Live from QE's 2014 World Voyage

[Scrapnana]

As Whitemarsh mentioned, rumors are rampant as to who will be getting on in various ports. The one I heard yesterday was that 1200 Japanese are getting on in Sydney. Social Hostess Janice said she had not heard anything like that.

 

I enjoyed my first day in San Francisco even though I could not get on Cruise Critic using the free wi-fi on land. Tomorrow is my touring day although the taxi driver said rain is in the forecast.

 

Looking forward to meeting some of our roll call tomorrow or at least the next day at the Meet and Greet. We have quite a few CC members joining us.

[pengu]

I have not heard anybody official talking about it. I do know they are still selling excursions in Egypt.

 

Thanks Kathi....let me know if you hear anything. I'm really hoping to see the pyramids. It's the reason we booked that sector of the cruise.

 

How's deck 7 going? Unless we get upgraded we'll be just down the hall from you. Is there much movement when the seas are rough?

 

Cheers,

Kerry.

[bobby1119]

Hi again,

 

Here's an update from somewhere off the Californian coast about six hours from San Francisco...

 

I am enjoying your updates - keep them coming and enjoy!;)

[ckl001]

Well today is the day! After waiting about 18 months I board Queen Elizabeth today. I did a winery tour of Napa valley yesterday and brought a few wines to take onboard. I also met a few people also boarding today. As the song goes......im so excited!

chez

[Hobie]

I just arrived at SFO and am taking the Cunard shuttle to the ship. See all of you soon.

 

Super excited here too!

[kuruzugirl]

Hello,

I need help and am hoping that one of you on board can help me. I am booked on the QE from Japan-Singapore segment. I have an Indian passport. I cannot get any information on Visa requirements for the places that we will visit. I have traveled on many cruise ships before and basically they handled all the visas on board, except for the country where we disembarked.

My travel agent here is Japanese and even though they are one of the biggest cruise agents, they have no idea about Visas for non-Japanese people.

I called the Cunard number that is on their website and was told that they could only help US and Canadian citizens.

I was wondering if one of you, could ask the representative onboard, what to do. I have made several international calls and am getting frustrated.

I have never had this much trouble trying to contact a cruise line.

I really would appreciate your help.

Thank you so much.

[pepperrn]

Hello, I need help and am hoping that one of you on board can help me. I am booked on the QE from Japan-Singapore segment. I have an Indian passport. I cannot get any information on Visa requirements for the places that we will visit. I have traveled on many cruise ships before and basically they handled all the visas on board, except for the country where we disembarked. My travel agent here is Japanese and even though they are one of the biggest cruise agents, they have no idea about Visas for non-Japanese people. I called the Cunard number that is on their website and was told that they could only help US and Canadian citizens. I was wondering if one of you, could ask the representative onboard, what to do. I have made several international calls and am getting frustrated. I have never had this much trouble trying to contact a cruise line. I really would appreciate your help. Thank you so much.

Hi Kuruzugirl, please excuse my short comment, not being rude or insulting, but I wouldn't rely on cruise-ship staff to give me accurate answers about a vital and always-changing subject like visas. They cannot be experts on visa requirements for citizens of every nation around the globe and the visa requirements of the other contries which they may wish to visit. Rather than make international 'phone calls, have you thought of contacting the Indian Embassy in Japan? They'll give you an accurate answer in minutes I'm sure. As I said, I am not aiming to be be rude, but the simple answer may not have occurred to you.

Good luck and enjoy your cruise.

Edited February 7, 2014 by pepperrn

[kuruzugirl]

Hi Kuruzugirl, please excuse my short comment, not being rude or insulting, but I wouldn't rely on cruise-ship staff to give me accurate answers about a vital and always-changing subject like visas. They cannot be experts on visa requirements for citizens of every nation around the globe and the visa requirements of the other contries which they may wish to visit. Rather than make international 'phone calls, have you thought of contacting the Indian Embassy in Japan? They'll give you an accurate answer in minutes I'm sure. As I said, I am not aiming to be be rude, but the simple answer may not have occurred to you.

