Ric_L

In January of this year I booked a cruise on the QE direct with Cunard.

On 9th October I received the Final Payment Notice which is due by 22nd November but no information was provided on how to make the payment!

What company in the world, apart from Cunard, sends a final payment notice but fails to provide any information on how to make the payment!

On 10th October I sent an email to cunard.aspac@carnivalaustralia.com and another email to them on 22nd October asking for the payment details and I have still not received a reply.

On 13th November I sent a third email to cunard.aspac@carnivalaustralia.com only this time I also sent a Cc to customerservices@cunard.co.uk. Cunard UK replied:

"I note that your booking has been made in AUD. Your query will therefore need to be answered by our Australian Office:
Cunard Australia: 00 61 2 8424 8800
Email: cunard.aspac@carnivalaustralia.com
I have forwarded your email for you."

I have made multiple calls to (02) 8424 8800 and each time the number is engaged. There is no outgoing message, no queue until my call is taken, and no provision to leave a voice message.

I did a Google search which brought up Cunard's My Account website so I logged in and I can see  the final amount owing and a button to click on to make the payment online by credit or debit card - but it is for UK residents use only. You will get an error message if you try to make the payment. There is no equivalent Cunard website to make the payment in Australia.

The telephone number 13 24 41 will connect you to the Cunard Call Centre in the Philippines but they are not allowed to connect you to the Cunard Australia Office or give out their telephone number.

I am going on the Aria 16 Feb 16 and on the P & O cruise control page I received the following message. No mention of photocopy of passport.

 

PNG ELECTRONIC VISA REQUIREMENTS

For Papua New Guinea, electronic visas will be issued to all passengers upon arrival in PNG. To get the electronic visa, you will need to download, print and complete the Incoming Passenger Declaration Form and present it at check in. Simply copy and paste the following link to download the form http://*******.com/zcm9stv. Your passport must also be valid for a minimum of six (6) months beyond the date of the cruise return. This is a requirement of the PNG Immigration and Citizenship Service Authority. A Quarantine fee of PGK$15.00 (approx AUD$6.00) will be applied to all passengers (12 years and over) onboard account. No other visas fee will be charged.

You will find the link to download the PNG Declaration Form on the P&O webpage https://www.pocruises.com.au/PNG-visa-form where you will also read, "bring it with you to check in, along with a photocopy of your passport photo page (you will also need to be in possession of your physical passport)".

I work at the check in at Brisbane cruise terminal and also going on a cruise to Papua New Guinea next week.

 

Passengers have to complete a visa form and attach a copy of your passport information page. This is handed in to the check in staff and then we give them to the ship.

 

The ship organises the visas and then charges your account. I have heard those fees are between $8 to about $30. Will find out next week.

 

The main thing about going to Papua New Guinea is that your passport expiry date MUST have a six month expiry on it from your return date to Australia. So if your return date to Australia is say 1 May 2016 your passport expiry date must be 1 November 2016 or more otherwise no cruise for you.

 

Kim

You can download the single page PNG Declaration Form by clicking on the link in the body of the text on the P&O webpage https://www.pocruises.com.au/PNG-visa-form .

Might save a bit of time if you fill in the form before you arrive at the Cunard check-in. :)

Do Australian PassPort holders on a cruise which includes PNG ports need to officially apply for an entry permit/visa or are they handled on your ship? Maybe some of you who have done these cruises may wish to help - thank you. We are specifically looking at a Princess cruise.:)

Hello,

I rang the Cunard call centre today and the person I spoke to emailed me a document dated 15 September 2015 about visa requirements for Aussie and Kiwi passport holders booked on the Queen Elizabeth Q603 World Cruise or sectors thereof. The section concerning PNG states:

"Papua New Guinea – Rabaul (1st Mar) - Visas for Papua New Guinea are compulsory for Australian and New Zealand passport holders and will be issued upon the ship’s arrival by the local Port Authorities, whether you are staying on board or going ashore. The charge will be approximately USD $30.00 per person per visa and will be charged to your on board account. Please note this charge is subject to change."

Richard