Asian visa questions for U.S. Citizen

[ajaxup]

We are traveling on the Azamara Quest in November '15 leaving from Singapore with ports in Thailand and Vietnam and disembarking in Hong Kong. Does anyone know if a U.S. Citizen needs any visas or other documents other than their passport to visit these countries on a cruise? If so, has anyone any knowledge of whether the cruise ship provides the visas or does the passenger have to get them in advance of leaving? Thanks in advance for any information.

[Kamloops50]

You have to get a visa for Hong Kong. Other country Visa's will be obtained by the cruise line and then the cost is charged to your on-board account.

[Shorex]

US tourists can enter Hong Kong WITHOUT a visa for up to 90 days. I doubt whether this policy has changed in the last few months since we flew to Hong Kong without a visa, but check with official authorities.

 

While you may get some guidance from cruise critic posters, only RELY on official resources. From the US consulate to Hong Kong:

 

http://hongkong.usconsulate.gov/acs_hkvisa.html

 

Short Term Visitors to Hong Kong

U.S. Citizens visiting Hong Kong for not more than three months/90 days are not required to obtain visas. They must have a U.S. passport valid for at least six months and evidence of adequate funds for their stay and onward transportation. Those wishing to stay more than three months must obtain visas from a Chinese Embassy or Consulate. Visitors are not permitted to study or work (whether paid or not).

[Mary Ellen]

While you may get some guidance from cruise critic posters, only RELY on official resources.

Excellent advice.

 

While it's possible (but I doubt it) that Canadians, like Kamloops50, need a visa for Hong Kong, US citizens do not. If you were to go to mainland China you most likely would need a visa (there are limited circumstances when you wouldn't). Check official sources yourself for important things like visas.

 

Here? You get what you pay for. ;)

[Ashland]

Just returned from an RCI Asia cruise Singapore, Vietnam, Hong Kong & China. Only needed a visa for Vietnam (which was supplied by our ship $6.00pp) and a visa for China (which I applied for pre-cruise from an independant company here in the US and was given a 10 year visa). Nothing needed for HK.

[jannandjohn]

Aussies dont need visas for HK either, and I know that Canadians and US cits dont need them .

The ships supply for most countries coming into Vietnam, but there are still some countries that need a proper one..check check check.

But, It can be very off putting when told you do need one if you dont.

You should surely need one for China, not many can get out of that one.

You should always check for yourself on the appropriate consular website, or you can make extra stress for yourself by believing others here.

 

I am more surprised by the number of people that dont ask anyone, and get turned away from boarding because they didnt know they needed one for their trip...what a waste of money , some fly a long way to their cruise departure point, without the right documents...its so easy to double check first( months ahead)

Edited March 31, 2015 by jannandjohn

[Kamloops50]

Canadians can now get a 10 year multi entry for China.

 

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[Mary Ellen]

Canadians can now get a 10 year multi entry for China.

Americans can also get 10-year visas for China. However, we only need a visa for Mainland China - unless we fit the requirements for the 72-hr visa-free stay. Hong Kong (as the OP inquired about) has different entry/visa rules than the rest of China. As stated earlier, US citizens do NOT need a visa to go to Hong Kong. We arrived in HK less than two days ago. I can guarantee that visas were not required for US citizens as recently as then.

[ajaxup]

It seems as though the visa question is pretty well answered about Singapore, Thailand and Hong Kong. U.S. passport holders don't need a visa for a short cruise visit. Vietnam is the big sticking point. Many say the ship will get a blanket visa and charge your ship account but others say the cruise lines won't confirm that if you call them. They will only say that you're responsible for any required documents. Seems like if they do get blanket visas they could confirm or deny this before you're forced to decide whether to arrive with no visa or go through the process of getting one from the Vietnam embassy which looks like a pain. :mad:

[Shorex]

It seems as though the visa question is pretty well answered about Singapore, Thailand and Hong Kong. U.S. passport holders don't need a visa for a short cruise visit. Vietnam is the big sticking point. Many say the ship will get a blanket visa and charge your ship account but others say the cruise lines won't confirm that if you call them. They will only say that you're responsible for any required documents. Seems like if they do get blanket visas they could confirm or deny this before you're forced to decide whether to arrive with no visa or go through the process of getting one from the Vietnam embassy which looks like a pain. :mad:

 

This information may be helpful and is specific to Azamara:

 

http://visacentral.com/additional-client-info.php

 

"Azamara Club Cruises is pleased to offer its customers the expertise and experience of VisaCentral. Please see below for important information that may relate to your tour.

Visas on arrival : For U.S Citizens, it is not necessary to complete visa applications through VisaCentral for the following destinations since Azamara Club Cruises will be obtaining these visas on your behalf: Indonesia, UAE, Bahrain, Egypt, Vietnam, Cambodia, Jordan, Myanmar, Mozambique, Oman, Papua New Guinea Sri Lanka, and Qatar. If a fee is required to obtain these visas, it will be charged to your onboard account. If you hold a foreign passport you must confirm with the cruise line if it will be able to secure visas on your behalf based on your nationality."

 

Also see:

 

http://visacentral.com/tourkits?bookmark=1&login=azamaraclubcruises

 

Really, Azamara should be emailing these links to everyone on the relevant cruises.

Edited April 4, 2015 by Shorex

[ajaxup]

This information may be helpful and is specific to Azamara:

 

http://visacentral.com/additional-client-info.php

 

"Azamara Club Cruises is pleased to offer its customers the expertise and experience of VisaCentral. Please see below for important information that may relate to your tour.

Visas on arrival : For U.S Citizens, it is not necessary to complete visa applications through VisaCentral for the following destinations since Azamara Club Cruises will be obtaining these visas on your behalf: Indonesia, UAE, Bahrain, Egypt, Vietnam, Cambodia, Jordan, Myanmar, Mozambique, Oman, Papua New Guinea Sri Lanka, and Qatar. If a fee is required to obtain these visas, it will be charged to your onboard account. If you hold a foreign passport you must confirm with the cruise line if it will be able to secure visas on your behalf based on your nationality."

 

Also see:

 

http://visacentral.com/tourkits?bookmark=1&login=azamaraclubcruises

 

Really, Azamara should be emailing these links to everyone on the relevant cruises.

 

That seems pretty definitive. You're right. They should email or at least make it more obvious than under the "Important Info" tab. If you go to the "visa" tab and input your info it says a visa is required and wants you to start the visa process through Visacentral for a nice fee I'm sure!:eek: