Australia / New Zealand Cruise

For Australia, visa requirements depend on tour nationality, but if you're a US citizen you will need an Electronic Travel Authority. The fee is $20 and you apply using the Australian Government app:

https://immi.homeaffairs.gov.au/visas/getting-a-visa/visa-listing/electronic-travel-authority-601

If you're a European or UK citizen you can apply for an eVisitor visa, which is free.

You need to complete an arrival card and customs declaration as well, but that is a ohysical document you will be given on arrival.

Hi bostonphil.
I won't offer specific advice as I am an Aussie so it will all be very different for me.
Can I suggest you join the New Zealand Travel Tips group on Facebook, a very friendly bunch and I am sure you will be able to find some sound advice there on NZ requirements.
Re the Aussie requirements maybe ask on Trip Advisor. although the crew on NZTT might also help with that.

Thank you Simon

Accessed the link. It is helpful.

Hi Pleb

I am aware of the Trip Advisor Forums and have been active on them in the past. They have been very helpful..

I always come to this forum first because it is a favorite site but I plan to also ask on TA Forums as well.

I also am active on different Facebook pages and will look into the one that you suggested.

I found the NZ electronic travel authorization easy to do. You pay for the ETA as well as an additional fee to protect the environment. I submitted the request about a month before my departure and got approval a couple of days later. From the website, you can download an app to your phone and follow the instructions. I used the app and it only took a few minutes to complete. You can also submit via a website but they say the app is easier and faster.
https://www.immigration.govt.nz/visas/new-zealand-electronic-travel-authority-nzeta/

We visited both Australia and New Zealand in October/November 2024. It was very easy applying for the electronic travel authorizations for both countries.

https://immi.homeaffairs.gov.au/visas/getting-a-visa/visa-listing/electronic-travel-authority-601

https://nzeta.immigration.govt.nz/

It is very to do. You can take your own photo at your home with your iphone. Just follow instructions. IIRC, we received our ETA's almost immediately.

One thing I do remember is that when we flew from Sydney to Christchurch, the airline asked to see a paper copy of our return trip home and a paper copy of our NZeTA. Not sure if all airlines require this or just Emirates Air. In any case, I think it would be wise to have paper copies of all of your important documents.

Thank you everyone for the information and links.

I do not have an iPhone and I am not good with my android.

I do have a Macbook and an iPad. I wonder if I could do everything on my Mac.

I am worried about taking the picture. I can not remember details but I have had problems with taking a picture of my face and uploading it to a document.

Could i take the picture with photo booth and then upload it to necessary documents?

When I travel. I will have my iPad with me and my Android phone but I will need wi fi to use my iPad.

This is extremely early trip planning.

For the Australian ETA, you must use the app on a mobile phone, either Android or iPhone. The phone must have NFC which is the ability to tap & go. If you can’t do this, you can have someone else do it for you on their phone. The only other option is to apply for a visitor visa which costs $200

When I applied for the travel documents for both Australia and New Zealand in November 2024 for a January NCL cruise, I believe that the NZ one was tedious and the photo capture part of the app wouldn't accept my photo. I had to play with it for about an hour. But, i finally got it to accept a photo. Just be patient.

New Zealand is also very strict on customs requirements. Particularly animal and agricultural products. Multiple screenings and disclosures, especially at the ports of call.

I don't remember which visa gave me photo problems-I think it was NZ. You just have to persevere until it works and see if you can get a friend to help you figure it out.

Boston Phil. You need an ETA for both Australia and New Zealand. In addition, you will fill out a New Zealand travelers declaration just prior to arrival. This is an app on your phone or a paper form.

We were not allowed to board ship without showing ETA.

I wanted to mention that one approach that can help with the long flight is to break it up into two segments. I did Seattle to Honolulu, spent the night, and continued on to Sydney the next day and arrived with no jet lag.

As per Carol's comments re long flights. For us it is around 22 to 24 hours of flying to reach Europe. All up door to door usually ends up well over 30 hours. Our most recent trips we booked a block of time in the Transit hotel in Singapore's Changi Airport. We booked the room for 6 hours. This gave us a chance to lay down and relax a bit of a snooze, even had a quick swim. Because it is located within the transit area there is no passport control etc. This certainly helped although we still had about 15 hours flying ahead of us.
I don't know what options you would have but might be worth investigating.

Thank you to everyone for all your comments

For now, I am just thinking about Australia / New Zealand but I was beginning very early research as to what I might have to do just to get the paperwork done for each country.

For me, it would be. a lot of paperwork with some difficulty.

Not ready to tackle it yet.

I would not do a cruise. You won't see much and friends recently took one and the itinerary was changed a lot due to weather. We rented cars in Australia and NZ and had a great trip. It's a lot more to plan, but great fun. We went in 2024 and the ETA paperwork was easy to do through the apps. My husband had trouble with the Australia form because he (mistakenly) entered that he'd been convicted of a crime! Luckily he was able to fix it before our trip.

The ETA is easy for both Australia and New Zealand. I strongly suggest you use app for each. They will ask you to show proof and opening the app makes it easy.

cindyeb

Thank you for the information.

I watch youtube videos and read Norwegian Cruise Line Facebook pages.

I am aware that some ports are missed due to the seas but for me given my age, budget and health issues, a cruise is the best way to go.

I have not driven since 1989.

Not good with apps on my Android but I have them and have successfully used them. Just do not like them but I am going to have to use them like them or not.

Thank you Carol NR

Maybe I am overthinking it as some have suggested. Maybe I should stop worrying before I even attempt.

I do have apps on my android and use them successfully when I must but sometimes have difficulty.

My phone is about 7 years old and maybe I will treat myself to a new phone before Australia / New Zealand, if I do Australia / New Zealand. It still is only a thought in the back of my mind..