Important information for anyone traveling from the USA to or through the UK on or after Jan. 8, 2025 (new UK ETA Visa requirement).

[Bad Pink Tink 2.0]

I got this email today from Disney Cruise Line, as I have a cruise on The Fantasy from Southampton , England in August 2025

"As you prepare for your cruise aboard the Disney Fantasy, we wanted to share an important update regarding travel documents required for entering the United Kingdom.

On January 8, 2025, the United Kingdom changed its entry requirements. Based on your nationality, you and your traveling party may be required to obtain a United Kingdom Visa or electronic travel authorisation (ETA) to enter the country by air or sea.

Full requirements for Guests of all citizenships may be found by visiting our website.

As a reminder, all documents must be valid for the entire length of the voyage, unless otherwise noted. Guests without proper documentation will be denied boarding. When dropping off luggage upon arrival, please keep all documents in your possession to present during check-in at the terminal."

 

[pjacobi]

Here is the symbol you are looking for on your passport cover.

The symbol means your passport contain an RFID chip. When scanned by a reader, the chip transmits your passport number. The passport number is used to look up your records electronically. If your electronic records indicate some type of immigration problem or don't match what is printed in your passport, then there is a problem!


-Paul

 

[bookbabe626]

The symbol means your passport contain an RFID chip. When scanned by a reader, the chip transmits your passport number. The passport number is used to look up your records electronically. If your electronic records indicate some type of immigration problem or don't match what is printed in your passport, then there is a problem!


-Paul

Yes, and at Heathrow the signs specifically indicate needing that symbol to go through those expedited lanes at immigration. They list the major visiting countries, but anyone with that symbol can use those lanes.

 

[Woodview]

Yes, and at Heathrow the signs specifically indicate needing that symbol to go through those expedited lanes at immigration. They list the major visiting countries, but anyone with that symbol can use those lanes.

OR any other European Country , Not just Heathrow in London

England

 

[bookbabe626]

OR any other European Country , Not just Heathrow in London

England

Good to know. We only ever fly into Heathrow since that's our only direct flight to Europe, but handy for others wanting to use the expedited lanes elsewhere.

 

[SirDuff]

OR any other European Country , Not just Heathrow in London

England

Not every other European country. Some other European countries. Some don't have any e-gates at all; some are starting to introduce them but aren't in full use and may not be in use at the time you are entering/exiting (like Germany); and some (like Switzerland) only allow the e-gates to be used by those with Swiss or EU passports.

 

[Dznypal]

sorry but I already have a few questions.
we just got new passports and have the symbol on the front
so do I just need to take a pic of that to upload the passport.

also Im assuming this whole process is best to use the app on your phone so you can take the pics and will they automatically upload to the website
how do I find the correct app---Im always afraid Ill get into something I shouldnt

we are going on a cruise that leaves out of Southampton with stops in Germany Netherlands Norway and Copenhagen so do I need that extra card also Im sorry I cant remember the initals for this one

I think this is the card that if your over 70 theres no charge..
where do I do to sign up for this one if I need it

any help would be greatly appreciated
thanks all

 

[distherapy]

sorry but I already have a few questions.
we just got new passports and have the symbol on the front
so do I just need to take a pic of that to upload the passport.

also Im assuming this whole process is best to use the app on your phone so you can take the pics and will they automatically upload to the website
how do I find the correct app---Im always afraid Ill get into something I shouldnt

we are going on a cruise that leaves out of Southampton with stops in Germany Netherlands Norway and Copenhagen so do I need that extra card also Im sorry I cant remember the initals for this one

I think this is the card that if your over 70 theres no charge..
where do I do to sign up for this one if I need it

any help would be greatly appreciated
thanks all

Use this to start and use the links here for the app - https://www.gov.uk/guidance/apply-for-an-electronic-travel-authorisation-eta

When I did it, I had trouble getting my phone to find the chip in my passport (there is a step where it asks you to put your phone on the chip). In the examples it gave in the app, it looked like the chip would be on the front of the passport, but on the new US passports, the chip is inside the back page. Once I figured that out, it was easy.

