Thanks for another great update Gary! You consistently pack more useful information in to a concise, clear and well researched video than any of your peers come close to doing.
Another great helpful video Gary. Thanks! . One thing I've noticed that's changed since BC (Before Covid) in Australia. Royal Caribbean used to offer ships of different sizes here for Australian/NZ/Southwest Pacific cruises. Since cruising resumed they only seem to have the Oasis class behemoth. Having travelled on both Voyager sized and Oasis sized ships with this line, I and my 7 travelling companions much prefer the smaller ships. In fact, we tried the larger vessel on a 14 day NZ cruise last year, and if that had been our first cruise, it would have also been our last one. I'm hoping what you said about redeploying fleets to the Caribbean is true -we might see the Abomination of the Seas sent back to the US and the return to a better experience down here.
Thanks Gary, it’s good to have these knowledge round-ups. I do think the NCL cancellations are especially appalling, cancelling booked holidays so ships can make yet more trips to the boring old Caribbean.
Ours took 10 minutes, $12.98 charge on my credit card per person. Very easy. This was for Great Britain only, England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland. We are also going to Southern Ireland and Norway so will keep an eye on when the EU gets their act together and whether anything will happen before we leave April 30, 2025.
@@SamSitar "Texas follows American law, therefore the UK should do EU law." Did you proof read your comment before posting? Do Texans need a visa to enter the rest of America? US public school edumacation on full display right there.
An ETA or ESTA is not a visa. These online travel authorisations are usually fast and easy to get. Much more convenient than going to a country which still requires a Visa.
It is still a document required in order to enter the particular country. The term "visa" conveys that information concisely, regardless of its semantic accuracy
@@colleenmarin8907 As a retired travel professional I disagree. I understand that many individuals incorrectly use it as a generic term to refer to entry stamps, ETA's etc just like so many people misuse the word customs to include airport security and immigration, but a visa is something completely different and both the UK ETA and the Schengen area ETIAS are clearly stated as being required by individuals who do NOT require a visa.
@@paulgerrard9227 I believe that the ETA requirement could be viewed favourably. Obtaining one is not difficult and they appear to be being approved very quickly so probably anybody who arrives at check-in without one may still have time to apply and get an approval in time to catch their flight/cruise ship. The UK no longer requires foreigners to complete a landing card for immigration and the UK has never required any written customs declaration so now there are no forms at all to be completed when arriving in the UK. The only checks that are made for the ETA are those basic checks that an immigration officer may make on arrival and therefore will probably save many individuals from being refused entry on arrival. The other purpose of the ETA is time saving as not only will those checks have been made in advance but an electronic record of the individual will have been created to make it easier for electronic immigration records to be kept. One will not have to be created by immigration on arrival or somebody have to sit and transfer all the information from a landing card to a computer etc. The procedure for obtaining an ETA is completely different from a visa. No interview, no questions about financial status etc etc. Referring to an ETA as a visa is wrong and only causes confusion. One thing that may be disappointing for tourists/visitors from certain countries such as Australia. Canada, NZ, US, EU/EEA and other countries where the traveller is entitled to use the automatic gates is that the UK no longer stamps their passports (irrespective of it they use the electronic gate or not).
This is all good information. If you have some flexibility, we find some of the best prices for cruises are after final payment is due. Sure the selection of cabins won't be as plentiful as booking 9 or more months in advance, but the prices are usually lower than the average over the past year for that particular cruise. Many people will book a cruise 9+ months in advance, and then change their minds which opens up cabins for the rest of us looking to save some $$$.
I suppose the price of anything is dependent on demand. So if ships are selling out and they know it, the prices will be higher. If, heaven forbid, there is a nasty recession, prices will drop down. Thank you for the video!
Prices are also dependent on supply. Cruising in my country is in high demand but not a lot of ships are coming to our shores compared to years past. So prices are also sky high.
I read Iceland is charging port fees and ships have cancelled their routes there. So upsetting b/c I’d love to take circumnavigation cruise there someday ☹️ please cover this TY
Wildy inaccurate. The govt are merely considering a additional levy/tax/charge. It would still be levied on the cruiseline who likely may reflect this on future fares. All ports already impose fees on cruiselines that are usually a sum per passenger.
