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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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)