notnewtocruise

We were in Petropavlovsk last year. We were able to wade through the contradictory advice/information to realize that a visa is NOT required if you stay within the city. So we didn't pay for a visa and were able to disembark, albeit not until after noon time and after several "views" of our passport. We are a lovely walk through the town. It was a Sunday and sunny, and it seemed that all of Petropavlovsk was in the main square to view the ship. It apparently was one of the six "nice" days the place gets. We were on Celebrity.

I have been told unequivocally by Costa Cruise Lines that I must have a paper visa in my passport or I "could" be stopped from boarding the ship. This, they say, is according to the Indian government, despite the various changes noted by other cruise lines and in official press releases. I am trying to escalate at Costa to reach someone who can make a decision, but not getting anywhere.