Bahama cruise on tourist visa indian citizens

[Rajeffery]

No Bahamas visa required for Indian citizens in the US going on a Cruise - Verified

Just wanted to share our experience too as it may help others.
We were also back from a cruise to Nassau, Bahamas in May, 2016.
We(myself and my wife) are both on H1b visas and my visa actually expires after 2 weeks of our trip(Of course I had an H1B extension too).
We also took our parents who has B2 visa.

I'm listing out various entry and exit points and the documents that have been checked.

1) While we are embarking on the ship at Miami, they checked our passports (Not sure if they had verified if we have any valid visa to return) but we were asked if we have any permanent card, I told them we just have non-immigrant visas.

2) While disembarking the ship at Nassau,Bahamas they just checked the Sail card(similar to boarding pass for flights) and a picture ID. We just showed our passports for picture IDs for all of us. No body checked/asked for any Bahamas visa or as such. Btw, this check happened in the ship itself before we got out. There are no other checks once we are out

3) Again to get back on to the ship at Bahamas, they just checked our passports and sail cards. But this time the verification is done before we even get on to the dock. The sail cards are verified and the baggage was scanned while entering into the ship.

4) While disembarking at Miami the CBP official is checking the Visa on passport and verifying the photo. He just asked me what do I do and what company I work for. He didn't even ask for any I797 or anything. He also asked about our parents when would they leave and if they had return ticket. We answered yes and that's all - we are out of the port.

Based on our experience it is safe to go to Bahamas without having to get Bahamas visa for Indian citizens who are in the USA on a non-immigrant visa.
But I believe we definitely need a valid (unexpired) US visa stamp to return to US.

My friend family also accompanied us. And his case is that even though he has valid H1b visa, his current company holding the visa is different. But there was no cross verification and he was not even asked any questions.

On a side note, We thoroughly enjoyed the cruise and I would recommend to everyone. It's a nice experience.

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Great Information

Just wanted to share our experience too as it may help others.
We were also back from a cruise to Nassau, Bahamas in May, 2016.
We(myself and my wife) are both on H1b visas and my visa actually expires after 2 weeks of our trip(Of course I had an H1B extension too).
We also took our parents who has B2 visa.

I'm listing out various entry and exit points and the documents that have been checked.

1) While we are embarking on the ship at Miami, they checked our passports (Not sure if they had verified if we have any valid visa to return) but we were asked if we have any permanent card, I told them we just have non-immigrant visas.

2) While disembarking the ship at Nassau,Bahamas they just checked the Sail card(similar to boarding pass for flights) and a picture ID. We just showed our passports for picture IDs for all of us. No body checked/asked for any Bahamas visa or as such. Btw, this check happened in the ship itself before we got out. There are no other checks once we are out

3) Again to get back on to the ship at Bahamas, they just checked our passports and sail cards. But this time the verification is done before we even get on to the dock. The sail cards are verified and the baggage was scanned while entering into the ship.

4) While disembarking at Miami the CBP official is checking the Visa on passport and verifying the photo. He just asked me what do I do and what company I work for. He didn't even ask for any I797 or anything. He also asked about our parents when would they leave and if they had return ticket. We answered yes and that's all - we are out of the port.

Based on our experience it is safe to go to Bahamas without having to get Bahamas visa for Indian citizens who are in the USA on a non-immigrant visa.
But I believe we definitely need a valid (unexpired) US visa stamp to return to US.

My friend family also accompanied us. And his case is that even though he has valid H1b visa, his current company holding the visa is different. But there was no cross verification and he was not even asked any questions.

On a side note, We thoroughly enjoyed the cruise and I would recommend to everyone. It's a nice experience.

Hi Raj,

This is the perfect information that I need. We are planning to visit bahamas and having lots of questions related to Visas but you have answered all of them.
This information is really very very helpful.
Thanks Much.....!!!!!

[rumihkhan]

Thankyou very much for putting this information. We are sailing on july 4th and today somebody told that we need a visa. We were totally sadden, but i so glad to see your post . It's a big big relief .

Thanks a lot.

[Kandarp Patel]

Please share your feedback.

Thankyou very much for putting this information. We are sailing on july 4th and today somebody told that we need a visa. We were totally sadden, but i so glad to see your post . It's a big big relief .

Thanks a lot.

Can you please let me know your experience once you're back? I am in the same kind of boat. My parents are on B2 visa and I want them to go with us.

[nmmohta]

Visa was needed or not?

Thankyou very much for putting this information. We are sailing on july 4th and today somebody told that we need a visa. We were totally sadden, but i so glad to see your post . It's a big big relief .

Thanks a lot.

