Visas for Grand Cruise on HAL?

[Brubar]

We are going on the 79 day Asia Pacific Grand cruise with HAL in Sept 2014. Does the cruise line look after some or all of the visas? How do we know which ports will require them?

[Krazy Kruizers]

I see that you have joined your Roll Call -- which is good place to ask this question as others on your cruise will be needing to them as well.

[boulders]

The itinerary on the HAL site will indicate which ports will require a visa. They're indicated by a "VX" next to the port of call. Cruise lines in general do not obtain visas for you. You'll have to get them yourself.

[mash1]

We have done 2 world cruises and HAL has obtained some of our visas. It depends where in the world you are going. We are on Grand Asia also and I know that we have to get the China visas ourselves. HAL will send you Visa information as we get closer to September. If you have a TA you might want to ask them about the visas. Hope this helps.

[Brubar]

Mash1 thank you. I will check it out with my TA.

[Hlitner]

Based on some personal experience, we would not rely on any travel agent/agency when it comes to Visas. You might want to look up each countries requirements for Canadians (we assume you are a Canadian) and then act accordingly. Many Asia countries do not normally issue "group visas" to an entire cruise ship so it is likely you will need to get some Visas on your own. This is one of those situations where one needs to assume "personal responsibility" because if anyone gives you the incorrect advice you might find yourself standing on the pier waving goodbye to your cruise ship....because you did not have the necessary Visas.

 

Hank

[John Bull]

We really need to know your ports.

And confirmation of your nationalities.

 

For some, such as Singapore & HK, no visa is required by Canuks.

For some, such as Cambodia & Vietnam, the ship normally arranges visas on-board & charges your on-board account - you need do nothing.

For some, such as India & China, you have to arrange visas yourself well in advance, and they can be pricey.

Visa requirements at your start & finish ports may be different to those which are merely ports-of-call, since you'll presumably be flying in or out.

 

And just to confuse you, Sanya in the Chinese province (island) of Hainan, and Vladivostok, have more relaxed rulings than other ports in those countries

 

For countries where you need to arrange your own visas in advance, some are easy to DIY, some you'd be better using a visa service though of course they charge fees.

 

JB :)

Edited March 14, 2014 by John Bull