Travel documents & visas

MANDATORY TRAVEL DOCUMENTS

 1. Original Travel Documents*

International departures:

• Original Passport:

• South Africans require a valid passport. (We recommend 6 months validity)
• Foreign national passport holders require 6 months of validity (from the date of travel) 

Coastal Cruises

• Original SA ID Document is accepted for cruises not visiting foreign ports

2. A printed copy of the 2nd page of your cruise ticket(s) (barcoded page), one per person travelling

3. A printed copy of your Health Questionnaire completed a minimum of 6 hours before embarkation

4. Mandatory Travel Insurance: For your protection, an additional charge is included in your cruise fare for Mandatory Travel Insurance. This insurance is mandatory for all guests and includes cover for certain infectious or contagious disease (e.g. COVID-19) related risks, including cancellation, repatriation and medical expenses. Click here for more information.

View Full Travel Requirements

TRAVEL REQUIREMENTS

• The South African Department of Home Affairs requires all children under 18 years travelling through any South African port of entry to have the following:
  
  
  • a valid birth certificate containing both parents' personal details, including, at a minimum, their ID numbers and full names
  • An unabridged birth certificate (Not required for cruises not visiting foreign ports).

 

• Children under 18 years old travelling without their parent(s) need additional documentation to show consent.

For more information, click here

Visitors travelling to Qatar may be required to have a visitor’s health insurance policy which will protect them during their stay in Qatar, as a part of the Visa application process.

For more information on how to obtain a visitor’s health insurance please visit Ministry of Public Health - "Mandatory Health Insurance Scheme" or the VisitQatar Health Insurance page .

The Port of Sokhna serves as the gateway to Cairo. Please, note that as a commercial port, local regulations prohibit cruise guests from walking independently within the port premises. As no taxis are available within the port area, you will only be able to disembark if you purchase a shore excursion. MSC Cruises offers a wide range of excursions from Sokhna that will take you to Cairo and other exciting destinations in the area. You can book your excursions on our website to secure a seat in your favorite tour while saving up to 20%. In case you choose to book an excursion with a third-party operator, we kindly ask you to ensure that they have obtained the necessary permit from local authorities to access the port. Without this permit, they will not be able to enter the port premises.

FOR SCHENGEN AREA*  NATIONALITY GUESTS AND FOREIGNERS RESIDING IN SCHENGHEN AREA

 

• Please note Guests must present only valid passport with at least residual validity 3 months at their arrival in the UK.
• EU ID Card is not accepted, even in case willing to remain on board during the call in the UK.

 

*Travel requirements for Schengen guests extended to Bulgaria, Croatia, Romania, Cyprus, Ireland (Austria, Belgium, the Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, the Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden and Switzerland). If not Schengen passport holders but resident in the selected country please note that they must have valid residence permit issued by a Schengen country - not valid if under renewal. 

FOR OTHER GUESTS

 

Please check in the relevant Northern Europe cruises sections above the travel requirements.

Please click here for instructions on how to submit a request for the Transit e-visa by Sea.

 

Important: the https://visa.mofa.gov.sa/ website is in Arabic, to access the English version please click on the letter E in the top left-hand corner.

PASSENGERS BOARDING US CRUISES WHO HAVE VISITED CUBA SINCE AFTER 12th JANUARY 2021 SPECIFICATION

The USA Immigration has reiterated to all ESTA eligible passengers that, starting from the 7th of July 2023, those who have stayed in Cuba after January 12th, 2021 cannot travel to the United States simply through the Visa Free Travel Program (VWP) also know as ESTA. The mentioned VWP travel restriction also applies to individuals who have dual citizenship of a VWP country and Cuba at the time they apply for ESTA.

Passengers who have visited the island before 12th January 2021 are not affected by this measure.

Citizens of a Visa Waiver Program Country not notified about the issue, need to apply for a non-immigrant USA Visa well in advance: in case the cruise is imminent, guests can request an emergency visa appointment through https://ais.usvisa-info.com/en-it/niv including in the request the date and purpose of the trip, as well as the information contained in the U.S. Customs and Border Protection message received regarding the ESTA status.