When embarking from a Canadian location, it is against the rules of the Coasting Trade Act for cruise ship passengers to permanently disembark a foreign-flagged cruise ship during its voyage at a Canadian stop that is not its final destination. Foreign-flagged cruise ships must complete an international voyage or, on Canada’s coasts, complete a round trip with an international stop to operate in Canadian waters without a coasting trade licence.

Here are examples:

Meets the rules: A passenger travelling on a foreign cruise ship from Montreal to Boston or round trips with an international stop like from Montreal (QC) to St. Pierre and Miquelon (France) back to Montreal (QC).

Meets the rules: A passenger travelling on a foreign cruise from Montreal to Boston, disembarking in Halifax (NS) for a daily excursion, then continuing the voyage to Boston

Breaking the rules: A passenger travelling on a foreign cruise ship from Montreal to Boston who disembarks early in Halifax (NS) would be breaking these rules.  

Canada’s Coasting Trade Act protects the Canadian marine sector. The Act also supports tourism by allowing foreign-owned cruise ships to operate in Canadian waters. Most cruise ships do not require a coasting trade licence to operate in Canada because they plan their itineraries to be compliant with coasting trade requirements. Only when passengers who embark in Canada are allowed to disembark early at another Canadian port, the cruise ship has transported passengers between two places in Canada, and the vessel should have a coasting trade licence to do this.

There are also labour and foreign worker requirements for cruise vessels that transport passengers between points in Canada. A vessel that allows early passenger disembarkation may also be in violation of labour and immigration rules.

If you have any questions, please contact Transport Canada's Coasting Trade team at TC.CoastingTrade-Cabotage.TC@tc.gc.ca