The Disney Fantasy has started its summer visit, cruising out of the port in Southampton, UK – located in the southern part of England. But there are some new requirements for those departing from the United Kingdom this summer – and those changes will impact how you do online check-in.
Starting this year, travelers entering the UK will need to get the UK’s new, mandatory electronic entry permit for their trip to Britain – the UK’s Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA).
- The United Kingdom’s Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) program is a new system designed to strengthen border security and streamline the entry process for travelers. It applies to many non-visa nationals visiting the UK.
- There is a cost.
The new requirement will also change how you go through online check-in, which occurs between 30-40-days before your cruise departure date.
- Guests cruising out of Southampton will submit their passport information, but…
- Guests will then be asked to submit a visa number – this is not a credit card and technically the UK ETA is not a visa, but guests will need to key in the 16-digit “ETA reference number,” which will be emailed in a notification that your UK ETA has been approved.
Some resources for the UK ETA:
- Get the UK ETA app, which is the primary way to apply for the United Kingdom’s Electronic Travel Authorization;
The UK ETA is different and separate from the European Union’s European Travel Information and Authorization System (ETIAS). While they are similar, the EU’s ETIAS was slated to start this summer but has been delayed until “the last quarter of 2026,” according to the EU’s ETIAS website.
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