Cruise

TadleyBaggie

sheramber said:

But without the ESTA  they would not be allowed on the ship as , presumably, the cruise was calling into a port where one was needed. 

One of the current Marella itineraries from Barbados does have stops in the US Virgin Islands.

eskbanker

Visa requirements should have been spelt out via an 'important information' statement on booking, what did this say?

Do I need a visa for my Marella cruise?

You'll need a visa to enter some of the countries we sail to, even if you're not stepping ashore - keep an eye out for the 'ESTA required' logo on the brochure itinerary pages to see if that's the case, we’ll also let you know via the important information section when you book. 

When you need a visa depends on the destination. In some countries, you can get a visa on arrival at the airport and free of charge. But there are some that you need to pre-purchase before you go. It's best to check before you travel and allow enough time to get your visa. If you need a visa before you travel, you can usually get these via the country's embassy, high commission or consulate websites. 

Remember, visa requirements are subject to change, so make sure to check back close to your sailing date.

https://www.tui.co.uk/destinations/faq/marella-cruises/before-you-go/do-i-need-a-visa-for-my-marella-cruise

cruisecontrol_wave

Thanks for the comments.we weren't the only ones in the position alot of people weren't aware of this . Yes we all applied for the ESTAS at the airport some came back . Ours never and another couple.we never went to Barbados as the ship left for 8.30 .we asked if we could go to a different port No as I said I phoned tui straight away answer we got was you can go at your own cost!!The airport staff were great they looked into accommodations cheapest price was £2,000 .we had our children at home looking same prices . So in that case we made the decision to go home.our estas came through the nexted morning at 10.30 .so we would of been stuck.so yes I'm happy I made the decision to go home. I also get it's customer responsibility to check things but when your not sure and are going into the store asking I don't think it's fair on anyone not just us . again where customers and we all give them business so wouldn't it be there interest to be saying have you done this ect .yes it was marella discovery.it was a assistant whom asked the manager for me . The cruise was instead of staying home at Christmas and new year so I wouldn't spend that amount of money not to ask questions. What if it was a old couple who didn't do email.We'd never been on a cruise before.

eskbanker

cruisecontrol_wave said:

I admit I'm a nightmare of going to the store asking questions do I need this have I got this !!

cruisecontrol_wave said:

I also get it's customer responsibility to check things but when your not sure and are going into the store asking I don't think it's fair on anyone not just us . again where customers and we all give them business so wouldn't it be there interest to be saying have you done this ect .yes it was marella discovery.it was a assistant whom asked the manager for me . The cruise was instead of staying home at Christmas and new year so I wouldn't spend that amount of money not to ask questions.

I'm certainly not condoning staff giving out what turned out to be incorrect information, assuming the questions were clearly expressed, but realistically, someone working in a high street travel agency is never going to know all the minutiae of every holiday arranged through it - however, if they don't know answers then they should at least know where to look for them and/or advise the customer where to find out.

Having said that, it's an unusual perspective to associate the amount of money paid with some sort of right or expectation to ask lots of questions, but the definitive and reliable information will almost always be whatever's published in brochures or online, and within the documentation issued with the booking, so this ought to be the starting point for enquiries rather than having a chat in store, where misunderstandings can happen.

cruisecontrol_wave said:

I have complained and still waiting for a response.

Let us know what they come back with....

cruisecontrol_wave

100% the cruise. Also the op was right in front of her and when I went down after we got back 4 desks away I was telling the other girl what happened ect Manager piped up and said well I didn't hear her properly.so I replied well you clearly just heard me .The op done the Barbados form and then I asked the question op said I'll just double check for you.which she did.Does she need a visa or anything else I've done the Barbados form.manager replied No as she's not stepping on American soil going on the ship .

cruisecontrol_wave

The Barbados form was highlighted but nothing else was .But I asked the question.
As a reputable company would of thought whether you do check yourself they should be saying have you done this have you got that .I found this site for some advice as I'm currently waiting on a response as I've gone above the store manager.so I'm literally trying to find out if I have got a leg to stand on .

eskbanker

cruisecontrol_wave said:

The Barbados form was highlighted but nothing else was .But I asked the question.
As a reputable company would of thought whether you do check yourself they should be saying have you done this have you got that .I found this site for some advice as I'm currently waiting on a response as I've gone above the store manager.so I'm literally trying to find out if I have got a leg to stand on .

In terms of having a leg to stand on, if you can demonstrate that you incurred significant cost and distress as a direct result of the negligence of a TUI employee, then that's certainly the basis of a compensation claim, but actually enforcing that may be tricky if it's just one person's word against another's, and weight will be attached to written communications too - have you located the relevant booking documentation that was issued to you, and in particular the 'important information' one that explains visa requirements for your specific itinerary?

35har1old

zagfles said:

There's no excuse for a UK tour operator or travel agent giving incorrect information on something as basic as entry requirements for UK citizens, if they don't know they should tell you to research it yourself. Cruises do work differently for immigration than normal travel, eg for Schengen countries you don't need to go through passport control and get passport stamped, you can leave your passport in your cabin and just use the cruise card at ports. 

If you enter Venice you are required to carry your passport ashore

cruisecontrol_wave

Yes I have my 1st booking email and that doesn't state anything about it . Thankyou for the advice and I will be definitely pointing out the distress it caused ruined our Christmas as well as we paid extra costs to fly the 2nd week .I will update when I get a response.

swingaloo

cruisecontrol_wave said:

Yes I have my 1st booking email and that doesn't state anything about it . Thankyou for the advice and I will be definitely pointing out the distress it caused ruined our Christmas as well as we paid extra costs to fly the 2nd week .I will update when I get a response.

Did you not get all the usual Terms and Conditions and the rest of the paperwork that is issued when you book? You must have had more than one email between booking and the holiday date.