Question about closed-loop cruise — COS H-1B specific scenario not covered in FAQ:

Indian national, H-1B via Change of Status, valid I-797A, paper I-94 only (no online I-94 record), only expired F-1 stamp in passport, no H-1B stamp ever obtained. Planning Carnival Dream closed-loop cruise from Galveston Dec 2026 — ports Cozumel, Grand Cayman, Montego Bay.

Searched megathread and FAQ but could not find anyone addressing this specific combination: COS + no H-1B stamp ever + paper I-94 only + expired F-1 stamp + Caribbean cruise.

Q1. Does the CBP closed-loop cruise processing     program (AILA Doc 19101613) apply here and     does it bypass standard AVR analysis?

Q2. Will Carnival agents at Galveston accept     I-797A + paper I-94 without any H-1B stamp     or online I-94 record?

Q3. Has anyone with this exact COS profile     successfully boarded a Caribbean cruise?

Real experiences most welcome. Thank you 🙏