Splendor Around the Horn - problems leaving from Miami

[bfkkbc]

Yep, a visa is different than a passport. A passport identifies you as a citizen of a particular nation. A visa is a stamp or sticker that goes into the passport giving you permission to enter a particular country.

 

The rule of thumb should be if you're sailing to a port OTHER THAN Alaska, Mexico, Canada, or the Caribbean in general (see list a couple posts back), you should check the entry requirements of that port's country.

 

So where do you get the Visa? My husband was saying that he got the stamp on the back of his passport when he went to England last year. He got it in the airport when he went through customs. I am so confused as to when you are supposed to get this. I am sot cruising there anytime soon just don't like to be in the dark so to speak!!! And is the Visa a one time deal for that trip only??:o

[nolaAlive]

Then' date=' documentation information is all over the place.....on the website, in the Welcome Aboard brochure, in the "Know before you go" info. The Fun Pass cannot be completed without having ALL information shown, inclluding passport and visa info. So, people don't complete it, or they jimmie around and put any info in that will get it to print. When the confirming invoice is emailed or snail mailed, once again, the information is printed on that.

 

[/quote']

 

Again. Absolute bull. Or, if the information is there, it is often deliberately misleading.

 

For those who pretend to speak with authority, exactly how many Carnival South American cruises have you been on. How many of those were booked though Carnival?

 

Don't even get me started on Fun Pass issues, including information appearing and disappearing, completed Fun Passes becoming incomplete, etc.

[nolaAlive]

Yep, a visa is different than a passport. A passport identifies you as a citizen of a particular nation. A visa is a stamp or sticker that goes into the passport giving you permission to enter a particular country.

 

 

In addition, there are reciprocity fees. Fees to reciprocate for the US penalizing the citizens of another country.

 

Argentina was supposed to begin charging one the first of this year. I don't believe they have currently started enforcing.

 

Does it make more sense for 3000 passengers to check daily with various authorities or for the source of the cruise to check daily with whoever is in charge this week?

[bravestar]

So where do you get the Visa? My husband was saying that he got the stamp on the back of his passport when he went to England last year. He got it in the airport when he went through customs. I am so confused as to when you are supposed to get this. I am sot cruising there anytime soon just don't like to be in the dark so to speak!!! And is the Visa a one time deal for that trip only??:o

What your husband got in England, if you're US Citizens, was most likely the entry stamp which doubles as a 90-day tourist visa. That's obtained upon entry to the country.

 

Obviously you won't be doing it that way for a cruise. It's all dependent on the specific country you're visiting, but most of them allow application by mail or over the internet.

 

In the case of the Splendor (which started this whole thread) which is traveling to Brazil, we go to the State Dept. website I linked to earlier (2nd link in post #23) and look up Brazil. There, we learn that "Brazilian visas must be obtained in advance from the Brazilian Embassy or consulate nearest to the traveler's place of residence." By visiting the Brazilian Embassy website you can see a list of the consular offices across the country - the one closest to you is where you'd apply for a visa, typically by mail but in person if you reside in the same city.

 

There are also visa services which will obtain the visas on your behalf for a fee on top of the cost of the visa itself. Some folks find those less stressful.

[bfkkbc]

What your husband got in England, if you're US Citizens, was most likely the entry stamp which doubles as a 90-day tourist visa. That's obtained upon entry to the country.

 

Obviously you won't be doing it that way for a cruise. It's all dependent on the specific country you're visiting, but most of them allow application by mail or over the internet.

 

In the case of the Splendor (which started this whole thread) which is traveling to Brazil, we go to the State Dept. website I linked to earlier (2nd link in post #23) and look up Brazil. There, we learn that "Brazilian visas must be obtained in advance from the Brazilian Embassy or consulate nearest to the traveler's place of residence." By visiting the Brazilian Embassy website you can see a list of the consular offices across the country - the one closest to you is where you'd apply for a visa, typically by mail but in person if you reside in the same city.

 

There are also visa services which will obtain the visas on your behalf for a fee on top of the cost of the visa itself. Some folks find those less stressful.

Thank you!! You have been a wealth of information!! It is nice to learn something new!!

[nolaAlive]

Another example.

 

When I contacted the State Department on whether or not cruise ship passengers need to pay a reciprocity fee, this was the response:

 

"

Thank you for your message and opportunity to respond to your inquiry.

To obtain the most up-to-date information regarding entry/exit requirements for Chile, please visit the Department of State website, Country Specific Information/Chile at http://travel.state.gov/travel/cis_pa_tw/cis/cis_1088.html or Embassy of Consulate of Chile http://www.minrel.gov.cl/webMinRel/home.do?sitio=1.

