Esta - Barbados

[FLUFFY01]

HI

 

Can you tell me if I will need an ESTA for Barbados.

Thanks

 

JO:)

[Catherine Janaway]

The ESTA process is for the USA only.

 

Barbados is not part (in any way) of the US so no you won't need an ESTA.

[silver service]

the visa thingy only required for usa entry.:)

[mogpie]

If you are flying direct to Barbados you will not need an Esta. If you are flying via any US airport, or your cruise calls at Puerto Rico, then you will need to apply for an Esta. If you are cruising on the carnival victory from barbados, you will also need an esta because the cruise starts in Puerto rico. I would probably confirm with your TA to be sure.

 

Have a great time :)

[FLUFFY01]

hI

 

Thank you very much

 

JO

[BrianI]

It might be worthwhile anyone going to the Caribbean to have a USA ESTA in case you have to be evacuated to the US. The cost on the official site is $14. If any website charges you more they are ripping you off.

Brian

[Catherine Janaway]

It might be worthwhile anyone going to the Caribbean to have a USA ESTA in case you have to be evacuated to the US. The cost on the official site is $14. If any website charges you more they are ripping you off.

Brian

 

Surely if you're evacuated the US immigration will not turn you away :confused:

 

I have an ESTA as I holiday in the US at least once a year but don't think there is a need to get one if not planning to visit there.

[jenny wren]

I tend to agree with BrianI that it is worthwhile getting an ESTA anyway if you're visiting the Caribbean ....it may save alot of hassle if you had to be evacuated, for a medical emergency, for example....or even diverted by air or sea to the mainland...

[jeanlyon]

I disagree. There cannot be any necessity for an ESTA if you are not going to any US place. If you were evacuated? (for what reason), then the US wouldn't be that harsh.

[Single Cruiser]

I'd get one just in case as others have said.

 

I know of one charter flight which got diverted to a US airport. They were not allowed off into immigration without the forms.

 

And yes US would be that harsh! Last time I flew into LA they wouldn't let a family take their kid to the toilet because they had crossed the line innthe floor to join the queue for immigration, this queue was at least half hour long and the toilets were 100 yards back across a line we crossed from gates into the area..

 

They are valid for several trips/years so quite possible you'd need one in future years if travelling in or through that area..

[cruiseluvva]

I disagree. There cannot be any necessity for an ESTA if you are not going to any US place. If you were evacuated? (for what reason), then the US wouldn't be that harsh.

 

That happened to some people on a cruise my son was on. They hadn't been expecting to visit the US so didn't have an ESTA. There was no problem as a medical emergency and documentation was completed in Miami, where they had been flown.

[Catherine Janaway]

That happened to some people on a cruise my son was on. They hadn't been expecting to visit the US so didn't have an ESTA. There was no problem as a medical emergency and documentation was completed in Miami, where they had been flown.

 

Of course this would be the case.

 

Why don't P & O recommend this if this is a real concern?

 

The answer to the original question is that you don't need to complete and ESTA flying into and out of Barbados.

[kaznaid]

I am flying to Barbados in January to start my cruise on the Azura. My daughter in law is a travel specialist with Tui and she did some investigating for me. The general consensus of opinion was that it is worth the $14 to get one "just in case".

 

So I will apply for me and OH. Saves any aggravation!

[Catherine Janaway]

I am flying to Barbados in January to start my cruise on the Azura. My daughter in law is a travel specialist with Tui and she did some investigating for me. The general consensus of opinion was that it is worth the $14 to get one "just in case".

 

So I will apply for me and OH. Saves any aggravation!

 

I this is the case I wonder why every travel agent doesn't recommend this.

 

The question asked was if one was needed - if people think they should buy them it's obviously their choice.

 

I'm going to e-mail P & O and ask why this isn't recommended by them.

[Elaine0138]

Can you apply for an esta if not going to the US? I thought you had to put your travel dates and flights on the application.

[Catherine Janaway]

Can you apply for an esta if not going to the US? I thought you had to put your travel dates and flights on the application.

 

Some of the information is optional.

 

You can update it for every visit if you want.

 

If it's a 'just in case' ESTA then obviously the info won't be that important.

 

My understanding was that ESTA were not available for cruise travellers - I may have misunderstood that though.

 

I thought I'd read that the old green visa waver forms needed to be completed for cruise entry, although if this was for an emergency then a person would be flown in from one of the islands.

[BrianI]

An ESTA is needed whether you are arriving in the US by sea or air. I got mine last year while they were still free as we knew we would be going this year.

You dont have to put your arrival details on. This can be updated at any time.

P&O would only tell you to get one if the cruise was visiting the US or one of its territories. You dont need one if you are not visiting the US but you do need one even if you are transiting or even just refuelling in the US.

As most medical evacuations from the Caribbean tend to go to the US some people have suggested getting one to smooth the potential passage. This may have come from the days when it was free. Now there is a $14 charge people must decide for themselves whether to do this or not.

Be wary of any website that charges you more than $14.

Brian

[Catherine Janaway]

This is the official ESTA web site:

 

https://esta.cbp.dhs.gov/esta/

[newport dave]

Why give the US government your hard earned cash for no reason. Is this to help pay off there massive debt........:confused::confused:

[jeanlyon]

Totally agree. How often are you going to medically evacuated from the Caribbean and if you are it will be sorted. Don't waste money on an Esta.

[Single Cruiser]

I guess it's more how likely are you going to vacation in the USA or take a cruise out of say Miami in the next few years.

[caber]

I wouldn`t think of getting one if you are flying direct to Barbados, especially on the P&O charters. It is the most painless way to go, straight off the ship and onto the bus to the ship, no customs or immigration. Barbados, although independent, is very British.

[kaznaid]

I this is the case I wonder why every travel agent doesn't recommend this.

 

The question asked was if one was needed - if people think they should buy them it's obviously their choice.

 

I'm going to e-mail P & O and ask why this isn't recommended by them.

 

Exactly! However, P&O will say it is not needed! I asked my TA and they said the same - not needed as Barbados is not US territory. It is definitely a case of personal preference!

[Dorset Cruiser]

Can you apply for an esta if not going to the US? I thought you had to put your travel dates and flights on the application.

 

 

You can put the date, flights and where you are staying in the US if you know them Elaine or, if not, just leave it blank. I think a lot of people renewed their ESTAs before they started charging for them. Our free ones run out in March 2012 so they will be valid for our next US visit in January 2012 and after that we will have to pay for them if we go back to the States.