air/Sea Guests (Checked in Onboard)
"Onboard" Air/Sea guests are bused directly to a specially designated Cruise Ship Facility located below the U.S. departures gate area. There, they are processed through passenger screening before proceeding directly by elevator or escalator to the U.S. departures area (E Gates). Although a completed Customs form is required at both the port and the airport, there is no formal government interview, although the agencies reserve the right to interview passengers at their discretion.
Independents arrive at the airport terminal on the U.S. departures level. Once inside the terminal, passengers are able by-pass check-in and enter a dedicated US Residents Customs and Border Protection queue. Upon completion of all formalities, passengers will be security screened before proceeding directly to the U.S. departures gate area.
