Ukraine visa

[muliama]

I am going on the QE2 on a Black Sea cruise in October which lands in Ukraine ports amongst others. Hold an Australian passport and live in Thailand. Australians need visas, even though we are only landing in Ukraine ports for 2 day trips. Cunard will not let me travel unless I have a visa!!!
The Ukraine Embassy in Thailand advises I must obtain the visa in Australia. Problem is I hardly ever go back to Oz. And even a "rush" visa from Canberra embassy takes 7 clear business days to obtain - so read 14 days
I have emailed Cunard, and not even received a reply. I have contacted Cunard's preferred visa agent VisaCentral and the emails bounce back. I do not wish to post my passport to Australia for fear of it getting lost. Frustration builds. Any suggestions?

 

[haydensydney]

Sounds like you have quite a few months to go before you depart, so why is there concern with the likely 14 day turnaround?

I've used Visa Link previously who helped out with our Cuban visas. Though, irrespective of what avenue you go down, you will still need to send the passports back to Australia which limits your options somewhat.

 

[drron]

Change cruise line.When we did the Black Sea cruise last year on Silverseas we had 3 Ukrainian ports on our itinerary and silverseas organised the visas.We did not have to do a thing.
However looking at the Ukrainian Embasy site I dont see how you are going to avoid having your passport travel to Australia.Also says you need a letter from tour agency-shouldn't Cunard at least supply that.
Researching a possible cruise including St. Petersburg and if you do private tours you need to obtain your own visa.The agency then does all the necessary paperwork.have spoken to people who have done that and no problems.I think the Ukraianian situation is similiar so see if you can contact a tour agency in one of the ports you are going to.
But I still think it poor form by Cunard.

 

[Isochronous]

Cunard being the reputable company that it is, I expected better!

 

[NM]

I suggest you contact Gateway Travel in Sydney ( Russian Gateway Tours . They arrange Visas for Ukraine and a few other former Soviet countries. I have used them for Ukraine Visa and found them to be reliable and efficient. But that was quite a few years ago now. Check them out and make your own decision. You will need to send them your passport for the Visa to be stamped at the Ukrainian Consulate in Sydney. From Australia it was all arranged using registered post for the passport postage to/from Sydney.