my experience on cruise vacation from immigrant point of view

[injrav]

Hi Friends
This is my first thread in IV
I am posting my experience on cruise vacation mostly from immigrant point of view.

I am on H1 visa , valid till 2012 end..
Most of below things applicable for H1 guys only.. I am not addressing GC holders/Citizens

My trip:Newyork to Bahamas
Ship name: NCL Gem
Sailed dates: 11 December to 18th December

1. Make sure you have passports/visas are valid and they are not going to expire in next 6 months
2. if you are traveling to Bahamas,, then 100% you need Bahamas visa [I am talking about H1 guys] whether they check at port of entry or not.. But as per rule you need Visa.. For me they checked each and every time
3. There are two ways to get Bahamas visa 1. by post 2. in person..... If you choose in person, then its not needed to visit Bahamas consulate by all family members.. Only one person can submit applications for all family members... NOTE: Bahamas new york consulate is not having same day service.. You have to revisit the office as per token given to you [Mostly next day]
4. There is no need to carry your passport in Bahamas,, you can safely place it inside your state room of ship and go outside just with identity card given by Ship people [ID card means, a credit card sized smart card which will acts as your id card as well as room key]. By this you can enjoy in beach with out worrying much about spoiling/loosing passports.
5. At the time of boarding [New York], they did not collected my I-94 card.. But while coming back to New york[disembarkation], they collected my I-94 card and issued a brand new I-94 card

I hope I covered all details related to immigration matters of cruise vacation
Let me know if you have any doubts and need more details


Cruise vacation is really an enjoyable vacation... You will get relax like any thing.
So if you have opportunity and time don't miss

[LONGGCQUE]

Thanks for sharing.

[ghost]

For those of you planning a cruise/vacation to caribbean, best times to visit are Mar/Apr...watch out for the hurricane season...June too Soon, July Stand By, September to Remember, November It's all over!

[thomachan72]

Originally Posted by injrav

Hi Friends
This is my first thread in IV
I am posting my experience on cruise vacation mostly from immigrant point of view.

I am on H1 visa , valid till 2012 end..
Most of below things applicable for H1 guys only.. I am not addressing GC holders/Citizens

My trip:Newyork to Bahamas
Ship name: NCL Gem
Sailed dates: 11 December to 18th December

1. Make sure you have passports/visas are valid and they are not going to expire in next 6 months
2. if you are traveling to Bahamas,, then 100% you need Bahamas visa [I am talking about H1 guys] whether they check at port of entry or not.. But as per rule you need Visa.. For me they checked each and every time
3. There are two ways to get Bahamas visa 1. by post 2. in person..... If you choose in person, then its not needed to visit Bahamas consulate by all family members.. Only one person can submit applications for all family members... NOTE: Bahamas new york consulate is not having same day service.. You have to revisit the office as per token given to you [Mostly next day]
4. There is no need to carry your passport in Bahamas,, you can safely place it inside your state room of ship and go outside just with identity card given by Ship people [ID card means, a credit card sized smart card which will acts as your id card as well as room key]. By this you can enjoy in beach with out worrying much about spoiling/loosing passports.
5. At the time of boarding [New York], they did not collected my I-94 card.. But while coming back to New york[disembarkation], they collected my I-94 card and issued a brand new I-94 card

I hope I covered all details related to immigration matters of cruise vacation
Let me know if you have any doubts and need more details


Cruise vacation is really an enjoyable vacation... You will get relax like any thing.
So if you have opportunity and time don't miss

How much is the average expense?

[injrav]

for us [me and my wife] total expenses are 1800$
we booked balcony state room
it includes
130$ insurance
24$ tip per day
200$ towards shore excursions
40$ towards transport expenses [train ticket+taxi ticket etc]
NOTE: if we take any hot drink, then expenses will shoot up to sky

[immigrationvoice12]

I do have to add that as OP suggested technically visa is required, practically i went twice in 2009 to Bahama's without visa. AS he mentioned you keep your passport in your state room back on the ship, so no way to check it. Just carry your ship's ID and another form of id (like DL) you should be good.
And dont forget to have FUN !!!

[LostInGCProcess]

Originally Posted by injrav

for us [me and my wife] total expenses are 1800$
we booked balcony state room
it includes
130$ insurance
24$ tip per day
200$ towards shore excursions
40$ towards transport expenses [train ticket+taxi ticket etc]
NOTE: if we take any hot drink, then expenses will shoot up to sky

Thanks for the post. It was very informative. How much is the visa fee for each individual, to the Bahamas?

[mdcowboy]

Originally Posted by injrav

Hi Friends
This is my first thread in IV
I am posting my experience on cruise vacation mostly from immigrant point of view.

