It is the sole responsibility of the Guest to identify and obtain all required travel documents for the entire cruise vacation and have them available when necessary. Please check with your travel agent, government agency, Embassy or Consulate to ensure that you have all the proper documentation to board the ship and enter each of the countries on your cruise. Guests without proper traveling documentation will be denied boarding. Travel restrictions for each destination country may vary according to a Guest's citizenship. No refunds will be given to individuals who fail to bring proper documentation.
All other passengers are kindly required to check with relevant Embassy or Consulate.
Beginning January 21st, 2016, the U.S. Government enforced restrictions for ESTA and Visa applicants, who have visited Iran, Iraq, Sudan, Syria after March 2011.
Travellers are kindly reminded to check any update and the release of any official notes on the following
website.
Egypt, Morocco and Gibraltar: For minors travelling to these countries, please consider that the “Birth Certificate with travel abroad authentication” and the “Identity Certificate for children” are no longer considered valid. Children under 15 years of age must therefore: - possess their own passport, or - possess another valid identity document for travelling abroad.
The information provided is up-to-date at the time of going to print; for the latest information and all other questions regarding travel documents and visas, please consult your travel agent and/or the relevant authorities (embassies, consulates or other local authorities).
Mozambique: Passenger must hold fully valid passport, the expiry date of which should be at least
6 months after the return date. In addition, all passengers, except
SADC (Southern African Development Community) passport holders who are exempt, can visit Mozambique either with a pre-issued Visa (that can be requested to any Mozambique Embassy/Consulate; please expect minimum 5 working days to obtain) or by purchasing a VISA for Mozambique on board the ship
, from Mozambican Immigration Officers.
The cost of such VISA is USD 50.00 per person (adults and children). The ship will collect the fee directly from passengers, dispatching all needed paperwork directly to Local Immigration Authorities.
Embarkation United Arab Emirates (Dubai/Abu Dhabi):
Reference is made to cruises within the UAE, origin/destination and transiting to Oman, Bahrain, Qatar. All passports must be valid at least 6 months on the date of departure from the UAE and for stays up to three months. (Please refer to the own country procedures for more info)
For UAE only: Passengers holding passports of following countries do not need Visa prior to the arrival in to the UAE:
Europe : France, Italy, Germany, Holland, Belgium, Luxembourg, Switzerland, Austria, Sweden, Norway, Denmark, Portugal, Ireland, Greece, Finland, Spain, Monaco, Vatican City, Iceland, Andorra, San Marino, Liechtenstein, United Kingdom, Slovenia, Czech Republic, Hungary, Estonia, Cyprus, Romania, Poland, Slovakia, Lithuania, Latvia, Malta, Croatia, Bulgaria, Russia, Ukraine
North America: USA, Canada & Bahamas Island
South America: Brazil
Latin America: Argentina
Pacific Rim/Asia: Australia, New Zealand, Japan, Brunei, China (Hong Kong SAR), Singapore, Malaysia , South Korea, China (Mainland), Mauritius, Seychelles, Chile, Solomon Island
Kindly note that passengers holding passports of other nationalities than the above mentioned ones, need pre-issued Visa for the UAE. By considering that there are different itineraries, please note as follows:
Visa Procedure - MSC cruises Passengers, embarking/disembarking in any airport or seaport in UAE:
We are using this opportunity to reiterate that all nationalities subject to pre-issued Visa (those non listed) , even in case of Visa for the UAE offered free of charge from airlines, have to deny this one and ask for cancellation of automatic request as this is a One Entry only. In fact, the itineraries (except only the GV) of the cyclic canvas require a MV (Multi Entry Visa). This can be done only by our appointed agent (other T.O. are not eligible for this MV towards the relevant UAE Ministry) and request cannot be submitted if another Visa for the UAE is already under process of issue or has been issued but not yet used. Furthermore, our supplier is not in the position or has power to require cancellation of something not directly and previously managed.
Tourism Ships Cruise Multi Visa.
