Ovsa

Hello.

 New to NCL, just wondering if they allow the usual 2 bottles of wine per stateroom when initially boarding?  What is thier policy on that?  

Thanks

On 10/17/2023 at 2:51 PM, SeaandSky5 said:

Does this mean if you are getting off the ship (for an excursion) that you do need a visa? 

Yes,  that is the way I understood it from the staff at the consulate. Dont be surprised if it changes though. Others have said as long as you return to the ship the same day you can visit.  Just be prepared for either or.

Been awhile since I've been on a ship but I'm wondering about the televisions in the staterooms

 Are they smart TVs? Specifically are you able to cast from your phone or tablet to watch predownloaded movies on the screen?  How about connecting with HDMI cable? 

Have alot of sea days coming up so I  just wanted to be prepared.

Thx.

Just to put this topic to rest, i did recieve a call from the Egyptai Embassy in Ottawa, (I know, amazing they actually called me back)  and the consulate desk informed me that "if you are not getting off the ship no visa is required. You will be covered by the ship's transit visa".

 I would have liked to get it in writing but that would have been pushing it

.That pretty much confirms what my TA says, as well as correspondence i recieved from MSC here in Canada.

17 hours ago, acadian_dad said:

Just got an email from Azamara - in our case, if we are doing ship’s tours, they will get the visa exemption but if we are doing our own arrangements we will need a proper visa.

 

 Thanks..that is helpful.. I received pretty much the same info from my TA  regarding the stop in Safaga with MSC. At least agents are able to access better sources of info from cruise companies, as oppose to us pleabes who have to wait days for a response...if they even decide.

1 hour ago, CiaoRagazza said:

2 hours ago, Ovsa said:

This is from the MSC office in Ontario;  Don't know how recent it is:

 

Id like to hear something directly from the Consulate.

I read and understood exactly the same thing. And regarding the comments that Egypt can change their rules for Visas entry requirements… any country at any time can do so as well. We were booked on a Celebrity cruise leaving from Mumbai in December and overnight the rules changed (Canadians can no longer obtain a Visa to India). 

  Same boat ! (literally)  We were also suppose to be on the Celebrity Spice Route and we had to cancel that one due to the India Visa Issue. (not a good year for canadian passport holders) Celebrity was good in offering to exhange, so we are now going to H.K. to sail to Singapore. Had to pay a bit more, but we also ended up in a higher category. (of course they upsell). Just have to recupe my losses for adjancet flights.

This is from the MSC office in Ontario;  Don't know how recent it is:

Id like to hear something directly from the Consulate.

Anyone that has obtained a visa from the Ottawa Embassy in person,  how long did it take you to get it?  I see that drop-off are in the morning and pick-ups in the afternoon. 

 Did you get it the same day?  I wont have enough tme for a mail in as i am in the west.  Thanks

Please let us know how it goes.

I have also been trying to get them to clarify..Get something in writing

3 hours ago, CiaoRagazza said:

It’s concerning that MSC updates the .com site but not the .ca!!! Why are Canadians left in the dark? We spoke with a MSC representative on the phone (about a week ago) and she asked us to email her the updated document (because she couldn’t find it 🙄🤔), and said that she was going to get back to us… we still haven’t heard from her. We’ll give her a little more time… we will definitely call MSC back next week. Until then… 
 

Well that's reassuring. 

Anyone else want to confirm?

Why would MSC send out a link for canadians to apply for visas if none are required?  

Thx

.

o.k.  never mind, i got it the form.

 I' m confused about "Embarking Egypt"  and  "In Transit".

Is stopping in the port of Safaga for 8 hours considered in-transit or embarking Egypt? 

Can you post a link to that form?  i am unable to enlarge it enough to read.  thanks

5 hours ago, CiaoRagazza said:

Take a look at the TRAVEL INFO (at the bottom of the website)/“Before you go”/Travel Documents & Visas section on msccruises.com (NOT msccruises.ca): WINTER 2023-2024 EGYPT, RED SEA & SAUDI ARABIA CRUISES. Last updated: 10th  October 2023. TRANSIT EGYPT (green heading): “All guest in transit in Egypt will receive a fast trip stamp by immigrations authorities onboard, which is valid for 72 hours (free of charge)”. 

