Cruises - Cruise to Nowhere (NYC 1-day cruise) and non-US citizen

So I just posted a question about whether or not an Indonesian citizen, with Indonesian passport, traveling on a US cruise to the Bahamas needed any additional paperwork. We're trying to find an alternative that might not require a visa. Norwegian has a "1-Day" cruise that leaves from NYC at 4 PM and returns to NYC at 8 AM the next day. Is a visa required for this trip, or is a foreign passport good enough? I can't imagine there would be customs & immigration on this trip...

I don't know, such a short cruise seems even more trouble than it's worth. The ship leaves at 4:00 pm and returns at 8:00 am the next morning.

I am wondering if it would count as leaving the US?

I don't know, such a short cruise seems even more trouble than it's worth. The ship leaves at 4:00 pm and returns at 8:00 am the next morning.

I am wondering if it would count as leaving the US?

They will go into International Waters in order to open the Casino which will be a major source of onboard revenue, and they will not let a ship return from International Waters without a check.

Immigration in NYC is some of the tightest out there - they often don't even let the crew off for security reasons.

They will go into International Waters in order to open the Casino which will be a major source of onboard revenue, and they will not let a ship return from International Waters without a check.

Immigration in NYC is some of the tightest out there - they often don't even let the crew off for security reasons.

The boat is not stopping anywhere internationally so I don't see it as an issue. I also just looked at Norwegian's check-in process for the 1-Day New York cruise and here's what it says about documentation:

"All guests 16 years of age or older must present proof of identity at time of boarding. (i.e., valid driver's license that includes a photograph, or government identification card, that includes a physical description)."

Here's what it says for, e.g., a Caribbean cruise:

"In addition to your proof of citizenship document, proof of identity must also be presented on embarkation day for all guests 16 years of age or older (i.e., valid driver's license that includes a photograph, or government identification card, that includes a physical description).

For up to date immigration information please visit: http://www.getyouhome.gov."

So it looks like immigration and customs is not an issue unless your cruise specifically goes to a foreign port.

The boat is not stopping anywhere internationally so I don't see it as an issue. I also just looked at Norwegian's check-in process for the 1-Day New York cruise and here's what it says about documentation:

"All guests 16 years of age or older must present proof of identity at time of boarding. (i.e., valid driver's license that includes a photograph, or government identification card, that includes a physical description)."

Here's what it says for, e.g., a Caribbean cruise:

"In addition to your proof of citizenship document, proof of identity must also be presented on embarkation day for all guests 16 years of age or older (i.e., valid driver's license that includes a photograph, or government identification card, that includes a physical description).

For up to date immigration information please visit: http://www.getyouhome.gov."

So it looks like immigration and customs is not an issue unless your cruise specifically goes to a foreign port.

Then go for it - I wouldn't risk it personally but if you feel confident.... I would be skeptical of any advice on this from the INS or from the cruiselines, the one I would trust most is if you were in NYC would be to go to the Cruise Terminal and ask the Immigration Supervisor what they do with these.

The rules are changing constantly, but my memory of this port is that they are the toughest on immigration, and furthermore the Indonesian Passport isn't the most border friendly there either.. that may have changed but in the past they were very tough on that nationality in particular.

I worked on cruise ships about 7 years ago which is where I am getting these immigration experiences from.

For those "Cruise to Nowhere" trips, including the 1 nighter by NLC (that we've been on previously) - no Visa required, just valid government photo ID or passport (unlike sailing to the Bahamas, Bermuda or Caribbeans as noted in the other post) - boarding/embarkation and disembarkation from the ship is much faster & easier. There's still a security check & x-ray for any items taken onboard, and a photo is taken & linked to your plastic guest key board and swiped again when you leave in the morning.