 

Depending on the purpose of travel, unless an American citizen obtains a particular type of visa, the reciprocity fee that American tourists are currently charged upon entry to Chile is US $131. More information regarding types of visas may be found at the website of the Embassy or Consulate of Chile at http://www.chile-usa.org/

 

In addition, we recommend that you read information in A Safe Trip Abroad flyer that may be found on the Department's website at

http://travel.state.gov/travel/tips/safety/safety_1747.html

 

Please note that we recommend that all U.S. citizens register with the Embassy prior or during their travel overseas. There are several ways to register -- via Department of State website at http://www.travel.state.gov or Embassy's website at http://www.chile.usembassy.gov.

 

Hope you find this information useful.

 

Best regards,

 

 

American Citizens Services

Consular Section

U.S. Embassy Santiago, Chile

Phone: [56] (2) 330-3000

Fax: [56] (2) 330-3005

E-mail: SantiagoAmcit@state.gov

Visit our Web site at www.chile.usembassy.gov for up-to-date information on our hours of operation, list of holidays, list of services, forms, FAQs and much more!

Visite nuestreo sitio de Internethttp:/chile.usembassy.gov para información actualizada sobre nuestros servicios, preguntas frecuentes, formularios, horarios de atención al público, lista de feriados y mucho más!

"

 

Per Carnival, the passengers are covered via the blanket cruise ship visa.

 

Which is correct? Which should you believe?

[nolaAlive]

From Carnival :

Proper travel documentation is required at embarkation and throughout the cruise. Even though a guest has completed registration using FUNPASS, it is still the responsibility of the guest to bring all required travel documents. Guest should check with their travel agent and/or government authority to determine the travel documents necessary for each port of call. Any guest without proper documents will not be allowed to board the vessel and no refund of the cruise fare will be issued. Carnival assumes no responsibility for advising guests of immigration requirements.

 

 

 

When Carnival is the acting Travel Agent, does that not make them the authority to check with?

[bravestar]

Which is correct? Which should you believe?

Upon checking with the US State Department, they concur with what the Chilean authorities report as far as the reciprocity fee and such, so I'd personally go that route.

 

Personally, I'm not aware of any blanket visa for any cruise ship to any country requiring visas except in the case of Russia, and only if the guest is part of a shore excursion group. I've never booked a cruise for myself or a client that included a stop in Chile, so that's a new one for me.

[DGP1111]

When Carnival is the acting Travel Agent, does that not make them the authority to check with?

 

I was going to mention that earlier, but decided to stay out of the dust storm. But since you brought it up . . . you are absolutely correct.

By the way, I look forward to your photo-journal after you board later this month. Thanks, in advance, Bill!! :)

[happy cruzer]

I don't think the cruiselines want the responsibility of speaking for the different government authorities. The regulations do change. and the there is alot of information required. If, where, how, how much does it cost, how long does it take, etc. They could open themselves up to alot of liability. The state department is the place to start doing your research when traveling abroad. I personally would not trust the cruiseline to have up to date information and definitely would not trust verbal info given on the subject.

 

Also I think it was reported for the folks on the RCI cruise. Many thought that since they did not intend on leaving the ship that they did not need a visa. The cost for the Brazilian visa is over 100 I think. So I see how some bargain cruisers would think that they would just avoid that extra expense and not get off the ship. One group that did not get to board were escorted by a travel agent, go figure. This is just the reports that appeared on CC.

[bravestar]

When Carnival is the acting Travel Agent, does that not make them the authority to check with?

I don't believe so - at least, not the final authority. Carnival (nor any travel agent, for that matter) does not stipulate the entry requirements. The government authority does, and they are the ones who have final say.

 

The travel agent should assist the guest in making sure they are aware of the requirements, and should assist in obtaining them, but they are not obligated to do so. The final responsibility rests on the guest themselves as they are the ones whose name will be on the manifest.

 

As the vendor, Carnival is only obligated to inform guests that there is a need for additional documentation. They could detail exactly what that additional documentation is, but that would be a rather large task considering the fact that for some countries, this information changes on a regular basis and they would open themselves up to a liability if they get their information incorrect.

 

*Edited to add: Jinx with happy_cruzer!*

[lms2004]

An easy to use resource is actually through an airline. Formerly NW, but now Delta, it's located at this link.

 

But, this should be followed up by checking with the US State Department here.

 

For those cruising to the Canada, Mexico, or the Caribbean region (Anguilla, Antigua and Barbuda, Aruba, Bahamas, Bermuda, British Virgin Islands, Cayman Islands, Dominica, Dominican Republic, Grenada, Jamaica, Montserrat, Netherlands Antilles, St. Kitts and Nevis, St. Lucia, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, Turks and Caicos) the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative applies (details here) but to my knowledge that covers passports and doesn't necessitate any visas or additional documentation.

