Visas and Medicines

One month and 30 days until Crystal and I leave on our cruise. WOW, time is now going faster, but can't wait!

For our trip, we had to apply for 3 visas. These are for Qatar, India and Brazil. The ship will apply for blanket visas for the other countries that require them. I sent my applications off 10 days ago and everything is going well, as I hear from the visa service. The Brazilian visa can't be requested until 90 days prior to our arrival in that country. That one is the sticky one. We arrive in Brazil on Dec. 3rd, so our application can't be processed until Sept. 4th. Luckily that gives us just a month for get our passports and visas back. Some folks on this cruise begin their cruise eleven days prior to us and are going over early to travel. That has put some extra stress on these people.

My passport and visas returned today Sept. 25 (we leave in 9 days) almost 2 months since I sent it off. Below is interesting info about the three visas I received.

Brazilian visa signed in the Atlanta consulate is good for 5 years. The first date of entry must be within 90 days of 9/23/08.

Qatar visa signed in Washington, DC is a 30 day visa.

Indian visa is a multiple entry visa and good for one year from August 4, 2008.

So I am set. I have my passport and visas, shots and meds and tickets. Is there anything else I need to do???? I might need to pack! That will be a big part of my work next week.

Medical precautions for this cruise include:
Hepatitis A & B (called Twin Rix) 3 separate shots
Tetanus shot
Adult Polio Booster shot
Yellow Fever shot - required for entrance into Brazil
Vivotif Berna (live culture) 4 doses for Typhoid
Cipro for diarrhea
Azithromycin for Indian diarrhea
Malarone for malaria