Jason

Me & my wife are planning to take a 7 day Western Carribean Cruise and we are wondering if we may have any immigration problems in ports of call (Cayman, Cozumel etc.) We both have Green Cards, which is all we need to take the cruise but it would suck to be stuck on the ship becasue Caymans require a visa or something like that. If any non-US citizens have taken a cruise over the past year or so and could share the experience we would greatly appreciate it.

Love

Try this:<BR>http://www.embassyworld.com/Visa_Sea...sa_Search.html

Love

Jason,<BR>I'm not sure if the suggestion before will actually explain anything. Since you are responsible to get all the necessary documents, I would strongly suggest that you contact the Mexican embassy and also the British as they are responsible for Cayman Islands. <BR>Don't assume anything!!! The cruiselines will not let you board unless you have all the neccesary paperwork, even if you do not plan getting off the ship. The ship has to "clear" with the local authorities, so everybody on that ship has to be "legal". <BR>Good luck, and have a great trip!

Jason

To: Love<BR><BR>I'm not sure I understand. All I need to board the ship is my Green Card. It departs from US and I'm a permanent resident of the US. So I'm not concerned about the cruise line refusing to board me but about not being able to go ashore.

Love

If you check any of the cruiselines websites and check their pages about what's needed before you board, it clearly states that you and only you are responsible to have all the needed documantation. A ship has to have ALL passengers cleared for all the ports, even when you do not plan on getting off the ship. It does not matter, as the local authorities will not clear the ship unless EVERYBODY is legal. That's why cruiseline will refuse boarding if you are not documented for all the ports. I've seen it happen, and the people not only did not enjoy their vacation, but also they did not get refunds, because they did not have all the needed docs.<BR>Again, I strongly urge to check on this, and if you have a problem with believing me, just call any of the cruislines customer service and ask.

gail

Let me try to help straighten out the confusion. A visa is what a specific country requires of a visitor to enter the country. Each country is free to make up its own rules. And they can vary by what country the visitor is from. For example, Canadians do not need a visa to enter the US, but those from some other country might.<BR><BR>So you need to contact the country to which you will be travelling - usually through the US Embassy. They will tell you if you need a visa and how to get it.<BR><BR>It is possible the cruiseline would have info, but I think it would be better to get info first hand - from country you would be visiting.

Caribbean Specialist

Don't forget you also need your passport from your home country.<BR><BR>Many countries do require visa's for citizen of countries other than Canada or the USA.

Jason

According to the cruise line the only document I need to board the ship is the Green Card. However, what is not stated is whether I need a visa to enter the islands. My guess is probably not but I just wanted to double check. Obviously, I'm not going to apply for a visa to spend 5 hours in Cozumel. That just doesn't make any sense.

Love

Jason,<BR>If you want to throw away your money, go for it, because if indeed you need a visa for let's say Mexico and you do not have one, the cruiseline will NOT let you come on noard. <BR>Think of it this way. Once the ship gets within 12 miles of shore, you are on Mexico's territory. It does not matter if you decide to stay on the ship, or visit Cozumel. The SHIP has to be legal according to Mexican immigration laws. Now if that means that your nationality requires a visa to visit Mexico and you don't have one, the ship will be turned away by Mexican authorities. Do you think the cruseline will do that to the rest of the customers. Of course not. So they will deny you boarding, if you are not documented for any and all the countries the ship is suppose to stop at.<BR>This is the last time I will respond to you, because either you are a troll or you are being stupidely stuborn. The cruiseline will NOT I repeat NOT refund your money if you don't have all the required documents. They will just tell you to have a safe flight home.

Rick

What citizenship are you? I'm Canadian and have never needed a visa for the Caribbean. All I need is a valid passport which the cruise line inspects. The only time I've ever needed a visa is in Turkey.<BR><BR>If in doubt, ask the cruise line. They have always been knowledgable of the local requirements.<BR><BR>P.S.<BR><BR>Unless I'm mistaken, the only place Green Cards mean anyting is in the USA. Elsewhere they are a useless piece of paper.

pam

Jason, I also have a permanent green card and I've been to Mexico, Grand Cayman, Aruba, Jamaica, Bahamas and they never require a visa from me.They only require visa from people who doesn't have the green card. If you can't take my word, type in "entry requirements for Mexico or Cayman" and you will get a lot of information. You can also call their Consular Office if you have any doubts. This is what I did before I went to these islands.

pam

P.S. Along with your permanent green card, please don't forget to bring your valid passport. Happy cruising!!!!

ale

Hi,<BR>Last year I took a cruise departing from Puerto Rico, and going through the Caribbean.<BR>I am a US legal resident with a residenny card (green card), my travel agent told me that I should have my valid passport, and that I should contact all the embassies of the ports the boat will visit to inquire whether I needed a Visa or not.<BR><BR>In fact, I had to change my original choice of a cruise, because I needed a visa for visiting Barbados, which I couldn't get on time for the cruise.<BR><BR>So i ended up booking a different cruise which didn't require a visa.<BR><BR>ale<BR><BR>