 

Thank you for posting some very helpful & very useful information instead of berating people like some others have for not knowing how to find the information that the cruise line is extremely vague about! You would think that since they don't have room to put all of this info in their cruise documentation that they could at least include what you have included here for us! Again, thank you!!

[DGP1111]

I don't think the cruiselines want the responsibility of speaking for the different government authorities.

 

For the most part I do agree with that statement, although some lines do it with greater success than others.

 

I know of one cruise corporation where the call center employees have a hard enough time with the responsibility of speaking on behalf of their own upper management's decisions. (i.e. "Yea, two months ago we made a decision about fuel supplement refunds, but today we still aren't sure how to make that totally happen. Sorry.")

[nolaAlive]

The requirements vary depending in means of entry and enforcement certainly varies with enforcement.

 

Are they really going to hold up a 3000 passengers on a cruise ship to pay a reciprocity fee (which can't be paid in advance) or let them in to spend perhaps more money? I doubt it.

 

Carnival and/or the T/A is accountable to provide both complete and accurate information and not pretend they have no responsibility.

[JayS]

I am on the third leg of this cruise. I also was on the Rotterdam Valpariso to Rio. The first documentation I received from HAL was the requirement for the Brazilian Visa. (Getting one was a story in itself:() I don't remember weither it mentioned the Chilean visa but I knew about it in advance. As of now CCL has not informed me of any visa needed. My Visa is good for 10 years so that will not be a surprise for me.

 

When I arrived at the terminal the FIRST thing the counter person checked was the Brazilian Visa. That was before the checking of my cruise info.:rolleyes:

 

nolaAlive looks like we will cross each other in Chile.

 

I also need a visa for a trip to Australia but my TA took care of it.

[G'ma]

So... how are passengers supposed to determine which documents are needed? I've noticed that the documents from Carnival for my June cruise are rather vague. It mentions just that - it is the responsibility of the passenger to determine.... I've been meaning to call them and ask for more specific info, but now I'm concerned that I could be misinformed even by Carnival. So, anyone been on the Conquest lately for the Western Caribbean (MB, Jamaica; Georgetown, GC; Cozumel) cruise? Anything required other than a passport? What about immunizations? Thanks

 

The travel arranger has the responsibility to advise that a passport or other ID is required....whether it's a TA or a PVP. Beyond that, it is the passengers responsibility to find out what HE needs specifically. This is done by reading the information on the cruise website or by checking the State Department website in the travel section, or by speaking with someone who knows these things.

 

We are, supposedly, all adults who can read, who have a modicum of education, who are perfectly able to find out what is required based on a personal situation.

 

If you want to know what is required to cruise to the Caribbean....and if you are an American citizen, you will find what you need on Carnival's website. If immunization is required, that will be on the website too....or, ask your physician.... All that is needed is to research and read.

 

If one is old enough to pick up a phone and make a reservation all by himself, then one is old enough to take responsibility that they have what they need to travel. We don't need a "mommy" to carry us through the process.... If someone needs to be hand-carried through the process; or needs a babysitter, then work with a travel agent.

[G'ma]

so a visa is diferent than a passport? what cruise ports require you to have visas? :confused:

 

If one doesn't know the difference between a passport and a visa, one should not be making their own reservations. They need to be working with a travel agent.

[G'ma]

Again. Absolute bull. Or, if the information is there, it is often deliberately misleading.

 

For those who pretend to speak with authority, exactly how many Carnival South American cruises have you been on. How many of those were booked though Carnival?

 

Don't even get me started on Fun Pass issues, including information appearing and disappearing, completed Fun Passes becoming incomplete, etc.

 

Well, here's the deal. If someone can't figure out what they need to travel, if one is so inexperienced outside their own comfort zone, they should be working with a travel agent.

 

If you are referring to me with your somewhat snarky reference about South American cruises; I've been around South America on a freighter for 28 days and have been a cruise host on several other SA cruises. Have retired after 32 years in the travel industry, have 64 Carnival cruises under my belt and over 250 cruises on every major body of water in the world - and most of the rivers.

 

I've made reservations for cruisers sailing SA and European waters, China and the South Pacific. As an agent, it was my responsibility to tell the client what they needed; it was NOT my responsibility to make sure they obtained those things.

 

And, finally, why would anyone think that Carnival - or any other company - would purposely mislead anyone with the information they provide? That is a ridiculous statement. The problem is, everyone thinks they are perfectly capable of making their own reservations on some website so they start fooling around without knowing what they are doing.

