Caribbean Islands Entry docs

[njhorseman]

17 minutes ago, Cruzin Terri said:

i just called Oceania to inquire about the Health Visa and the payment.

The person who answered the phone had no idea what I was asking about.

Why am I not surprised!

I asked why Oceania decided to stop at GSC when they knew we would be subject to this payment?

I also asked if we would have to complete the form and pay for the Visa if we chose not to disembark.

He did not know any of the answers and put me on a long hold.  When he returned he still had no information.  He promised to look into it and send me an email.

I will not hold my breath waiting.

Terri

"Oceania" knows you won't have to do this. It just hasn't been communicated to their customer service reps.

[Cruzin Terri]

3 minutes ago, njhorseman said:

"Oceania" knows you won't have to do this. It just hasn't been communicated to their customer service reps.

Then why is it on their website for us to fill out prior to arrival at GSC?

That makes no sense.

Terri

[njhorseman]

2 minutes ago, Cruzin Terri said:

Then why is it on their website for us to fill out prior to arrival at GSC?

That makes no sense.

Terri

OK...maybe they don't know, but I have seen it documented on another cruise line's board.  I'll try to chase it down later today when I'm using my computer rather than my phone. 

[Cruzin Terri]

6 minutes ago, njhorseman said:

OK...maybe they don't know, but I have seen it documented on another cruise line's board.  I'll try to chase it down later today when I'm using my computer rather than my phone. 

On my roll call someone wrote that they called Oceania and were told that we have to fill it out and submit it regardless of whether or not we disembark in GSC.

Teri

[Cruzin Terri]

My response from Oceania regarding Bahamas Entry Form

 

Hi,

 

Yes, there is a $40 cost tied to it.

All guests need to complete this document whether going ashore or remaining on board in case guests or entire ship must be debarked in Bahamas in case of an unforeseeable emergency.

 

Should the guests forego the requirement and choose not to pay the $40 and remain onboard, it is entirely up to them.

The travel requirements are put in place by the government for each country, not Oceania Cruises.

 

 

Thank you

 

Star Land | Cruise Specialist

 

So there you have it.

Terri

 

 

 

[njhorseman]

6 minutes ago, Cruzin Terri said:

On my roll call someone wrote that they called Oceania and were told that we have to fill it out and submit it regardless of whether or not we disembark in GSC.

Teri

I said that in my first post on this thread. If it's required everyone will have to comply regardless of whether they disembark. The question is whether it's actually required.  

[Cruzin Terri]

Sorry, duplicate post.

 

 

 

Edited November 22, 2021 by Cruzin Terri

[ORV]

As much as I would like to go on a cruise these hoops are just a hindrance. When the amount of effort involves exceeds the enjoyment of an activity I've never been too interested. 

[njhorseman]

16 minutes ago, Cruzin Terri said:

My response from Oceania regarding Bahamas Entry Form

 

Hi,

 

Yes, there is a $40 cost tied to it.

All guests need to complete this document whether going ashore or remaining on board in case guests or entire ship must be debarked in Bahamas in case of an unforeseeable emergency.

 

Should the guests forego the requirement and choose not to pay the $40 and remain onboard, it is entirely up to them.

The travel requirements are put in place by the government for each country, not Oceania Cruises.

 

 

Thank you

 

Star Land | Cruise Specialist

 

So there you have it.

Terri

 

 

 

The sentence that starts "Should the guests forego "is just further evidence that they are not on top of this...to be polite about it. . That first phrase  should be followed  by " you will be denied embarkation" not "it's entirely up to them". "Entirely up to them" makes it appear optional, not mandatory. 

[bradpole]

36 minutes ago, njhorseman said:

The sentence that starts "Should the guests forego "is just further evidence that they are not on top of this...to be polite about it. . That first phrase  should be followed  by " you will be denied embarkation" not "it's entirely up to them". "Entirely up to them" makes it appear optional, not mandatory. 

"not on top of this," is an understatement!  It shouldn't be this difficult for them to reach out to their peers in NCL to see what the NCL ships are currently doing calling at the same place!  

 

We just came home from Crystal's Bermuda sailings out of NYC, when we first booked there was a ton of confusion on exactly what the steps would be to successfully board the ship due to the Bermuda regulations. Myself and other guests were rather patient at first because these early sailings were literally ground breaking!  There were no sailings to Bermuda yet (there were Bermuda embarkations on Viking, but not day calls).  Thankfully Bermuda got their act together and posted the steps that needed to be followed and Crystal quickly communicated the process.  Ships have been calling in Nassau and the private islands for months, including ships owned by NCLH!  There shouldn't be confusion about GSC!

[Cruzin Terri]

52 minutes ago, njhorseman said:

The sentence that starts "Should the guests forego "is just further evidence that they are not on top of this...to be polite about it. . That first phrase  should be followed  by " you will be denied embarkation" not "it's entirely up to them". "Entirely up to them" makes it appear optional, not mandatory. 

