Need Visa for Transatlantic?

[ahain]

We will be sailing the transitlanic on the dream next May. The cruise sales from Miami and has stops in Portugal and Spain before debarking in Barcelona. Will we need visas for this trip? Thanks for your help

 

[Calantha]

Will we need visas for this trip?

US Citizens do not need visas. If you are not US citizens, you will have to check with the Spanish/Portuguese embassies.

 

[ahain]

US Citizens do not need visas. If you are not US citizens, you will have to check with the Spanish/Portuguese embassies.

Thank you. Yes. We are US citizens! I appreciate your help!

 

[Girl of the South]

Actually, you will need a visa - it's electronic and it's an online registration for visiting countries in the EU. It becomes mandatory in May of 2023. It's called the ETIAS which stands for the European Travel Information and Authorization System. You will need it to visit any Schengen countries. Spain and Portugal included. I think it will cost €7? It's not up and running yet, but should be by the time you sail. Americans and Canadians are eligible to apply.

ETIAS Visa

 

[mmmears]

Yes, not a Visa, but the new ETIAS discussed above. It's new for the 2023 cruises. It's something that can be done online, so far easier than applying for a visa unless the information I found was false.

 

[Kwami]

Yes, not a Visa, but the new ETIAS discussed above. It's new for the 2023 cruises. It's something that can be done online, so far easier than applying for a visa unless the information I found was false.

That's correct, although the official website is full of contradictory and incomplete information. It looks like the same kind of thing that the US set up a few years ago. It's not a visa, but it allows them to know who you are and to run a background check with Interpol and other international organizations.

 

[Flossbolna]

That's correct, although the official website is full of contradictory and incomplete information. It looks like the same kind of thing that the US set up a few years ago. It's not a visa, but it allows them to know who you are and to run a background check with Interpol and other international organizations.

The link posted in this thread is not the official website. I understand that that hasn’t been set up yet. Official information can be found here: https://ec.europa.eu/home-affairs/p...an-travel-information-authorisation-system_en

Since it’s still being developed, we don’t know everything about it yet. The expectation is that it will be similar to getting an ESTA registration for visa free entry to the USA. This has been around a long time and for the large majority of people it is just a formality to fill out online before your trip.

As the link shared above and my own Google search shows, I would be careful when it goes online to make sure you apply through the official website! With the ESTA there are multiple websites that offer you a service to get the ESTA for you for a fee. When it started those were really good in confusing people thinking it was the official website. Not only would they charge you extra, you also would be giving up a lot of private information to a company for no reason! Any official EU website should have an „about us“ section stating that this the specific authority. I would also hope that DCL will share the link once it’s available with the guests.

 

[ahain]

Thanks so much! I will certainly be keeping my eye out for more information!

 

[cedricandsophie]

We just got off the transatlantic to Barcelona. Both Portugal and Spain websites seemed to indicate you needed to fill out a sone health form ahead of time and of course be vaccinated. But we got off multiple times and nothing was ever required. And DCL made no mention of anything other than carrying copies of passport, not original, and proof Of vaccination all of which is on my phone. When we got off in Barcelona the custom agent only looked at our passports quickly. If there are new requirements to get into countries DCL should have it all laid out ahead of time. But based on how other cruise lines handle it I have to say they don’t do a good job.

 

[anricat]

If something is required, the good news is that DCL will let us know. They are pretty good about that kind of thing.

I heard the ETIAS isn't happening until late 2023 or early 2024 so I wouldn't worry about it for May.

 

[hrhdhd]

ETIAS has been postponed until at least 2024.

 

[cedricandsophie]

We were on the transatlantic to Barcelona last may. There was an indication on the Spain web site that something was required but very confusing. We did nothing but have photo Id and vaccine card on phone which no one ever looked at. It’s a wonderful cruise

 

[Dug720]

Do they assist in getting the right visas somehow?

The only time I've experienced a cruise line assisting with visas was fathom which handled the visas for Cuba. Otherwise anything that is required will be on a list but YOU are expected to get it yourself. Just like getting a passport is on you, not the cruise line.