Thanks for the heads up. I am considering cancelling my summer cruise to Norway and Iceland. With your update on the protests going on in Norway and other updates regarding the increase in fees for Icelandic ports, I'm questioning whether I need to plan something else for this summer. I wouldn't mind paying the Icelandic port fee increase but I'm hearing cruise ships are cancelling ports in Iceland altogether. It's good for me to make some decisions now as I still have a few months before final payment is due.
One thing we won’t be denied is wall paper from the constant supply of marketing brochures, even after requesting to be removed from the mailings. We receive several nearly every week from Viking, Oceania, Regent, amongst others. Straight to the recycling bin. Cruising used to be a favorite mode of vacationing, but the halcyon days are over.
I think that trade wars centered on US tariffs /may/ have a major effect starting as early as next month. Americans may well not be welcome in places like the EU and Mexico in as little as a few weeks. That could easily take the form of visa denials and other ways to keep Americans out.
I realize that presenting information on travel medical insurance is tricky for you, since it's specific to the home country of the traveller, however I've found this expense has increased the most for me as a senior Canadian traveller. Increases in fare for "local" (for me) cruises along the Pacific coast to Alaska, California and Mexican Riviera are outrageous, even when taking advantage of last minute fares. Also, cruise fares generally are now so high, that despite me cruising for the last 50 years, I have now paused my bookings. It's time to re-evaluate the value I get (or don't see) with cruises.
Good Morrow, ETA online approval took only 15 minutes. Easy Peazy! As for the port warnings... 😁. I have sailed to all of the countries/ports you cited and had a wonderful experience in the last year. Plain English; I have traveled the world by land and sea at a luxury level since I was 3 -y.o. and no one/group has tried to kidnap, rob, or intimidate me. Just be human! If folks are afraid of people who do not look like them, frugal, or speak their primary language, I recommend choosing a different itinerary or staying home.😏
The negative reaction by some locals to over tourism started around the time as the introduction of megaships. Interesting though, Barcelona with their water pistol brigade is enlarging its port facilities to cope for larger ships, although we've never encountered any negative reaction by locals in any Med port we've been to and we cruise there every year. Some cities just can't cope with megaships, Dubrovnik and Palma being the most obvious.
Barcelona not just has issues with cruise ships, but with over-tourism in general. Last year it was decided that Airbnb licenses will no longer extended, so by the end of 2028, there will be no more Airbnb rentals in Barcelona.
We are on Majestic Princess in the Med during may and June and they have already cancelled Kusadasi Turkey and Dubrovnik Croatia. Unfortunate as they were places that were high on our wish list.
Just a comment re. New visas. If flying to/from UK or Europe just need to be weary of rules for transfer passengers (eg flying to US cruise from Europe but flying via Heathrow….previously you needed a Uk Visa even if just transferring though I understand this has changed…..although may not solve issue if inbound flight is late or outbound is cancelled and require overnight stay. Short answer is probably to buy visa just in case)
If cruising out prices my budget, so be it. I will no longer be booking years in advance. If I cannot find a cruise fare 6 months out at a reasonable price, then I will vacation another way.
Hi Gary, thank you for the informative videos. Can you please advise about whether it is essential to carry your actual Passport with you when visiting a Port in Europe now? Last September when returning to our RC Ship in Naples Port, we were told we should have had our actual Passports with us and that copies, photos or paper were not sufficient…😮
Wonder how Trump's talk of taking back Panama will affect both the Panama canal but the willingness of South and Central American countries and Mexico to accept American cruises.
Folks may want to add Canada, Greenland, Denmark and maybe the rest of the world to that list! Such talk may also make passengers reconsider using a U.S. owned cruise line.
Question... if some lines are cancelling some cruises to shift the boats to the more profitable American/Caribbean market does this mean that there will be some short notice repositioning cruises now becoming available? (given repositioning can be less expensive & short notice/last minute can be less expensive does this mean there might be some interesting bargains becoming available if you keep your eye out?).