Good luck and enjoy your cruise.

 

Pepper,

Thank you so much for your reply. Actually the Indian Embassy will not know the answer to my question. I do know the visa requirements but the fact is that when one cruises, one leaves there passport with the ship and uses the cruise card when they visit ports. On all my previous cruises, I have not needed a visa, because the cruise ship was backed by this policy. Russia was different, everyone needed a visa.

I do not expect the staff to know the answers, but I do expect the person in charge of immigration etc to know if a cruise ship passenger will require a visa or not. They do usually wake me up early on port days to check my passport if that is the case, but that happens when I disembark etc.

Basically to repeat myself, I know that I would need visas if I travelled by plane and some places I can get visa on arrival at the airport, but the rules for cruise ships are different, especially if you are going to be in a country for only a few hours, so I need the answer from Cunard.

Naturally my agent is working on contacting them too, I found their number for customer service on the web but it was in the States, Hence the international number. The person on the other end of the phone send me on wild goose chase which ended up with me finally reaching a number that had an answering message saying that they were on vacation till Dec. 23rd.

[pepperrn]

Hi Kuruzugirl,

... Actually the Indian Embassy will not know the answer to my question...

How strange, I'm ignorant of how these things work but I'm sure if I called a British Embassy (or High Commission) and asked them "do I need a visa for X country" they'd know the answer within minutes. I suppose each embassy and country must be different.

...I do know the visa requirements...

Sorry, that is my fault, when you said "I cannot get any information on Visa requirements for the places that we will visit" I thought that you didn't have any visa information for the places you were going to visit.

...but the fact is that when one cruises, one leaves there passport with the ship...

I've been told that is not a good idea by others here. They have said you should always have your passport on you in case you are late back to the ship, and it has sailed without you. I suppose that this is a personal choice.

...but the rules for cruise ships are different, especially if you are going to be in a country for only a few hours, so I need the answer from Cunard...

It might be of interest (or it might not ;) ) but in the UK brochure (and in the "small print") it states "Please note that it is your responsibility to have a valid passport and the appropriate visas for your journey" and in a recent email to me regarding a cruise I've booked it says that Cunard do not supply visas, obtaining them is up to me. I may be wrong, but I get the impression that you are expecting others (the ship's crew) to cover this aspect of your cruise on your behalf. I'm not clear why, if you know the visa requirements for an Indian passport holder who wishes to visit certain countries, you are not obtaining the correct visas. Or is it a matter of cost? If so, then I always include the cost of visas etc when calculating the overall cost of a holiday.

I hope you get this sorted, have a great time with Cunard :) .

[Pushka]

There is a link to a visa company in your personalise. When you click on that link it takes you to a visa specialist that asks the country of the passport you are travelling on and the country you are entering and then tells you if you need a visa. Then they will get it for you if needed, once you complete the paperwork and lodge it. But you should have been on to this way before now if any visas are required. It isn't Cunard's responsibility and Cunard do not have immigration experts on board. These people board the ship at each relevant country.

 

Cunard cannot be expected to know the requirements of all the countries of the passport holders, with all the countries they are entering. Because every country treats every other country differently. And your Embassy must know the various requirements also.

 

Except for Europe when the next port is a European country then I take my passport in case I miss the ship, have an accident etc etc.

Edited February 7, 2014 by Pushka

[Kiltboys]

I'm confused. In your first post you state that you do not know the visa requirements for entry into the countries that you will visit- namely Japan, P.R.C., the S.A.R of Hong Kong, Viet Nam and Singapore. In your second post you state that you do in fact know the visa requirements.

 

The embassy or consulate of each of the mentioned countries will be able to tell you if Indian nationals require a visa. It took me 15 seconds to determine that you will require a tourist visa for P.R.C. There will be a Chinese embassy or consulate wherever you are to issue this. The other countries/regions should be easily researched online.

