charm_hen Posted November 24, 2011 Report Share Posted November 24, 2011 Hi Everyone It's my husband's 50th birthday in January so I have booked us on a surprise South Pacific cruise, leaving Sydney on 6th Feb 2012. We are permanent residents (haven't been here for 4 years yet) and will be travelling on our SA passports.I have enquired and been told that we need a visa for New Caledonia so went onto the French Consulate website to book an appointment. The earliest one I could get for both of us is 18th January 2012. I am now a complete stress ball as I am not sure if we will get the visa in time. Has anyone been in the same "boat" and can offer some advice?Thanks so much in advanceCharmaine Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Veronique Posted November 24, 2011 Report Share Posted November 24, 2011 (edited) Hi CharmaineAneldari; and Penny's daughter (on this forum), and myself have been on cruises which stop at New Caledonia and no matter what anyone tells you, you DO NOT need a visa on a South African passport if you are entering on a cruise and staying for just a few hours. I was also stressed out when I found out I needed a visa. Read responses to my entry here:http://www.saaustralia.org/index.php/topic/32867-trying-to-go-on-a-decent-holiday/page__p__285531__hl__%2Bnew+%2Bcaledonia__fromsearch__1#entry285531 Edited November 24, 2011 by Veronique Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
eeeecx4 Posted November 24, 2011 Report Share Posted November 24, 2011 That's correct!! You do not even take your passport off the cruise.......all good!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
charm_hen Posted November 24, 2011 Author Report Share Posted November 24, 2011 Hi Veronique Thank you!! so much for your reply:) I feel so much better now and can relax. What a great forum this is Charmaine Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
penny Posted November 24, 2011 Report Share Posted November 24, 2011 Hi CharmaineAs Veronique states, you don't need a visa if you enter off a cruise.Enjoy the tripPenny Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Veronique Posted November 25, 2011 Report Share Posted November 25, 2011 Charmaine, you will probably receive a letter as with everyone without an Australian passport. You will be requested to take your passports to be shown to the port officers who will be aboard the ship. They will simply check your passport and tick your name off their list.Hope you have stunning time! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
charm_hen Posted November 27, 2011 Author Report Share Posted November 27, 2011 Thank you to everyone for your valuable replies!I can't wait.Charmaine Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
herby Posted September 24, 2012 Report Share Posted September 24, 2012 Hi allIt's nearly a year after the last post in this thread and I'm in the same boat - literally and figuratively.Can anyone offer updated feedback - I have a cruise booked in December and I'm freaking out about the visa which the travel agency says I have to have - just not enough time considering the two month waiting period for an appointment at the French consulate in Sydney.ThanksFrancois Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bronwyn&Co Posted September 24, 2012 Report Share Posted September 24, 2012 Hi allIt's nearly a year after the last post in this thread and I'm in the same boat - literally and figuratively.Can anyone offer updated feedback - I have a cruise booked in December and I'm freaking out about the visa which the travel agency says I have to have - just not enough time considering the two month waiting period for an apJpointment at the French consulate in Sydney.ThanksFrancoisHi there, please let me know what you find out, I'm interested !? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fish Posted September 24, 2012 Report Share Posted September 24, 2012 (edited) Hi allIt's nearly a year after the last post in this thread and I'm in the same boat - literally and figuratively.Can anyone offer updated feedback - I have a cruise booked in December and I'm freaking out about the visa which the travel agency says I have to have - just not enough time considering the two month waiting period for an appointment at the French consulate in Sydney.ThanksFrancoisI'm sorry but Charmaine is still locked up in a cell in New Caledonia and unfortunately has no internet access so won't be able to reply Edited September 24, 2012 by Fish 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bronwyn&Co Posted September 24, 2012 Report Share Posted September 24, 2012 I'm sorry but Charmaine is still locked up in a cell in New Caledonia and unfortunately has no internet access so won't be able to reply Lol!!! Let's get on the phone to A Current Affair.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fish Posted September 24, 2012 Report Share Posted September 24, 2012 (edited) Lol!!! Let's get on the phone to A Current Affair....Talking to A Current Affair ? I'd rather say "youse" !!! Edited September 24, 2012 by Fish Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bronwyn&Co Posted September 24, 2012 Report Share Posted September 24, 2012 (edited) Talking to A Current Affair ? I'd rather say "youse" !!! Hahaha I'd love to be on ACA with all the tenants that have been wronged, landlords that have had their houses trashed at facebook parties and pensioners that thought they could get a 45% return on their Super by giving it to their nephew's friend to invest...what's wrong with youse??Sorry for the hijack Francois. Maybe it will be best to phone the French Consulate in Sydney to enquire? Edited September 24, 2012 by Bronwyn&Co Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
