Essential Information

The below information is current as of September 14, 2023. Because government travel requirements change periodically, we recommend that you check with your travel advisor, a visa service or the consulate of each country being visited.

2023 Grand South America

As a courtesy, Holland America Line provides the following information for guests holding a passport from the U.S., Canada, the Netherlands, Germany, Australia, New Zealand, Switzerland, Austria, the United Kingdom, Brazil, Romania and Mexico. For guests holding a passport from nations other than the above list we recommend you inquire with CIBTvisas or your local consulate.

    • An e-visa for Chile is required for nationals of Australia; e-visas may be obtained via https://tramites.minrel.gov.cl/

    • Nationals of Mexico will require a visa for Stanley/Falkland Islands. 

    • Nationals of Brazil will require a visa for French Guiana. 

    • ESTAs for the Unites States are required for some of the above noted nationalities, please review the United States section below for entry requirements.  

UNITED STATES

A United States visa is required for certain nationalities. If you are an eligible passport holder from a Visa Waiver Program (VWP) country, you will be able to enter/exit the U.S. without a visa provided you are in possession of a biometric passport AND pre-register online for the VWP through the Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA). ESTA applications may be made online at  https://esta.cbp.dhs.gov/esta/.  Applications may be submitted at any time prior to travel, however, DHS recommends that applications be submitted no less than 72 hours prior to travel.

2023 Grand Africa 

As a courtesy, Holland America Line provides the following information for guests holding a passport from the U.S., Canada, the Netherlands, Germany, Australia, New Zealand, Switzerland, Austria, the United Kingdom, Brazil, Romania and Mexico. For guests holding a passport from nations other than the above list we recommend you inquire with CIBTvisas or your local consulate.

    • A visa may be obtained on board for entry to Angola, Jordan and Madagascar at no cost as well as Tanzania, Ghana, and Mozambique for a fee. For nationals of the United States, Brazil and Mexica a visa is required for entry to Gambia; this visa may be obtained on board for a fee.

    • ESTAs are required for some of the above noted nationalities, please review the United States section below for entry requirements. 

UNITED STATES

A United States visa is required for certain nationalities. If you are an eligible passport holder from a Visa Waiver Program (VWP) country, you will be able to enter/exit the U.S. without a visa provided you are in possession of a biometric passport AND pre-register online for the VWP through the Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA).

ESTA applications may be made online at https://esta.cbp.dhs.gov/esta/.  Applications may be submitted at any time prior to travel, however, DHS recommends that applications be submitted no less than 72 hours prior to travel.

2024 World Voyage

As a courtesy, Holland America Line provides the following information for guests holding a passport from the U.S., Canada, the Netherlands, Germany, Australia, New Zealand, Switzerland, Austria, the United Kingdom, Brazil, Romania and Mexico. For guests holding a passport from nations other than the above list we recommend you inquire with CIBTvisas or your local consulate.

    • A visa may be obtained on board for entry to United Arab Emirates and Jordan at no cost as well as Vietnam for a fee. 

    • Visas must be secured prior to sailing for Sri Lanka and India. 

    • A visa is required for independent exploration in China. Some guests my qualify for an exemption; please see the below China section for information. 

    • Nationals of the United States, Canada and Australia will require a visa for entry to Brazil. 

    • Nationals of Brazil will require a visa for French Guiana. 

    • Nationals of Brazil who embark in Japan will require a visa for entry to Japan. 

    • While the EU does plan on implementation of their required ETIAS for multiple nationalities throughout 2024 an implementation date for the twelve nationalities listed above has not yet been announced.  As implementation plans are solidified, we recommend you check ETIAS (europa.eu)     regularly for updates. 

    • ESTAs are required for some of the above noted nationalities, please review the United States section below for entry requirements. 

CHINA 

Guests who arrive and depart with the ship in mainland China may now be eligible for a visa waiver under the following exemption. 

Guests entering mainland China via Shanghai must book a tour with Holland America Line or an approved tour agency to receive the visa exemption for their tour. Guests must verify themselves that an independent tour is approved to provide a visa exemption. The exemption extends to other port calls in mainland China on authorized tours only, as independent exploration is not allowed. 

Guests who plan to go ashore independently must obtain a Chinese visa. Guests who neither secure a Chinese visa nor qualify for a visa waiver/exemption will regrettably not be permitted to go ashore in China and must remain on board.

UNITED STATES

A United States visa is required for certain nationalities. If you are an eligible passport holder from a Visa Waiver Program (VWP) country, you will be able to enter/exit the U.S. without a visa provided you are in possession of a biometric passport AND pre-register online for the VWP through the Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA).

ESTA applications may be made online at https://esta.cbp.dhs.gov/esta/. Applications may be submitted at any time prior to travel, however, DHS recommends that applications be submitted no less than 72 hours prior to travel.

2024 Grand Australia / New Zealand

As a courtesy, Holland America Line provides the following information for guests holding a passport from the U.S., Canada, the Netherlands, Germany, Australia, New Zealand, Switzerland, Austria, the United Kingdom, Brazil, Romania and Mexico. For guests holding a passport from nations other than the above list we recommend you inquire with CIBTvisas or your local consulate.

    • An eTA is required for entry to Australia. For more information visit Subclass 601 Electronic Travel Authority (homeaffairs.gov.au). An Australian eTA is not required for nationals of Australia or New Zealand. 

    • A NZeTA is required for entry to New Zealand. For more information visit https://www.immigration.govt.nz/new-zealand-visas. A NZeTA is not required for nationals of Australia or New Zealand. 

