Cruise ship passengers have been issued (Image: Getty)
Cruise passengers are being warned that a simple mistake could mean they are banned from even boarding their ship.
Travel expert Gary Bembridge says a number of changes have come in for 2025 that all passengers need to be aware of. One in particular that could land Brits in hot water is a change to visas.
It comes as two major regions frequented by cruisers have brought in new travel rules this year. Gary says people visiting the UK from the US, Australia and New Zealand now need to apply for an electronic travel authorisation (ETA) visa.
Although from April, the scheme will include more nations in Europe. Travelers departing from the UK will see changes to the entry-exit system (EES).
On his YouTube channel, Gary warned: “Through 2024 the number of people being denied boarding due to not having the right travel documents and visas increased significantly, and this is likely to get worse in 2025 due to some major changes being made.
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Cruisers are being warned to check their documents before travelling. (Image: Getty)
“Some could even prevent you from getting to your cruise in the first place. All cruise lines say by the way, it’s up to us to get the right documents and visas.
“Without having the right ones at check-in, they will deny us boarding. And so your risk of doing that in 2025 has grown.”
Travellers heading to Europe from the UK will need to apply to the European Travel Information and Authorisation System (ETIAS) when it comes in this year. It will cover entry into the Schengen countries from the UK and will cost seven Euros – around £6.
The change will see people heading into the Schengen Area from the UK registering their biometric data – such as fingerprints – or a photo, . The authorisation will last for three years.
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Not having the right documents could get you banned from your ship. (Image: Getty)
No confirmation date for when the ETIAS system will come into force has been announced. Gary added: “If you are joining a cruise anywhere in Europe you need to check if it is up and running and required before departing your home country.
“As the final date is not yet set, make sure you keep checking on when it is launched and build in plenty of time to get them.”
Gary warned cruisers they should make sure they use the official sites before applying for their visas and documents. This, he says, is because “bogus” sites often add additional fees for travellers.