ESTA needed for Alaska cruise out of Vancouver

Question

We are flying Sydney - Vancouver return and doing a Hubbard glacier cruise out of Vancouver. We have an eTA for Canada. It is not clear whether we need a transit ESTA as we are only daytripping on Alaskan soil or whether that qualifies as a “stay” so needs a full ESTA. If it qualifies as a “stay” what is the answer to “address in USA” is that the cruise ship?

Any guidance appreciated

Answer

When traveling from Sydney to Vancouver and taking an Alaska cruise that departs from Vancouver, you do need to understand the requirements for U.S. entry under the Visa Waiver Program (VWP) and whether an ESTA is required.

For Alaska cruises departing from a Canadian port such as Vancouver, passengers who are not U.S. citizens generally require an ESTA if they will be entering U.S. territory, even if it is only for a short day trip. Alaska, while geographically separated from the contiguous United States, is still part of the U.S., so stopping at a U.S. port counts as entering the country. A transit ESTA is typically for flights connecting through the U.S. without staying, whereas a cruise stop in Alaska is considered an actual entry.

Key points to consider:

Day stop in Alaska: Even if you disembark for a few hours, this counts as a U.S. entry under immigration rules and requires an approved ESTA for VWP-eligible travelers.
Type of ESTA: You need a standard tourist ESTA (not a transit ESTA), because you are physically entering U.S. territory.
Address in the U.S. on ESTA application: If the ESTA application asks for an address in the U.S., you can list the cruise ship company and port of call (for example, the ship’s name and dock in Alaska), or the cruise line’s U.S. office address, if available. This is common for cruise passengers who do not have a personal U.S. address.

Other helpful guidance:

Ensure your ESTA is approved before boarding the cruise in Vancouver.
If your cruise includes multiple ports in Alaska, you only need one ESTA for the trip, as it covers multiple stops within the U.S. during your authorized stay.
Carry a copy of your approved ESTA and your passport when disembarking in Alaska, as U.S. Customs and Border Protection may ask for it.

In summary, because your cruise will touch U.S. soil in Alaska, you require a full ESTA under the Visa Waiver Program. Listing the cruise ship or port as the U.S. address is an acceptable way to complete the application.

ESTA needed for Alaska cruise out of Vancouver

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