The visa requirements for boarding are confusing. On QM2 World cruise 2024 they said i needed all visas prior to boarding BUT nobody checked, and when i got onboard QM2 assumed i did not have any visas and automatically applied for me during cruise. I had to stop them and say i already had them, because their website said i could not board. The system and communications is broken and confusing!!
I’ll bet it’s still US, Canada, UK and Australia. I’d be curious to see the actual numbers. Both the count and also as a percentage. I’m also curious how the number of passengers have changed over the years. Seems more passengers now than ever.
Probably MAGAts who thought their trump coin was going to be worth a fortune and booked accordingly. They should be cancelling shortly to make sure they still have enough money to buy a dozen eggs.
I think you'll find there's a wealth transfer going on, those in the top half have more money than ever. Those in the bottom are screaming very loudly about interest rates. If you don't have debt you're probably doing ok.
My fellow Americans starting in May 2025 we will need the Real ID to travel by flight ✈️ so keep that in mind in case you must fly to your cruise port.
Non-EU nationals who hold a residence card in an EU nation will be exempt from having to obtain the EES or ETIAS. However, I carry a non-EU passport and I don't understand how to explain this to the cruise line when embarking. I could show them my passport and resident card but will they be that savvy or have blinders on and not realise that there are exemptions?
I just checked that for a cruise to Norway with my wife (US): the entry requirements are still trivial in the Schengen Area: the residence permit plus passport gets you anywhere like any other EU citizen. We live in Germany and travel from Hamburg, so we are already in the EU. That said: check with the cruise line. This is not an uncommon setup.
With my permanent resident card, I can travel anywhere in the EU without issues. But when a new directive comes out (such as EES and ETIAS), and since most cruise lines are basically US holdings, will the rep at the berth, when checking in, understand that I don't require an EES or ETIAS? Once, when I was out of the EU and traveling back to the EU, a clerk at the airport insisted I needed a ticket back to where my passport was issued. She made a fuss and wouldn't issue my boarding pass. I requested a supervisor and showed them my resident's card, explaining that it was a permanent visa to my country of residence. Not every employee will be up to knowing the exceptions. My travel agent suggested that I get the EES and ETIAS just to be safe, even though I am not required to have one
The starlink rules are anti-competitive, just so they can sell outrageous wi-fi plans, as if they weren't making enough from excursions and other rip-offs
Wow your voice sounds different Gary. Don't know if it's because I have a new mobile pH And it's Just the different sounds on the pH or if it's the video itself
they all want and need the cruise line revenues, they just don't want the people...tourism is always a double edged sword...you have to take the good with the bad...
I bought a Starlink mini for my last two cruises. They were with Regent, which includes unlimited Starlink Wi-Fi for one device in its cruise fare. I wanted fast internet speeds and to tether multiple devices to my Mini, but Regent’s system eclipsed mine and made it useless. They didn’t forbid me from having it--it just wouldn’t work so it was a waste to bring it. a lot of cruise lines are installing Starlink systems on their vessels now.
On my last cruise last October, folks were trying hard to avoid entering into political discussions and the U.S. owned cruise line was openly discouraging such discussions. However, geopolitical issues have begun to turn ugly with the current U.S. administration with open threats of tariffs, sanctions, annexation, and even outright military action, well beyond historical norms. Many travelers, cruisers and people just seeking a quiet life are feeling threatened by long time friends and neighbours. This will be a growing concern and we hope it stops now! I suspect fewer people will be booking cruises on U.S. owned lines until the U.S. geopolitical situation improves.
ETA, ESTA or the new soon to be introduced ETIAS for the Schengen area are NOT visas. Referring to them as such does nothing for your credibility and only goes to misinform the uninformed. A visa is a completely different thing.
They will keep funding the part that turns you around after cavity search or deports you. So don't worry you will still get out of that third world country.
That could be true, but I used the esta app and got a reply a couple of hours later. It's 6 weeks before I go away but I'm glad it's all done now and it's valid for two years.
