cashmeremypuppydog

This is what I followed (MSC step by step) when I requested our visa! Plus, I took the time to call SS and then email my concern (see email below). No one bothered responding! I was quite disappointed with their lack of care for such a beautiful cruise line. “Sept 1 To whom it may concern, I would like to introduce myself before I explain my problem with SilverSea. I am a 53 years old well- travelled female and have discovered over 90 countries. I have sailed mostly on HAL, Princess and Celibrity. I am a retired police officer who worked only 20 years in Saskatchewan, Canada. My husband is 75 years old and a retired police officer with 31 years of service. All that to say we are VERY BLESSED to be able to sail our first SilverSea cruise on Nov 16 (9 nights) from Dubai. This upcoming trip: We are flying on Oct 16 to Dubai and will then fly to Sri Lanka and then Nepal to finally fly back to Dubai on Nov 14 and will embark on our first SilverSea cruise on Nov 16. I always plan our trips perfectly which means many hours of research. We will need e-Visa for India, Nepal and Saudi Arabia. I find valuable information on cruisecritic.com I found out that since Jan 2, 2022, it is possible to obtain an eVisa through Saudi Arabia MOFA (Ministry of Foreign Affair): visa.mofa.gov.sa for under US$30. I contacted SS about 2 weeks ago to ask them why they were directing us to a Saudi Arabia website who did not offer the “maritime e-Visa” but only the regular e-Visa over US$100. I was informed that someone would look into the matter. About 1 hour later, I received a generic email from SS showing the same info I had received when I booked my SS cruise. Obviously, no one had look into the matter. I was sad as MSC cruise line shows on their website how to obtain the maritime e-Visa. Because I am thrifty (we travel 4 months every year), I decided to apply for our eVisa on MOFA website (Aug 26, 2023). Everything went smooth expect the downloading of the photo and from what I read, it is as difficult on the regular eVisa website (resolution need to be 200x200....). But I succeeded. My cost: US$26.52 and hubby US$30.00. It is due to the difference of age as you need to select a mandatory Travel insurance. Both cost: $10.50 for the application of the visa, another $10.50 for the application of the insurance and Chantal $5.52 for the insurance and Dennis $9 for the insurance. I am taking time out of my life to contact you as I really feel your customer service on this matter was a 1/10. Not bothering checking into this issue about eVisa is not acceptable. Many of the upcoming cruise will stop in Saudi Arabia... I had pride in doing my job perfectly when I was a police officer and as I have a passion for travelling, it is why I guess I am taking some of my precious time on earth to contact you for a second. Your agent Jorge Lay that helped me on Sept 1, was 10/10. This is a quality worker and I hope you know that. I do hope hubby and I will be able to experience SS many more times after the Nov 16. Actually, I am keeping my eyes open for Silver Nova for Feb 2024. We will be cruise HAL Jan 7-29 Santiago to Buenos Aires and will be flying to Iguazu Falls. I have already organized a few tours on CruiseCritic... We purchased a one-way ticket to Santiago. I am hoping your cruises on Silver Nova will become Interline. Time will tell! Sept 1, 2023 Thank you for listening.”

The goal of this discussion is to show cruisers you do not have to buy the expensive regular visa but together transit via. I am 54 and I paid around US$25 including the cheapest option of medical insurance. Hubby is 75 and he paid US$30. I had called my cruise line SilverSea and they were no help AT ALL. They wanted me to buy the regular visa. They never mentioned the transit visa as it is creating a lot of work for the employees at the guest services desk. Why? Because you receive you visa once you are onboard. They have to print a copy for you and one for them,… so everything is done last minute. The point is not to be afraid of the ‘Transit by Sea’ e-visa!

Yes but you don’t have a choice. You have to take SA insurance…

This is mandatory per Saudi Arabia. If you get sick while in SA, you have medical insurance. You have no choice.

Last update We boarded Nov 16. Hubby received his Saudi Arabia e-visa on Nov 16 and I received mine on Nov 17. We will visit Saudi Arabia on Nov 20. I am a happy girl! I did not order the regular visa but the ‘Transit by Sea’ e-visa which cost us about US$25 each including insurance. Go for it people instead than buying the regular visa at US$150.

