Your Next Cruise - Do You Need A Visa?

For many people, taking a cruise to an exotic destination is the trip of a lifetime. When it comes to visas, however, the situation has become increasingly complex, leaving many in doubt whether they need them or not. Matters of immigration are taken very seriously on cruises today, and don’t think for a second that you will be exempt from protocol just because you’ve arrived on a ship and may only be on land for four or five hours. When it comes to visas, much depends on the passport you’re travelling on. Another consideration is that some countries which have been a part of the world of cruising for a long time, have waived visa requirements specifically for most cruise passengers. In other countries such as Indonesia, however, a visa can be issued on arrival to most people arriving on a cruise ship, usually a transit visa (allowing a stay of up to seven days). In this situation, the cruise line usually pays for the visa during the immigration inspection, then charges the fee to your shipboard account. The bottom line is that all cruise lines place the onus of responsibility for visas onto the passenger, and unfortunately the requirements are changing all the time. 

Here are some important points to consider:

1. Don’t rely on getting accurate information from cruise lines or travel agents - do your own research. 

2. Check the expiration date of your passport, as many countries require people to travel on a passport which is valid for at least six months beyond the date of entry. If necessary, renew your passport early to avoid any problems.

3. Ask the embassy of the country you are visiting if you need a visa, and plan on obtaining one if they say you do

4. Leave plenty of time ahead of your departure for obtaining any visas, as it can take some time with certain countries. The more visas you need, the more time it will take.

5. If you are on a budget, factor the cost of visas into a cruise before you buy your ticket - some can cost several hundred dollars.

6. Make sure you obtain the right kind of visa; for example, check to see if you need a multiple-entry visa or a single-entry one.

7. Obtaining visas can be time consuming, so if you need several consider paying an agency to do the legwork for you.

8. If in doubt, get a visa anyway to avoid being stopped at the gangway.