Were you able to get off the ship in Bahamas without the visa?

[Mickey23]

Recent cruise to Bahamas

I cruised to Bahamas few days back and looks like the Bahamas visa is not required. Only thing that is required is a valid visa stamp on your passport if you are on H1B.

[MOHAN KIRAN]

No Bahamas Visa Required

Were you able to get off the ship in Bahamas without the visa?

I want to help others the same way i got help from this thread.I just returned back this morning (08/29/2016) after a 3 night cruise on Royal Carribbean Enchantment of the seas from Miami to Cococay and Nassau. No Bahamas Visa required at all. You just need a Photo ID (Not necessarily the passport - I used my Florida Driver's License to enter back to Nassau port) which will be asked by port security before getting to the cruise and no sort of ID is required to Cococay as it is a Royal carribbean private island. The custom's officer back in Miami only check if you have a valid visa or not. Thats all. Don't listen to anyone who says Bahamas Visa is required. Just go Don't look back

[rcmax]

I want to help others the same way i got help from this thread.I just returned back this morning (08/29/2016) after a 3 night cruise on Royal Carribbean Enchantment of the seas from Miami to Cococay and Nassau. No Bahamas Visa required at all. You just need a Photo ID (Not necessarily the passport - I used my Florida Driver's License to enter back to Nassau port) which will be asked by port security before getting to the cruise and no sort of ID is required to Cococay as it is a Royal carribbean private island. The custom's officer back in Miami only check if you have a valid visa or not. Thats all. Don't listen to anyone who says Bahamas Visa is required. Just go Don't look back

Thanks for the useful info. So it looks like a visitor from India with a 10 yr multiple entry tourist visa can take the cruise and CBP will let them back into the country. Am I correct Mohan?

[harish_heera]

Please confirm no bahamas visa required

i want to help others the same way i got help from this thread.i just returned back this morning (08/29/2016) after a 3 night cruise on royal carribbean enchantment of the seas from miami to cococay and nassau. No bahamas visa required at all. You just need a photo id (not necessarily the passport - i used my florida driver's license to enter back to nassau port) which will be asked by port security before getting to the cruise and no sort of id is required to cococay as it is a royal carribbean private island. The custom's officer back in miami only check if you have a valid visa or not. Thats all. Don't listen to anyone who says bahamas visa is required. Just go don't look back

indian passport holder visiting bahamas on a cruise with usa b1/b2 visa, do i need the bahamian visa ???

[rboca]

cruise to bahamas for parents visiting from India

I am exactly in the same situation and we'll be taking a cruise by Carnival as well. I've been getting mixed responses when I search online or talk to the travel agents. Did your parents end up getting a visa? Please respond.

Hi, can you pls inform if your parents could travel (cruise to bahamas) without a visa or you had to get one? Were they able to get out of the cruise at all? Thx.

[vipsonik]

Just wanted to share our experience too as it may help others.
We were just back from a cruise to Nassau, Bahamas in May, 2016.
We(myself and my wife) are both on H1b visas and my visa actually expires after 2 weeks of our trip(Of course I have an H1B extension too).
We also took our parents who has B2 visa.

I'm listing out various entry and exit points and the documents that have been checked.

1) While we are embarking on the ship at Miami, they checked our passports (Not sure if they had verified if we have any valid visa to return) but we were asked if we have any permanent card, I told them we just have non-immigrant visas. These people are from Carnival.

2) While disembarking the ship at Nassau,Bahamas they just checked the Sail card(similar to boarding pass for flights) and a picture ID. We just showed our passports for picture IDs for all of us. No body checked/asked for any Bahamas visa or as such. Btw, this check happened in the ship itself before we got out. There are no other checks once we are out.

3) Again to get back on to the ship at Bahamas, they just checked our passports and sail cards. But this time the verification is done before we even get on to the dock. The sail cards are verified and the baggage was scanned while entering into the ship.

4) While disembarking at Miami the CBP official is checking the Visa on passport and verifying the photo. He just asked me what do I do and what company I work for. He didn't even ask for any I797 or anything. He also asked about our parents when would they leave and if they had return ticket. We answered yes and that's all - we are out of the port.

Based on our experience it is safe to go to Bahamas without having to get Bahamas visa for Indian citizens who are in the USA on a non-immigrant visa. For green card holders anyway it is stated officially that they do not need any visa.
Yes, Officially it is mentioned on Bahamas consulate website and other sources that Indian citizens need Bahamas visa to get there but it seems that cruises starting from US are an exemption/oversight on their part. If you flying to Bahamas it may be the case that you need to show Bahamas visa.

