Littlehoglet

Many thanks for the additional information. I am just about there with the visa info needed but the only stumbling block now is to register my occupation. I am retired but as it appears to be a pre-populated drop down box, this is not recognised. I have tried Senior; Other and Unemployed! Nothing works and you can't move to next page to pay unless you complete this information. Any ideas what to say?

Good luck with your Brazilian Visa and you get in plenty of time. We are off to Argentina next month on a cruise but staying a few days beforehand in Brazil. Being from the UK (and staying less than 90 days) we don't have that to contend with visas. I think the two we need for March is enough to keep us out of mischief!

On 11/18/2023 at 10:09 AM, cashmeremypuppydog said:

This is what I followed (MSC step by step) when I requested our visa! Plus, I took the time to call SS and then email my concern (see email below). No one bothered responding! I was quite disappointed with their lack of care for such a beautiful cruise line.

 

“Sept 1

To whom it may concern,
I would like to introduce myself before I explain my problem with SilverSea. I am a 53 years old well- travelled female and have discovered over 90 countries. I have sailed mostly on HAL, Princess and Celibrity. I am a retired police officer who worked only 20 years in Saskatchewan, Canada. My husband is 75 years old and a retired police officer with 31 years of service. All that to say we are VERY BLESSED to be able to sail our first SilverSea cruise on Nov 16 (9 nights) from Dubai. 
This upcoming trip: We are flying on Oct 16 to Dubai and will then fly to Sri Lanka and then Nepal to finally fly back to Dubai on Nov 14 and will embark on our first SilverSea cruise on Nov 16.
I always plan our trips perfectly which means many hours of research. We will need e-Visa for India, Nepal and Saudi Arabia. I find valuable information on cruisecritic.com
I found out that since Jan 2, 2022, it is possible to obtain an eVisa through Saudi Arabia MOFA (Ministry of Foreign Affair): visa.mofa.gov.sa for under US$30.
I contacted SS about 2 weeks ago to ask them why they were directing us to a Saudi Arabia website who did not offer the “maritime e-Visa” but only the regular e-Visa over US$100. I was informed that someone would look into the matter.
About 1 hour later, I received a generic email from SS showing the same info I had received when I booked my SS cruise. Obviously, no one had look into the matter.
I was sad as MSC cruise line shows on their website how to obtain the maritime e-Visa.
Because I am thrifty (we travel 4 months every year), I decided to apply for our eVisa on MOFA website (Aug 26, 2023). Everything went smooth expect the downloading of the photo and from what I read, it is as difficult on the regular eVisa website (resolution need to be 200x200....). But I succeeded. My cost: US$26.52 and hubby US$30.00. It is due to the difference of age as you need to select a mandatory
Travel insurance. Both cost: $10.50 for the application of the visa, another $10.50 for the application of the insurance and Chantal $5.52 for the insurance and Dennis $9 for the insurance.
I am taking time out of my life to contact you as I really feel your customer service on this matter was a 1/10. Not bothering checking into this issue about eVisa is not acceptable. Many of the upcoming cruise will stop in Saudi Arabia... I had pride in doing my job perfectly when I was a police officer and as I have a passion for travelling, it is why I guess I am taking some of my precious time on earth to contact you for a second.
Your agent Jorge Lay that helped me on Sept 1, was 10/10. This is a quality worker and I hope you know that.
I do hope hubby and I will be able to experience SS many more times after the Nov 16. Actually, I am keeping my eyes open for Silver Nova for Feb 2024. We will be cruise HAL Jan 7-29 Santiago to Buenos Aires and will be flying to Iguazu Falls. I have already organized a few tours on CruiseCritic... We purchased a one-way ticket to Santiago. I am hoping your cruises on Silver Nova will become Interline. Time will tell!
Sept 1, 2023
  
 Thank you for listening.”

Firstly, many thanks for the info you posted as this really helped with finding the MOFA website to apply for the (much) cheaper eVisa option for entry to SA. This may sound obvious to others, and I'm certain I am overthinking this question, but I am in the process of applying for our e-visas and after it asks how you are arriving (which for us is by Sea) it then asks for departure country. My first thought was India as SS is departing from Mumbai, but then as we are from the UK , I wonder if we should put that as this is the country we originated from to travel. I am 99% certain it is India but wanted to double check. Many thanks 

3 hours ago, John Bull said:

It as already been postponed several times, and I wouldn't be surprised if it's postponed again beyond May '25.

 

When it does eventually come in it will be no big deal  - those who currently don't need an EU visa will have to make a simple ten-minute on-line application for an ETIAS (visa-waiver) and pay a fairly nominal (about €15?) fee. Unless you're considered an undesirable it should be approved automatically in a matter of hours, altho best to apply several weeks in advance in case of any glitches  eg you have a name similar to an undesirable.

It will be valid for 3 years.

 

It'll be very similar to the ESTA which has been required for the last 15 years or more for entry to the USA

And the UK is also planning  to bring in a similar system.

No need for 2024 cruises, and no worries when it does come into force

 

JB 🙂

You were right, it has been postponed to May 2025. 

Hi, would anyone have information on the best way to get from Port Everglades to Miami Airport?  I know we could use a private tax but as we have a lot of time before our flight leaves,  wondered if a bus / train would be an alternative (and cheaper) option? I have searched online and a few options have come up but thought I would ask those that may have done this journey in the past first  before making a decision just in case I have missed something. 

Many thanks 

Cearda