 

Your comment about leaving your passport with the ship and travelling ashore on your cruise card is irrelevant. You are entering the various countries at which the ship docks whether you disembark or not, and therefore are required to have the appropriate visas- usually in advance.

 

I hope that this helps. The PRC visa can be expedited in as little as 3 days (for an extra fee).

[burchan]

You need to check visa requirement for each country you are visiting with your Indian passport with each country embassy. When travelling on some developing countries passport sponsor is required before visa is issued. India in return has the most difficult and costly visa system in the world and visas are only issued in the applicant home country. China is another with home country only issuing of visa. Once on a cruise to India half the passengers could not get of the ship because they did not have visa and were unable to get one once on the way. Multiple entry visa is required if entering more then one port.

[Victoria2]

You need to check visa requirement for each country you are visiting with your Indian passport with each country embassy. When travelling on some developing countries passport sponsor is required before visa is issued. India in return has the most difficult and costly visa system in the world and visas are only issued in the applicant home country. China is another with home country only issuing of visa. Once on a cruise to India half the passengers could not get of the ship because they did not have visa and were unable to get one once on the way. Multiple entry visa is required if entering more then one port.

 

Are you allowed on the ship if the correct visas aren't in place?

[kuruzugirl]

Thank you everyone for your replies. It is my fault that I was up till 5 am and did not explain things the way I wanted to. This is my first cruise on Cunard and I think the rules may be different.

I will try to explain things a little bit clearer. India is very strict in issuing visas and so other countries are just as strict with issuing visas to Indian passport holders. I need a visa for almost everywhere that I travel to. I know this and when I made reservations for this cruise, I told the travel agent this.

I have a Japanese Permanent residence card and so they thought that it was okay. From experience of traveling to many countries, I know that is not always the rule. I have been pushing them but being specialists in cruises, they feel it is not necessary. I don't expect them to know because my circumstances are special.

I also do not expect Cunard to get me my visas. My question is simply that some countries waiver the required visa if you are on a ship.

Every ship that I have been on, has taken my passport and kept it till the last day.

Obtaining Visas for me is expensive, usually about one hundred dollars, but the documentation is sometimes ridiculous, a lot of paperwork and going to the embassy for interviews personally.

Most embassy's are in Tokyo and I live in Kobe. I cannot take the time off to go to each embassy personally.

I have been to all the places that we are going to. Some by ship. So if I do not manage to get a visa, I will stay on board the ship.

Sometimes the ship says that I can go if I take the ship's tour and not go off on my own.

Speaking from experience, I have gone out of my way to obtain visas, and will try to get them for this trip if I can. I just wanted to find out if the ship has a waiver for passengers.

Again let me state, that in the past, all embassies said I needed the visa's, but I ended up not needing it. This has been the case with most of my friends as well.

So basically I just need to know, if Cunard has special arrangements like most other cruise ships. I do not expect them to do anything special for me. Just if they have them.

There is always an officer who is in charge on board the ship. Their job is not to issue visa's but to see that everyone has the proper passports etc.

Maybe I am just being extra cautious. Thank you to everyone for your opinions and trying to help me. I am sure that everything will work out in the end and that I will have a great cruise.

[burchan]

India is very strict in issuing visas and so other countries are just as strict with issuing visas to Indian passport holders. I need a visa for almost everywhere that I travel to.

My question is simply that some countries waiver the required visa if you are on a ship.

 

So if I do not manage to get a visa, I will stay on board the ship.

 

I can only speak from my experience with cruising in Asia with Australian passport. I was not able to disembark in Shanghai because my visa was single entry and I needed it for end of cruise disembark. This is how strict China is. Vietnam visa was obtained by ship and so were all other Asian ports but for Australian passport holders might be different to your situation.

[kuruzugirl]

Burchan,

Thank you so much. I am so happy that you understand my situation.

Strangely, China is the only country that is soft to Indian Passport holders.

When you are going to disembark in a country, you need a visa.

