brianlojeck Posted September 30, 2016 #1 Share Posted September 30, 2016 Two questions: 1: The Princess website implies (but never outright states) that US Citizens do not need a visa from any of the ports on the December 2016 Panama Canal Transit (Mexico, Aruba, Columbia, Costa Rica, Nicaragua). Is this the case? Their advice to contact every Embassy in each port just doesn't seem practical. 2: is there a cell-phone-service I can sign up for that will work for all those ports? Preferably something month-to-month where I can just slap a SIM card into my usual phone. Thanks for any advice! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pam in CA Posted September 30, 2016 #2 Share Posted September 30, 2016 No visa. And, you sail to Colombia, not Columbia (where is that?) Check with your service provider for cell plans. There's no cell phone package on the ship. Only WiFi. You'll pay whatever roaming or cell package you get from your provider plus $2.49/minute. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
brianlojeck Posted September 30, 2016 Author #3 Share Posted September 30, 2016 And, you sail to Colombia, not Columbia (where is that?) I dated a ColOmbian girl in high school who would get annoyed by the same thing. I guess my NY accent comes through the keyboard. There's no cell phone package on the ship. Only WiFi. on-board actually isn't my issue. I'm thinking more of being on-shore. Once we're back on-board I don't particularly care to communicate with anyone. :-) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Thrak Posted September 30, 2016 #4 Share Posted September 30, 2016 (edited) Most cell providers offer a travel package to various places. Check the web site for your provider or give them a call. As Pam said, no visas are required for this voyage. Enjoy! Edited September 30, 2016 by Thrak Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Loonbeam Posted September 30, 2016 #5 Share Posted September 30, 2016 As a rule of thumb, ALWAYS verify visa requirements with either the US department of state and/or the individual country. These things do change, which is why the lines offer deliberately vague wording so as not to be liable. That said, it is correct that Panama, Costa Rica, Jamaica, Colombia and Mexico do not require active visas for US day travelers arriving and departing by sea. They may do what is called a manifest grant, where the ship gives them a list of all passengers with passport or other identification data. And if for some reason, medical or otherwise, you do not depart, you may need to obtain a visa in some countries, the port agent would assist with that. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
easyboy Posted September 30, 2016 #6 Share Posted September 30, 2016 on-board actually isn't my issue. I'm thinking more of being on-shore. Once we're back on-board I don't particularly care to communicate with anyone. :-) When on shore, our T-mobile plan provides free text messages outside the US, and $0.20 /min for calls. On sail away, we switch to airplane mode to avoid other possible charges. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare TracieABD Posted September 30, 2016 #7 Share Posted September 30, 2016 Did this cruise just a little under a year ago. No visa needed for any of the port stops. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
paul929207 Posted September 30, 2016 #8 Share Posted September 30, 2016 No visa. And, you sail to Colombia, not Columbia (where is that?) Check with your service provider for cell plans. There's no cell phone package on the ship. Only WiFi. You'll pay whatever roaming or cell package you get from your provider plus $2.49/minute. Columbia is in South Carolina. It is our state capital. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JF - retired RRT Posted September 30, 2016 #9 Share Posted September 30, 2016 No visa. And, you sail to Colombia, not Columbia (where is that?) Columbia, Tennessee :D Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pam in CA Posted September 30, 2016 #10 Share Posted September 30, 2016 (edited) Columbia is in South Carolina. It is our state capital. Columbia, Tennessee :D Yup. But they're not a country in the Caribbean where cruise ships port. :) Edited September 30, 2016 by Pam in CA Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shmoo here Posted September 30, 2016 #11 Share Posted September 30, 2016 Two questions: 1: The Princess website implies (but never outright states) that US Citizens do not need a visa from any of the ports on the December 2016 Panama Canal Transit (Mexico, Aruba, Columbia, Costa Rica, Nicaragua). Is this the case? Their advice to contact every Embassy in each port just doesn't seem practical. Thanks for any advice! There's a place on the US Dept of State website that will give you the information: https://travel.state.gov/content/passports/en/country.html Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dreaminofcruisin Posted October 1, 2016 #12 Share Posted October 1, 2016 T Mobile also has Wi Fi calling, so if you are in port somewhere with free Wi Fi, you can make calls for free by using the internet...never connecting to your calling plan. Often ports or restaurants or Starbucks offer free Wi Fi. :) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
brianlojeck Posted October 1, 2016 Author #13 Share Posted October 1, 2016 There's a place on the US Dept of State website that will give you the information:https://travel.state.gov/content/passports/en/country.html Thank you! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
caribill Posted October 1, 2016 #14 Share Posted October 1, 2016 Above answers are correct for US Citizens on this itinerary. I have found the following site to be good for citizens of almost every country to get visa information for travel to almost all countries. https://www.thebasetrip.com/ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
brianlojeck Posted October 3, 2016 Author #15 Share Posted October 3, 2016 In case anyone finds this thread in the future, I've found other questions in this forum that mention the company http://www.gosim.com as a potential vendor for international Sims. I may pick one up and try it out... Sent from my Nexus 6P using Forums mobile app Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Please sign in to comment
You will be able to leave a comment after signing in
Sign In Now