NOTE: Under the “EMBARKING EGYPT” (green heading) it states that Canada requires pre-issued Visas through embassy/consulate.

 

So, I read it as:1) all passengers in transit do not require a pre-issued Visa, 2) passengers embarking/disembarking require pre-issued Visas.

Visa Confusion for Canadians to Egypt.  MSC Virtuosa  Nov.11

  MSC issued a bulletin today reminding passengers of visa requirements for visiting countries before boarding the ship, with a warning saying passengers maybe denied boarding if visas are not in place.

Included was a link for Canadians to apply for e-visa to Egypt. (Visa rules changed for Canadians on Oct. 1).

  However the link for the e-visa does not allow you to choose Canada as a country of residence, so there is no way to apply for this e-visa, short of mailing or visiting the Consulate in Montreal. (too late for that now)

 I would like MSC to clarify as to wether or not Canadians need a visa for the one day visit to Safaga and/or wether or not there will be any issues with boarding in Barcelona if we dont have the visa in hand. I accept that I may not be able to disembark in Safaga but i just want to be sure I can board the ship .

 The Egyptain Consulate has not been any help as they dont answer phones or respond to e-mails nor is MSC Canada  vey clear of the new visa policy. They refer to there July 2023 visa requirment list, which is prbably out of date

Has anyone else been dealing with this and do u have any suggestions?

Thanks

Anyone else having problems registering thier cruise with the MSC APP?

 The selfie photo thing doesn't work and it will not accept any credit cards as required. 

 Tried calling but after 2 hours on hold I gave up. 

 I wonder if they have ever heard of call back?

 Does MSC allow passengers to bring on a bottle or two when initally boarding?

Lots of cruise companies do allow two per stateroom, not sure about MSC.

Thanks

Probably to early to panic but are there any other canadians booked on Celebrity's  Spice Route leaving Mumbai,  December 11th?

 Any contingency plans? 

Hopefully it will be resolved before that.

Is supplementary  health insurance mandatory on MSC cruises? Is there a minimum coverage required?  Do I have to purchase from MSC or and provider I want? Thank you

Do they serve peanut butter at breakfast,  Mediterranean/Middle east cruise.?

  Gotta have my PB🙂

Thx

Just to answer my own question in case anyone is interested.

This is from the Egyptian Consulate in Montreal;

"If you will stay overnight on the ship, then you will not need a visa. Should you stay in a hotel, the cost will be 25.00 USD cash per person"

This is from the Jordian Consulate in Vancouver:

 ". Canadian Citizens entering Jordan at the Port of Aqaba do require a Tourist Visa.  The Tourist Visa Fee is waived if obtained at The Port as the area is deemed an Economic Zone.  Alternatively, you can obtain your Tourist Visa in advance from our office however, there will be no Tourist Visa Fee Exemption."

From MSC visa requirment chart Dec. 2022 :

": All in-transit cruise passengers will get visa upon arrival to Oman and landing card for at most 24 hrs; for more than 24 hrs in Oman, Visa obtaining procedures applicable to Oman to be followed."

From the UAE Visa website;

" no visa requirements for Canadian or American passport Holders entering the UAE provided your trip duration is no longer than one month. "

If anyone has other info...let us know

yes, i have heard that...but they are traveling from seport to airport so I think that might be different than just a port visit for part of the day. Thier visa web site does not specify the difference. I avoided the Cruise to S,A>. mostly for that reason.  thanks

😪😪😪

 Docking in  Safaga, Egypt, Aquaba, Jordan and Muscat, Oman.  Do any of these countries require a visa in advance for Canadians to be able to disembark.?

Thanks

 Does MSC allow passengers to bring any wine or alcohol on board with them when first boarding. I know alot of lines do, not sure about this one.

 Sailing MSC Virutosa, Barcelona to Dubia

Thanks