Swan Hellenic: Before You Go

SOME HELPFUL HINTS BEFORE YOU GO

Passengers who have never cruised before, or who have not cruised with Swan Hellenic, will no doubt have many questions to ask about our ship, our operation and many other matters. This section has been written to give you some general information about cruising with us and we feel sure you will find it useful both before and during your voyage.

Our aim is your complete enjoyment of the cruise vacation and all of our staff, ashore and afloat, together with the ship's crew will do all they can to ensure this. The information given here is subject to change without notice. If you have any questions about your booking, we will always be pleased to help you. Please feel free to telephone us on 1-866-923-9182 or 1-954-315-1170.

PASSPORTS AND VISAS

Passports

US Citizens must have a passport valid for at least six months beyond the date of return from the countries visited. If you do not have a passport, you may obtain one by applying to the nearest US Government Passport Agency or designated post office, for your convenience, Zierer Visa Services can obtain a passport for you (call them at 1-800-421-6706 on the east coast or 1-800-843-9151 on the west coast).

Canadian citizens must have a Canadian Passport valid for at least three months beyond the date of return from the countries visited. If you do not have a passport, you may obtain one by applying to the nearest Canadian Government Passport Agency. For more information, please ask your travel agent or see www.ppt.gc.ca on line.

It is important that the names on your passport exactly match those on your booking for all cruise documentation. In order to complete other documentation on your behalf, we do need your passport details.

Visas

All US Citizens will require a passport, valid for the countries visited, which must be valid for at least 6 months beyond your return date.

Individual visas are required for the following countries:

Russia – US & Canadian passport holders joining our organized tours in Russia do not at the present time require individual visas. However, if regulations should change and individual visas are required, it will be the responsibility of each passenger to obtain and purchase their own. Currently passengers who wish to go ashore independently at any time while in Russia, will require a visa purchased and issued before arrival in the country. The procedure for obtaining a visa for Russia is very complicated and costly.

Oman - Passengers arriving by air will be required to purchase visa upon arrival at Muscat Seeb International Airport.

You will need to bring with you (per person) in cash: US $53 or 20 Omani Rial. Change will only be given in Omani Rial.

Syria - Additionally, please ensure that your passport does not contain any Israeli visas or stamps. If your passport contains either an Israeli visa or stamp please obtain a new passport prior to cruise departure.

Turkey - May be obtained prior to US departure, at the airport if arriving by air or on board mv Minerva if arriving by sea and charged to passenger's onboard account.
Contact Zierer Visa Services for assistance with obtaining necessary visas by e-mail on: cruise@zvs.com or by telephone at 1-866-788-1100.

Where visa charges are payable locally these must be paid by the passenger. Advice will be given with your final details when this is necessary. To avoid queues at the airport, if our local agents are able to obtain these on your behalf in advance, they will do so and the cost will be added to your final invoice or onboard account. At least 60 days prior to departure we must have the following information relating to each passenger: name in full (as it appears on the passport), address, nationality, date and place of birth; plus passport number, expiration date, and date and place of issue. Passengers cannot be included on group visas if this information is not supplied in time.

Any non-US passengers will require passports valid for the countries visited. It is the responsibility of each passenger to check with the various embassies or consulates involved for their particular cruise, ensuring that they have the necessary documentation/visas to enter all countries visited. Any passenger arriving at the departure port/airport without a passport or necessary visas will be refused permission to board the ship/aircraft. Failure in this respect is not covered by the insurance and no refund can be claimed. The ship's purser on board deals with all immigration formalities.

For cruises visiting Libya, passengers with an Israeli stamp already in their passports must obtain either a replacement or a second passport before boarding Minerva.