worldfamoustravellers

I don't know if you are aware but at the beginning of this year a group of countries were given permission for their nationals to enter India without the formal application process of applying for a visa. It was just the fill the card out system while on the plane etc.

Apparently the UK will be allowed to be part of that group but of course no date has been fixed. So keep monitoring the website of the Indian Embassy as you may not have to go through the lengthy visa application process.

Thanks. I can tell you exactly when the Visa requirements will be changed for UK travellers - the day after we get ours.

When is it going to be the "right" time to apply for the Indian visas? Does anyone have any suggestions? I was led to believe that the visas are only for 3 months but I saw something about 6 months when I had my first trawl through there website. I must admit I probably need to get moving and read all about it soon!!

Yes, it's 6 months validity.

We will probably do ours early next month.

wft

We are also on Balmoral for the Dubai to Hong Kong sector, really looking forward to the cruise but not the pre cruise "admin"! Indian visas being the main thing! Has anyone been to their GP's "Travel Clinic" yet. If so are any injections needed? Have had the paperwork to fill in before we go but not done it yet! This is the first time we have done a World Cruise sector and have never flown so far! So lots of research on places to be visited.

Ref the Indian Visas, we've decided to do it all online and then make an appointment to visit the Consulate office in London to collect and finalise everything - I understand it's near the Barbican - we live near enough to be able to combine this with a visit to London. Has anyone done it this way? All comments appreciated.

Thanks

wft

I used CIBT as recommended by Fred Olsen for the "Black Watch" cruise earlier this year and found then very helpful and efficient. I intend using this company again for the "Balmoral" cruise early next year. They are not cheap but I think it is worth paying to avoid problems.

As someone else stated you will not be allowed to board the ship without the Indian visa.

Thanks, Parsman et al. The cost from CIBT is £33pp, +VAT. That compares well with other intermediary services and isn't a lot more than making a personal visit to the Consulate. So, we'll probably go for CIBT. Might see you on Balmoral.

Thanks

wft

Thanks. So did you deal direct with the consulate or did you go through one of the Travel Agent intermediaries?

Wft

We are sailing on Balmoral for the 2014 World Cruise - really looking forward to it and we really like this ship.

What is the best way to get the Indian Visas? I'm tempted to go for the personal visit to the Consulate (we are near to London and would probably spend the day there). Or, maybe it's not worth the hassle - I see that Trailfinders will do it for around £40?

Any tips from those who have done it would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks

Geoff

Hi, Brian & Georgina. Good advice to try a shorter cruise on Balmoral. We've done a number of cruises with FO (including one on Balmoral) and went for the World Cruise just gone.

We pretty much knew what to expect and were not disappointed.

You won't see the same shows 6 times over.

It seems that some of the ships you have cruised are much larger than Fred's. Could you cope with a smaller ship where, perhaps, you won't have some of the frills that come with the bigger ships?

Bear in mind also, FO do have a large number of repeat passengers. Think of it as mainly British, good food and service, maybe entertainment on a smaller scale than you are used to.

100 days + didn't phase us. Could you cope with that?

Good luck with your decision making.

wft:)