I say that if a port doesn't want tourists, I don't want to waste my money there. Boycott those ports for a few years and most of them will be begging for the ships to return
If ever you needed a video to discourage you from cruising, this is it. It is already an industry that has a service level in decline and pricing on the rise. Good luck to Carnival's CEO and his nonsense, "... you better book soon" baloney. He needs fools to keep his $12.5m dollar bonus going.
The EU entry/exit thing is ridiculous, especially when people are protesting cruising, and I hope no one visits. Places like Sitka, Alaska need to reexamine if they appreciate tourism or want to punish tourists. I say if a port doesn't want tourists, encourage lines to find another port. Complainers can find out how they like losing cruise tourism.
You are probably from somewhere elsenthan the UK or EU. As travellers feom there we need visa's/ ESTA type approval to USA/ Canada or other countries those costs way mlre than what the UK or EU ask for. There are plenty of other tourists, hence ober tourism. On the other hand there are also plenty of people who do not mind the ships, but maybe the amount of them per day.
As for cruise prices rising, this is due also to inflation. Simple solution!!! Book way in advance, lock the price, and even if you decided to change your mind, you can get back the small deposit.
But Trump said he was going to bring prices down. Just wait, next he's going to bring out his own cruise ship line. You get discounts if you buy his sneakers, bible, watch and guitars LOL.
@@rockbutcher Yes, Trump, your beloved chosen president, will reduce inflation eventually. In any case, don't be dumb like minority of people who voted for Democrats. Book the cruise well ahead of time, because prices of cruises go up, a lot, or less. The prices never go down. They will match the price if it, for some reason went down. MAGA!!!!
@rockbutcher -I’m sure the people in NC and CA who have lost everything will be happy prices are coming down. Only hateful snobs would make jokes on others tragedies.
Get well soon, Gary! Your channel is the best source of cruise information. Love your videos.
Thanks for another great update Gary! You consistently pack more useful information in to a concise, clear and well researched video than any of your peers come close to doing.
Gary I hope you feel better soon. As always very informative.
Hope you feel better soon Gary
Get well soon! And thank you for still bringing us such helpful content!!
Thanks Gary. I have put this very important video in our cruise group. Hope your cold clears up soon.
Thanks for the heads up regarding booking! We wanted Alaska in 2026 but needed an accessible room - got the LAST one on the cruise we wanted! Whew!
Great job Gary, Love your videos.
Another great helpful video Gary. Thanks! . One thing I've noticed that's changed since BC (Before Covid) in Australia. Royal Caribbean used to offer ships of different sizes here for Australian/NZ/Southwest Pacific cruises. Since cruising resumed they only seem to have the Oasis class behemoth. Having travelled on both Voyager sized and Oasis sized ships with this line, I and my 7 travelling companions much prefer the smaller ships. In fact, we tried the larger vessel on a 14 day NZ cruise last year, and if that had been our first cruise, it would have also been our last one. I'm hoping what you said about redeploying fleets to the Caribbean is true -we might see the Abomination of the Seas sent back to the US and the return to a better experience down here.
Thanks for sharing, 2025 is going to be a very interesting year for cruising. Get well soon.
Thanks Gary, it’s good to have these knowledge round-ups. I do think the NCL cancellations are especially appalling, cancelling booked holidays so ships can make yet more trips to the boring old Caribbean.
Thanks, Gary. As ever, sound advice and good information from you!
Thanks for the EU ETIAS link Gary, I’ve got it bookmarked now for future reference 👍
I did my ETA for my trip in May. I got approval in 20 minutes!
what we need to enter the EU should be the same as to enter the UK. Texas follows American law. therefore the UK should do EU law.
UK isn't part of EU anymore
Ours took 10 minutes, $12.98 charge on my credit card per person. Very easy. This was for Great Britain only, England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland. We are also going to Southern Ireland and Norway so will keep an eye on when the EU gets their act together and whether anything will happen before we leave April 30, 2025.
@@SamSitar "Texas follows American law, therefore the UK should do EU law." Did you proof read your comment before posting? Do Texans need a visa to enter the rest of America? US public school edumacation on full display right there.
@@SamSitar UK is not part of the EU. This is like saying Texas should do Mexican law.
Traveling is getting to be such a huge hassle! I think I will go where I am welcomed.
