Indonesian visa when cruising?

[luxury-lizard]

Mr LL and I are booked on a Scenic Cruise ex Darwin in late September. I cannot get through to Scenic or the TA we booked through (gave up after waiting on hold for over 30 minutes). Now presumably we need a visa and an e-visa before leaving seems the way to go - however on the Indonesian visa web site instead of "hotel" you can specify "other" and select a cruise but you need to enter the first port of entry - there are 95 valid ones but the first port listed in the Ccenic itinerary is Banda Neira which is not one of the 95.

Has anyone else done such a cruise and how did the visa thing work - I thought about just entering another port (in the list of 95 a couple of which are Raja xx_xx) but this could lead to issues.

 

[SYD]

Given that you can also pay on arrival (when flying), I suspect the cruise ship will arrange the visa and charge to your account.

Worse case, you pay yourself at the first port. No real risk not having one prior to joining the ship?

Actually, worse worst case is you could pay twice. You buy an eVOA but the ship pays again. That was a scenario on a cruise I did last year - off the top of my head I can recall if it was Vietnam or Cambodia but it was mandatory for the cruise ship to arrange the visa, even though we could pay online.

 

[luxury-lizard]

Actually my concern about VOA is that it may not be available at all ports (e.g. Banda Neira) - I'll try to figure this out and if yes - will not worry about it - hopefully Scenic Cruise and/or my TA will get back to me with a definitive answer - we're off to Europe next week for 6 weeks so even thought Sept is a long way off I'd like to get an answer to this before I go.

 

[SYD]

Yes, I’d certainly press Scenic / TA for a definitive answer.

I just read conflicting reports for P&O, one saying they do it and another saying DIY (eVOA). But they just put in Benoa* (using the postcode to pre fill most of the details and presumably Ship Name).

*for a Bali port visit

Odd that your first Indonesian POC isn’t listed. Which adds a level of complexity to the DIY approach.

Here’s a chart of Banda Neira - anything in the eVOA drop down list look familiar?

OpenSeaMap - The free nautical chart

Port guide

Bandanaira Bandar Besar Indonesia Cruise Port

Cruise guide to Bandanaira Bandar Besar Indonesia Cruise Port Cruise Terminal Sightseeing Tours Transportation Shopping

www.whatsinport.com

 

[luxury-lizard]

Thanks @SYD - can't find anything - I suspect the offical port name may be different than that listed on the cruise itinerary.

Will keep trying to get through to Scenic Cruises - I have sent them 2 messages ....

 

[HappyFlyerFamily]

Not sure the answer, but some information that I got from googling

https://boards.cruisecritic.com/topic/2986419-assistance-please-indonesian-visa-for-cruise/

Some responses seem to indicate that someone from Indonesia Immigration will come onboard.

then

Cruise Raja Ampat and the Spice Islands from Darwin to Darwin - September 2025 | Ponant

Between heavenly islands and unique coral reefs, set sail to explore the legendary “Spice Islands” and Raja Ampat. From Darwin, set a course for the Moluccas and Banda Neira, the cradle of the nutmeg trade, between colonial vestiges and lush jungle. Then

au.ponant.com

Then on the right hand side 'menu' select the Important Trip Details, it states:

Indonesia: A visa is required to enter Indonesia. For entry by sea or for itineraries including exit and re-entry into Indonesian territory: for cruises including a stop in Indonesia mid-voyage, a visa will be issued and charged onboard (€35, rate subject to change). This visa is valid for 30 days and allows single entry into Indonesia.

Next paragraph can be confusing:

Important: If the itinerary includes an exit and subsequent re-entry into Indonesia (especially via stopovers in other countries), a multiple-entry visa is mandatory.
The visa issued onboard will not be valid in such cases. You must apply for a multiple-entry visa before departure, online via the official website: https://evisa.imigrasi.go.id/

>>>>


The only other suggestion I have is to email Indonesia immigration. I personally found them helpful on the occasion I had to contact them (used email). My suggestion is to email them the itinerary and ask which visa type and entry port to select.

https://evisa.imigrasi.go.id/front/info/contact-us

or you can try opening a live chat at the bottom of this FAQ page

https://evisa.imigrasi.go.id/front/faqs/university#generalquestions

The last piece of information that might help closer to the date is to go to the Indonesia visa website https://evisa.imigrasi.go.id/ and try to Extend My Visa - after inputting your details you will see your visa there (if any).

Note: you cannot even get a visa now, it's more than 90 days prior to arrival.

 

[tgh]

I have spent a day in BandaNaira off a Coral Expeditions ship.
The ship looked managed all our shore visits and excursions around the Banda Sea and Papua.
I do not remember specifically but assume the ship had my passport as this is common especially for expedition cruising.
Scenic should explain all this on the booking info

 

[luxury-lizard]

Many thanks @tpg and @HappyFlyerFamily - will wait for Scenic cruises to get back to us but it looks like it was be easy (visa issued on board) AFAIK ship does not leave and re-enter Indonesia. If not clarified - I'll contact the indonesian embassy as suggested.

Only concerned about this now as we will be overseas from next week until August.

And Scenic did not provide any information on the confirmed booking / final payment e-mails.

 

[drron]

And I have landed in Bali and Komodo on a Silversea cruise Singapore to Cairns. We had started in Yokohama and I was going to do the eVOA after boarding. But really couldn;t do it. Then got the note from Silversea that they would do the eVOA so I was happy letting them do it. I only got charged $US35 when the 500000INR was at that time going to cost me ~ $US42 if paying cash on arrival. I was even happier.
Note the INR has gone down a bit since then so now less.
So no problem waiting until you board to get the visa.