Visa suggested despite being on cruise?
Apr 3, 19, 7:55 pm
#1
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Original Poster
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: Sacramento
Programs: UA 2MM/GS; SPG Lifetime Plat; MHC Lifetime; Tar Heel forever; and I "Dig the Pig" at Piggly Wiggly
Posts: 12,151
Visa suggested despite being on cruise?
I will be on a cruise to Saint Petersburg in August, staying on the ship, 2 days and 1 night. I understand that so long as my excursions are organized by the cruise line or by a local tour company (Alla or similar), I will not need to secure my own personal visa. The group visa secured by the cruise line or the local tour company will suffice.
But what happens if there is a medical emergency with my travel partner or me....and we need to visit a doctor/hospital? Or if there is an emergency at home and I need to leave the ship, go to the airport, and fly home?
Would these unexpected events fall within the parameters of the group visa secured by the cruise line or the tour company.... so long as a representative of the cruise company escorts me to the hospital or the airport? Or will the immigration officials deny us the right to leave the ship as we would not have individual visas?
But what happens if there is a medical emergency with my travel partner or me....and we need to visit a doctor/hospital? Or if there is an emergency at home and I need to leave the ship, go to the airport, and fly home?
Would these unexpected events fall within the parameters of the group visa secured by the cruise line or the tour company.... so long as a representative of the cruise company escorts me to the hospital or the airport? Or will the immigration officials deny us the right to leave the ship as we would not have individual visas?
Jan 12, 20, 3:30 pm
#3
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: Los Angeles California
Posts: 1,324
I will be on a cruise to Saint Petersburg in August, staying on the ship, 2 days and 1 night. I understand that so long as my excursions are organized by the cruise line or by a local tour company (Alla or similar), I will not need to secure my own personal visa. The group visa secured by the cruise line or the local tour company will suffice.
But what happens if there is a medical emergency with my travel partner or me....and we need to visit a doctor/hospital? Or if there is an emergency at home and I need to leave the ship, go to the airport, and fly home?
Would these unexpected events fall within the parameters of the group visa secured by the cruise line or the tour company.... so long as a representative of the cruise company escorts me to the hospital or the airport? Or will the immigration officials deny us the right to leave the ship as we would not have individual visas?
But what happens if there is a medical emergency with my travel partner or me....and we need to visit a doctor/hospital? Or if there is an emergency at home and I need to leave the ship, go to the airport, and fly home?
Would these unexpected events fall within the parameters of the group visa secured by the cruise line or the tour company.... so long as a representative of the cruise company escorts me to the hospital or the airport? Or will the immigration officials deny us the right to leave the ship as we would not have individual visas?
Jan 19, 20, 10:09 pm
#4
Join Date: Jan 2020
Posts: 6
Look into St. Petersburg e-visa
Kevinsac, I was wondering what you ended up doing. I have a cruise in June and my tour operator in St Petersburg said no visa is required and thats fine. However my dad had taken ill and is bed ridden. Go forbid something happens on the 2 days I am in SPB, I may have to leave from St Petersburg airport to India(where my dad lives). Me and my family are US citizens by the way.
- Depending on your citizenship, you might be eligible to apply for the E-visa to St. Petersburg. Check out some articles about E-visa! For example, here is one article about St. Petersburg e-visas and how to apply.
- Here is another article that mentions the whole list of countries covered by the e-visa policy.
Last edited by Miles_with_smiles; Jan 21, 20 at 10:35 pm
Jan 20, 20, 11:00 pm
#5
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: Los Angeles California
Posts: 1,324
If you are travelling to St. Petersburg by cruise ship AND you book a tour with a local company, you won't have to apply for a visa, a tour company will prepare your documents. If it happens that you need to cancel the rest of your cruise and fly out of St. Petersburg, you will be stopped by the customs officers. As long as you are in St. Petersburg on a tour, you must stay with the tour group.
Depending on your citizenship, you might be eligible to apply for the E-visa to St. Petersburg. This visa is free, and you apply online. Having this e-visa will give you more flexibility, and will allow to travel to and from St.Petersburg. Make sure that you are covered by the e-visa regulations!
Depending on your citizenship, you might be eligible to apply for the E-visa to St. Petersburg. This visa is free, and you apply online. Having this e-visa will give you more flexibility, and will allow to travel to and from St.Petersburg. Make sure that you are covered by the e-visa regulations!
Mar 9, 20, 7:42 pm
#6
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Original Poster
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: Sacramento
Programs: UA 2MM/GS; SPG Lifetime Plat; MHC Lifetime; Tar Heel forever; and I "Dig the Pig" at Piggly Wiggly
Posts: 12,151
The reply from the tour operator was that I would be allowed to go to hospital for medical treatment or to a police station if I had legal issues. But I would not be allowed to leave the airport without an appropriately issued visa, which could take days or weeks.
when we were in St. Petersburg, I asked the same questions of the border control officials who were working there. One of the supervisors walked past as I was having my chat with the two officers. They all stated the same information that I had been given by the tour operator.
In summary, someone from the ship or the tour operator could escort me to hospital or police station, but I would have to leave Russia by ship and then fly home from the next port.
