Visas, Passports, & Bookings

[Btimmer]

25 minutes ago, Langoustine said:

Many years ago, my wife and I flew into Frankfurt, and the immigration officer's stamp was so low on ink that my entry stamp was almost unreadable. Several weeks later, no one could find it before we flew out, and we were denied boarding until they (and I) finally found the very, very faint entry stamp. I think the new system is much preferable.

We went to Germany last week, and they still stamp you in and out at the airport.

[Langoustine]

Well, that's the Germans for you. At the time, I still spoke fairly fluent German (thanks to the US Army), and I finally said. "Gee, I know! Why don't you deport us? Look! There's a big plane waiting to fly to NYC!" They were not amused....

[MisterMatthew]

1 hour ago, Gunther1 said:

While there is a wealth of knowledge to be gleaned from this site, regarding passports and visas, I would NOT assume that everything you read on here is the gospel.

 

A couple of months ago, I gave up trying to explain to a woman taking an Alaska cruise from Seattle that she needed more than just her DL (it was NOT an enhanced DL). She insisted that “somebody on CC” told her that she needed nothing more than that….and she chose to believe that.

 

I never did find out if she was denied boarding.

 

Your best bet: go to official US government sites.

 

As an aside, as a former pier 91 check-in person in Seattle, I can attest from first-hand knowledge that people ARE denied boarding because of the required documentation.  I’ve seen it….and it ain’t pretty.

 

Hmm, ok.  Well i have been on 2 cruises. 

 

Both on HAL..

Both were closed loop.

Both left a U.S. city.

Both returned to the SAME U.S. city.

Both visited a foreign country.

(one was to Mex)

(one was to AK, and included British Columbia)

 

And, so, i was informed by my HAL CC, and the good people of this board informed me that an id.d. and a certified Birth Certificate WILL BE accepted to board.  No other item needed.

 

So, turned out to be 100 percent true.

 

So, forgive me--not sure what youre trying to say, friend.

 

----MisterMatthew

[MisterMatthew]

On 9/11/2023 at 12:31 PM, Blackduck59 said:

It was probably both, congratulations on your decision to get your passport, it will open the world to you. Also remember that once you have it, it is the most important piece of identification you possess.

 

BlackDuck

 

Thank you, mate.

Appreciate it!

 

--Matthew

[MisterMatthew]

My apologies.

 

I am catching up on this thread.

[MisterMatthew]

1 hour ago, sandiego1 said:

When you apply for the passport, I suggest checking the box for the large book. There is no additional costs flans you get more pages. I neglected to do that last year when I renewed (stupid error). Now I have very few completely blank pages. Immigration clerks don’t stamp in order as they are in a rush and just look for a blank page. I have many pages with a single stamp. When we go on a long or World Cruise , we need at least 6 blank pages before starting the cruise. Between that and Visas which will sometimes be attached to your passport, I will definitely run out of pages before my passport expires.

 

sandiego..

 

Hi there, i have heard more and more about getting add'l pages.  Or the BOOK as you say.  Sounds like the way to go.  Thanks!

 

---MisterMatthew

[MisterMatthew]

1 hour ago, SilvertoGold said:

So, Mr M, where are you planning to cruise?

 

Good that you are getting a passport. We use ours all the time at home for various ID requirements. Drivers Licences are OK but passports are the gold standard. However, we take our DL with us in ports instead of the passport as it is fine for ID at the dock and easier to replace if lost or stolen.

 

Good luck and keep us informed on how it goes.

 

 

SilverToGold..

 

My good friend, thank you for the encouragement.  

 

To answer you, i have not yet chose something.  But, i have been eyeing DENMARK (to see that famous garden, among other things).

 

Also, a transatlantic.

 

Maybe, Italy.

 

Oh, and Australia.

 

----Matthew

[SilvertoGold]

6 minutes ago, MisterMatthew said:

 

SilverToGold..

 

My good friend, thank you for the encouragement.  

 

To answer you, i have not yet chose something.  But, i have been eyeing DENMARK (to see that famous garden, among other things).

 

Also, a transatlantic.

 

Maybe, Italy.

 

Oh, and Australia.

 

----Matthew

Excellent choices!  A Transatlantic would be perfect, sea and port days.

 If you want to see a lot of ports, your could go with a Collector's European (b-b). Add in Spain for me!

If you are going to fly all that way, make it worthwhile and go long.

 Australia: maybe a NZ and Australia? Or a Transpacific?

Enjoy the planning and keep in touch !

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Gunther1]

59 minutes ago, MisterMatthew said:

 

Hmm, ok.  Well i have been on 2 cruises. 

 

Both on HAL..

Both were closed loop.

Both left a U.S. city.

