getmeout

20 hours ago, emerald6273 said:

Problem with using US supplier is you'd probably need a US mobile telephone number. You definitely do with emed. We're flying in 5 days prior to cruise so need to test in US 2 days prior to cruise. I've arranged video zoom call with UK provider, jacemedical.co.uk. Zoom video call will work via hotel WiFi. When booking time slot I just ensured I allowed for the 8 hour time difference. Cost £17.99 per test.

That seems a great value option so I hope a Fit To Fly certificate is acceptable to cruise companies. 

Are you sailing any time soon, as I would be very interested to hear of your experience?

10 hours ago, isdoo said:

As long as it is a LFT and supervised you are fine - those are the only two requirements.

Heck you could in theory use an NHS one and get it supervised by a friendly doctor who will email you the results to confirm. This will also comply with the rules. The rules are pretty relaxed. As long as they email you the result in some way and confirm that it was supervised then you are good to go.

Incidentally you also do not need your vaccination card - the NHS app is sufficient to prove that you are vaccinated. This is also covered under the FAQs.

Thanks for the reply. 

I contacted the UK supplier who wouldn't really commit to the cruise verification, even though personably I believe it would be fine.

I can't really use a UK service as we have 3 nights in the US prior to the cruise so wouldn't be within the 2 day window.

I'm thinking the best option may be to order approved tests from the cruise line to be delivered to our hotel in advance of our arrival, if the hotel is willing to accept and store the package of course.

I have the same dilemma as a UK resident needing a antigen test before a cruise, it doesn't seem easy to arrange a test in the US.

I've found a UK test that I can purchase before travel and arrange a telehealth consultation so seems to comply, but as the test is for a 'fit to fly' certificate how risky would this be?

Not sure about the UK rules, but you would have to contact whoever booked your cruise. You may be able to change to another available stateroom within the same exact catergory, but I don't know if there will be some sort of change fee.

Thanks Bob, I'll try emailing RC

I've made the mistake of booking a connecting room without realising, how would I go about changing it?

Hi there, sorry I didn't see your question before but here I am! :)

 

I am in fact from the Netherlands and tried to arrange for a visa through NCL. They couldn't get it organised at the time I spoke to them on the phone (about 2 months ago?) but from what I understand they are able to do that now. For a moment we contemplated going to the Cuban embassy in NYC (we're flying out to NYC for a week first, then a few days in Miami and then the cruise) but that would take up a lot of time that would be spend better elsewhere.

 

We had to find another solution so we contacted a few companies over here that arrange visas but because you need a different visa when you travel to Cuba from the US that proved to be difficult. I managed to find a company that could arrange them at last, they're called cubavisa.net and they are a Dutch company. From what I understand they also ship internationally so they could also help you out. The visa is valid as long as it's the PINK one. The one you need "from the rest of the world besides the US" is green. I checked back with NCL after we received the visas and send them a photo and they confirmed that they are the correct ones.

 

Hope this helps! :D

 

PS. This is the link, I looked it up for you: https://www.cubavisa.net/en/product/blank-pink-visa-for-cuba/

Many thanks Yunah, it looks like NCL are able to sort the visas. I'm glad I didn't buy the non-US version from the agent (the agent that NCL actually advised).

Oh right, well I suppose that does make sense in a port as you can come and go multiple times. Not like at an airport where you will enter only once and leave once. Thanks for answering!

Hi Yunah, I note that you are from The Netherlands, could I ask how you managed to sort your visa/tourism card? Have you arranged this through NCL, and if so, how?

We have UK passports and think we've been incorrectly advised y NCL's visa agent to arrange a Cuba visa in the UK before the cruise, but as we'll be travelling to Cuba directly from the US I believe US rules apply, so visas sourced elsewhere will be invalid.

Hope you can help.

Thanks for the replies all.

The visa company NCL put me onto have today said that buying a visa in the UK and travelling on a cruise directly from US to Cuba would not be an issue, but given that if we travelled on a direct flight it would not be permitted, frankly I don't trust their advice.

It's clear that the process is relatively easy if you are a US citizen, but I'm just trying to find out if a UK passport holder could buy the visa via NCL when on the cruise.

Did you try asking this on the UK cruise critic forum?

 

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/forumdisplay.php?f=683

I've just tried there too, thanks

Does anyone know what UK passport holders need to do regarding obtaining the correct visa/tourist card?

Despite contacting them a few times now the information NCL have sent me is quite poor, including a link to arrange a US tourism visa (which I don't need as I can use ESTA), and a link to arrange a Cuban tourist visa within the UK through a company called CIBT, which from what I can gather will be invalid as such visas cannot be used if travelling directly from US to Cuba.

Does anyone know what UK passport holders need to do regarding obtaining the correct visa/tourist card?

Despite contacting them a few times now the information NCL have sent me is quite poor, including a link to arrange a US tourism visa (which I don't need as I can use ESTA), and a link to arrange a Cuban tourist visa within the UK through a company called CIBT, which from what I can gather will be invalid as such visas cannot be used if travelling directly from US to Cuba.

They will cancel your reservation if you do not call NCL @ 877-461-1160 today!!!! You must now have a passport AND a Visa (which NCL will get for you at a 75.00 per person fee) to board the Sky.

Thanks, I've called them (via the UK number).

They said I was sent an email 7th Feb advising me of the change, but I'm certain I didn't receive it as I've checked all my email folders including spam/bin.

But anyway, they claim my reservation has already transferred over to the Cuba itinerary, despite me not confirming either way.

I hope they're right, but I guess I'll know soon enough when checking my booking on NCL.

We booked on the Sky for a 4 night Nassau etc cruise, but although on my online booking the itinerary is now showing Cuba I've not had an email saying there's a change. I'm concerned with the 02/17/2017 deadline and not having a chance to change the booking.

Is anyone else in the same situation?