I was glad to see, if it's true, that the UK has decided not to require the visa if you're just making a connection at the airport.
The ETA is NOT A VISA. A visa is something completely different.
Good travel information 👍
An ETA or ESTA is not a visa. These online travel authorisations are usually fast and easy to get.
Much more convenient than going to a country which still requires a Visa.
Referring to them as visas does nothing for his credibility and only misinforms the uninformed.
It is still a document required in order to enter the particular country. The term "visa" conveys that information concisely, regardless of its semantic accuracy
@@colleenmarin8907 As a retired travel professional I disagree. I understand that many individuals incorrectly use it as a generic term to refer to entry stamps, ETA's etc just like so many people misuse the word customs to include airport security and immigration, but a visa is something completely different and both the UK ETA and the Schengen area ETIAS are clearly stated as being required by individuals who do NOT require a visa.
It is a visa waiver only and only for specific countries AND people. Eg DUI or criminal charges etc may require a valid visa onstead
@@paulgerrard9227 I believe that the ETA requirement could be viewed favourably. Obtaining one is not difficult and they appear to be being approved very quickly so probably anybody who arrives at check-in without one may still have time to apply and get an approval in time to catch their flight/cruise ship.
The UK no longer requires foreigners to complete a landing card for immigration and the UK has never required any written customs declaration so now there are no forms at all to be completed when arriving in the UK.
The only checks that are made for the ETA are those basic checks that an immigration officer may make on arrival and therefore will probably save many individuals from being refused entry on arrival.
The other purpose of the ETA is time saving as not only will those checks have been made in advance but an electronic record of the individual will have been created to make it easier for electronic immigration records to be kept. One will not have to be created by immigration on arrival or somebody have to sit and transfer all the information from a landing card to a computer etc.
The procedure for obtaining an ETA is completely different from a visa. No interview, no questions about financial status etc etc.
Referring to an ETA as a visa is wrong and only causes confusion.
One thing that may be disappointing for tourists/visitors from certain countries such as Australia. Canada, NZ, US, EU/EEA and other countries where the traveller is entitled to use the automatic gates is that the UK no longer stamps their passports (irrespective of it they use the electronic gate or not).
Thank you for a great review of visa requirements!
This is all good information. If you have some flexibility, we find some of the best prices for cruises are after final payment is due. Sure the selection of cabins won't be as plentiful as booking 9 or more months in advance, but the prices are usually lower than the average over the past year for that particular cruise. Many people will book a cruise 9+ months in advance, and then change their minds which opens up cabins for the rest of us looking to save some $$$.
Thanks for your tips I have a 16 day Panama Canal cruise booked in April to May
I suppose the price of anything is dependent on demand. So if ships are selling out and they know it, the prices will be higher. If, heaven forbid, there is a nasty recession, prices will drop down. Thank you for the video!
Prices are also dependent on supply. Cruising in my country is in high demand but not a lot of ships are coming to our shores compared to years past.
So prices are also sky high.
I hope you are well Gary. It sounds like you might be recovering from a cold. Best!!
I read Iceland is charging port fees and ships have cancelled their routes there. So upsetting b/c I’d love to take circumnavigation cruise there someday ☹️ please cover this TY
Wildy inaccurate. The govt are merely considering a additional levy/tax/charge. It would still be levied on the cruiseline who likely may reflect this on future fares. All ports already impose fees on cruiselines that are usually a sum per passenger.
Iceland circumnavigation is still possible. I went on Viking.
Thanks for the heads up. I am considering cancelling my summer cruise to Norway and Iceland. With your update on the protests going on in Norway and other updates regarding the increase in fees for Icelandic ports, I'm questioning whether I need to plan something else for this summer. I wouldn't mind paying the Icelandic port fee increase but I'm hearing cruise ships are cancelling ports in Iceland altogether. It's good for me to make some decisions now as I still have a few months before final payment is due.
Yeah the shake down of cruisers to offset their bad spending issues is becoming tiresome.
Mykonos and Santorini Greece port charges are $20 USD per person, per day, all ages.
