Do I need a passport to work on a cruise ship?

Indian passport holder taking cruise that touches Mexico for less than 24 hours

• I am an Indian Passport holder living in the US (H1B multiple entry work visa) who is planning on taking a cruise with another traveller (Indian passport holder, multiple entry US visitor visa). The ship (Royal Caribbean Monarch of the Seas) leaves from Los Angles and touches a Mexican port for less than 24 hours (schedule as below) DAY DATE PORT ARRIVE DEPART Fri Dec 22 Los Angeles, CA 5:30pm Sat Dec 23 Catalina Island, CA 8:00am 5:00pm Sun Dec 24 San Diego, CA 7:00am 5:00pm Mon Dec 25 At Sea Tue Dec 26 Ensenada, Mexico 8:00am 5:00pm Wed Dec 27 Los Angeles, CA 7:00am The Question is this: Will my travelling companion and I (both Indian passport holders) require some kind of Mexican visa or Mexican paperwork in order to board the ship? I need an answer within the next week or so. (today is 11/17/2006)

• Answer:

  Good news! According to the Mexican Embassy for India, you do not need to get permission in advance. This information is in two places on the Embassy's web site, once in English and once in Spanish. The Spanish version has a bit more information, so I'll provide a translation for you. First the English version: Embassy of Mexico in India: Leisure Cruises http://portal.sre.gob.mx/indiaeng/index.php?option=displaypage&Itemid=58&op=page&SubMenu= Regardless of their nationality, foreigners traveling on leisure cruises, who have embarked the ship in a third country, do not require visa or Entry Permits' to visit Mexican seaports. Their arrival will be authorized by the National Institute of Migration directly at the port. Now in Spanish: Embajada de México en India http://portal.sre.gob.mx/india/index.php?option=displaypage&Itemid=91&op=page&SubMenu= 4. Viajaré en crucero a México, ¿qué debo hacer? Si usted aborda la embarcación en otro país y sólo visita puertos mexicanos por menos de 24 hrs, no es necesario obtener una visa de turista. Las autoridades del barco harán los trámites necesarios ante las autoridades mexicanas y le darán toda la información pertinente para que pueda desembarcar por unas horas. My translation: 4. I will travel by cruise to Mexico. What should I do? If you get on board in another country and only visit Mexican ports for less than 24 hours, it isn't necessary to get a tourist visa. The boat authorities will do the necessary paperwork in the presence of the Mexican authorities and will give you all the pertinent information so that you can get off the boat for a few hours. Similar information is on Mexican consular page for other countries as well: Bienvenidos a la Sección Migratoria http://www.sre.gob.mx/ecuador/portalweb/consular/sermigra/migraresum.htm PASAJEROS EN CRUCEROS Los extranjeros que pretendan visitar puertos marítimos mexicanos como pasajeros en cruceros turísticos no requieren visa ni permiso previo en la representación consular, independientemente de la nacionalidad. El desembarco en el puerto de entrada será autorizado en los términos que determine el Instituto Nacional de Migración. My translation: CRUISE PASSENGERS Foreigners who plan to visit Mexican seaports as passengers on tourist cruises do not need a tourist visit nor advance permission from a consular representative, regardless of nationality. Disembarking in the entry port will be authorized in terminals designated by the National Immigration Institute. IMPORTANT NOTE: As indicated above, the Mexican government will not bar you from setting foot in the country. However, you still need to make arrangements with Royal Caribbean in advance so their folks can make the necessary arrangements. Even if you weren't going to Mexico, you would want to check with Royal Caribbean to make certain you have the paperwork with you necessary to return back to the United States once you are through with your cruise. You can contact Royal Caribbean here: Royal Caribbean International - Royal Caribbean Customer Support http://www.royalcaribbean.com/customersupport.do I visited Ensenada a few years ago (although I traveled there by land) and found it an interesting city to visit. I hope you enjoy it. Have a great trip, Mvguy-ga Google searches used: "mexican embassy" india ://www.google.com/search?q=%22mexican+embassy%22+india site:gob.mx crucero migración pasaporte ://www.google.com/search?q=site%3Agob.mx+crucero+migraci%C3%B3n+pasaporte