Multiple-entry Visa (MV)
All passengers arriving by flight into Dubai/Abu Dhabi or any other airport in UAE to embark the ship or participate in a pre-cruise hotel program prior to joining the ship should produce a valid visa while checking-in at their home countries. Airlines will deny boarding to passengers who are not in possession of a valid UAE visa. The validity of the visa is 60 days from the date of issue so passengers should bear this in mind while requesting for visas.
The MV is valid for 30 days from the date of first entry to UAE. This MV can be used for one time entry through any airport of UAE and unlimited time to enter & exit UAE through any seaports of UAE. Please note that this MV will be issued only for MSC cruise passengers & MSC booking confirmation with itinerary should be attached with the visa request. Agent can refuse visa application in case not fulfilling above requirement.
Processing could take 7 working days and can increase depending on Nationality. Though it is mentioned 07 days for visa procession, Sharaf Tours LLC, as ground handling agent for MSC, should not be held guarantee for any delays or refusals from Immigration department of UAE.
Cost of MV is USD 95 per visa (Inclusive of 5% VAT).The standard time to require MV is up to 21 days prior to arrival to the UAE. Surcharges may apply in case of requests received less than 21 days prior to arrival
Black Listed Countries:
Following countries are not allowed to obtain the Tourist Visa.
Any passengers holding Israeli passports will not be issued visa to enter UAE. Libya , Syrian, Somalia, Yemen, Palestine, Bangladesh, Equatorial Guinea (holding passports of) are subject to special approval and security clearance. No discrimination will be raised in case of Israeli Visa or stamp evident on any nationality passport for previous visits.
No refund is granted once visas are applied but rejected by the Authorities.
Please note all cruise passengers requiring pre-issued visas, either with MSC package or independently arranged, should send visa requests addressed to
visa@sharaftours.com
Contact Details concerning Visa issuing:
Contact person for all the visa related matters is as follows,
Name: Mr. Abdur Rahman
Telephone No: +9714 4060186
After Office Hours: +971 55 511 5641
REQUIRED DOCUMENTS FOR VISA
- VISA APPLICATION FORM duly filled (one for each per passenger) with all requested information
- ONE COLOUR PASSPORT SIZE PHOTO (4.3 cm x 5.5 cm)
- COLOUR PASSPORT COPY (Including Amendment page, if Children names are in the passports)
- VALIDITY EXTENSION PAGE OF THE PASSPORT (If passports validity are extended)
- LAST PAGE OF THE PASSPORT (for Indian nationals only - last page to be attached)
- Children with separate passport need separate entry visa (visa charges apply)
- All children applying for visas below 21 years have to provide scanned copy of their birth certificates in English. In an event the document is in any other language other than English same needs to be translated by a notarized translator.
- Children travelling with anybody other than their biological parents need to obtain a no objection letter (notarized) from both father and mother in order to apply for visa.
Please note that passport and photos must be sent in JPEG file.
Fee payment should be done by Credit Card, Credit Card link or bank transfer, (details and form will be provided by Agent upon visa request) directly to appointed Agent and before the Visa processing. Should passenger cancel, for any reason, the Cruise, Visa already applied for, will not be reimbursed.
Once Visas are granted, Agent will send them directly to requester, via e-mail. Passengers have to print a copy of same which can be considered valid both for the flight embarkation and for the UAE Immigration at Port and Airport.
Information concerning Visa to Oman:
All in-transit cruise passengers will get visa upon arrival to Oman and landing card for a period of not more than 24 hrs. Any passenger wishing to disembark or stay longer than 24 hours in Oman, should follow the visa obtaining procedures applicable to Oman.
Kindly note that Israel and Bangladesh passport holders are not allowed to enter or to stay aboard vessel during the Omani call. No discrimination will be raised in case of Israeli Visa or stamp evident on any nationality passport for previous visits. For your guidance, please note official Oman Government
website
Information concerning Visa to Bahrain
All in-transit cruise passengers will get visa upon arrival to Bahrain and landing card for a stay no longer than 24 hrs. Any passenger wishing to disembark or stay longer than 24 hours in Bahrain should follow the visa obtaining procedures applicable to this country .
