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One of our party holds a new Schengen multi entry visa issued by France in November 2022. The visa has not been used before for travel yet. We are UK residents (with BRP) planning to depart from Southampton docks.
Are we able to use this Schengen visa for a cruise where the 1st port of call is not in France? I'm confused regarding whether we can only start using the visa in the country it was issued for the first time we travel with it? Or if we can visit any European port with it.
Basically, we do not want to be denied boarding the cruise without understanding the 'rules'.
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Also oddly we have previously been issued a 3 year Schengen visa from France, yet this most recent visa is only valid for 6 months. Difficult to understand or find out why, and if some EU rules changed.
Are we able to use this Schengen visa for a cruise where the 1st port of call is not in France? I'm confused regarding whether we can only start using the visa in the country it was issued for the first time we travel with it? Or if we can visit any European port with it.
Basically, we do not want to be denied boarding the cruise without understanding the 'rules'.
---
Also oddly we have previously been issued a 3 year Schengen visa from France, yet this most recent visa is only valid for 6 months. Difficult to understand or find out why, and if some EU rules changed.
