Do I need a visa?
Some countries require that you obtain and carry with you official documentation, called a visa, before entering that country. It is your sole responsibility to obtain and have available the proper travel documents necessary for your travel, including all associated costs related to obtaining your travel documents. Boarding may be denied if you arrive at the pier without the proper travel documentation, and in that case you would not be eligible for a refund.
Visa and documentation requirements vary by nationality and destination. Please review your itinerary and verify your specific travel requirements. Because governmental travel requirements change periodically, you should check with a visa service or the consulate of each country you will visit no later than three (3) weeks prior to sailing to verify travel documentation.
Visa processing can vary by destination and submission location. It may also be longer during peak seasons or when embassies are closed. We recommend that you obtain all visas as early as possible to assure you are prepared to travel without interruption.
As a courtesy, Holland America Line provides some information as to necessary travel documents and visas. Guests are still obligated to verify such information with the appropriate authorities. The information provided on this site was correct at the time of publishing and is subject to change at any time. You may also contact your travel advisor, CIBTvisas or other local visa services for assistance in determining which visas will be required for your specific cruise based on your nationality. For CIBTvisas contact information visit Visa Service Provider.
Grand Voyages
Travel documentation for Grand Voyages is specific to the voyage. These materials are shared directly with booked guests in the months before departure.
Additionally, Holland America Line provides the following CIBTvisas service link to assist with understanding visa requirements and/or the collection of necessary documents. Guests may, if they prefer, use another visa service or complete the process on their own.
Traveling to the United States
If you are a foreign national entering the United States you may require a visa or ESTA (Electronic System for Travel Authorization) if you are a national of a country eligible for the Visa Waiver Program (VWP).
We suggest that guests visit www.cbp.gov/travel/international-visitors/esta for additional information regarding the ESTA and VWP.
ESTA eligible guests will need to print and carry their ESTA application response as it will need to be presented at the pier along with your passport. An ESTA will need to be completed for each family member traveling on the cruise. Travelers who have not obtained ESTA approval should expect to be denied boarding on any air carrier bound for the U.S.
Traveling to Canada
Affecting all Alaska sailings, Alaska tours and Canada & New England sailings that visit or transit Canada:
Guests who are not citizens of the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, Australia or New Zealand, may require a Temporary Resident Visa (TRV) to visit or transit Canada. You will be DENIED BOARDING without compensation if you do not hold the proper VISA documents. Canadian officials WILL NOT allow guests to remain onboard while in a Canadian port without proper documentation.
If you are a NON-US or NON-Canadian citizen and are arriving to Canada by air, you may require an Electronic Travel Authority (eTA) to fly to or transit through Canada even if you do not require a TRV.
To verify whether your nationality requires a Canadian visa or eTA, please contact your local Canadian consulate or visit this Canadian immigration Web site, which may be useful to determine what is required.
Guests who have committed or been convicted of a crime may not be allowed into Canada. Almost all convictions (including DUI, DWI, reckless driving, negligent driving, misdemeanor drug possession, all felonies, domestic violence [assault IV], shoplifting, theft, etc.) make a person inadmissible to Canada, regardless of how long ago they occurred.
It is recommended that persons who have been charged in the past or who have past convictions obtain the necessary documents before attempting to enter Canada.
To learn more about applying for these documents we strongly recommend you visit the following website for details: Read more about applying for these documents.
Travel to the European Union
As of December 2025 the European Union has not yet announced a specific date for the start of EITAS (European Travel Information and Authorization System) requirement for entry to EU nations. At this time the guidance from the EU is the requirement is expected to be effective in the last quarter of 2026. For updated information guests should visit European Travel Information and Authorization System (ETIAS) - ETIAS.
Travel to the UK
An Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) for the United Kingdom is required. To apply, please visit https://www.gov.uk/eta/apply. You will be asked to present your UK ETA confirmation or visa at check-in, please ensure you have a printed copy or digital copy with you to facilitate the embarkation process. The ETA is linked to the passport number used in the application.
Guests that hold dual UK citizenship must enter the UK with a valid UK passport or certificate of entitlement in their foreign passport. Please visit https://www.gov.uk/evisa/set-up-ukvi-account to start the process to obtain an UK passport (up to twelve weeks to process) or certificate of entitlement (up to eight weeks to process) in a foreign passport.
Permanent residents of the UK need to enter the UK with an e-visa in their foreign passport, please visit https://www.gov.uk/evisa/set-up-ukvi-account.
Guests that do not present valid documentation to enter the UK at embarkation maybe denied boarding without a refund of the cruise fare for failure to meet travel requirements.
Travel to Egypt
Please be advised that for nationals of the United States, Canada, Germany, Netherlands, Australia, New Zealand, Switzerland, Austria, United Kingdom, Brazil, Mexico, and Romania, an Egyptian visa is not required when in transit with the ship. All other nationalities should consult with the CIBTvisas website at http://hollandamerica.cibtvisas.com/.