Home Reservation Applying for a Visa
WHAT IS A VISA?

A visa is an authority issued by the Embassy/Consulate of a country that permits a traveler to visit that particular country. The majority of visas are stamped inside your passport. (A small number of visas are either separate documents to be carried with the passport or issued electronically.) Visas are issued with specific limitations regarding purpose of visit, length of stay, validity of visa, etc… It is the traveler’s responsibility to obtain necessary visas for their travel itinerary.

DO I NEED A VISA FOR A CRUISE VACATION?
Most countries do not require U.S. Citizens to have a visa to travel if they are arriving by cruise ship; however, there are exceptions. Some countries like Russia, for example, do not require a visa unless you plan to do your own independent sight-seeing separate from the cruise line’s own, ship-organized shore excursions. Other countries like Brazil require everyone to obtain a visa even if the
passenger does not disembark the ship in that port. If you are staying overnight in a country before or after your cruise vacation, some countries may require a visa as well.

HOW DO I OBTAIN A VISA?
The Embassies and Consulates of various countries are authorized to grant visas. Appropriate visa documentation must be presented to the Embassy/Consulate in proper order for the visa to be issued. Visa Central obtains visas on travelers’ behalf by submitting proper visa documentation to the Embassy/Consulate. This eliminates the need for the traveler to visit, communicate and
correspond directly with the Embassy/Consulate.

DO I NEED TO SEND MY ACTUAL PASSPORT?
For the majority of countries, a visa is stamped on a visa page inside your passport. However, there are a few exceptions.Please view the Visas Section of the Visa Central website and select your country of travel to determine whether or not you must submit your actual passport.

HOW LONG WILL IT TAKE TO PROCESS MY VISA?
Various governments have strict and varied regulations on length of visa processing time. Please view the Visas Section of the Visa Central web site and select your country of travel to determine visa
processing time.

How much does a visa cost and what is included in the cost paid for Visas?
Total cost of visas includes service fees, consular fees established by and paid to the appropriate consular office for your country of travel and shipping fees for the return of your completed
documentation. Total cost of visas will be clearly listed for you on the downloadable instruction form located on the Visa Central site. Consular fees are subject to change without advance notice at any time by various governments. Please note that whether or not you choose to use Visa Central, consular fees must be paid to the consulate for completion of your visa.

DO I HAVE TO USE VISA CENTRAL TO OBTAIN MY VISA?
No, you do not have to use Visa Central to obtain your Visa. They do have years of experience and can save you time chasing down answers, but you can save money by obtaining your visa on your own. To obtain a visa on your own, you must contact the Embassy or Consulate of the country you are visiting. Most will have visa procedures and costs on their websites.

CRUISE TRAVEL ESSENTIALS:

Travel Documents, Wallet Items & Paperwork

Airline tickets or e-ticket confirmation
Cruise documents
Passports and visas (if necessary) or proof of citizenship (check with your cruise line for requirements)
Vaccination certificate (if required)
Driver’s license and auto insurance card – in case you decide to rent a car when ashore
Medical insurance cards and medical history (especially if traveling alone
Copy of prescriptions and list of all medicines you are taking
Another picture ID – if you don’t take driver’s license
Credit cards – be sure to call credit card companies before traveling to alert them you are traveling outside your normal area ATM card
Pre-paid phone card
Cash or traveler’s checks (be sure to keep traveler’s checks receipt in separate location)
3 copies of airline tickets, cruise tickets, passports/visas, itinerary – pack 1 copy in carry on, 1 copy in checked luggage, and leave one copy with someone at home
Contact numbers to report lost/stolen credit cards or traveler’s checks
Emergency numbers at home
Currency conversion chart
Wallet and fanny pack
Watch – dual time zone watch is perfect!
 