 

Most people have no business making their own reservations except for the very basics like hotel and air. They don't bother to read the info, don't pay anyy attention to things like passport requirements, cancellation policies and fees, checkin times, age limits...or much of anything else.

 

Get a good travel agent. That agent will be happy to hold your hand and make sure you understand how things work./

[G'ma]

When Carnival is the acting Travel Agent, does that not make them the authority to check with?

 

A Carnival PVP is NOT a travel agent...nor are they acting like one. A PVP is trained to sell Carnival cruises and the information she provides to you is printed on her screen.....she reads it and recaps it to you. Many, if not most, have never traveled, some have never cruised. They are reservationists.....that's it. That's why Carnival says that each person is responsible for their own documents........

 

A travel agent is a trained professional who is knowledgable on what is required to travel throughout the world.... It take many years to become a good agent.

[nolaAlive]

If one doesn't know the difference between a passport and a visa' date=' one should not be making their own reservations. They need to be working with a travel agent.[/quote']

 

No advertising. :rolleyes:

[nolaAlive]

And' date=' finally, why would anyone think that Carnival - or any other company - would purposely mislead anyone with the information they provide? That is a ridiculous statement. The problem is, everyone thinks they are perfectly capable of making their own reservations on some website so they start fooling around without knowing what they are doing.

[/quote']

 

Please. Greed. I provided a concrete example with St Petersburg. And it isn't just Carnival. There are plenty of authorized tour companies in St Petersburg - you do NOT have to book through the cruise line and you do NOT have to buy a tourist Visa.

 

Almost daily posts are made about how incompetent and/or greedy some travel agents are, too. Not to mention the TAs and agencies that close up shop leaving customers high and dry.

[Mrs. Ram]

I think that if you are planning a vacation, you need to do the research & find out exactly what forms of documentation you may need. It is your vacation! That is just my opinion, don't flame me! :) My grandparents are actually on this cruise! Hope there are no further problems, not that they would let it affect their cruise.

[DGP1111]

A Carnival PVP is NOT a travel agent...nor are they acting like one.

 

I sincerely wish you had a real clue how much people cringe at the vast majority of your postings here on CruiseCritic. You do have a real wealth of knowlege' date=' but it is often wasted here on these boards because it becomes immediately discounted due to the personal source, and your choice of delivery.[/color']

 

Some of the blanket statements are just a bunch of hooey, and I truly believe you know that.

 

How unfortunate for some of us (self definitely included) that we don't want to take the time to glean through the information you offer that is spot-on perfectly researched from years in the industry, and that which is simply pulled from the ol' keister.

[nolaAlive]

The travel arranger has the responsibility to advise that a passport or other ID is required....whether it's a TA or a PVP. Beyond that' date=' it is the passengers responsibility to find out what HE needs specifically. This is done by reading the information on the cruise website or by checking the State Department website in the travel section, or by speaking with someone who knows these things.

 

We are, supposedly, all adults who can read, who have a modicum of education, who are perfectly able to find out what is required based on a personal situation.

 

If you want to know what is required to cruise to the Caribbean....and if you are an American citizen, you will find what you need on Carnival's website. If immunization is required, that will be on the website too....or, ask your physician.... All that is needed is to research and read.

 

If one is old enough to pick up a phone and make a reservation all by himself, then one is old enough to take responsibility that they have what they need to travel. We don't need a "mommy" to carry us through the process.... If someone needs to be hand-carried through the process; or needs a babysitter, then work with a travel agent.[/quote']

 

The State Department has no control over what other countries require nor necessarily the right information. They will often refer you to the specific country's website or perhaps consulate where the grasp of English is not always the best. At best, they will be reading a scripted response that is often nebulous. (see St Petersburg).

 

We are NOT talking about the Caribbean, Alaska, or the Mississippi River.

 

For immunizations, I would trust the CDC over the sources you mentioned. Most family physicians have no specific knowledge of tropical medicine or what worldwide immunizations are required, in general, much less keep up to date with them.

[nolaAlive]

A Carnival PVP is NOT a travel agent...nor are they acting like one. A PVP is trained to sell Carnival cruises and the information she provides to you is printed on her screen.....she reads it and recaps it to you. Many' date=' if not most, have never traveled, some have never cruised. They are reservationists.....that's it. That's why Carnival says that each person is responsible for their own documents........

[/quote']

 

To many people they are. Who should have best and most current information if not a direct employee representing the cruise line you are working with.

 

I would like to think they have a modicum of education and perfectly capable of reading what is on the computer screen. If the Visa and other fee information is not on the screen, it should be, and the customer informed of it at the time of booking, at the latest.