Cruising in India

[Biscuit1947]

We are cruising in April on Celebrity's Constellation and have stops in India and have found the Visa process to be confusing.  We are also told that we need to give up our passports to the Houston Indian Embassy for a period of time so they can process and attach the Visa to our passport.  Giving up our passport just prior to our travel is somewhat scary to us.  Is it worth it to get off the ship at Cochin, Goa and Mumbai?  Any comments would be appreciated regarding the Visa process or Indian excursions.  Thanks

[GeezerCouple]

30 minutes ago, Biscuit1947 said:

We are cruising in April on Celebrity's Constellation and have stops in India and have found the Visa process to be confusing.  We are also told that we need to give up our passports to the Houston Indian Embassy for a period of time so they can process and attach the Visa to our passport.  Giving up our passport just prior to our travel is somewhat scary to us.  Is it worth it to get off the ship at Cochin, Goa and Mumbai?  Any comments would be appreciated regarding the Visa process or Indian excursions.  Thanks

 

Is there some private agency that will expedite this for you (at a cost)?

 

We also would be concerned about giving up our passports if it was close to travel time.

 

GC

[J_M_F]

First go to the Indian Embassy web site. In the US they have one company that handles their visa applications. The application a is a bit of a pain, but you fill it out on line and then send your passport and photos (and money) to the agency. The turn around time is fairly quick and the visa for US citizens is good for ten years. I understand that you can now get an electronic "e" visa from the embassy that will work for someone on a cruise ship that is only there for a short time. Check on the embassy web site. My brother-in-law was on a cruise with us last month that stopped in those ports and that is what he did.

If you don't have a visa, you will not be allowed to board even if you don't plan on going ashore.

[Biscuit1947]

Thank you your info is very helpful.  Sure would be nice if the cruise lines would advise of Visa needs when booking the cruise. 

[GeezerCouple]

51 minutes ago, Biscuit1947 said:

Thank you your info is very helpful.  Sure would be nice if the cruise lines would advise of Visa needs when booking the cruise. 

 

For the future, after you book a cruise (while the deposit is still refundable or actually before you make the actual booking), you might want to check about visas, and also about CDC required or recommended vaccines (also US State Department alerts) so you know IF there will be any such issues.  These could change, obviously, but they don't tend to change frequently.

 

GC

[whogo]

15 hours ago, Biscuit1947 said:

Is it worth it to get off the ship at Cochin, Goa and Mumbai?

You need the visa even if you stay on the ship. I assume that Celebrity won't let you board without one.