 

[StephPlum]

Use this to start and use the links here for the app - https://www.gov.uk/guidance/apply-for-an-electronic-travel-authorisation-eta

When I did it, I had trouble getting my phone to find the chip in my passport (there is a step where it asks you to put your phone on the chip). In the examples it gave in the app, it looked like the chip would be on the front of the passport, but on the new US passports, the chip is inside the back page. Once I figured that out, it was easy.

Good to know about the placement of the chip. I did my app and it was approved even though I could never get my phone to find the chip in the front of my passport. I was worried I had a defective passport.

 

[sayhello]

sorry but I already have a few questions.
we just got new passports and have the symbol on the front
so do I just need to take a pic of that to upload the passport.

also Im assuming this whole process is best to use the app on your phone so you can take the pics and will they automatically upload to the website
how do I find the correct app---Im always afraid Ill get into something I shouldnt

we are going on a cruise that leaves out of Southampton with stops in Germany Netherlands Norway and Copenhagen so do I need that extra card also Im sorry I cant remember the initals for this one

I think this is the card that if your over 70 theres no charge..
where do I do to sign up for this one if I need it

any help would be greatly appreciated
thanks all

There are 2 new Travel Authorizations that are currently being discussed. One, the UK ETA (Electronic Travel Authorization) is the one that already went into effect on January 8, 2025. So you will need that one to go to Southampton.

The official UK website is www.gov.uk. The page to get the info about the app is https://www.gov.uk/guidance/using-the-uk-eta-app This page has all the info you need to download and use the official app.

Do not go to any other website for this. There are a bunch of scammy websites that will get you your ETA, but will charge you excessive amounts of money in fees to get it for you, and you really don't need that. Currently the UK ETA costs £10, which today is about $12.30 USD.

Everyone is charged for the UK ETA. There is no waiver for people over 70 for this one.

The second Travel Authorization is the European Union's (EU) ETIAS (European Travel Information and Authorisation System). There is currently no date set for the ETIAS to be required. If it becomes a requirement before your cruise (you don't say when the cruise is) then you will ALSO need the ETIAS for Germany, the Netherlands, Norway & Copenhagen (Denmark). Since the UK is no longer part of the EU, you would need BOTH the ETA *and* the ETIAS, since they cover different geographic areas. Again, this is only if your cruise happens *after* the ETIAS takes effect, which could be late spring 2025, but nobody knows the exact date yet.

You will need a different app for the ETIAS, but I don't have the info on that yet.

This is the one that won't charge for people under 18 or over 70.

Here's another thread where the ETIAS is being discussed. You'll need to keep an eye on this. We'll be sure to update that thread when a date is announced.

https://www.disboards.com/threads/s...rom-the-uk-eta-no-effective-date-yet.3960901/

I hope this helps! Feel free to ask any other questions you may have!

Sayhello

 

[Bad Pink Tink 2.0]

I meant to update this a few days ago. Disney are sending information to everyone booked on the summer 2025 European cruises which depart from Southampton , England.

01/27/2025

Reservation #: xxxxxxxx

Dear xxxxxxx

As you prepare for your cruise aboard the Disney Fantasy, we wanted to share an important update regarding travel documents required for entering the United Kingdom.

On January 8, 2025, the United Kingdom changed its entry requirements. Based on your nationality, you and your traveling party may be required to obtain a United Kingdom Visa or electronic travel authorisation (ETA) to enter the country by air or sea.

Full requirements for Guests of all citizenships may be found by visiting our website.

As a reminder, all documents must be valid for the entire length of the voyage, unless otherwise noted. Guests without proper documentation will be denied boarding. When dropping off luggage upon arrival, please keep all documents in your possession to present during check-in at the terminal.

We appreciate you sailing with us and look forward to welcoming you aboard soon.

Sincerely,

The Cast and Crew
Disney Cruise Line

 

[pjacobi]

Unfortunately, there are now a whole lot of scam website for ETA application. Some sites just tack on an extra fee that is totally unnecessary. Other scam sites steal you information and your money.

Make sure to apply to the official UK website and not a third party!


-Paul

 

[sayhello]

Unfortunately, there are now a whole lot of scam website for ETA application. Some sites just tack on an extra fee that is totally unnecessary. Other scam sites steal you information and your money.

Make sure to apply to the official UK website and not a third party!


-Paul

I've already mentioned this, but thanks for the repeat.

