Cruises ride a wave of growth

Cruises are becoming increasingly popular again, but not all tourists know what documents are required for an enjoyable vacation, especially if shore excursions are planned.
One of the main advantages of a cruise vacation is the opportunity to see several countries at once. Although the shore excursions are short, they give a first impression of the country.
Many people forget that not all countries can be entered without a visa and passport, but on a cruise this is often overlooked because you are only on one excursion. However, this is a mistake.
An identity card is sufficient for travel within the EU, just as it is for the Schengen area. Outside the Schengen area, a passport is required. After Brexit, this also applies to the United Kingdom.
So before your cruise, find out which documents are required for entry into the countries on your itinerary. This will ensure that your trip is comfortable and hassle-free.

Some countries require a visa for entry, even for a short time on a cruise. For this reason, many cruise lines make a passport a condition of travel.
German citizens do not need a visa for most countries, but there are some countries that require a visa even for short visits. In such cases, special cruise visas are used to simplify the entry procedure for tourists. They allow you to visit the country without a full tourist visa.
Therefore, when planning a cruise, find out in advance whether you need a visa to enter the countries on the itinerary. If so, apply for a tourist or cruise visa in advance to avoid any problems during the trip. This way you can enjoy shore excursions anywhere in the world with peace of mind!

Here you can find out how the individual countries regulate visas for cruise travelers.
All travelers who meet the requirements and wish to enter the U.S. by air or sea must obtain the appropriate visas or ESTA authorizations. Travelers who are eligible for visa-free travel under the VWP program must obtain an Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA) before boarding an aircraft.
Unlike the US, Canada does not require an Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) for travelers arriving by sea or land. However, it pays to be cautious: Guests traveling to Canada with a U.S. cruise line, for example, must obtain an ETA if they plan to arrive by air.
In Egypt, for example, guests will receive an expedited travel visa upon arrival on the ship, which is available free of charge and without prior request. In Jordan, all travelers also receive a collective or entry visa, which does not require pre-approval.

For Cape Verde, the mandatory registration with the Cape Verdean police has been lifted for cruise passengers. However, for air travel, German nationals should register online with the Cape Verdean National Police at least five days in advance, providing passport details, travel dates, flight number and accommodation. In Malaysia, cruise passengers are also exempt from registering for an electronic entry card (E-Arrival Card).
Due to the short stays and onward travel to other destinations, some countries offer transit visas for cruisers instead of standard visas. In the case of Sri Lanka, for example, a transit visa is required in advance and is mandatory for embarkation.

Children now need a regular passport if their children's passport has expired. From 2024, children's passports will no longer be issued. It is therefore better to apply for a regular passport for your child in advance, as this will take longer.
The validity period of the passport should exceed the end date of the cruise by at least 6 months. It is better to apply for a new passport in advance if the old passport expires earlier. The passport should also have blank pages on both sides for stamping.
It is also advisable to carry a passport with you on EU cruises, just in case. Due to unforeseen circumstances, the itinerary may change and it may be necessary to enter a country for which an identity card is not sufficient. In emergency situations, a passport may also be required in a hospital outside the Schengen area.
To summarize: To ensure that your cruise runs smoothly, you should make sure you have enough valid passports for all family members in advance. This will save you a lot of trouble on your trip!

Please note the special features that may arise during your cruise. In some cases, individual travelers going to the cruise ship's departure point must comply with the entry regulations themselves. This applies, for example, to the Dominican Republic and Barbados - where military clothing and military accessories such as rucksacks or bags are prohibited.
There are other things to bear in mind. For example, no visa is required to enter Japan, but two color copies of your passport are required. Similar requirements apply to Thailand.
As for time on land, remember that you will always have a copy of the document with you. However, even in countries with high crime rates, it is advisable to leave the original passport on board to avoid theft and carry a copy with you.

It is advisable to contact the transport company in good time before the trip to find out about all documents and entry requirements. Almost every provider provides detailed information on their website.
The ship manifest, also known as "online check-in", plays an important role here. It is important to know that the manifest does not replace a passport or visa. This document is a form in which passengers enter their personal details. Different shipping companies set their own deadlines for completing the manifest, but in most cases it is recommended to provide this information at least four to six weeks before departure. The manifest provides the shipping company with the necessary information about the passengers, which facilitates clearance and border controls.
It is therefore important to know the requirements for the manifest in advance and to complete it in good time to ensure a smooth start to an enjoyable and memorable cruise vacation.