I haven't look at NCL's CTN sailing for 2012 lately, but if they are doing 2 nights, it's even better as you really only get at best 18 hours onboard otherwise including sleeping - many of us prefer to call these party cruises, eat as much as you can & all the alcohol drinking are extra - and, yes, the casino is open all night & so called duty-free (not really) shopping. But, for NYC, it's comparable to staying in an ill-inclusive 4 star hotel + the added-on fixed gratitudes, and, there is an evening show - it's a nice introduction to cruising and to see what life is like abroad.

The ship goes 12 or 15 miles out to international water & basically sail slowly all night in relatively calm water, coming virtually to a standstill as on a clear night, you can almost see the city lights over the horizon & the next day, it's up thru the VZ Bridge, passing the SOL before 7 AM and docked alongside the pier before 8 AM - and, the announcement is made for all guests to disembark (thus, eat breakfast early if you want to, but do it early as they typically wanted everyone off the ship by 10 AM)

Generally speaking, the ship is ready for boarding by 1 PM so it's to one's advantage to go early - some folks head for the spa while others will try to figure out where the lunch buffet & dining rooms are located, etc.

Lastly, when you return to the pier, it's fairly easy off, no CBP to deal with as you aren't returning/coming back from a foreign port - just terminal security & a quick guest key card swipe & you are outside - taxi/car service/mass transit or roof-top parking lot or getting picked up by others.

Check out Carnival and RCCI as they should have these CTN out of NYC - they've also hosted weddings & invited guests abroad and it can sell out quickly - just book the cheapest available cabin offered, there's no need as you won't have time to enjoy the balcony or deluxe suite.

Thanks, Letitride! Great to get some insights from someone who has been on the cruise, not just for the immigration stuff but to get a feel for what the experience is like!

Quite often, people take these cruises to nowhere to extend the cruise before or after this one. It allows them to extend their vacation, and also in most cases helps you increase your status in the past passenger program

As said there isn't any immigration to worry about when returning from these, as you haven't entered another country. International waters doesn't matter. If you meet the requirements to enter the US in the first place, you're good to go.

I am surprised that someone who is a foreign national with a single entry visa to the USA would not have a problem because when you leave the USA for international waters (for duty free, gambling, etc) logic would suggest that upon your return you are entering the USA again, even if you have not entered a second country in the meantime.

The same issue should arise if someone with a single entry visa for the USA does a milage run to some country where they stay airside in a transit zone. In this case, they do go through customs and immigration upon the return to the USA and I don't know how CBP would be able to tell whether they ever entered the country at the destination if their passport hasn't obviously been stamped or a visa for the new country used.

I am surprised that someone who is a foreign national with a single entry visa to the USA would not have a problem because when you leave the USA for international waters (for duty free, gambling, etc) logic would suggest that upon your return you are entering the USA again, even if you have not entered a second country in the meantime.

The same issue should arise if someone with a single entry visa for the USA does a milage run to some country where they stay airside in a transit zone. In this case, they do go through customs and immigration upon the return to the USA and I don't know how CBP would be able to tell whether they ever entered the country at the destination if their passport hasn't obviously been stamped or a visa for the new country used.

I liken it to the party/gambling boats they do (or at least did) run out of places like Port Canaveral and Ft Lauderdale. There aren't any customs/immigration at the end of those because they didn't go anywhere. I've never done either, so I don't have first hand knowledge, but I've been a fairly active member on cruisecritic for 10 years and have never read anything about c/i at the end of a cruise to nowhere.

I liken it to the party/gambling boats they do (or at least did) run out of places like Port Canaveral and Ft Lauderdale. There aren't any customs/immigration at the end of those because they didn't go anywhere. I've never done either, so I don't have first hand knowledge, but I've been a fairly active member on cruisecritic for 10 years and have never read anything about c/i at the end of a cruise to nowhere.

There are no immigration or customs checks - going into international waters without visiting a foreign port will not trigger an immigration check.

Dinner/gambling cruises leave Ft Laud every day and evening, sail to international waters for gambling then return - nothing more is needed than a photo ID (which in itself is a stupid requirement), and no checks or restrictions at return.