Is India Visa Required When Not Getting off of Ship

[Rebeccadoll]

We are about to leave on the Sapphire Princess on March 10th.  It stops in Cochin, India.  Like you, I contacted the India Embassy here in the United States and was told that as long as I didn't get off the ship, I would not need a Visa.  However, they did say to still check with my cruiseline.  I asked if this was anywhere in writing so I could take that with me, but they replied no.  All I have is their email.  Princess says they will deny boarding if you don't have a e-visa or regular visa.  I wonder if anyone recently has sailed on Princess and was able to board the ship without proof of a Inda visa.  Also, in the alternative, what about a transit Visa, which is less expensive?

[memoak]

I have taken Princess cruises that docked in Brazil and they checked our passports for the Brazilian visa before we able to board

[IDsailor]

Yes, it is required before you board.

[DonMaryCar]

We did a Princess Cruise in Nov stopping in India and visas were checked upon boarding.  We did get off boat.  We did the in transit option.  Application labor intensive (at least we thought so)

[sama10]

Did this cruise on the Sapphire in October from Southampton to Singapore.   You must have a visa which is checked and kept by Princess before you board.  There is a special evisa you can do online.  Takes 2 or 3 days and cost about A$80. We have dual Australian/UK citizenship and the price varied by country so don't know the cost for US citizens. Be sure to use the official indian government site. 

Https://Indianvisaonline.gov.in/visa/index.html

Anne