GATORK

I finally spoke with the Bahamas Consulate. They said that I need a visa and it is checked before embarkation. When I told them that there were no officials to check the visa, they said that it is not their concern. It is my choice whether or not to obtain the visa and rudely hung up on me :mad:

BOTTOMLINE:

Originally Posted by ddonalds

I work with Embassies around the world - and if they tell you that you need a visa - get a visa. While it might not get checked all the time, you do not want to be stuck in a country and not be able to get out. Just get the visa....:o This should not necessarily be one of those things that you would want to skip to save money..... I do know that in the Bahamas, there are cases where people are not let back on the ship because they didn't have the appropriate visas.....

I am Indian Citizen on H1B. I recently went on a Carnival cruise to Nassau, Bahamas and had obtained Bahamian Visas for $55 per person valid for 3 months from the Bahamas' Consulate at Miami. During the embarkation process, I asked the cruise official and she told me that the Bahamian Consulate had tricked me into obtaining a visa as it is not required. I spent several hours at Nassau without even carrying a passport and as mentioned in one the responses above, NO ONE checked my documents. While returning back onboard, the officials simply checked my Carnival Cruise Card and my photo ID (US Driving license)

It is quite possible that a visa is indeed required and they randomly check people but then why would the cruiselines recommend not carrying a passport? I have emailed the consulate for an explanation and they have not yet responded!!! Please email them at consulate@bahamasny.com and share your experience if you hear back from them.