Everyone asks ...
Why does my cruise operator require me to have a visa for all countries on an itinerary, even where I don’t plan to leave the ship?Visas can be expensive, and while a country’s immigration authorities might not require a visa in the case of passengers who choose not to disembark, the cruise operator might, for good reason.
Although you might not plan to leave the vessel at a particular port, a medical emergency or sudden calamity at home might require it. There might even be unforeseen circumstances on board that require all passengers to disembark. If you don’t have a visa in any of these situations, you could face a long and complicated delay, which is the last thing you need in an emergency. According to Princess Cruises, passengers will be permitted to board their ships without a visa for all ports on the itinerary, but they will be required to sign a disclaimer.
Some other cruise operators deny boarding to passengers who do not have all the required visas.
Why doesn’t the cruise operator simply apply for visas on behalf of all passengers and add this to the price?
All countries have different regulations and restrictions that can vary depending on the passport, and charges are not uniform. Some countries also require visa applicants to attend their consulate or embassy to complete face-to-face verification.
Indulge in Turkish delights
We're doing a fairly busy tour of the Middle East in September that ends in Istanbul. Can you recommend a resort reasonably close to Istanbul or somewhere easy to get to for a week's R&R?- B. Read, Woollahra.
My pick is the Bodrum Peninsula, and the way to get there is by plane from Istanbul to Bodrum-Milas Airport rather than the 12-hour bus. The city of Bodrum is built on the site of ancient Halicarnassus, and although it's a delight, it has morphed into a popular party zone.
For something quieter you might consider Yalikavak, wrapped around a small harbour on the peninsula's north-west corner. Local accommodation includes boutique beach properties as well as full-scale resorts. Check Venere (venere.com) for various options. Elsewhere on the peninsula, the choice of resorts ranges from Aman Resorts' glossy Amanruya (amanresorts.com) to the modest Karianda (karianda.com).
Such wild diversity across one continent
My bucket list includes Africa to visit the game parks and to also experience the country’s culture. We will have about four weeks to travel and would like to do it comfortably. I would appreciate some inside tips on where to go. - J. Barlow, Knoxfield, Vic.Everyone has their favourite bit of Africa but, for me, it’s Botswana’s Okavango Delta (pictured). This is a vast wetland that supports a huge population of wildlife over a big area, from tiny reed frogs to elephants, rhinos, hippos and the predators at the pointy end of the food chain.
Since the human population is low, it’s in pristine condition.
Timing is important if you want to see animals in Africa, and the optimal period varies from one habitat to another. In the Okavango, it’s September to October, the dry season, when there’s less water around, the grass is lower and animals tend to congregate around the remaining waterholes.
Scripts to deal with ocean's motion
We are first-time cruisers, a family of five sailing on the Carnival Spirit on a Pacific cruise with my elderly mother and two kids under 12. One child suffers from motion sickness and so do I. We are worried about getting seasick. We have booked two aft cabins to minimise movement. What are the best seasick medications and products? - C. Harris, Leura.As a fellow sufferer, I feel your pain. There are now some very effective prescription medications available to counteract this problem, so get along to your doctor. I’ve used medication in the past without drowsiness or other side effects and it should be sufficient to ensure your cruise is all that you want it to be.
Depending on the age of your child, though, you might have to consider other measures. Sea-Bands, which are acupressure bands that sit around the wrist, seem to work well in many cases. Ginger pills are another potential remedy.
Carnival Spirit is equipped with stabilisers that dampen the ship’s movement, and fresh air and a view of the horizon can help, so spend plenty of time out on deck. The centre of the ship is going to move around less than the bow and stern. If, despite all your measures, you still feel unwell, see the ship’s doctor.
Island hopping is stress-free
Following a guided tour of Turkey, we are planning to visit the Greek islands in October-November. I am looking at flying from Istanbul to Athens but feel trepidation at the difficulties of catching ferries and finding accommodation. We are both in our 60s and hoping for a stress-free holiday. Which islands should we visit? M. Cullis, Denistone.You’re travelling well outside peak holiday season and should find a flight from Istanbul to Athens for less than $100 each. Try momondo.com.
You should have no problem making your way around the Greek islands on ferries and finding accommodation. October is a lovely time but by November the tourism infrastructure will be winding down.
The islands vary tremendously in character. You might confine your odyssey to a particular island group and the Cyclades could be a happy choice. Within this group you have Santorini, the most spectacular of all the islands, Paros with its pretty villages and Naxos with its terraced interior, quilted with olive groves, vineyards and giant fig trees.
Just off Mykonos, Delos is an open-air museum piled with temples and statues. Apart from tiny Delos, I suggest three islands and a minimum of three nights in each.