US Direct Program for Alaska Cruise Ship Passengers

The Vancouver Port Authority (VPA) and the Vancouver International Airport Authority (YVR) have launched a successful "US Direct" strategic initiative that streamlines Alaska cruise ship passenger processing and improves transit times between the Port and Airport.

The US Direct initiative allows passengers arriving at YVR to transfer directly to a same-day-departing cruise ship by participating in expedited immigration and customs clearance process.

US Direct also works in reverse. Passengers arriving on a cruise and flying out of YVR on the same day disembark the ship and are transferred directly to YVR by participating in expedited immigration and customs clearance process. Upon arrival at YVR, these passengers enter the airport through a designated cruise passenger facility.

US Direct is designed to maintain the sterility of domestic movements between US arriving cruise ship passengers and departing US pre-cleared flights and vice-versa.

US Direct does not apply to passengers who are planning a pre or post stay in Vancouver. The program is targeted to passengers who have already planned to be transferred directly to their same-day-departing cruise ship upon arriving in Vancouver or the reverse to their same-day-departing flight at YVR.

Features and Benefits

• Sterile and secure passenger and baggage transfer between the Port and Airport
• Significantly reduced wait times and congestion for departing and arriving passengers
• Works in conjunction with a cruise line bus transfer
• 100% screening for all passengers and baggage

Program participants

Eligibility

Passengers are eligible to participate in the US Direct program if they meet the following criteria:

Port to Airport

1. US Citizen or US Permanent Resident (Green Card Holders).
2. Arriving on a cruise ship that either originated in or was pre-cleared into the US.
3. Returning to the US on a pre-cleared flight on a participating carrier.
4. With a flight on the same day as the ships arrival in Port, and completed onboard air check-in.
5. In possession of cruise line bus transfer to Vancouver International Airport.

Airport to Port

1. US Citizen or US Permanent Resident (Green Card Holders).
2. Arriving into YVR on the same day as sailing.
3. Arriving directly from the US.
4. In possession of a cruise line bus transfer direct to the ship.
5. With bags that have been pre-tagged for ramp transfer direct to the ship.

For more information

Travel agents or passengers who want to take advantage of the US Direct program can elect to participate at the time of the cruise purchase or at a later date by contacting the participating cruise lines directly.