We boarded Nov 16. Hubby received his Saudi Arabia e-visa on Nov 16 and I received mine on Nov 17. We will visit Saudi Arabia on Nov 20. I am a happy girl! I did not order the regular visa but the ‘Transit by Sea’ which cost us about US$25 each including insurance. Go for it people instead than buying the regular visa at US$150.

Thank you for your post. I was not prepared to pay 💰 such a high price for a visa for 7-hour tour. It is not only the cost but the principle. I am confident SS will make everyone happy by communicating with Saudi immigration if someone does not get their e-visa. I will post in a few days…

Hello all, I promised I would update this discussion. Here it is: Yesterday, we just boarded SilverSea Spirit. As we were in line to check in at noon, my husband received his 'Transit by Sea' e-visa. I did not. When ask for our Saudi Arabia visa, we both showed our photocopy of our applications. This was accepted and kept by SS. Then, we boarded. Last night, we received this letter (see attachment) in our suite. I am not worried at all as the worst case scenario would be hubby going on a shore excursion and me staying on the ship when we are docked in Damman, Saudi Arabia.

Hello all, I promised I would update this discussion. Here it is: Yesterday, we just boarded SilverSea Spirit. As we were in line to check in at noon, my husband received his 'Transit by Sea' e-visa. I did not. When ask for our Saudi Arabia visa, we both showed our photocopy of our applications. This was accepted and kept by SS. Then, we boarded. Last night, we received this letter (see attachment) in our suite. I am not worried at all as the worst case scenario would be hubby going on a shore excursion and me staying on the ship when we are docked in Damman, Saudi Arabia.

Thank you for the replies. I will look into this…

Thank you I found another driver through my research. I will post on CC after using him. I am big in using private drivers..

What is the name of the company you used for the private tour? Thank you

Hello, Anyone would be able to recommend a private driver out of Santiago? Thank you

Start at post #20 I will updated after boarding in November 2023.

I posted this. Godfrey was the best. He has a van so we were 2 couples. We spent 11 days in Cape Town so we used him for 3 full days. If you have any questions, let me know. I still WhatsApp him from time to time…

I just found this on MSC website. Still it does not help us much…

Hello all, Read this link as you will almost have all answers. I paid $26.52 and DH $30 for our maritime e-Visa. You will see document posted on the above link. HOWEVER, the maritime eVisa will be authorized only after the SS cruise ship sent all documentation to SA port of call. It will be only a few days before arrival in SA. I will update after my cruise on Nov 16. Until now, we are all on our own. Chantal

Hello Wayfairers, You are correct. I just used one of my photo. However, you need resolution 200x200 and it is very tricky. Google “requisite for Saudi Arabia eVisa photo”. Also, I wrote a lot about how I obtained my eVisa on this roll call. See link below. It should really help you. Chantal Lover of Africa 🦍🦏🦛🐘🦓🦒🦁🐒

We do travel a lot like you and DH. We usually do not go back to the same place but because of Covid, my heart was hurting in Feb 2021 when I created my website and decided to go back to Uganda & Tanzania to create jobs for our drivers. We were helping them during Covid but I knew I could do more… Actually, our 2nd trip to Tanzania was even better than the 1st time. If you can, go hunting with the Bushmen. It was our favourite day! The first time, we stayed 8 days but 2nd time, 10 days (only in Tanzania). We did not bother going back to Zanzibar.. Instead, we flew south as mentioned above. Your upcoming trips sound amazing. Enjoy to the fullest! Chantal Lover of Africa 🦍🦏🦛🐘🦓🦒🦁🐒

