Cruise essentials

Passports, visas and documents

Each cruise line publishes the travel documents it needs for every itinerary, and the requirements depend on your nationality and on every country the ship calls at, not only where you board. Check your line’s own guidance and each country’s official government website well before you sail, and make sure your passport is valid for long enough.

Entering Europe

The EU Entry/Exit System is in operation: non-EU visitors are registered with fingerprints and a photo at the Schengen border. ETIAS, the travel authorisation, is not yet in operation; use only the official EU website (travel-europe.europa.eu) and never pay unofficial sellers.

Port and passenger fees

Some countries and ports charge cruise passengers their own fee, usually collected by the cruise line. Greece introduced a cruise-passenger fee in 2025, set by the Ministry of Maritime Affairs; the amount varies by port and season, and is highest at Santorini and Mykonos in summer. Your line will show any such fees in the fare or on your onboard account.

Norway’s World Heritage fjords

Norway has adopted zero-emission requirements for ships in its World Heritage fjords, including the Geirangerfjord and the Nærøyfjord: they apply to passenger ships under 10,000 gross tonnes from 1 January 2026, and to larger ships from 1 January 2032 (Norwegian Maritime Authority). Your line’s itinerary will show which fjords its ship can visit.

Money on board

Most ships run a cashless account linked to your card. What the fare includes, from drinks and Wi-Fi to service charges and gratuities, varies a great deal from line to line: each line guide on our site sets out its own published policy.

Safety and health

Every voyage begins with a safety briefing, which is compulsory. Take out travel insurance that covers cruising and medical evacuation, bring any medicines you need in your hand luggage, and follow the crew’s instructions at sea and on tenders.