lfplenore

Sarawut Sarawut can be reached on WhatsApp at +66 636 094 881

Having been to the Middle East twice on cruises, I completely disagree. We did private tours at every port and, as a woman, had no issues whatsoever.

Excursions in the Middle East are very expensive. Much less expensive to do private tours (not through the cruise line). We saved a ton of money doing this. Is there a roll call for your cruise? That's a great place to find groups that are planning tours.

Only what I have already posted. From the information I have been given, your conclusion is correct. I know NCL will procure visas for us (at a steep charge); not sure about Celebrity. My guess is that they will; there should be information on their website. Due to time constraints, we are taking the easy way out and having NCL get the visas for us for our cruise.

https://vietnamembassy-usa.org/content/visa-application-process

If this is your port of entry, I was told no by the Vietnam Embassy. If your ship docks elsewhere in Vietnam first, then maybe. Check the embassy website; there is a list of ports that are approved. I assumed (incorrectly) that Phu My was the same as HCMC but was informed that this is not true.

Chan May is listed on the e-visa website: https://evisa.xuatnhapcanh.gov.vn/trang-chu-ttdt?fbclid=IwAR0UNAseidYS_ebsTzN5ZVKDJQP43Xn9qNUdVHdzTAGqHoecnaN49S_94DU

I checked with the Vietnam Embassy regarding the e-visa. Be sure that your first port of call in Vietnam is on the list of approved entry ports. Our first stop is Phu My, which is NOT. The port of HCMC is not the same as Phu My, though NCL calls it HCMC. For my cruise, I cannot do the e-visa😥.

I finally heard back from the Vietnam e-visa people. Their response is copied below. It appears that if Phu My is your entry port to Vietnam, an e-visa will not work. Hope this helps clarify the issue. It seems that you will dock at Phu My port as soon as you arrive in Vietnam. However, Phu My port is not on the list of E-visa. (Phu My port is different from HCM seaport (called Sai Gon seaport). In this case, you should obtain a visa from Vietnam Embassy nearby.

Did you ever get clarification regarding this? I emailed both the e-visa and US Vietnam Embassy to verify that Phu My is considered the same as HCMC but received no response from either.

$99, I believe. E-visa is $25. Be sure to find the Vietnam government site; there are lots of official sounding scam sites out there.

Great news! We are going to be in Vietnam in October as well as visiting on a cruise in December. Only one visa needed!

This is from the NCL website, so yes, Phu My is HCMC and should work for e-visa. I really hope that the post saying that there will be a $5 cruise passenger visa is correct!

As for Vietnam, you are correct. I misread the information on the website. Some countries count from the day you receive your visa, and the Vietnam e-visa website was not clear. You can apply 6 months ahead of time. From the NCL website: Please note that electronic visas “e-visas” obtained online are only valid to enter Cambodia by air or land. These visas cannot be used to enter Cambodia by sea onboard cruise ships. Additionally, from the Cambodian website:

I believe your best bet would be the government site for Vietnam visas. Tbe application process is simple and only costs $25pp per visa, so a huge cost savings. You will need to time out when you apply because they are only valid for 30 days and require 3 days to process. We will apply 30 days before we dock in Vietnam. You can also do the Cambodian visa on your own but it requires mailing in your passports to the Cambodian Embassy up to 90 days before you arrive in Cambodia. Very doable (we've done it twice before). Good luck!