The problem is that the forms cannot be submitted until five days before arrival at GSC. This is the last port prior to disembarkation in Miami and the sixth day into the cruise.  Guests will not have completed the form when they embark the ship in Miami because they will be unable to do so.  That adds to the confusion.  The final part of submitting the form must be done on the ship. Will they be able to force the guests to complete the form? Who knows.  What are they going to do?  Throw them off the ship in the port we are in on Dec. 7?   Interesting set of circumstances.

Terri

Edited November 22, 2021 by Cruzin Terri

[bradpole]

2 minutes ago, Cruzin Terri said:

The problem is that the forms cannot be submitted until five days before arrival at GSC. This is the last port prior to disembarkation in Miami and the sixth day into the cruise.  Guests will not have completed the form when they embark the ship in Miami because they will be unable to do so.  That adds to the confusion.  The final part of submitting the form must be done on the ship.

Terri

If that ends up being the case I feel sorry for the officers having to chase down the guests who don't fill it out!  It is sometimes hard enough to get people to show up for a quick immigration check because they weren't planning to go ashore!  

[Jancruz]

2 hours ago, njhorseman said:

I said that in my first post on this thread. If it's required everyone will have to comply regardless of whether they disembark. The question is whether it's actually required.  

"The destination specific travel requirements are supplied to Oceania by the government authorities; they are not Oceania's regulations."

From O..and the reservation team cannot answer your questions..

Jancruz1

[pinotlover]

The funniest postings on this Board:

 

I called 1-800 dial a Clerk and they didn’t have an answer!!! If I had a dollar for every time that has been posted, it would pay for a cruise! The joys of booking direct! 
 

😂😂😂

[Jancruz]

46 minutes ago, pinotlover said:

The funniest postings on this Board:

 

I called 1-800 dial a Clerk and they didn’t have an answer!!! If I had a dollar for every time that has been posted, it would pay for a cruise! The joys of booking direct! 
 

😂😂😂

What am I missing??

Jancruz1

[pinotlover]

3 minutes ago, Jancruz said:

What am I missing??

Jancruz1

All the people that come here posting and complaining about how they called 1-800-Oceania, talked to some phone rep, and couldn’t get an immediate answer to some difficult or complicated issue. They don’t want a TA, they want control, eliminate the middle man! That 1-800 number isn’t a good source for such questions, but it’s the avenue they choose.

[njhorseman]

2 hours ago, Jancruz said:

"The destination specific travel requirements are supplied to Oceania by the government authorities; they are not Oceania's regulations."

From O..and the reservation team cannot answer your questions..

Jancruz1

That's not quite true. Both the destinations and the embarkation country set minimum standards that have to be met, but the cruise line can set higher standards beyond those of the embarkation and destination countries.

 

One example...the NCLH cruise lines require 100% vaccination of crew and of passengers regardless of age, but the US doesn't, nor does every destination.  For example Royal Caribbean allows unvaccinated children under the age of 12 to cruise provided they meet additional COVID testing requirements and observe Royal's protocols for unvaccinated guests. Certain ports will allow even these unvaccinated passengers to disembark and take tours provided those tours are booked through the cruise line. In the case of their Bahamian private island, CocoCay, which is a stone's throw from NCL's Great Stirrup Cay, a cruise line sponsored excursion isn't even required. 

 

Outside of COVID protocols some cruise lines always impose more stringent documentation requirements than the laws and regulations of the embarkation country and ports of call require. Within the NCLH family NCL only requires the minimum legally permissible documentation for US citizens of a birth certificate and drivers license for closed loop US-based Caribbean, Bermuda, Bahamas, Mexico and Canada cruises, while Oceania requires all passengers to have a passport with six months remaining validity regardless of itinerary. Passport cards, drivers license/birth certificate combinations and other legally permissible forms of documentation are not permitted by Oceania. It's a perfect everyday example of a cruise line going beyond government authority regulations.

 

Finally, the response received by Cruzin Terri is contradictory .

 

First it says "All guests need to complete this document whether going ashore or remaining on board in case guests or entire ship must be debarked in Bahamas in case of an unforeseeable emergency." 

 

Then it says "Should the guests forego the requirement and choose not to pay the $40 and remain onboard, it is entirely up to them."

 

Please explain how "All guests need to complete..." can be in the same explanation as  "Should the guests forego the requirement and remain on board, it is entirely up to them". Either it has to be completed if remaining on board or the guest can forego the requirement. One or the other.

 

[Cruzin Terri]

34 minutes ago, njhorseman said:

That's not quite true. Both the destinations and the embarkation country set minimum standards that have to be met, but the cruise line can set higher standards beyond those of the embarkation and destination countries.

 

One example...the NCLH cruise lines require 100% vaccination of crew and of passengers regardless of age, but the US doesn't, nor does every destination.  For example Royal Caribbean allows unvaccinated children under the age of 12 to cruise provided they meet additional COVID testing requirements and observe Royal's protocols for unvaccinated guests. Certain ports will allow even these unvaccinated passengers to disembark and take tours provided those tours are booked through the cruise line. In the case of their Bahamian private island, CocoCay, which is a stone's throw from NCL's Great Stirrup Cay, a cruise line sponsored excursion isn't even required. 