One thing we won’t be denied is wall paper from the constant supply of marketing brochures, even after requesting to be removed from the mailings. We receive several nearly every week from Viking, Oceania, Regent, amongst others. Straight to the recycling bin. Cruising used to be a favorite mode of vacationing, but the halcyon days are over.
Very much appreciated
Looks like I'm just going to wait on not only a new car for multiple years, but also a cruise.
I think that trade wars centered on US tariffs /may/ have a major effect starting as early as next month. Americans may well not be welcome in places like the EU and Mexico in as little as a few weeks. That could easily take the form of visa denials and other ways to keep Americans out.
I realize that presenting information on travel medical insurance is tricky for you, since it's specific to the home country of the traveller, however I've found this expense has increased the most for me as a senior Canadian traveller. Increases in fare for "local" (for me) cruises along the Pacific coast to Alaska, California and Mexican Riviera are outrageous, even when taking advantage of last minute fares. Also, cruise fares generally are now so high, that despite me cruising for the last 50 years, I have now paused my bookings. It's time to re-evaluate the value I get (or don't see) with cruises.
Good Morrow, ETA online approval took only 15 minutes. Easy Peazy!
As for the port warnings... 😁. I have sailed to all of the countries/ports you cited and had a wonderful experience in the last year. Plain English; I have traveled the world by land and sea at a luxury level since I was 3 -y.o. and no one/group has tried to kidnap, rob, or intimidate me. Just be human!
If folks are afraid of people who do not look like them, frugal, or speak their primary language, I recommend choosing a different itinerary or staying home.😏
The negative reaction by some locals to over tourism started around the time as the introduction of megaships. Interesting though, Barcelona with their water pistol brigade is enlarging its port facilities to cope for larger ships, although we've never encountered any negative reaction by locals in any Med port we've been to and we cruise there every year. Some cities just can't cope with megaships, Dubrovnik and Palma being the most obvious.
Barcelona not just has issues with cruise ships, but with over-tourism in general. Last year it was decided that Airbnb licenses will no longer extended, so by the end of 2028, there will be no more Airbnb rentals in Barcelona.
@markusfritze that's trying to resolve a rental problem experienced by almost every major city in the world.
@calumshaw i went to Barcelona 20 years ago and it was over touristed then.
We are on Majestic Princess in the Med during may and June and they have already cancelled Kusadasi Turkey and Dubrovnik Croatia. Unfortunate as they were places that were high on our wish list.
Do you know why they canceled those 2 places?
It's little wonder certain places don't want ships coming to their country,these horrendous monster ships have ruined it for everyone
Just a comment re. New visas. If flying to/from UK or Europe just need to be weary of rules for transfer passengers (eg flying to US cruise from Europe but flying via Heathrow….previously you needed a Uk Visa even if just transferring though I understand this has changed…..although may not solve issue if inbound flight is late or outbound is cancelled and require overnight stay. Short answer is probably to buy visa just in case)
If cruising out prices my budget, so be it. I will no longer be booking years in advance. If I cannot find a cruise fare 6 months out at a reasonable price, then I will vacation another way.
Thanks!
Thanks !!
Yay, first time ever being first lol
love your videos by the way
We got our ETA within an hour of applying for it but of course it could take 3 days.
Hi Gary, thank you for the informative videos. Can you please advise about whether it is essential to carry your actual Passport with you when visiting a Port in Europe now? Last September when returning to our RC Ship in Naples Port, we were told we should have had our actual Passports with us and that copies, photos or paper were not sufficient…😮
Wonder how Trump's talk of taking back Panama will affect both the Panama canal but the willingness of South and Central American countries and Mexico to accept American cruises.
Folks may want to add Canada, Greenland, Denmark and maybe the rest of the world to that list! Such talk may also make passengers reconsider using a U.S. owned cruise line.
@@dontregenza6760What cruise lines are US owned?
@@dontregenza6760There’s literally only one cruise line that’s U.S.-owned. And I’ve never heard of it (American Cruise Lines).
None of these things are Visas. It seems to be a cruise thing that calls them this I never hear it anywhere else .