I am on H1 visa , valid till 2012 end..
Most of below things applicable for H1 guys only.. I am not addressing GC holders/Citizens

My trip:Newyork to Bahamas
Ship name: NCL Gem
Sailed dates: 11 December to 18th December

1. Make sure you have passports/visas are valid and they are not going to expire in next 6 months
2. if you are traveling to Bahamas,, then 100% you need Bahamas visa [I am talking about H1 guys] whether they check at port of entry or not.. But as per rule you need Visa.. For me they checked each and every time
3. There are two ways to get Bahamas visa 1. by post 2. in person..... If you choose in person, then its not needed to visit Bahamas consulate by all family members.. Only one person can submit applications for all family members... NOTE: Bahamas new york consulate is not having same day service.. You have to revisit the office as per token given to you [Mostly next day]
4. There is no need to carry your passport in Bahamas,, you can safely place it inside your state room of ship and go outside just with identity card given by Ship people [ID card means, a credit card sized smart card which will acts as your id card as well as room key]. By this you can enjoy in beach with out worrying much about spoiling/loosing passports.
5. At the time of boarding [New York], they did not collected my I-94 card.. But while coming back to New york[disembarkation], they collected my I-94 card and issued a brand new I-94 card

I hope I covered all details related to immigration matters of cruise vacation
Let me know if you have any doubts and need more details


Cruise vacation is really an enjoyable vacation... You will get relax like any thing.
So if you have opportunity and time don't miss

Thanks for sharing your experience. Do you have to have a valid visa stamp on your passport or an expired visa and a current I797 with the new I-94 is also good?

[goel_ar]

Originally Posted by LostInGCProcess

Thanks for the post. It was very informative. How much is the visa fee for each individual, to the Bahamas?

click here - Bahama Visa Fees for LostinGCProcess

[injrav]

Originally Posted by mdcowboy

Thanks for sharing your experience. Do you have to have a valid visa stamp on your passport or an expired visa and a current I797 with the new I-94 is also good?

I traveled with valid USA visa and Bahamas tourist visa
So no idea about other options

[injrav]

Originally Posted by LostInGCProcess

Thanks for the post. It was very informative. How much is the visa fee for each individual, to the Bahamas?

sorry Friends
I forgot actual Bahamas single entry visa fee
But it is either 60$ or 70$ per person

[LostInGCProcess]

Originally Posted by goel_ar

click here - Bahama Visa Fees for LostinGCProcess

Thanks, Goel. That was nice !!!

[wildcat1313]

Originally Posted by injrav

Hi Friends
This is my first thread in IV
I am posting my experience on cruise vacation mostly from immigrant point of view.

I am on H1 visa , valid till 2012 end..
Most of below things applicable for H1 guys only.. I am not addressing GC holders/Citizens

My trip:Newyork to Bahamas
Ship name: NCL Gem
Sailed dates: 11 December to 18th December

1. Make sure you have passports/visas are valid and they are not going to expire in next 6 months
2. if you are traveling to Bahamas,, then 100% you need Bahamas visa [I am talking about H1 guys] whether they check at port of entry or not.. But as per rule you need Visa.. For me they checked each and every time
3. There are two ways to get Bahamas visa 1. by post 2. in person..... If you choose in person, then its not needed to visit Bahamas consulate by all family members.. Only one person can submit applications for all family members... NOTE: Bahamas new york consulate is not having same day service.. You have to revisit the office as per token given to you [Mostly next day]
4. There is no need to carry your passport in Bahamas,, you can safely place it inside your state room of ship and go outside just with identity card given by Ship people [ID card means, a credit card sized smart card which will acts as your id card as well as room key]. By this you can enjoy in beach with out worrying much about spoiling/loosing passports.
5. At the time of boarding [New York], they did not collected my I-94 card.. But while coming back to New york[disembarkation], they collected my I-94 card and issued a brand new I-94 card

I hope I covered all details related to immigration matters of cruise vacation
Let me know if you have any doubts and need more details


Cruise vacation is really an enjoyable vacation... You will get relax like any thing.
So if you have opportunity and time don't miss

We took the cruise to Bahamas in May 2009 from Miami and we didn't take any Bahamian visa. I'm pretty sure its not required. I'm on H1b. The crew gave us a temporary card when we disembarked at Nassau and collected it when we came back.

[injrav]

Originally Posted by wildcat1313

We took the cruise to Bahamas in May 2009 from Miami and we didn't take any Bahamian visa. I'm pretty sure its not required. I'm on H1b. The crew gave us a temporary card when we disembarked at Nassau and collected it when we came back.

Bahamas visa needed as per rule
I have no idea whether some ships are ignoring this or not?
But Norwegian cruise lines checked twice
1. at the time of embarkation -- they sent out few guys who do not have visa and gave them credit for future cruise
2. at the time of disembarkation-- to make sure whether I traveled with valid visa or not
for full details check
Bahamas Consulate General: Requirements
Again:
I am talking about H1 guys and Indian citizens
No idea about others

[dealsnet]

For GC holders and citizens, visa is not required. They didn't think about H1B, B1/B2 guys in the ship. That is why they didn't asked for it.

Originally Posted by wildcat1313

We took the cruise to Bahamas in May 2009 from Miami and we didn't take any Bahamian visa. I'm pretty sure its not required. I'm on H1b. The crew gave us a temporary card when we disembarked at Nassau and collected it when we came back.