What should I consider when booking a cruise visiting international ports?
Given the events over the last few years, having the proper travel documents has been a considerable concern of many guests prior to enjoying a carefree vacation. Passport, visa and inoculation regulations may vary by destination and may change from time to time. For your protection, your passport expiration date needs to be at least six (6) months after the sailing termination date. It is the sole responsibility of the guest to obtain and have available when necessary the appropriate valid travel and health documents such as passports, visas, vaccination certificates, etc., that are necessary for air travel, disembarkation at the various ports of call and re-entry into the appropriate country of origin.
Visa
Based on nationality, many countries still require an entry visa. It is the guests' responsibility to identify and to obtain all the necessary visas before commencing their cruise.
If your sailing includes a stop in Egypt, a visa is required for many nationalities including US and Canadian citizens, but may not be the only visa required for these sailings based on your nationality.
Suggestions on where to obtain visa information:
(1) U.S. Citizens can visit the U.S. Department of State Foreign Entry Requirements.
(2) Canadian citizens can visit Foreign Affairs and International Trade Canada.
(3) The Embassies (Consular Service Office) of each country on your sailing itinerary
(4) The visa service of your choice, such as CIBT for specific visa requirements, information, forms and fees that apply to your nationality
VisaCentral a CIBT Company
website: http://www.visacentral.com/royalcaribbean
toll free telephone: 1.800.858.8579
email: customerservice@visacentral.com
Consecutive Sailings
Guests on consecutive sailings must ensure they have the proper travel documents for their entire cruise vacation.
For Russia
Note: All guests going ashore (even guests on shore excursions) must provide a photocopy of their passport details (page with picture and personal information) to the Russian Immigration Officials.
Guests who purchase any available shore excursion or arrange for an independent car or van organized through Royal Caribbean Cruises in St. Petersburg will not require a visa for Russia. Under such conditions, guests will need to present (a) a valid passport (b) a Royal Caribbean Cruises tour ticket and (c) one photocopy of passport page showing guest picture and personal information to the Russian Immigration officer as they depart the ship.
However, please note that without a visa, visitation is limited to the period of the excursion and you will not be permitted to leave the ship outside of the tour hours without a Russian Tourist Visa. Guests who wish to sightsee independently or sightsee outside of Royal Caribbean Cruises' shore excursion hours MUST obtain an individual Russian Tourist Visa before leaving home. Russian Tourist Visas cannot be issued during your cruise. Guests who have not purchased a shipboard organized shore excursion and do not possess a valid Russian tourist Visa will not be permitted ashore in St. Petersburg.
Guests with an Individual Tourist Visa must present (a) a valid passport (b) Russian Tourist Visa (c) one photocopy of passport page showing guest picture and personal information and (d) a confirmation letter or voucher from your Russian tour company sponsoring your Russian Tourist Visa to the Russian Immigration Officer as you depart the ship.
Russian Tourist Visa Sponsorship
Should you wish to obtain an individual Russian Tourist Visa, you will need to be sponsored by a licensed Russian Tour Company. This company will have to create a program and provide a voucher to the guests confirming all the arrangements along with a reference letter which includes a visa reference number. Once a visa has been issued, it needs to reference the same Russian tour provider as the voucher confirmation. A Russia Tourist Visa will not be accepted by the Russian Immigration official as valid without a confirmation voucher for pre-arranged services.
Guests should consider the following when selecting a tour provider in St. Petersburg:
1) The tour provider needs to be licensed to operate in Russia and authorized to provide services to foreign visitors.
2) The tour provider must be authorized to issue Russian visa reference numbers.
3) The tour provider should be authorized and have a permit to meet the guest inside the Port of St. Petersburg. If the tour provider is not authorized to enter the port area, you will be advised to meet them at the port entrance, which is located approximately 3 miles from the ship.
The Russian Tourist Visa issued and stamped on your passport will only apply to the referenced tour company, the person named on the visa and for a specific travel date. The sponsor of each tourist visa is legally required to be the provider of services for the guest named on the visa and will have their license revoked if a visa holder is found ashore without a pre-arranged activity.
The above requirements are subject to revision at any time without prior notification to the cruise line. Once onboard the ship, adjustment to the current regulations will be provided as we receive them from the Russian officials. Please also be aware that these regulations can also be at the discretion of the individual officers on duty on the day of arrival and may vary at any time.
For Papua New Guinea
Guests will be able to secure visa onboard the vessel for a one-time fee of less than $50 per person which will be charged to their onboard account.
For Cambodia and Vietnam
All nationalities require visas for Vietnam with the following exceptions: Singapore, Thailand, Malaysia, Indonesia, Philippines, Japan, Denmark, Sweden, Finland and Norway.
All nationalities require visas for Cambodia with the following exceptions: Singapore, Malaysia, Philippines and Laos.
Please Note: The following nationalities will find it extremely difficult to secure a visa for Vietnam and Cambodia, whether through us or by themselves; Pakistan, North Korea, Afghanistan, Iraq and Nigeria.
Inoculation/Health
We recommend that all guests, regardless of their sailing date check with their health care professional or a Travel Medicine Specialist certified by the WHO for guidance. Other informational resources can be accessed at the Centers for Disease Control Traveler's Health website.
As detailed in our brochure, all guests must ensure that they are medically and physically fit for travel. The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and the World Health Organization website. (WHO) provide guidelines as to which vaccinations are required in each country. In many cases inoculations are recommended, but in some circumstances they are required.
