Cruise travel to Schengen countries? What visas UAE travellers must have

Dubai: As international cruise holidays gain popularity among UAE residents, Northern Europe—especially Schengen countries—remains one of the most sought-after cruise destinations.

However, whether you plan to step ashore at every port or not, understanding visa rules is critical before you set sail.

MSC Cruises, one of the world’s leading cruise lines catering to the region, recently updated travel guidelines for its 2025 Northern Europe itineraries, covering visa and entry requirements for Schengen ports, the UK, and Ireland.

Here’s everything UAE travellers need to know:

UAE passport holders do not need a Schengen visa for short tourist visits—up to 90 days within any 180-day period. A valid passport with at least 3 months' validity beyond the travel date is still required.

However, if you hold a residency visa in the UAE but are a citizen of a country that is not visa-exempt, you must apply for a Schengen visa—preferably a multiple-entry visa if the cruise itinerary includes multiple Schengen countries or both Schengen and non-Schengen stops.

Important: Even if you don’t plan to disembark at every port, you still need the proper visa in case of emergencies that may require you to go ashore.

The Schengen zone includes 27 European countries with border-free movement, such as: France, Italy, Spain, Germany, Netherlands, Sweden, Denmark, Portugal, Norway, and more. Cruises often stop at multiple of these countries—making a valid Schengen visa essential unless you're exempt.

Along with UAE citizens, the following nationalities can enter the Schengen Area without a visa for short stays: United States, United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Japan, South Korea, Singapore, Malaysia, Brazil, and several Caribbean and Latin American countries.

Note: Certain nationalities (e.g. Albania, Serbia, Moldova) qualify only with biometric passports.

MSC Cruises is clear: Guests without a valid Schengen visa will not be allowed to board, even if they intend to stay onboard during Schengen port calls.

So if you’re a UAE resident who is not from a visa-exempt country, ensure your Schengen visa is valid and in hand before boarding.

Cruises that include UK port stops (like Southampton or Belfast) are subject to UK-specific entry rules, which are not part of the Schengen Area.

As of April 2025, all nationalities travelling to the UK need a UK Electronic Travel Authorisation (UK eTA) for entry or even transit during a cruise.

Planning a cruise that calls at Irish ports? Keep these in mind:

Here’s MSC’s advice to ensure a smooth cruise experience:

Visa policies can change at any time. MSC Cruises urges all travellers— including UAE residents—to check visa requirements before booking and again before departure. Regardless of the country you’re cruising to, proper documentation is always non-negotiable.