We're thinking of taking a transatlantic cruise to Europe. We want to stay for the 3 month limit once we get there. My question is when does the 3 months start? Is it from the first European port of call? I'm guessing there is no way of staying a little longer if you are in certain countries? I know you can get a longer Visa, but from what i can tell they are quite a process to get and i would like to avoid that. Thanks for any advise.
Posted by
Bloomington, IL, USA
9371 posts
It starts on your first entry into the Schengen zone. That generally means the first time you go through passport control. Having never taken a European cruise, I don't know from personal experience as to whether you go through passport control when you are on a shore excursion. If so, your 90 days begins at that time. You might check on www.cruisecritic.com, a site dedicated to cruises, to see if your question might be answered there.
Posted by
Northamptonshire, England
33757 posts
The Schengen countries are shown clearly at http://www.axa-schengen.com/en/schengen-countries with the proviso that Croatia, while not one, is now treating visitors as a member.
It is not 3 months. It is 90 days, any 90 days, in any 180 is the limit, in one country or in many counties together who are Schengen zone. It is any day or part of a day. You can get seperate entry into other parts of Europe and those don't count, for example the UK.
Posted by
OP
San Diego, CA, United States
212 posts
Yes, 90 days. That's what I was thinking. Doing additional research on this and I hadn't realized. So, I could stay say 30 days in Italy & 30 days in France (both Schengren, right?) at the end of a cruise and then on to the UK, where I could stay up to 6 months without a visa? Is that right? How does Ireland fit in? It's not UK, right? Could you spend some time in Ireland while in the UK? Thanks for responses.
Posted by
Vernon, Canada
32345 posts
April,
Yes, you could stay 30 days in Italy, 30 in France and then another 30 in another Schengen country (however, it would be safer to make the last stop 29 days to make sure you don't exceed the limit). Following that you could spend six months in the U.K., which includes part of Ireland.
Although the Republic of Ireland (the south) is part of the E.U., they are not part of the Schengen zone so they fall under the U.K. Common Travel Area rules. The six counties in the north that comprise Eire are part of the U.K. (although mostly self governing).
After spending 90 days in the U.K., you could return to the Schengen zone countries for another 90 days.
Happy travels!