In the worst case scenario if they changed their policies and they do not allow you to get off the ship at Bahamas. Just stay on the ship itself like many people do as it is matter of only few hours you get to spend outside. We actually had time from 10 AM to next day 6AM. We got off the ship by 11 and got back at 7 PM.

For the return to US I believe we definitely need a valid (unexpired) US visa stamp.

My friend and his family also accompanied us. And his case is that even though he has valid H1b visa, his current company holding the visa is different. But there was no cross verification and he was not even asked any questions.

On a side note we thoroughly enjoyed the cruise and I would recommend it to everyone. It's a nice experience.

Thanks much for the information. I'm taking cruise in April with my bro and his family visiting from India on B2 visa

[rcmax]

Thanks much for the information. I'm taking cruise in April with my bro and his family visiting from India on B2 visa

After your cruise is over can you please post how it went for the B2 visa holders in terms of immigration (any questions, no questions etc.) because I am also planning to take someone with B2 visa on a cruise. Which port are you leaving from?

[vipsonik]

Sharing Bahams cruise experience - April 2017

I did Bahamas cruise from April 24 - 28'2017. I'm a H-1B visa holder and traveled with my wife/kid and brother's family that were on B1/B2 visa. I know there are mixed reviews on the interview whether we need a visa for Bahamas cruise or not. Few pointers from my travel experience

You need valid US Visa stamping when you embark the ship and during your cruise journey

Day 1- April 24th - When boarding the ships they checked my visa stamping and also asked for my I-797, so please carry your I-797 as a back up document. One's checked, we were issued a Sea Pass
Day 2- April 25th - When getting down at Nassau, Bahamas; we showed seapass and US Drivers License. When boarding back the ship we showed seapass and that was enough
Day 3- April 26th - When getting down at Cococay, Bhamas; we showed seapass. Upon return we did the same. Cococay is private island of Royal Carribean
Day 4- April 27th - Before getting down at Key West, FL. Passport check was done on the ship for all passengers. When getting down showed seapass and when boarding the ship showed seapass and US Driver's License
Day 5 - April 28th - When getting down in Miami, they checked passport and stamping and couple questions like where do I work and all. Also took us on a side for random luggage check. Typical US thing with brown skin. They do not issue new I-94 when doing curising.

On the contrary, my brother and his family were on B2 visa and no questions asked. Everything was very smooth.

So the summary is ..You do not need Bahamas visa. All you need is valid US visa stamping in your passport.

[rcmax]

I did Bahamas cruise from April 24 - 28'2017. I'm a H-1B visa holder and traveled with my wife/kid and brother's family that were on B1/B2 visa. I know there are mixed reviews on the interview whether we need a visa for Bahamas cruise or not. Few pointers from my travel experience

You need valid US Visa stamping when you embark the ship and during your cruise journey

Day 1- April 24th - When boarding the ships they checked my visa stamping and also asked for my I-797, so please carry your I-797 as a back up document. One's checked, we were issued a Sea Pass
Day 2- April 25th - When getting down at Nassau, Bahamas; we showed seapass and US Drivers License. When boarding back the ship we showed seapass and that was enough
Day 3- April 26th - When getting down at Cococay, Bhamas; we showed seapass. Upon return we did the same. Cococay is private island of Royal Carribean
Day 4- April 27th - Before getting down at Key West, FL. Passport check was done on the ship for all passengers. When getting down showed seapass and when boarding the ship showed seapass and US Driver's License
Day 5 - April 28th - When getting down in Miami, they checked passport and stamping and couple questions like where do I work and all. Also took us on a side for random luggage check. Typical US thing with brown skin. They do not issue new I-94 when doing curising.

On the contrary, my brother and his family were on B2 visa and no questions asked. Everything was very smooth.

So the summary is ..You do not need Bahamas visa. All you need is valid US visa stamping in your passport.

Thanks for the prompt and detailed information, it will be of so much help for everyone.

[nandamkc]

Bahamas Trip with Valid F1 visa Stamp and H1B under processing

Hi

We are planning to take a trip to Bahamas on a cruise from Miami in Mid-Jan 2018. My husband has valid H1b visa stamp, but I have a valid F1 visa stamp with H1b under processing (it has been 2 months, RFE has been responded and awaiting USCIS response).

I have two scenarios

1. Can I take cruise trip to Bahamas and return to Miami, US with valid F1 visa and H1b stil under processing?
2. If my H1B gets approved before the trip, Can I still make the trip and come back to USA with H1B I-797 and F1 visa stamp on passport?

Did anyone of you guys went through one of the above situations? Or Does anyone have any knowledge about these situations and taking a cruise trip to Bahamas?

Thanks in advance!