    • ESTAs are required for some of the above noted nationalities, please review the United States section below for entry requirements.  

UNITED STATES

A United States visa is required for certain nationalities. If you are an eligible passport holder from a Visa Waiver Program (VWP) country, you will be able to enter/exit the U.S. without a visa provided you are in possession of a biometric passport AND pre-register online for the VWP through the Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA).

ESTA applications may be made online at https://esta.cbp.dhs.gov/esta/.  Applications may be submitted at any time prior to travel, however, DHS recommends that applications be submitted no less than 72 hours prior to travel.

NOTE: Every country has its own entry requirements, and guests assume personal responsibility for having the necessary documents when boarding.

Holland America Line recommends using a visa service to secure your required documentation and we have partnered with CIBTvisas to assist with the collection of necessary documents.

Contact CIBTvisas by phone: 
U.S. & Canada residents: 866-935-8472  
Netherlands residents: 0800-2524632  
Germany residents: 800 3202233  
Australia residents: 1300 964 164  
United Kingdom residents: 0800 1218239  
Belgium residents: 0902 150 45  
Singapore residents: 6603 1096
Spain residents: 902 113 829  
Switzerland residents: +41 (0) 22 884 18 70  
France residents: 0144107272

Learn more about CIBTvisa. 

The below information is current as of August 1, 2023.
 

Guests are responsible for acquiring all required vaccinations and we encourage guests to consistently review the Center for Disease Control website to stay informed about the latest guidelines, changes, and vaccination requirements for every country you will visit. 

More information on current traveler’s health protocols can be found at http://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel, and further details on our Holland America Line cruise health protocols on our Know Before You Go page in the “Identification Requirements” section.

Yellow Fever

The below information is current as of June 30, 2023. As a courtesy, Holland America Line provides the following information regarding Yellow Fever Vaccinations: 

2023 Grand South America & Antarctica

Please be advised that a yellow fever vaccination is an international health requirement for all persons on this itinerary due to entry to Devil’s Island. A valid, original Certificate for Yellow Fever Vaccination or waiver must be presented during check-in. The vaccine must be given at least ten days before your trip and is good for life. A booster shot is recommended every ten years but is not required. If you have a medical contraindication to the vaccine, you must bring a signed vaccine exemption letter issued by a licensed medical doctor. Please note photocopies are not acceptable. During the cruise, upon arrival at certain ports, this letter will be presented to local officials who will advise whether you will be allowed to go ashore or if you will have to stay on board while the ship is in port.

As these requirements can change on short notice, we suggest you contact an approved public health travel advisory service at least eight weeks prior to sailing to verify the travel health precautions for your trip. Failure to present valid proof of vaccination or an exemption letter may result in denial of boarding. More information can be found at  https://www.cdc.gov/yellowfever.

2023 Grand Africa

Please be advised that a yellow fever vaccination is an international health requirement for all persons on this itinerary due to entry to Angola, Ghana and Ivory Coast. A valid, original Certificate for Yellow Fever Vaccination or waiver must be presented during check-in. The vaccine must be given at least ten days before your trip and is good for life. A booster shot is recommended every ten years but is not required. If you have a medical contraindication to the vaccine, you must bring a signed vaccine exemption letter issued by a licensed medical doctor. Please note photocopies are not acceptable. During the cruise, upon arrival at certain ports, this letter will be presented to local officials who will advise whether you will be allowed to go ashore or if you will have to stay on board while the ship is in port.

As these requirements can change on short notice, we suggest you contact an approved public health travel advisory service at least eight weeks prior to sailing to verify the travel health precautions for your trip. Failure to present valid proof of vaccination or an exemption letter may result in denial of boarding. More information can be found at https://www.cdc.gov/yellowfever.

2024 Grand World Voyage

Please be advised that a yellow fever vaccination is an international health requirement for all persons on this itinerary due to entry to Devil’s Island. A valid, original Certificate for Yellow Fever Vaccination or waiver must be presented during check-in. The vaccine must be given at least ten days before your trip and is good for life. A booster shot is recommended every ten years but is not required. If you have a medical contraindication to the vaccine, you must bring a signed vaccine exemption letter issued by a licensed medical doctor. Please note photocopies are not acceptable. During the cruise, upon arrival at certain ports, this letter will be presented to local officials who will advise whether you will be allowed to go ashore or if you will have to stay on board while the ship is in port.

As these requirements can change on short notice, we suggest you contact an approved public health travel advisory service at least eight weeks prior to sailing to verify the travel health precautions for your trip. Failure to present valid proof of vaccination or an exemption letter may result in denial of boarding. More information can be found at https://www.cdc.gov/yellowfever.

2024 Grand Australia / New Zealand

Please be advised there is no requirement for a yellow fever vaccination on this voyage. As these requirements can change on short notice, we suggest you contact an approved public health travel advisory service at least eight weeks prior to sailing to verify the travel health precautions for your trip. More information can be found at https://www.cdc.gov/yellowfever.

Place articles in clear plastic bags inside your luggage to minimize handling by airport security. Put shoes on top to expedite the screening process and label the inside of your carry-on and checked luggage with your name and contact information. We also recommend that guests keep all medications in carry-on luggage during embarkation. Weapons and dangerous devices are prohibited items and may result in denied boarding.

Check the official website of the Transportation Security Administration for complete and updated information.

Don't forget your dressy attire! With so many extraordinary events on board, including a multi-course dinner in the Dining Room, you'll want to be prepared. Collared shirt and slacks for men, and elegant dresses, skirts or slacks for women are required in fine dining restaurants on Dressy Nights except on Lido Deck.