Question... if some lines are cancelling some cruises to shift the boats to the more profitable American/Caribbean market does this mean that there will be some short notice repositioning cruises now becoming available? (given repositioning can be less expensive & short notice/last minute can be less expensive does this mean there might be some interesting bargains becoming available if you keep your eye out?).
The visa requirements for boarding are confusing. On QM2 World cruise 2024 they said i needed all visas prior to boarding BUT nobody checked, and when i got onboard QM2 assumed i did not have any visas and automatically applied for me during cruise. I had to stop them and say i already had them, because their website said i could not board. The system and communications is broken and confusing!!
With the people of the U.S..,Canada,U.K and Australia all feeling the pinch, i'm wondering where these so called 'bookings' are coming from.
New cruisers using credit cards?
I’ll bet it’s still US, Canada, UK and Australia. I’d be curious to see the actual numbers. Both the count and also as a percentage. I’m also curious how the number of passengers have changed over the years. Seems more passengers now than ever.
Probably MAGAts who thought their trump coin was going to be worth a fortune and booked accordingly. They should be cancelling shortly to make sure they still have enough money to buy a dozen eggs.
Plenty of people still have money. Those who don't have mortgages, have their own income streams etc.
I think you'll find there's a wealth transfer going on, those in the top half have more money than ever. Those in the bottom are screaming very loudly about interest rates. If you don't have debt you're probably doing ok.
My fellow Americans starting in May 2025 we will need the Real ID to travel by flight ✈️ so keep that in mind in case you must fly to your cruise port.
But a passport works instead
@amybradley5821 Yes that's correct however how many Americans have a passport?
@ well if you are going on a cruise you need one anyway
@robertw383 how dumb are Americans to not have a passport
Your President is going to need more than that, given that most nations will not admit a felon upon arrival.
Non-EU nationals who hold a residence card in an EU nation will be exempt from having to obtain the EES or ETIAS. However, I carry a non-EU passport and I don't understand how to explain this to the cruise line when embarking. I could show them my passport and resident card but will they be that savvy or have blinders on and not realise that there are exemptions?
I just checked that for a cruise to Norway with my wife (US): the entry requirements are still trivial in the Schengen Area: the residence permit plus passport gets you anywhere like any other EU citizen. We live in Germany and travel from Hamburg, so we are already in the EU. That said: check with the cruise line. This is not an uncommon setup.
With my permanent resident card, I can travel anywhere in the EU without issues. But when a new directive comes out (such as EES and ETIAS), and since most cruise lines are basically US holdings, will the rep at the berth, when checking in, understand that I don't require an EES or ETIAS?
Once, when I was out of the EU and traveling back to the EU, a clerk at the airport insisted I needed a ticket back to where my passport was issued. She made a fuss and wouldn't issue my boarding pass. I requested a supervisor and showed them my resident's card, explaining that it was a permanent visa to my country of residence. Not every employee will be up to knowing the exceptions. My travel agent suggested that I get the EES and ETIAS just to be safe, even though I am not required to have one
before long we'll all have tags hanging off our ears like cows and goats
Or embedded chips like dogs.
The starlink rules are anti-competitive, just so they can sell outrageous wi-fi plans, as if they weren't making enough from excursions and other rip-offs
ETAs for New Zealand and Australia
What are you talking about? Australia requires full visas.
Wow your voice sounds different Gary. Don't know if it's because I have a new mobile pH And it's Just the different sounds on the pH or if it's the video itself
If your pH goes much below 6 or above 8 I'd take your earbuds out if I were you. You could get some nasty burns.
@@rockbutcher i didnt have earbuds in, was listening to it outloud sitting at home
So will uk passport holders cruising to the mend need one of these?
Yes - the Elias visa waiver applies to all non EU nationals. UK is just another non-EU country now.
they all want and need the cruise line revenues, they just don't want the people...tourism is always a double edged sword...you have to take the good with the bad...
I bought a Starlink mini for my last two cruises. They were with Regent, which includes unlimited Starlink Wi-Fi for one device in its cruise fare. I wanted fast internet speeds and to tether multiple devices to my Mini, but Regent’s system eclipsed mine and made it useless. They didn’t forbid me from having it--it just wouldn’t work so it was a waste to bring it. a lot of cruise lines are installing Starlink systems on their vessels now.