No discrimination will be raised in case of Israeli Visa or stamp evident on any nationality passport for previous visits. For your guidance, please note official Bahrain Government website
Information concerning Visa to Qatar
All in-transit cruise passengers will get visa upon arrival (V.O.A.) to Qatar for a stay no longer than 24 hrs. Any passenger wishing to disembark or stay longer than 24 hours in Qatar , they should follow the visa obtaining procedures applicable to this country .
No discrimination will be raised in case of Israeli Visa or stamp evident on any nationality passport for previous visits. For your guidance, please note official Qatar Government website
Information concerning Egypt (Suez Canal)
The Suez Canal is just a transit , no specific Visa required.
Information concerning Jordan (Aqaba)
All in-transit cruise passengers in transit will get entry stamp upon arrival to Aqaba, no specific Visa required.
Important note concerning transit countries (Jordan, Qatar, Oman, Bahrain) : the local Immigration can ask for some selected ones the Face to Face control or interview upon arrival before granting the pass or, in some cases, deny to go ashore. Should this occur they can stay onboard ship waiting for departure to next port.
“All information listed might be subject to changes and is updated on 01st October 2018. for the most current information please contact the related embassies/consulates”
Greenland: Travelling to Greenland is subject to specific Visa and Passport Requirements. Make sure you bring appropriate documents on board:
- A passport with at least 3 months residual validity is mandatorily required by local immigration authorities to embark the ship.
- Depending on your country, a valid visa to be allowed to disembark the ship in Greenland’s ports.
For the list of Countries with Visa Requirement and Visa-free Countries click
here.
Please note that any missing information or documentation may result in denied boarding or, in case of missing Visa when required, denied disembarkation in Greenland. Please note that any Visa should be arranged autonomously before the cruise.
For any additional information regarding document and visas, we strongly suggest you to consult the relevant authorities.
Additional information can be found
here.
Japan: From Jan 7th 2019, the Japanese government has introduced an International Tourist Tax of 1.000 JPY which will be applied to all passengers leaving the country by sea or air and who are headed to another country. The amount of 1000 JPY will be collected on board of our ships calling at Japanese ports and converted in US dollars using the exchange rate of the date of the departure. Invoice will be issued on board during your cruise. The information will also be included in the booking confirmation and in the e-ticket.
Exemptions: crew members, children under 2 years of age, guests going back to Japan due to adverse weather conditions or for reasons of force majeure.
South Africa: Passengers must hold valid passport with 6 months residual validity. Please check with any South African Embassy/Consulate if Visa prior to arrival needed according to your nationality
If you are travelling from/to South Africa with children under 18 years of age, please note that new regulations have recently been introduced. For details, please refer to the following websites:
For each child, parents must carry an unabridged birth certificate (English/bilingual) issued by an authorised office or agency.
Please contact your nearest South African Embassy or Consulate to have your certificate(s) validated for travel.
Please note that these regulations apply to travellers from all nationalities, including South African passport holders.
For all calls within UK and Ireland
United Kingdom:
European Community passengers must use their own valid Passport with at least residual validity 6 months at their arrival in UK. The European ID card is not accepted even in case willing to remain on board during the call in UK.
Passengers from other countries are kindly required to verify with UKBA (United Kingdom Border Agency) if eligible to travel in transit under the Visa Waiver Program or if they need a UK Visa prior to embarkation.
In absence of a Visa prior to embarkation, visiting in transit or staying on board the ship during a UK port of call without going ashore is not authorized and guests must disembark in the previous port. The granting of a Visa upon arrival for the selected nationalities is valid only in case of transit within 24 hours. In case of two or more consecutive UK ports, a pre-issue Visa prior to embarkation is mandatorily required for all nationalities (black & red) listed
here.
