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This is interesting. Reading the code myself, it seems like section 3.2.3.a) is likely the relevant one: " where the cruise ship comes from a port situated in a third country and calls for the first time at a port situated in the territory of a Member State, crew and passengers shall be subject to entry checks on the basis of the nominal lists of crew and passengers, as referred to in point 3.1.2." This would explain the reports of operators checking documentation before admitting boarding to schengen areas - they would be making sure the ship has 100% compliance so as not to run into trouble as an operator. Therefore it looks likely that we will need the visa. Thanks. Yes it is looking that way. We have managed to find a visa appointment slot which is three weeks in advance of our travel, which should be enough time for the checks to be completed and passport returned before we travel.

Thanks very much for your reply. We are prepared to go for the full visa if needed, the issue we have there is that the visa application form can't handle anything less than a one-night stay. We would therefore have to enter a false departure date. Currently our best idea is to submit this anyway (this then allows you to book the in-person appointment) then attempt to have the details changed during the appointment - which I am told there is some scope for. It's typical of our struggles with visas for my partner - always a big headache!

Hi all, We're seeking advice or anyone with experience of the following situation: - Travelling between Southampton and New York with Cunard - Passenger is someone who needs a visa to enter France (for example, not an UK/EU/US national) The Cunard Voyage from Southampton to New York makes a stop in Le Havre, France, lasting less than one day. My partner is a Chinese national living in the UK. Originally we assumed that if she stays on board during the stop in Le Havre, she wouldn't need to get a visa for France, but now we think it might be foolish to assume this. Due to her nationality, it is a big rigmarole to apply for a visa with lots of paperwork and advance planning required. Can anyone advise based on experience: Will my partner require a Schengen Visa to board in the UK and disembark in the US, even if she does not disembark at Le Havre? In other words, will Southampton Passport control deny her boarding if she does not have a Schengen Visa, even if she has a visa for the US, our destination? So far, we have tried to find answers through various channels but it has proven next to impossible (details at the end of this post). Given the QM2 can take 2691 guests, I am thinking that based purely on probabilities, many if not most crossings likely involve at least one non-UK/EU/US guest, and therefore this situation must be very common? If anyone here has any knowledge or experience with this situation, we would be extremely grateful for your advice! ***Additional info below*** > We have tried calling Cunard for advice and they are unable to comment, stating that no-one at Cunard would have the required knowledge; > Cunard sent us to CIBT Visas. CIBT's website gives advice but only on the basis of your 'final destination' - so it doesn't cover this situation (an intermediate stop of less than one day, potentially remaining on board the ship). > CIBT's main phone number is out of service, so Cunard gave us a chargeable 0800 number to call. After spending £16 on the phone call, CIBT 'suggested' that if she stays on the ship, she won't need a Schengen Visa, but they gave us a strong disclaimer that this was not advice, as they cannot be sure what they say is correct. Not really enough to bank on! > CIBT Visas sent us to TLS Contact, but TLS could not offer any advice. > CIBT Visas suggested contacting the French Consulate, but it is not possible to get through by phone. We also do not know whether an 'airport transit visa' would be sufficient, or if it would need to be a full 'up to 90 days' visa. The latter, when applying online, does not let you select a departure date which is the same as arrival date. So our itinerary doesn't fit onto the form. (If you were to apply using the minimum selectable stay duration of one night, I believe you then have to provide evidence of both a travel booking on that date, and evidence of where in France you are staying overnight, neither of which would exist in our case.) Thanks again for any and all advice!

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