I have already applied for a visa for Singapore.

Did you cruise Asia on Cunard? When you said they got you the visas for the other asian countries, did they do this on board?

Rules and policies are so different for each ship. This is why I am trying to get ahold of a Cunard official.

I have been up the whole night and I think that I can manage all my visas. Just a total hassle.

At least none of the countries require paperwork like a permission letter from my parents. One country actually does, because my father is still alive. I had to laugh as he is 90 years old and I am not a spring chicken either!

[burchan]

Burchan,

Thank you so much. I am so happy that you understand my situation.

Strangely, China is the only country that is soft to Indian Passport holders.

When you are going to disembark in a country, you need a visa.

I have already applied for a visa for Singapore.

Did you cruise Asia on Cunard? When you said they got you the visas for the other asian countries, did they do this on board?

 

All my 7 cruises in Asia were with RCI because ships were based in Asia. Did not need visa or had visa issued on arrival or on board. HK, Vietnam, Cambodia, Thailand, Singapore, Indonesia, Taiwan, Korea, Japan. Had to have multiple entry visa for India, China. During a cruise ending in Shanghai passengers without visa had to disembark in the last port and make their way home at own expense. They were not refused boarding. Just make sure that last port is covered.

[Pushka]

I've just logged into the Cunard personaliser and see that you will need the Visa for Singapore, China and Vietnam. Where else are you travelling too?

 

I had to use this service as I dont have an embassy in my state and it was expensive but I had no choice.

 

I'm not sure they will allow you on the ship at all if you don't have the Visa so might not be a case of just staying onboard.

 

Try this site: http://visacentral.com/

[kuruzugirl]

Pushka,

Thank you so much for checking for me. Visacentral was one of the places that I called, but they could not help me as I am not a resident of the US.

I cannot log onto the cruise personalizer as my agent has not given me the number yet. Again this is the way they handle things here. I normally book my cruises through the internet and am used to doing everything by myself.

I was really stressed out and frustrated yesterday because after months of pushing the local agent, I found out that they don't do visa's etc.

Anyways, I am back to my normal relaxed self and have applied for the most important visa for me, which is the Singapore visa. I will work on the others one by one. Yes, I will be allowed to board the ship.

Will keep on updated. Once again thank you for your support and input.

[Pushka]

Pushka,

 

Thank you so much for checking for me. Visacentral was one of the places that I called, but they could not help me as I am not a resident of the US.

 

I cannot log onto the cruise personalizer as my agent has not given me the number yet. Again this is the way they handle things here. I normally book my cruises through the internet and am used to doing everything by myself.

 

I was really stressed out and frustrated yesterday because after months of pushing the local agent, I found out that they don't do visa's etc.

 

Anyways, I am back to my normal relaxed self and have applied for the most important visa for me, which is the Singapore visa. I will work on the others one by one. Yes, I will be allowed to board the ship.

 

Will keep on updated. Once again thank you for your support and input.

 

 

Oh goodness. They should have given you your booking number.

 

I can understand your frustration then.

 

Did you check the link and select Indian Nationality?

 

The visa issue is so complicated these days even the simple ones for Aussies. Cruise lines don't like giving us advice either. It's all about the USA.

[kuruzugirl]

Oh goodness. They should have given you your booking number.

 

I can understand your frustration then.

 

Did you check the link and select Indian Nationality?

 

The visa issue is so complicated these days even the simple ones for Aussies. Cruise lines don't like giving us advice either. It's all about the USA.

 

Pushka,

I think I will get my booking number one month before our cruise. Don't even have a brochure yet.

Yes I did check the link, but it relates only to those of Indian Nationality that actually live in the States.

But all this is because India gives everyone a hard time. If I lived in India it would have been easy for me to get all the visa's.

Will you be on board the ship on the Japan to Singapore sector?

If anyone needs any advice on Japan, I would be more than willing to help.

[pengu]

Pushka,

I think I will get my booking number one month before our cruise. Don't even have a brochure yet.