Reading Materials and Necessities

Glasses, contact, contact cleaner
Extra reading glasses
Sunglasses
Reading sunglasses
Guidebooks and other port of call information
Foreign language phrase book or dictionary
Maps
Reading material – books to read while on the plane or lounging by the pool
Journal or notebook and pen/pencil – for making notes to tell your friends back home about your experiences
Business cards with email address to give out to new cruise friends
Home and email addresses of friends/relatives back home – for sending postcards, emails, or gifts
Photo album

Electronics and Camera Equipment

Plug adaptor and converter
Cell phone and charger
PDA and charger
Laptop computer
Binoculars
Film camera and manual
Extra film (don’t put undeveloped film in checked luggage)
Disposable underwater camera – for snorkeling or beach days
Digital camera and manual
Extra memory cards for digital camera
Batteries for digital camera
Battery charger
Extension cord/power strip with multiple plug-ins
iPod of MP3 player (for walking on deck or on treadmill)
Small travel alarm clock – battery operated
Lighted dial clock for cruise ship cabin
Small flashlight
Night light
 

Medicine Kit

Prescription drugs and any other essential medications in carry on bag
Ear plugs or “ear planes”
Small first aid kit (band aids, Q-tips, vaseline, dramamine, antibiotic cream, bandages, anti-diarrheal medication, cortisone
Cream, aspirin/tylenol/advil)
Germicidal hand cleaner
Handi-wipes (for cleaning hands when ashore)
Hand lotion
Rubbing alcohol or foot lotion for soothing tired, hot feet
Bug spray (not for your cabin on the ship, but for those pesky mosquitoes and “nonos” ashore)
Sun screen/sun block and lip sunblock
 

Other Necessities

Duct tape or strapping tape
Extra plastic cable-lock ties for securing luggage for return trip
(better than locks, but one-time use only)
Extra luggage name tags (in case yours are lost on the outbound trip)
Zip loc bags of all sizes and garbage/laundry bags
Small umbrella
Collapsible travel pillow for those long airplane flights
Crazy glue
Playing cards
Sports gear (e.g. snorkeling gear)
Shoe horn for getting those shoes back on your swollen feet
Sewing kit and scissors (pack in checked luggage)
Travel-sized Woolite
Clothes pins
Empty folding tote bag – for souvenirs or the beach
Hats/caps/visors
Insulated large coffee mugs
WOMEN’S PACKING LIST:

Clothing
Bras (include strapless if needed for evening wear)
Panties
Lingerie/night gown/pajamas/robe
Compression stockings (for airplane flight to prevent swollen ankles)
Exercise/walking socks
Trouser socks or pantyhose
Camisole/slip
Purses (day and evening)
Belts
Scarves
Gloves and stocking cap(if expect cold weather)
Walking shoes
Walking sandals
Rubber sandals for reef walking and beach
Evening shoes
Costume jewelry and extra watch
Swim suit
Swim suit cover-up/pareo/sarong
Thongs/flip flop shoes
Work out clothes and jog bra
Dress/outfit for informal nights on ship
Dress/outfit for formal nights on ship
Dress/outfit for casual nights on ship
Shorts
Tops of all types (sleeveless, short-sleeved, long-sleeved)
Capri pants
Slacks
Windbreaker jacket
Sweatshirt
Evening sweater
Raincoat with hood
Sundries and Miscellaneous
Blow dryer
Curling iron or curlers
Comb/brush
Hair gel
Hair spray (non-aerosol)
Shampoo
Conditioner
Shower cap
Bar soap in plastic container
Deodorant
Toothbrush
Toothpaste
Dental floss
Mouthwash
Tweezers
Make-up mirror
Make-up and make-up bag(list can be endless!)
Make-up remover
Cleanser
Moisturizer and freshener
Nail polish and remover
Nail clippers and file (be sure to pack in checked luggage)
Razor and shaving cream
MEN’S PACKING LIST:

Clothing
Underwear (briefs or boxer shorts)
Undershirts
Pajamas and robe
Compression socks (for airplane flight to prevent swollen ankles)
Exercise/walking socks
Black dress socks
Belts
Gloves and stocking cap(if expect cold weather)
Walking shoes
Walking sandals
Rubber sandals/shoes for reef walking and beach
Evening or dress shoes
“Docksider” casual shoes
Tuxedo jacket and pants (or dark suit)
Tuxedo tie, suspenders, and cummerbund
Tuxedo cufflinks/studs
Sport jacket
Regular ties
Tuxedo shirt
Dress shirts
Swim suit
Swim suit cover-up
Work out clothes/T shirts
Shorts
Casual shirts
Slacks (casual and dress)
Windbreaker jacket
Sweatshirt
Raincoat with hood
Sundries and Miscellaneous
Comb/brush
Shampoo and hair products
Bar soap in plastic container
Deodorant
Toothbrush
Toothpaste
Dental floss
Mouthwash
Tweezers
Nail clippers and file (be sure to pack in checked luggage)
Razor and shaving cream (or electric razor and supplies)