Your World Cruise with Japan and Hawaii may still feel a little way off however, we’re here to help you start planning with confidence.

Between now and departure, we’ll send a series of emails and text messages with helpful guidance and reminders, so you can look forward to every moment of your 98‑night journey on board Borealis.

This first update covers key travel requirements, including destination entry information, vaccinations and your ESTA.

We’ve organised the information into three easy-to-follow headings:

1. UK passport holders
Information specifically for guests travelling on a UK passport.

2. Non-UK passport holders
Information for guests travelling on passports issued by countries other than the UK.

3. All guests
Important information that applies to all guests, regardless of the country that issued their passport.

🛳️Before you travel – all guests

Our online Help Centre
Your on our online Help Centre, designed to make planning your cruise easier than ever before.

We’ve created a dedicated section on the Help Centre for your cruise, find it here.

We’ll be in touch before October to confirm your formal and themed evenings.

Travel insurance
Please ensure you have suitable travel insurance in place, covering your cruise and any planned activities or excursions. 

📍Destination entry requirements

UK passport holders

EU ETIAS (expected late 2026)
The EU plans to introduce ETIAS, an online travel authorisation for entry into Europe.

• Expected cost: around €20
• Valid for three years or until your passport expires, whichever comes first

We’ll contact you as soon as details are confirmed.

Passports
Please ensure your passport meets all requirements for the destinations you’re visiting. You can check this on the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) website here.

We recommend your passport:

• Has at least six months validity remaining at the end of your cruise
• Is less than 10 years old when entering European destinations
• Has at least two blank pages
• Is in good condition

Dual citizens
If you are a dual British citizen, you must present a valid British passport (or Certificate of Entitlement). Find out more here.

Medication
If you require a larger than normal supply of medication, please speak with your GP in plenty of time before embarkation day. Some medications may be classed as controlled drugs in some destinations, please check any specific rules here.

Yellow fever vaccination
You’ll need to bring proof of yellow fever vaccination or exemption to board Borealis.

• If vaccinated, you must bring proof
• Guests aged 60 and over are exempt from the vaccination however, must carry proof of exemption
• If you’re under 60 and medically exempt, you must bring proof of this

·       If you’re unsure, your GP or a travel clinic can provide guidance.

Recommended vaccinations
Depending on your personal circumstances, your GP may recommend the following vaccinations:

• Hepatitis A and B
• Tetanus / Diphtheria
• Typhoid

• Your ESTA must match your current passport
• If you’ve visited Cuba on or after 12 January 2021, you will need to apply for a visa instead.
  
• Scroll to the end of this page to see the information needed if applying for a new ESTA
  

Non‑UK passport holders

You will likely need an Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) to enter the UK, please check the latest guidance here.

EU ETIAS (expected late 2026) – applicable to guests who are non-Schengen Nationals
The EU plans to introduce ETIAS, an online travel authorisation for entry into Europe.

• Expected cost: around €20
• Valid for three years or until your passport expires, whichever comes first

We’ll contact you as soon as details are confirmed.

USA ESTA (for Hawaii)
You will require an ESTA to visit Hawaii.
If you haven’t applied for one, please do so as soon as possible by clicking here or typing this address into your web browser - https://esta.cbp.dhs.gov

• Your ESTA must match your current passport
• If you’ve visited Cuba on or after 12 January 2021, you will need to apply for a visa instead.
  
• Scroll to the end of this page to see the information needed if applying for a new ESTA

Vietnam

You may require a visa to visit Vietnam, depending on your nationality. Please use the links below to check the entry requirements that apply to you.

• For a list of nationalities that are exempt from obtaining a visa, click here.
• For a list of nationalities that require a visa, click here.

All destinations

We strongly recommend reviewing your governments official travel advice for each destination, which should include:

• Passport validity requirements
• Visa requirements
• Vaccination requirements
• Medication regulations

Yellow fever vaccination

Yellow fever vaccination or exemption documentation is required, please check with your doctor or travel clinic.

🛂Visa Information - all guests

Singapore

All guests must complete a Singapore Arrival Card (SG Arrival Card) within three days of arriving in Singapore. There is no cost to complete the form. We'll provide further information and support on how to complete this requirement while you're onboard.

Japan

All guests are required to attend a brief face-to-face immigration check with local officials when going ashore. Guests must also complete an ED Card and Customs Declaration before leaving the ship. There is no fee for these mandatory entry requirements.

We'll provide further information and support on how to complete this requirement while you're onboard.

Thailand

All guests must complete a Thailand Digital Arrival Card three days before arriving in Thailand. There is no fee for submitting the form. We’ll provide further information and support onboard to help you complete this mandatory requirement.

Mauritius:

All guests will need to complete the Mauritius Travel Digital Card before arrival.

We'll provide further information and support on how to complete this requirement while you're onboard

Ascension Islands:

We’ll arrange the necessary authorisation on behalf of all guests, so no visa is required and there is no cost to you

💡Good to know - all guests

Travel guidance
Visit our Travel Aware page for helpful advice and information by clicking here

Zika virus and malaria
These are present in some regions we visit. We recommend speaking with your Doctor, pharmacist or a travel clinic for any advice you may wish to receive.

Singapore
Singapore is a wonderful destination, with a few important local rules:

• Vaping is illegal, please do not take e‑cigarettes, vaporizers or e‑liquids ashore
• Chewing gum should not be taken ashore

Please ensure you meet all relevant entry requirements for the destinations we'll be visiting and have the necessary documentation available at check-in. Unfortunately, if the required documents cannot be provided, we may be unable to permit boarding.

📌What happens next?

We’re currently putting the finishing touches to your voyage, including entertainment, themed evenings and menus in our restaurants on board.

We’ll be back in touch between now and departure day with more details, including:

• A weather and packing guide
• Entertainment highlights
• Final reminders before you travel

✅Planning ahead

• Your on our new online Help Centre, designed to make planning your cruise easier than ever before, find the homepage by clicking here
  
• We’ve created an area just for this voyage which we’ll keep updating between now and setting sail. You can find it here
  
• Your cruise ticket will be sent three weeks before check‑in day
• If you booked directly with us, we’ll send this to you
• If you booked through a travel agent, they’ll send it to you
• Your luggage labels will arrive by post around two weeks before sailing

The countdown to this incredible voyage is officially underway.