Many people overlook the passport requirements for a cruise to Australia from USA. While you may know a passport is required when you cruise in Australia, you may be surprised to find out that this isn’t all you need. If you show up to board your cruise to Australia from USA without the proper documentation, you may be denied entry on the ship. Not only will the cruise lines deny you entrance, they won’t usually refund your money. It’s your responsibility to make sure you have what you need before you show up for your cruises. Here are some things to keep in mind when you plan to cruise to Australia from USA ports.
Give the gift of the high seas! Incredible deals on last-minute cruises starting at only $49.
Cruise to Australia from USA- Visas
There are 3 different visa options for those looking to travel Australia. You must have a visa if you want to get off the ship. An ETA visa is a visa that is stored electronically for those looking to visit Australia for under 3 months. These are the most popular visas for those looking to cruise Australia from the US. It costs $20 for this visa, and it’s valid for up to 12 months from the date of application. In order to qualify for this visa you need to be outside of Australia, and hold a passport from the US. As long as you have your passport and it’s current, you can apply for the ETA passport online. The second option for a visa is for those who aren’t from the US or hold a US passport. Many people will encounter this if they are taking a world cruise. Many trips to Australia will originate in the United States, but have already come from somewhere else. If you are taking a world cruise and will be making the portion of the cruise to Australia from the US, you’ll need to look in to the eVisitor visa. To be eligible for this you need to be outside of Australia and hold a passport from one of the listed countries. There is no fee for this visa. It will also grant you up to 3 months in Australia, just like the ETA passport.
Listed Countries
- Andorra
- Austria
- Belgium
- Bulgaria
- Cyprus
- Czech Republic
- Denmark
- Estonia
- Finland
- France
- Germany
- Greece
- Hungary
- Iceland
- Italy
- Latvia
- Liechtenstein
- Lithuania
- Luxembourg
- Malta
- Monaco
- The Netherlands
- Norway
- Poland
- Romania
- Republic of San Marino
- Slovak Republic
- Slovenia
- Spain
- Sweden
- Switzerland
- UK
- Vatican City
There is a 3rd option for those who are going to cruise to Australia from USA but plan on extending their vacation beyond 3 months. While you won’t need to worry about your cruise itself lasting that long, many people opt for Australia travel packages that include an extended cruise, plus a land excursion that is a few weeks long. A lot of people who are going to participate in these Australia vacations will start by leaving to cruise to Australia from USA ports, then spend the rest of their time exploring this great island. If this is your situation, you need to apply for a tourist visa. This will allow you to stay in Australia for more than 3 months. In order to be approved for this type of visa you have to have health insurance that cover your stay. The health care system in Australia won’t cover visitors who become sick or injured. When you leave to go back home, you’ll need to provide proof that you aren’t leaving with any outstanding financial obligations to Australia. You’ll need to provide proof that you have enough money to cover your expenses on your Australia getaways.
Dealing with the Cruise Lines
In most cases the cruise lines are going to help you get everything set up. The first 2 visa types can be applied for online. When you book your vacation Australia you’ll be given a packet of information. This is going to include all the information you need regarding the travel requirements for the different ports you’ll be stopping at. If there is any question about any of the information, you should consult your travel specialist right away. Some of the visas can take some time to issue, so you don’t want to end up stuck if you cruise to Australia from USA and can’t get on the ship because of a paperwork issue.
Search by Cruise Destination on Travelocity — Lowest Cruise Prices, GUARANTEED