Both returned to the SAME U.S. city.

Both visited a foreign country.

(one was to Mex)

(one was to AK, and included British Columbia)

 

And, so, i was informed by my HAL CC, and the good people of this board informed me that an id.d. and a certified Birth Certificate WILL BE accepted to board.  No other item needed.

 

So, turned out to be 100 percent true.

 

So, forgive me--not sure what youre trying to say, friend.

 

----MisterMatthew

What I said was:

 

“I would NOT assume that everything you read on here is the gospel.”

 

Nothing more, nothing less :).  Glad you brought your BC…..that’s USUALLY all you need, if not the passport.

[Iamthesea]

4 hours ago, oakridger said:

 

Have you considered getting the grandchildren passports?  There is still plenty of time before spring breaks.

 

~Nancy

No, have not considered that.  They are 7 and 10 years old.  This is their first cruise, and more than likely the only cruise or trip out of the U.S. until they are grown.  At that time, their parents can pay for their passports. 😁

[Haljo1935]

On 9/11/2023 at 9:25 AM, POA1 said:

As a special bonus for you, the new passport holder, you'll be receiving the fancy, new style passport with the cool plastic page insert! At no extra charge! (Unless you count processing time.)

 

My passport renewed last year and I have the old style. My wife's renewed this year and she has the luxe new kind. It'll be nine years of hanging my head in shame because of my inferior passport....

No passport shaming; easy peasy - just lose your passport so you have to get a replacement 😉 

Surely that cool hard plastic page is just as cool as a CO tote bag or orange stripe card? We know how much you covet those 🫣

Cannot have you feeling inferior 🤭

[dawnvip]

5 hours ago, calvin81 said:

Dawn and Alan - can you give any advice for getting Vietnam and Cambodia visas? The online information I've seen is a little confusing. 

 

It was pre-covid, so things may have changed since I applied, and there may be some differences for Canadians and Americans, but I'll try!

 

For Vietnam, I had to go to the consulate in Vancouver and submit my passport, application form, passport photo and fee. It took about 2 weeks to get the passport back with visa attached. I see there is a new website for Canadians to apply on-line, but they still send a physical visa back:

https://vietnamembassy.ca/consular-services/visa-application/

 

For Cambodia, I can't remember exactly, but I think we had to submit the application, passport, passport photo, and fee to an "agent" here in Vancouver, who dealt with the embassy on our behalf. I see Cambodia now uses eVisa (both E and T available).

  

There are visa on arrival available for both Vietnam and Cambodia, but that was not an option for us due to their restrictions at several border entry points (VoA not accepted).

 

[Haljo1935]

@MisterMatthew congrats on deciding to get a passport!! Sounds corny, but it does open new possibilities for you - so exciting!

I still remember how I felt the day I opened the envelope and held my first passport in my hand 🤭

Another thing you can do with a passport - use it when going through security at airport; no need for DL.

You'll have an option to get a passport card when you apply. It's the same size as your DL, so easy to carry in your wallet. Just remember it's not valid for air travel, you need the book for that.

Enjoy your new freedom!!

[The-Inside-Cabin]

6 hours ago, calvin81 said:

Dawn and Alan - can you give any advice for getting Vietnam and Cambodia visas? The online information I've seen is a little confusing. 

 

If you are visiting Vietnam and Cambodia on a HAL cruise - you can get a VISA on arrival from HAL.

 

Cambodia issues VISAs on arrival when you arrive at the airport.   You can also get one online in advance if you prefer.  

[Moophasa]

My husband and I are boarding the world voyage and we are having trouble obtaining the Chinese Visa since he is a lecturer on board and does not receive a booking # till a week before the voyage.  We went to the Chinese consulate here in Toronto, Ontario Canada and they said no visa till we get a booking #, that only gives us 10 or less days till our cruise is that enough time to obtain a visa?? 

[SilvertoGold]

18 minutes ago, Moophasa said:

My husband and I are boarding the world voyage and we are having trouble obtaining the Chinese Visa since he is a lecturer on board and does not receive a booking # till a week before the voyage.  We went to the Chinese consulate here in Toronto, Ontario Canada and they said no visa till we get a booking #, that only gives us 10 or less days till our cruise is that enough time to obtain a visa?? 

I don't know who is employing your husband but you have that company and/or HAL to talk to about this. Obviously they want you on the ship, so they can do something.  I can't imagine that this situation has never happened before! Let us know how this turns out!

[MisterMatthew]

12 hours ago, Gunther1 said:

What I said was:

 

“I would NOT assume that everything you read on here is the gospel.”

 

Nothing more, nothing less :).  Glad you brought your BC…..that’s USUALLY all you need, if not the passport.

 

I understand.  Thank you my friend.