Visa Required for European Union?

[scothen]

Has anyone been on a European cruise recently? If so, was a Visa required in addition to a Passport?

 

[PrincessShmoo]

Has anyone been on a European cruise recently? If so, was a Visa required in addition to a Passport?

I believe the only cruises that required a visa in the past were the Baltic ones.

A typical Mediterranean cruise doesn't require visas. Yet.

 

[scothen]

Thank you! Just wondering about the chatter concerning Americans needing a Schengen visa.

 

[PrincessShmoo]

Thank you! Just wondering about the chatter concerning Americans needing a Schengen visa.

Well, the EU is "talking" about requiring visas from US passport holders. But it's not happened yet. Maybe a long time before it does. If it does. Lots of talk on the other side about "alienating" US travelers with such a requirement.

 

[jdb in AZ]

Thank you! Just wondering about the chatter concerning Americans needing a Schengen visa.

Any changes will come with a lot of advance notice.

 

[SuperDry]

Any changes will come with a lot of advance notice.

Not always. Even first world nations sometimes make changes in this area with little or or even zero notice. Remember that earlier this year, the United States made entry prohibited for certain people with no advance notice. Over 100 people that boarded flights to the US with valid travel documents were taken into custody upon arrival because the law changed while they were in flight, with no grace period. One would hope that the EU would not do anything as unreasonable as that, but you never know.

 

[janiebubble]

I believe the only cruises that required a visa in the past were the Baltic ones.

A typical Mediterranean cruise doesn't require visas. Yet.

There is no need for a visa for a Baltic cruise at present unless you wish to disembark in Russia not on a tour (either Disney or privately arranged). Otherwise you're ok without.

In response to the OPs question, the talk of EU visas being needed by US citizens is because of a lack of reciprocity. The US still won't give 5 EU countries visa free travel so the European Parliament in March this year said unless there was equal reciprocal arrangements they would withdraw the right. They argued if a US citizen can enter all of the EU without a visa, all EU citizens should be able to enter the US in the same way. This is of course for a limited period of time (90 days or less in EU). The European Parliament isn't a law making body however, so any change to this rule would be protracted.

 

[bumbershoot]

Not always. Even first world nations sometimes make changes in this area with little or or even zero notice. Remember that earlier this year, the United States made entry prohibited for certain people with no advance notice. Over 100 people that boarded flights to the US with valid travel documents were taken into custody upon arrival because the law changed while they were in flight, with no grace period. One would hope that the EU would not do anything as unreasonable as that, but you never know.

Properly civilized countries wouldn't do such a thing imo.

 

[wilkeliza]

Currently on a nom-Disney Mediterranean cruise and no visa was required.

 

[jdb in AZ]

Not always. Even first world nations sometimes make changes in this area with little or or even zero notice. Remember that earlier this year, the United States made entry prohibited for certain people with no advance notice. Over 100 people that boarded flights to the US with valid travel documents were taken into custody upon arrival because the law changed while they were in flight, with no grace period. One would hope that the EU would not do anything as unreasonable as that, but you never know.

If the EU were planning to be as unreasonable as some members of the U.S. govt, I think they would've reacted before now.

 

[AquaDame]

Just got back from the Norway cruise on Sunday - no need for a Schengen visa. We went through the Netherlands and of course Denmark/Norway.

 

[BuzzLightyearInTampa]

There is no need for a visa for a Baltic cruise at present unless you wish to disembark in Russia not on a tour (either Disney or privately arranged). Otherwise you're ok without.

In response to the OPs question, the talk of EU visas being needed by US citizens is because of a lack of reciprocity. The US still won't give 5 EU countries visa free travel so the European Parliament in March this year said unless there was equal reciprocal arrangements they would withdraw the right. They argued if a US citizen can enter all of the EU without a visa, all EU citizens should be able to enter the US in the same way. This is of course for a limited period of time (90 days or less in EU). The European Parliament isn't a law making body however, so any change to this rule would be protracted.

The heart of the matter is that the US still treats the EU countries as 27 different countries, whereas the EU sees themselves as one entity. This particular visa issue has been stirring for a couple years. The Canadians had a similar issue with the EU, but recently relented and by the end of 2017 will allow all EU citizens to enter Canada without a visa. I just returned from a vacation in Germany and I would not be surprised at all if the EU went ahead with requiring Americans to get a visa. If there is anyone they are madder at currently than the UK, it is the US.

 

[OKW Lover]

Has anyone been on a European cruise recently? If so, was a Visa required in addition to a Passport?

What country are you a citizen of?