Visa needed for Turkey/Croatia

[antoniusp]

As part of Magic of Med cruise in May/June we will be calling at ports in Croatia and Turkey.

 

We are South African citizens and wonder if anyone can advise if a visa is required for entry to these ports or is there an exemption for passengers on a cruise. We will be in possession of a multiple entry Schengen visa.

 

Your comments appreciated.

 

Regards.

[CtheW0rld]

my suggestion would be to post this on the ports of call board. i think you'll get much better answers there.

[Pete Jackson]

Only 15 of 27 EU countries belong to the Schengen Visa zone. And neither Croatia nor Turkey are even in the EU, but are listed as 'candidate countries'. Croatia should get in fairly soon; Turkey: don't hold your breath.

 

As for cruise passengers having 'relaxed' visa requirements, this is true for Russia, I know, where HAL gets a blanket visa for passengers taking a HAL tour (other passengers need to make their own arrangements, but can at least accompany the ship into the port even if they don't have the visa to get off). If you were a US or Canadian citizen, HAL would be able to give you good advice, but I wouldn't count on them knowing the rules for South Africans.

 

So, I would recommend contacting the Croatian and Turkish embassies in South Africa, and/or a good visa service in South Africa. Hopefully, you can do this online.

 

Have a great cruise!

[catl331]

U.S. citizens didn't need a visa for Croatia and Turkey. Our passports were taken from us though when we did get on the cruise in Venice and given back to us at our last stop, Katakalon.

[catl331]

just found this site www.bodrum-info.org/airport/visa.htm It lists countries that do not need visas for Turkey. South Africans can stay a month without a visa and only need passports.

[Boytjie]

just found this site www.bodrum-info.org/airport/visa.htm It lists countries that do not need visas for Turkey. South Africans can stay a month without a visa and only need passports.

 

Always go to an official website for visa requirements. ;)

 

The Turkish Consulate in New York's website states this:

South Africa:

Ordinary passport holders are required to have visa to enter Turkey. They can obtain one month multiple entry visas at the Turkish border gates. Official passport holders are exempt from visa for their travels up to 30 days.

Croatia's information was a little harder to find, but it seems that South Africans would need a visa (http://www.mfa.hr/MVP.asp?pcpid=1615&dmid=104#pocdrz)