Sayhello

 

[Dznypal]

Thanks all for all helpful advice
Where I stand now is have the app now on my phone. Just to make sure I have the right app. The icon is a white crown on a blue background
Is this right

About the passport I’ve been reading about a symbol on the front
Our passport has this.
Do I take a pic of this or is it the picture page
I also need to one this for my DH.
After I get done doing mine can I just log out go back in and do the same for him
Thanks
Sorry it’s a blue crown on a white background I had it the other way around

 

[SirDuff]

Thanks all for all helpful advice
Where I stand now is have the app now on my phone. Just to make sure I have the right app. The icon is a white crown on a blue background
Is this right

About the passport I’ve been reading about a symbol on the front
Our passport has this.
Do I take a pic of this or is it the picture page
I also need to one this for my DH.
After I get done doing mine can I just log out go back in and do the same for him
Thanks
Sorry it’s a blue crown on a white background I had it the other way around

You really, really, need to read the instructions. You do not take a picture at all - you use your phone to scan your passport (by laying the phone against the passport) to read the chip. Think of it as using a similar system as something like ApplePay.

Again, read all the instructions on the link that has been shared a few times. The specific place for your question about the chip is here: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/using-the-uk-eta-app#scan-your-passport

It even has helpful pictures.

 

[DollyM]

You really, really, need to read the instructions. You do not take a picture at all - you use your phone to scan your passport (by laying the phone against the passport) to read the chip. Think of it as using a similar system as something like ApplePay.

Again, read all the instructions on the link that has been shared a few times. The specific place for your question about the chip is here: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/using-the-uk-eta-app#scan-your-passport

It even has helpful pictures.

This a helpful link. I applied for my ETA a few days ago and it was approved in about a minute. To get the app to find the chip in my passport (in the back cover), I had to take the case off my iPhone. I hadn't seen that web page and it does say to take the case off.

 

[Mathmagicland]

I so

Good to know, thanks for sharing! Definitely seems like something people should get sorted early to avoid any last-minute stress. Surprised ABD hasn’t sent anything out about this yet!

I don’t know that Disney will send anything. Their website info says people are responsible for an any needed travel docs. New Zealand added a travel visa requirement a month or two before the trip there and I don’t recall getting anything, though it has been a couple of years so I may not remember. I always check travel.state/gov for info on what may be required -
https://travel.state.gov/content/travel.html

From Disney -

What documentation is required for domestic and international travel?​

You are solely responsible for obtaining any documents required for your participation on the trip such as a valid ID, passport, all visas, vaccination certificates, and any other documents which may be required by your itinerary or as required for traveling with minors, and complying with any destination specific requirements or restrictions.

 

[aggiedog]

Agree. Very few companies would go thru the trouble of confirming ALL their guests have the correct documents. I suspect that would be a logistical nightmare, and would just result in quite a bit of "can't you just help me/do it for me?"

 

[sayhello]

I so

I don’t know that Disney will send anything. Their website info says people are responsible for an any needed travel docs. New Zealand added a travel visa requirement a month or two before the trip there and I don’t recall getting anything, though it has been a couple of years so I may not remember. I always check travel.state/gov for info on what may be required -
https://travel.state.gov/content/travel.html

From Disney -

What documentation is required for domestic and international travel?​

You are solely responsible for obtaining any documents required for your participation on the trip such as a valid ID, passport, all visas, vaccination certificates, and any other documents which may be required by your itinerary or as required for traveling with minors, and complying with any destination specific requirements or restrictions.

I don't remember hearing about the NZeTA from Disney, either. I'm pretty sure I read about it here on the ABD Forum, with folks heading on the early trips talking about needing one.

However, they did make sure we knew about the requirements for a Visa for the China trip, and they recommended an agency for that (CIBT). But that's just info, and it's up to you to make sure you get it.

Sayhello

 

[Dznypal]

sorry for the questions
I do have the symbol on the front of the passport
however there is sticker on the back that says to scan the QR code for important passport information and travel requirements
so in reading the instruction page it says that if it doenst read the symbol to scan the back but thats where I have this sticker
Im just trying to stay ahead and if I cant get the symblom to scan Id like to know what the nest step is

I wish they would make this easier by doing it the old fashion way I really hate having to navigate things on my phone
as you can see Im not tech savory at all-basically all I want a phone for is taking calls not all this other stuff
so please be patient with me
thanks