Ireland:
European Community passengers can use own passport or valid equivalent document.
Passengers from other countries need a valid passport with 3 residual months at the date of cruise end and are required to check their eligibility for the Irish Short Stay Transit Visa Waiver Programme which remains valid only if coming from UK main island ports except Channel Island and Northern Ireland ports. For additional information visit:
www.inis.gov.ie.
Nationalities listed
here must have a pre-issued Irish Visa as not allowed to remain on board ship during the calls in any Irish port. For further information click
here.
In absence of a Visa prior to embarkation, visiting in transit or staying on board the ship during an Irish port of call without going ashore is not authorized and guests must disembark in the previous port.
In absence of required documents, guests will not be allowed to embark in their booked home ports or remain on board the ship. Even in case of possession of a European/Schengen Residence permit, all involved guests must comply with the rules related to their home passport.
Tunisia
Passengers with an EU or Schengen Area nationality will be allowed to embark with a valid national ID Card to travel abroad. This policy applies both for transits through Tunisia as well going ashore in Tunisia. Passengers from Non-Schengen Areas, they can embark with a valid passport (with suggested three months residual validity) only.
Turkey:
- If Passport (or I.D. Card) validity date is less than 65 days , holders will NOT be allowed to enter Turkey.
- It is also highly recommended to have minimum 180 day residual validity of Passport (or any other allowed document) for all Country Citizens, even when applying e-visa only through www.evisa.gov.tr. This to allow the system to grant the Visa.
- In case of non compliance of the above a penalty fee of TL 353,10 (appx.USD 160,00 / € 140,00) will be applied directly to the document holder.
This rule is valid also for all passengers in transit in any turkish port ; even though not subject to any Visa procedure.
West Indies/Antilles
Embarkation/Disembarkation from French Territories:
European Community passengers can Travel with valid ID card (automatically extended French ID card not accepted) ; We strongly recommend to use passport with 3 months residual validity in case of voyage interruption in any of the intransit islands whose only accepted document is passport.
Non European Passengers subject to Schengen Visa have to require the extension of same valid also for the French Overseas Territories.
USA Visa in some cases accepted for embarkation; please refer to Contact Center for further information.
Embarkation/Disembarkation from other territories : passport required. Visa rules applying according to the local Immigration Authorities.
Israel:
Passengers in transit can receive entry Visa upon arrival; for some nationalities Visa costs are charged ; restrictions applying to some nationalities whose entry is charged. Please refer to our Contact Center should you need further information.
Croatia, Montenegro:
European passengers can transit with ID card.
Non European passengers who are not subject to Schengen visa rules can transit just with own passport.
All other non-European passengers with valid Schengen visas are admitted in the concerned countries even without a specific local visa.
Russia:
St Petersburg, Sochi:
Passengers in transit can participate to MSC organized tours and receive entry permission without applying for Russian Visa.
From 1st October 2019, some cruise passengers visiting St Petersburg (Russia) can do so with an e-visa, available for some nationalities only, to be obtained before the cruise. Please refer to the site of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation for all information including eligible nationalities, timings and procedures to obtain the e-visa. Alternatively, the current procedure remains in place: all MSC Guests visiting St Petersburg with an MSC excursion do not need a visa, and benefit from the usual advantages of all MSC Excursions (direct assistance while on excursion, insurance, priority disembarkation, etc). Our offices are available to answer any doubt you may have or provide additional information if needed.
Bulgaria, Romania:
European passengers can travel with own passport. Please refer to our Contact center in case of additional or specific information.
Non European passengers who are not subject to Schengen visa rules can transit just with own passport.
All other non-European passengers with valid Schengen visas are admitted in the concerned countries even without a specific local visa.
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The above information is up to date as of the on-line publishing and may be subject to eventual changes without further notice; it is merely explanatory and non-committing. Please refer to your local authorities (embassies, consulates, etc.) to verify the accuracy of this information and any other detail you may need.
