benitz8

I see. So the people who weren't able to, or didn't want to get a Saudi visa (whether tourist or transit, online or on-arrival) were allowed to remain on board the ship?

So all of you needed the regular tourist visa since you board and disembark the Splendida in Jeddah?

I know all about the SA official site. It doesn't hurt to gather as much information as I can. The situation is very fluid with MSC still working with SA authorities. Forums are precisely for such purposes, to discuss and help each other. In this case, @Bobblehat71 posted an MSC confirmation and I am directly requesting @Bobblehat71 to assist me by forwarding a copy of the confirmation.

Can you forward the email you received to me at cft0168 AT gmail DOT com? Just so I have something in writing... Thanks in advance.

Hello, Can you ask you TA if this has been posted on MSC website yet? And the link if he/she has. Thank you.

Thank you for the detailed reply. I will definitely try to contact my local/regional MSC office in the hopes they can also give the same information in an official capacity. A question though if you don't mind. You mention "The above information is provided from MSC regional office to the local travel agencies to the guests here". Does this mean the information you gave "if not provided guests will be allowed to remain onboard during the port of call in any Saudi port" was sent officially by MSC to a booked guest by email?

Hello. Did you get this via email or it is something posted somewhere in MSC website? If email, please forward a copy to me at cft0168 AT gmail DOT com. If website, can you send the link? If ok with you, can you provide me with the name and contact details of the person who advised you of this? We are a group of 11 passengers and would prefer to NOT apply for a visa and just stay on board on the Damman port stop. Thank you in advance.

The would be a big relief and load off to be sure we will be allowed boarding if staying on board. Please post a link here once your TA informs you the information is up on MSC website. Thanks in advance.

Are we able to get something in writing? We are a family group of 11 people and there is no sense spending so much money for a few hours in port. We would love to just stay on board if we can save on the effort and cost of getting visas.

Hello. My family is booked on World Europa (Dec 2022) out of Dubai. Unfortunately some of us are holding Philippines passports which looks to be not qualified to get e-visa online. For those who have had a sailing with a stop in Damman (or any other Saudi port), from your personal experience (or your fellow cruisers on that particular cruise), will we be allowed to board without having a visa, as long as we will stay on the ship and NOT go ashore in Dammam? Thanks in advance.

Hello. My family is booked on World Europa (Dec 2022) out of Dubai. Unfortunately some of us are holding Philippines passports which looks to be not qualified to get e-visa online. For those who have had a sailing with a stop in Damman (or any other Saudi port), from your personal experience (or your fellow cruisers on that particular cruise), will we be allowed to board without having a visa, as long as we will stay on the ship and NOT go ashore in Dammam? Thanks in advance.

Hello. My family is booked on World Europa (Dec 2022) out of Dubai. Unfortunately some of us are holding Philippines passports which looks to be not qualified to get e-visa online. For those who done a sailing with a stop in Damman (or any other Saudi port), from your personal experience (or your fellow cruisers on that particular cruise), will we be allowed to board without having a visa, as long as we will STAY on the ship and NOT go ashore in Dammam? Thanks in advance.

Yes, I am having my TA ask but so far MSC is taking forever in giving an answer. Just wanted to check if there are some information "on the ground" so to speak. I have come across another thread wherein some cruisers were hesitant to get a visa just for the few hours in port. So maybe those people might have something to share.

Hello. My family is booked on the World Europa out of Dubai with a port of call in Saudi Arabia. Unfortunately some of us are holding Philippines passports which looks to be not qualified to get Saudi Arabia e-visa online. Anyone who has sailed to a Saudi Arabia port, or know for sure, if we will be allowed to board the ship in Dubai without having a Saudi Arabia visa, as long as we will NOT go ashore (stay on board the ship) ? Thanks in advance.

Hello. My family is also booked on World Europa out of Dubai. Unfortunately some of us are holding Philippines passports which looks to be not qualified to get e-visa online. Anyone who has sailed to a Saudi port, or know for sure, if we will be allowed to board without having a visa, as long as we will NOT go ashore? Same question for Qatar, in case anyone knows. Thanks in advance.