Cruise Talk: Rotterdam - Ukraine Visa needed?

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Topic: Rotterdam - Ukraine Visa needed?

BTF
First Class Passenger
Member # 2024

posted 05-31-2001 10:45 PM

Some clarification needed. We will be going on the Rotterdam on their Black Sea voyage in mid June and there is some confusion as to the need for a Tourist Visa for the visit to Yalta and Odessa in the Ukraine. According to Holland America and several of the books we consulted, no vista is required if you take a scheduled Holland America shore excursion but if you tour on your own, a vista is required at a cost of $90 Cdn (have to obtain before leaving). When I spoke to the Ukrainian consulate here in Ottawa, they indicated that normally all cruise vessels passengers (and crew) are issued a temporary pass when they want to get off the ship and hence no individual tourist visa is needed (unless you go far inland, leave the ship etc.). However the consulate in Ottawa could not confirm that as all arrangements are made by the individual cruise vessel company with Authorities in Kiev and so forth. The persons we spoke to in Seattle (reservations) are not too sure just what happens and basically indicate that all visa requirements are the responsibility of the client (they really don`t know either). HAL's documentation for the Black Sea trip which we just received does not make any specific mention on this subject either.

Anyhow if any one has been to the Ukraine on a cruise ship, could you let me know what happens as I would hate to arrive in Ukraine and find we can not get off the ship, fault of a proper visa (unless forced to take a Holland America shore excursion however interesting and reasonably priced.)

I understand that Russia has a similar tourist visa system so any one who has visited St. Petersburg recently could also provide some insight.

Thanks in advance for any help in this matter.

Posts: 287 | From: Ottawa, Ont. Canada | Registered: May 2001 | IP: Logged

Terri Lee
First Class Passenger
Member # 942

posted 05-31-2001 11:45 PM

Brian F.........

I haven't been to Ukraine but I went to St.Petersburg on the ROTTERDAM last August.Because I was going in to explore that city with some friends from the ship,we had to have Russian visas BEFORE we left home(North America).Passengers who went ashore at St.Petersburg on a HAL coach tour did not need a visa as they were covered by a "blanket" visa arranged by the cruise line.The one drawback to this is you CANNOT leave the tour group and mooch around on your own...you have to stay with the HAL group. In fact,you are not allowed off the dock alone, without a Russian visa plus your passport.The Russian guards will turn you back....and don't even try to joke with them....no sense of humour.

Even with my visa and passport,I still felt a bit nervous at the 2 check-points when our taxi was held up there for a few minutes.
So my advice to you,if there is still time to get a visa for Ukraine,then get one...if not,then be satisfied with using HAL's shore excursion.

Is your cruise going to St.Petersburg or is it part of the Aegean/Black Sea cruise?

BTW is there any information in the booklet HAL sends,"Know Before You Go"? There should be something about visas since you are going on a European cruise.

Whatever....have a wonderful time and tell us all about when you come home!!

Terri

[ 05-31-2001: Message edited by: Terri Lee ]

Posts: 292 | From: Burlington Ontario Canada | Registered: Dec 1999 | IP: Logged

BTF
First Class Passenger
Member # 2024

posted 07-09-2001 10:18 PM

Just as a followup to this item.

Eventually we did not need a special visa to visit the Ukraine. When the Rotterdam docked at Yalta, Ukrainian officials just stamped our passports and after customs/police verification coming and going, all passengers and crew could circulate freely in both Yalta and Odessa.

Wonderful time on the Rotterdam Empires of the Black Sea cruise (June 13-26, 2001).

Posts: 287 | From: Ottawa, Ont. Canada | Registered: May 2001 | IP: Logged

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