On my last cruise last October, folks were trying hard to avoid entering into political discussions and the U.S. owned cruise line was openly discouraging such discussions. However, geopolitical issues have begun to turn ugly with the current U.S. administration with open threats of tariffs, sanctions, annexation, and even outright military action, well beyond historical norms. Many travelers, cruisers and people just seeking a quiet life are feeling threatened by long time friends and neighbours. This will be a growing concern and we hope it stops now! I suspect fewer people will be booking cruises on U.S. owned lines until the U.S. geopolitical situation improves.
And what lines are those???
@@j.m.7056 Google is your friend. If you are watching this channel then I suspect that your answer was simply trolling.
@@rockbutcher Hey, it was a simple question. Jeez, get a life!
@@j.m.7056 I'll get right on that without asking to be spoonfed.
Can you explain what you mean by “well beyond historical norms?” Thanks in advance.
ETA, ESTA or the new soon to be introduced ETIAS for the Schengen area are NOT visas. Referring to them as such does nothing for your credibility and only goes to misinform the uninformed. A visa is a completely different thing.
And if you need US documents, get them now before the Federal government is emptied out.
Meh. The federal government will be like Twitter … cut 80% of the deadwood and run the place more efficiently with the remaining 20%.
They will keep funding the part that turns you around after cavity search or deports you. So don't worry you will still get out of that third world country.
That could be true, but I used the esta app and got a reply a couple of hours later. It's 6 weeks before I go away but I'm glad it's all done now and it's valid for two years.
I hear you. I submitted a passport app on Jan 15 and don't need the document until June. But still -- there's chaos in the US.
@@tyhuber7651What chaos? It's finally great again.
All the places that are protesting cruisers, the cruise lines should just close and stop going there. Let them see how it hurts.
I say that if a port doesn't want tourists, I don't want to waste my money there. Boycott those ports for a few years and most of them will be begging for the ships to return
If ever you needed a video to discourage you from cruising, this is it. It is already an industry that has a service level in decline and pricing on the rise.
Good luck to Carnival's CEO and his nonsense, "... you better book soon" baloney. He needs fools to keep his $12.5m dollar bonus going.
Mexico put off their fees for now!
More and more bureaucracy. Travel isn’t worth this nonsense.
Gary... could you please, please, please STOP showing the lady in the hot tub on every single video?!?!
It's SO silly already!!
The EU entry/exit thing is ridiculous, especially when people are protesting cruising, and I hope no one visits. Places like Sitka, Alaska need to reexamine if they appreciate tourism or want to punish tourists. I say if a port doesn't want tourists, encourage lines to find another port. Complainers can find out how they like losing cruise tourism.
You are probably from somewhere elsenthan the UK or EU. As travellers feom there we need visa's/ ESTA type approval to USA/ Canada or other countries those costs way mlre than what the UK or EU ask for. There are plenty of other tourists, hence ober tourism. On the other hand there are also plenty of people who do not mind the ships, but maybe the amount of them per day.
I’m surprised how a few dozen environmental protesters can affect the entire town for ships visiting.
it should include the UK as well.
There is too much tourism
why make stupid thumbnails like that? total turnoff. I didn't even watch your video because of it.
Knobber
As for cruise prices rising, this is due also to inflation. Simple solution!!! Book way in advance, lock the price, and even if you decided to change your mind, you can get back the small deposit.
But Trump said he was going to bring prices down. Just wait, next he's going to bring out his own cruise ship line. You get discounts if you buy his sneakers, bible, watch and guitars LOL.
@@rockbutcher Yes, Trump, your beloved chosen president, will reduce inflation eventually. In any case, don't be dumb like minority of people who voted for Democrats. Book the cruise well ahead of time, because prices of cruises go up, a lot, or less. The prices never go down. They will match the price if it, for some reason went down. MAGA!!!!
@rockbutcher -I’m sure the people in NC and CA who have lost everything will be happy prices are coming down. Only hateful snobs would make jokes on others tragedies.