herby Posted September 24, 2012 Report Share Posted September 24, 2012 Lol - no worries - glad to be the start of some mirth Unfortunately, the French consulate has no voice assistance for visa queries - I've emailed them and I'm hoping for some clarity. Thing is that their website is explicit in stating that passport holders from countries without visa exemption for New Caledonia (ie ZA) must have a visa - even if you're a cruise passenger who is not disembarking in port ....It seems pretty cut and dried - except for feedback from people who have been there and confirmed its not true. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dan Tanne Posted September 24, 2012 Report Share Posted September 24, 2012 I had the same problem as I am doing a similar cruise on 30th December, and was told that I needed a Visa. My issue was that I am in Melbourne and all visa applicants have to appear in person at the consulate in Sydney.It just so happens that I have now received my Australian citizenship, so am just waiting for the passports to be issued, so will be travelling on Aussie passports and dont need a visa.At my citizenship ceremony I saw a mate of mine there who went on a cruise to New Caledonia last year. His wife was still on an SA passport. She did not need a visa, and she got off the ship in New Caledonia. No-one checked anything. There were no issues. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bronwyn&Co Posted September 25, 2012 Report Share Posted September 25, 2012 (edited) Interesting stuff!! A friend of mine (SAfrican) panicked and got a refund on a New Caledonia cruise ticket she had booked!I was convinced I couldn't get in so we went to Vanuatu instead (amazing, fantastic place!!) Edited September 25, 2012 by Bronwyn&Co Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Aneldari Posted September 25, 2012 Report Share Posted September 25, 2012 HiSomeone from the SAAus Facebook page confirmed today that you still do not need a visa for New Caledonia (if you are on a cruise). Apparently she got hold of some-one that is quite clued-up.Cruises are absolutely amazing and you'll love the experience!Enjoy!CheersAneldari Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
herby Posted September 25, 2012 Report Share Posted September 25, 2012 Thanks for the answers allI'm 99.9% sure now that we do not need the visa.That last damn 0.1% is due to the French Consulates's website.I've been on MSC cruises in South Africa - Melody, Rhapsody and Sinfonia and that's why I'm planning the cruise here - the best holiday in my opinion.Thanks againFrancois Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bronwyn&Co Posted September 26, 2012 Report Share Posted September 26, 2012 Thanks for the answers allI'm 99.9% sure now that we do not need the visa.That last damn 0.1% is due to the French Consulates's website.I've been on MSC cruises in South Africa - Melody, Rhapsody and Sinfonia and that's why I'm planning the cruise here - the best holiday in my opinion.Thanks againFrancoisFrancois I am very keen on a cruise and it looks like good value, but I'm scared I get sick with the rocking of the boat 'Did you not experience this? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fish Posted September 26, 2012 Report Share Posted September 26, 2012 Francois I find this http://boards.cruisecritic.com/forumdisplay.php?f=712 handy for cruise questions... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fish Posted September 26, 2012 Report Share Posted September 26, 2012 Francois I am very keen on a cruise and it looks like good value, but I'm scared I get sick with the rocking of the boat 'Did you not experience this?I didn't...or very little...but I'm guessing different times of the year will increase/decrease your chances of rough weather. I think summer is the worst in the South Pacific off Brisbane. Choose a cabin in the middle of the ship for the least rocking. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bronwyn&Co Posted September 26, 2012 Report Share Posted September 26, 2012 I can't even read an sms on my phone in the car and I start to feel sick, hmmm I'd hate to spend the whole time ill Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fish Posted September 26, 2012 Report Share Posted September 26, 2012 I can't even read an sms on my phone in the car and I start to feel sick, hmmm I'd hate to spend the whole time ill My wife hates reading the phone in the car but she was fine on our cruise. It would be a bugger to be sick the whole time but maybe the odds of that aren't too high if you avoid summer? There are mini tester cruises you can do that only last 1 or 2 nights. Also cruises that go up the qld coast from Brisbane to Cairns and back. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bronwyn&Co Posted September 26, 2012 Report Share Posted September 26, 2012 My wife hates reading the phone in the car but she was fine on our cruise. It would be a bugger to be sick the whole time but maybe the odds of that aren't too high if you avoid summer? There are mini tester cruises you can do that only last 1 or 2 nights. Also cruises that go up the qld coast from Brisbane to Cairns and back.Thanks I'll try a mini one! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bronwyn&Co Posted September 26, 2012 Report Share Posted September 26, 2012 My wife hates reading the phone in the car but she was fine on our cruise. It would be a bugger to be sick the whole time but maybe the odds of that aren't too high if you avoid summer? There are mini tester cruises you can do that only last 1 or 2 nights. Also cruises that go up the qld coast from Brisbane to Cairns and back.I'll try this one! http://www.cruiseabout.com.au/product/Worldwide-2473608 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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