 

Outside of COVID protocols some cruise lines always impose more stringent documentation requirements than the laws and regulations of the embarkation country and ports of call require. Within the NCLH family NCL only requires the minimum legally permissible documentation for US citizens of a birth certificate and drivers license for closed loop US-based Caribbean, Bermuda, Bahamas, Mexico and Canada cruises, while Oceania requires all passengers to have a passport with six months remaining validity regardless of itinerary. Passport cards, drivers license/birth certificate combinations and other legally permissible forms of documentation are not permitted by Oceania. It's a perfect everyday example of a cruise line going beyond government authority regulations.

 

Finally, the response received by Cruzin Terri is contradictory .

 

First it says "All guests need to complete this document whether going ashore or remaining on board in case guests or entire ship must be debarked in Bahamas in case of an unforeseeable emergency." 

 

Then it says "Should the guests forego the requirement and choose not to pay the $40 and remain onboard, it is entirely up to them."

 

Please explain how "All guests need to complete..." can be in the same explanation as  "Should the guests forego the requirement and remain on board, it is entirely up to them". Either it has to be completed if remaining on board or the guest can forego the requirement. One or the other.

 

i agree with you.  I just posted the response I received.  I realize that it is contradictory.  

Terri

[Cruzin Terri]

2 hours ago, pinotlover said:

All the people that come here posting and complaining about how they called 1-800-Oceania, talked to some phone rep, and couldn’t get an immediate answer to some difficult or complicated issue. They don’t want a TA, they want control, eliminate the middle man! That 1-800 number isn’t a good source for such questions, but it’s the avenue they choose.

I did not come here complaining. I came to report what I found out.  I did not book through Oceania but a TA, but she was not available.  The person I spoke to did tell me that I would receive an email, which I did.  The fact that it gave contradictory information, is not my fault.  I did ask to speak to destination services.  This is what I got.  Don’t make assumptions.

Terri

[njhorseman]

1 hour ago, Cruzin Terri said:

i agree with you.  I just posted the response I received.  I realize that it is contradictory.  

Terri

Celebrity says the health visa is not required for cruises originating in the US:

https://www.celebritycruises.com/healthy-at-sea/us-travel-requirements

Guests visiting the Bahamas on any sailing departing from the US, do not need to apply for the health visa. 

 

NCL makes no mention of any need for a Bahamas health visa (contrast that to the extensive discussion of Bermuda's requirements that immediately follow the section about the Bahamas.

https://www.ncl.com/travel-requirements-by-country#bahamas

 

Bahamas Cruise Protocols

Country Requirements

At this time, the Bahamas Government will only be accepting vaccines by Pfizer-BioNTech, Moderna, Johnson & Johnson Janssen, and AstraZeneca/Oxford in order for guests to disembark in the Bahamas.

Guests who are fully vaccinated with Sinopharm BIBP and Sinovac will not be allowed to disembark in the Bahamas, however, they will be able to sail and remain onboard while in port.

Edited November 23, 2021 by njhorseman

[Jancruz]

8 hours ago, pinotlover said:

All the people that come here posting and complaining about how they called 1-800-Oceania, talked to some phone rep, and couldn’t get an immediate answer to some difficult or complicated issue. They don’t want a TA, they want control, eliminate the middle man! That 1-800 number isn’t a good source for such questions, but it’s the avenue they choose.

I definitely understand and I agree..believe me when I tell you a passenger is not going to reach the person they need to talk to at Oceania..for anything important..

Jancruz1

[jjwoben1]

For St. Barts, do we just fill out statement of honor? Do we bring it with us for embarkation on the 3 December

[susiesan]

I am leaving this coming Monday Nov. 29 on a Celebrity cruise. First stop Nov.30 is Nassau, Bahamas. There are no restrictions, no forms, no testing, no fees. We can just walk off the ship and do whatever we want there. Oceania must be the only line with restrictions on their pax.

[basor]

Just now, susiesan said:

I am leaving this coming Monday Nov. 29 on a Celebrity cruise. First stop Nov.30 is Nassau, Bahamas. There are no restrictions, no forms, no testing, no fees. We can just walk off the ship and do whatever we want there. Oceania must be the only line with restrictions on their pax.

I am unclear what restrictions you are talking about - currently on Oceania  Marina and there are no restrictions now that we are out of EU waters and we never had any fees or forms .  Everyone has to be vaccinted to sail but most cruise lines have that requirement.

[susiesan]

30 minutes ago, basor said:

I am unclear what restrictions you are talking about - currently on Oceania  Marina and there are no restrictions now that we are out of EU waters and we never had any fees or forms .  Everyone has to be vaccinated to sail but most cruise lines have that requirement.

Cruzin Terri is talking about restrictions for Grand Stirrup Cay in the Bahamas.