nix1016

Hi nix

Can you please get your Chinese friends to ask, when they check in at the Australian cruise terminal, if they did need the visa to board the ship - and let us know. Thanks!

Just came back from our cruise yesterday. We had to check in separately but from what my friends told me, the check in officer did not even look for the visa, she only looked at the passport info page briefly and that was it. So much for worrying over nothing! But at least we were able to get some sleep prior to going :D

Also for anyone wondering, the visa took around 2 and half weeks to arrive from the day it was sent in Melbourne.

Also be aware that some banks charge fees even if the charge is in AUD, in such cases where the charge is lodged through an off-shore bank - and I think RCI falls into that category.

Ah yes true, I've been bitten by that before. Looks like I'll just go with USD then! Thanks!

I don't have enough time to apply for 28 degrees unfortunately, I get back to Australia 3 days before sailing... but I'll have it prepared for next time! :)

Thanks all for your advice, if I go to the service desk to pay the night before disembarking, do they tell you what they will charge in AUD and USD so that we can compare to see what works out cheaper? I know my bank will definitely charge 3% so if their conversion works out to be more than that I will just let them charge me in USD.

Yep, definitely getting the 28 degrees card I've read about after this trip :)

Hi All,

First time cruiser here, I'm completing my online check in and was wondering what I should select for paying my onboard expenses with. Should I use RCI's international currency conversion program or let them charge me in USD and pay the 3% credit card fees as I've heard that the conversion rate from RCI is often not favourable?

I know that there are nil fee credit cards but as I'm currently overseas, I won't be able to apply for one in time. :(

Thanks!

Hi nix

Can you please get your Chinese friends to ask, when they check in at the Australian cruise terminal, if they did need the visa to board the ship - and let us know. Thanks!

Will do!

Unfortunately the consulate is in Sydney so we can only apply by post. We do have to send through an express platinum envelope with return address so it should arrive next business day once they post it.

Will be chasing up next week to make sure nothing goes wrong. Not complete safe until the passports are back before the cruise date! Guess we learnt our lessen with buying 'last minute' deals! :D

Yeah, after contacting the TA, RCI and French Consulate, it seems that there's no definite answer on whether they'll be allowed boarding without a Visa. However, one good thing that came out of it is that the French consulate mentioned if we submit the applications this week, then they should be processed in time.

We've sent the applications and passports in, fingers crossed that they come back in time or there'd definitely be no boarding! :rolleyes:

Hi All,

I'm a first time cruiser going in March to New Caledonia and Vanuatu with Royal Caribbean. I'm going with a few friends who are Chinese nationals living in Australia holding Chinese passports. I've had a look and it seems that a visa is required for New Caledonia and the processing time is 4-5 weeks which is really cutting it now.

I'm not sure how strict RCI is with allowing boarding without a visa? The french embassy of Australia website (http://www.ambafrance-au.org/New-Caledonia-and-French-Polynesia) mentions that no visa is needed if you're not getting off the ship, but my worry is with RCI as they can deny boarding without visa. Has anyone experienced this? Any advice?

The travel agent who we booked through said that they would need visas regardless of whether they're staying on the ship or not at New Caledonia or their boarding may be denied. I called up RCI on the 1800 number and the rep said the same thing. However, when I mentioned that the french consulate website mentions that no visa is required if staying onboard the vessel, he said to bring that statement with us when boarding and it should be ok.

I guess my question is whether anyone's experienced this in the past and if so, whether they were able to board successfully or not? At this point we're just worried about boarding the ship and not really about visiting New Caledonia...

Thanks!

Maybe you should try posting on the Australian/New Zealand board - there are a couple of friendly folk on there who do check-in for RC & Celebrity.

Thanks for your suggestion! I'll try that :)

Thanks for your reply. They did book through a TA who said that they would need visas regardless of whether they're staying on the ship or not at New Caledonia or their boarding may be denied. I called up RCI on the 1800 number and the rep said the same thing. However, when I mentioned that the french consulate website mentions that no visa is required if staying onboard the vessel, he said to bring that statement with us when boarding and it should be ok.

I guess my question is whether anyone's experienced this in the past and if so, whether they were able to board successfully or not? At this point we're just worried about boarding the ship and not really about visiting New Caledonia...

Hi All,

I'm a first time cruiser going in March to New Caledonia and Vanuatu with Royal Caribbean. I'm going with a few friends who are Chinese nationals living in Australia holding Chinese passports. I've had a look and it seems that a visa is required for New Caledonia and the processing time is 4-5 weeks which is really cutting it now.

I did a bit of research online and it seems that most people who went claimed that they don't check your passport (https://www.tripadvisor.com.au/ShowT...a-Cruises.html), but this was with other cruise lines.

I'm not sure how strict RCI is with allowing boarding without a visa? The french embassy of Australia website (http://www.ambafrance-au.org/New-Caledonia-and-French-Polynesia) mentions that no visa is needed if you're not getting off the ship, but my worry is with RCI as they can deny boarding without visa. Has anyone experienced this? Any advice?

Thanks!

Hi All,

I'm a first time cruiser going in March to New Caledonia and Vanuatu with Royal Caribbean. I'm going with a few friends who are Chinese nationals living in Australia that hold Chinese passports. I've had a look and it seems that a visa is required for New Caledonia and the processing time is 4-5 weeks which is really cutting it now.

I did a bit of research online and it seems that most people who went claimed that they don't check your passport (see https://www.tripadvisor.com.au/ShowTopic-g1-i10703-k6753113-Visa_for_P_O_cruise_to_New_Caledonia-Cruises.html). I'm wondering if that's still the case as I haven't been able to find some recent information about this. The agency I booked with said that they do need visas but I don't think it's wise sending in their passports now as we're sailing in 4 weeks.

Any advice?

Thanks!