Please, email me and I will try to help you as much as I can. I have lots of documents (PDFs) I created… In 2020, I bought directly with tour operators in Uganda & Tanzania as it is WAY cheaper that way (no middle man). From Canada, where I live, EVERYTHING is more expensive than USA. It was the only way we could offered a safari. To give you a rough idea, Tanzania is about US$400/day/person mid-luxury. I don’t know what is luxury but I surely did not need it with a king size bed, chandelier and hot water in the middle of the Serengeti. We were 2 couples in a stretched LandCruiser. When you want to go will dictate where you will be in the Serengeti. February, for example, is when the wildebeests & zebras have their babies in the S/E portion of the Serengeti. I attended a travel presentation from a lady that only sells trips to Africa. She said Kenya has done a way better job at marketing than Tanzania. They sell way more trips even though the Serengeti is 95% in Tanzania. I thought it was very interesting. Please, email me and we can talk… Chantal Lover of Africa 🦍🦏🦛🐘🦓🦒🦁🐒

I just started watching your packing video. I am sure I will learn something even do we visited more than 90 countries… My big problem is cruising AND doing pre-post tours. In Oct-Nov, we are doing a tour with Gate1 in India & Nepal (including a safari in Chitwan) and then our first cruise with SilverSea from Dubai. I will be obliged to bring “fancy” shoes only for the 9-night SS cruise. We will be gone for 6 weeks so I need to do a lot of washing in my room at night but still I would never be able to do a carry on. I WISH but I am not at that level! Great job!

Terry&Mike, Thank you. I hope you enjoy my humble website… Chantal Lover of Africa 🦍🦏🦛🐘🦓🦒🦁🐒

Good morning, I thought I would share with you our story. We cruise when convenient but would rather discover an area in depth. When it came to Africa, I did not even think of a cruise… 1st trip: Uganda (trekking gorillas in the wild) and Tanzania (safari in the Serengeti). I booked our 2 tours directly with tour operators located in these 2 countries. Not much planning from me except the flights + Zanzibar as I wanted to book it myself. This was Jan-Feb 2020 Feb-March 2023 We brought friends with us and we visited again Uganda & Tanzania. Then, 4 went home (one of them being our 84 y.o. neighbour who is in great shape) and 4 kept travelling. We flew to Johannesburg (4 nights), Victoria Falls (4 nights), Chobe, Botswana( 4 nights) and finally Cape Town (11 nights). If your dream is seeing wildlife (safari), please, please, do a proper safari. South Africa is not “the best place” but instead pick Tanzania or Botswana (but VERY expensive). I have nothing to gain by advising you… Since our return, hubby and I and 2 other couples from USA (we have never met) have helped Jeff, our guide/driver in Tanzania to start his own business. He now owns his stretched LandCruiser… If you do a safari, NEVER be more than 4 in a stretched LandCruiser… If you have questions, you can send me an email at chantalanddennis at icloud dot com By the way, hubby is 75 y.o. Chantal Lover of Africa 🦍🦏🦛🐘🦓🦒🦁🐒

We went to Uganda and Tanzania in 2020 and hubby and I both got our yellow fever vaccine. Hubby was 71 at the time and did not have any side effects. It gives you peace of mind to receive it. We went back this winter and our neighbour wanted to come with us. She is super healthy but she is 84. She did not want to get the vaccine so the health clinic gave her a document stating her age did not allow her to get the vaccine (something like that!). Her friend came along as well, she was 74 but opted to receive the yellow fever vaccine. She did not have any side effects. Hope it helps you make the right decision for you! Chantal Lover of Africa 🦍🦏🦛🐘🦓🦒🦁🐒

Hello all, After much research, I would like to share with you the following to help others obtaining their Saudi Arabia’s eVisa. I just obtained my eVisa through Saudi Arabia MOFA (Ministry of Foreign Affair) http://visa.mofa.gov.sa as they do have the new option ‘eVisa for cruise tourist’. If you are not familiar, please read this article: https://www.handyvisas.com/news/saudi-arabia-launches-e-visa-service-for-cruise-tourists/ It was not easy due to the photo issue but I succeeded (Google photo specification for Saudi Arabia eVisa). it cost me US$26.52 and hubby US$30. The difference is due to the cost of medical insurance as he is older than me. You can not opt out of medical coverage. You have to select: ‘Transit visa’ and not ‘tourism visa’ (this last one would cost you over $100). Good luck with the process. Chantal P.S. the 2nd photo is from MSC cruise line.