Yes I did check the link, but it relates only to those of Indian Nationality that actually live in the States.

But all this is because India gives everyone a hard time. If I lived in India it would have been easy for me to get all the visa's.

Will you be on board the ship on the Japan to Singapore sector?

If anyone needs any advice on Japan, I would be more than willing to help.

 

I would email Cunard and ask them for your booking reference. Insist upon it. They will give it to you. I have been given it in the past. Once you have that you can log in and see for yourself what needs to be done. Here are their email addresses in the UK:

UK.Reservations@cunard.co.uk

wearecunard@cunard.co.uk

 

I would send the same email to both.

 

We received an email from Cunard a couple of months ago outlining the visa situation for us to visit the Middle East as we are doing the Dubai/Southampton sector.

 

I can only suggest that you be really firm with your travel agent and insist on the information you need regarding your booking. Don't be passive about it. Don't leave their office until you have been given what you need.

 

Hope that helps.

Kerry.

Australia.

[kuruzugirl]

I would email Cunard and ask them for your booking reference. Insist upon it. They will give it to you. I have been given it in the past. Once you have that you can log in and see for yourself what needs to be done. Here are their email addresses in the UK:

UK.Reservations@cunard.co.uk

wearecunard@cunard.co.uk

 

I would send the same email to both.

 

We received an email from Cunard a couple of months ago outlining the visa situation for us to visit the Middle East as we are doing the Dubai/Southampton sector.

 

I can only suggest that you be really firm with your travel agent and insist on the information you need regarding your booking. Don't be passive about it. Don't leave their office until you have been given what you need.

 

Hope that helps.

Kerry.

Australia.

 

Kerry,

Thank you ever so much! You don't know how much help that is. All I need to know really is if I can get a visa onboard for places like Vietnam. The sites say I should contact my ship's customer service. But the Cunard site had only a number that I called and they refused to help me because I was not American.

Your info will be of greatest help. I have just emailed both the ids. I know that I will have this all sorted out in a few days.

Thank you thank you thank you!

[pengu]

Kerry,

Thank you ever so much! You don't know how much help that is. All I need to know really is if I can get a visa onboard for places like Vietnam. The sites say I should contact my ship's customer service. But the Cunard site had only a number that I called and they refused to help me because I was not American.

Your info will be of greatest help. I have just emailed both the ids. I know that I will have this all sorted out in a few days.

Thank you thank you thank you!

 

You are very welcome.

I had to email the british cunard office regarding transfers in Southampton because I couldn't get any sensible answer from the australian office, even when I rang them. I was so frustrated so I googled the UK address and was able to get a response. It took a little while as it was over christmas/new year. Good luck with it all and keep us posted with your progress.

 

Cheers,

Kerry.

[fantasy51]

I can totally understand what Kuruzugirl is asking. I don't think she is expecting too much of the ship. What she wants to know is, What is the situation? I had Australian friends in the same position, travelling on Yachts of Seabourne. There was a discrepancy between what the brochures said and what staff members told them. Who was correct? What services does the ship actually offer? There had been occasions when information was unclear and they had paid for an expensive visa themselves, only to find that it was provided by the ship. Isn't it more simple for the ship to tell us what they actually can and can't do? I know that rules change all the time, but the ships have to keep abreast of changing rules so that they stay within the law. An updated website on it would be so helpful! It could contain a disclaimer saying that passengers should check back every week in case rules change.

 

An example: the websites talk about obtaining a Schengen visa if you are from certain countries. My Australian friends have never needed it, though on paper it looks as though they should. How are you to know?

 

Cruising into a country is definitely different from flying into it. Certain requirements are waived because the country knows you are only there for that one day.

 

As for leaving passports on the ship, it is my understanding that the ships actually collect passports of certain nationalities and do not return them until the end of the cruise. You have no choice.

 

I hope things work out for you, Kuruzugirl. I hope you find someone who is helpful and informative.