shellgoodman Posted June 9, 2010 #1 Share Posted June 9, 2010 We've cruised a dozen times and have never brought our passports off a ship. We always used our sail and sign cards as id to get back on. Have they changed any rules in the past year? I could make copies of our passports and then have them laminated if need be. I just worry about bringing our passports and getting ruined or lost. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Aknot Posted June 9, 2010 #2 Share Posted June 9, 2010 Does it matter where you are "porting"? Also I believe I have read both... yes you do no you dont. You could email Carnival and get something in writing. ooo also the big thing is what happens if you get stuck at port and miss the ship for some reason or another? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LemurCat Posted June 9, 2010 #3 Share Posted June 9, 2010 We've cruised a dozen times and have never brought our passports off a ship. We always used our sail and sign cards as id to get back on. Have they changed any rules in the past year? I could make copies of our passports and then have them laminated if need be. I just worry about bringing our passports and getting ruined or lost. No, they have not changed the rules. Yes, you can still use SnS and state-issued ID to get back on the ship*. *In most cases. This is sort of port-specific. Factual part of the post over, the question I must ask is why would you bring a copy? It's not an official document and isn't worth the paper it's printed on. Why would you worry about your passport getting ruined or lost and not your DL? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LemurCat Posted June 9, 2010 #4 Share Posted June 9, 2010 Does it matter where you are "porting"? Also I believe I have read both... yes you do no you dont. You could email Carnival and get something in writing. ooo also the big thing is what happens if you get stuck at port and miss the ship for some reason or another? I believe it is. Bermuda wanted passports or BC/DL. A lot of Caribbean ports don't. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shellgoodman Posted June 9, 2010 Author #5 Share Posted June 9, 2010 No, they have not changed the rules. Yes, you can still use SnS and state-issued ID to get back on the ship*. *In most cases. This is sort of port-specific. Factual part of the post over, the question I must ask is why would you bring a copy? It's not an official document and isn't worth the paper it's printed on. Why would you worry about your passport getting ruined or lost and not your DL? DL is laminated and SnS is plastic if I remember correctly - a passport is not. I think that we haven't even shown our DLs in the past just the SnS card with our picture on it. I remember the ship swipes the card when you reembark the ship at all of the ports that I've been to in the past. In terms of the copy of the passport, I have read on this forum that some do bring that too in laminated form. No, it is not worth the paper but there is an assigned number to all passport holders that is uniquely tied to each person. Maybe I won't waste my time with the copies of the passport. Just was trying to play it safe in case things have changed lately. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dis Posted June 9, 2010 #6 Share Posted June 9, 2010 Do children need a photo ID at the ports? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shelli Posted June 9, 2010 #7 Share Posted June 9, 2010 Do children need a photo ID at the ports? This is from the Carnival site (I bolded some text): CRUISE TRAVEL U.S. Citizens Carnival highly recommends all guests travel with a passport (valid for at least six months beyond completion of travel). Although a passport is not required for U.S. citizens taking cruises that begin & end in the same U.S. port, travelling with a passport enhances your disembarkation experience, as delays may be expected upon your return to the U.S. if you do not have one. Additionally, passports make it easier for you to fly from the U.S. to a foreign port should you miss your scheduled port of embarkation, or need to fly back to the U.S. for emergency reasons. The Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative (WHTI) allows U.S. citizens (including children) sailing on cruises that begin and end in the same U.S. port to travel with one of the following WHTI compliant document: Valid U.S. Passport Original or suitable quality copy of a Birth Certificate Certificate of Naturalization Passport Card Enhanced Driver's License (EDL) Trusted Traveler Program Membership Card, e.g., Nexus Card, Sentri Card or Fast Card A government-issued photo ID is also required for all guests, including children 16 and over. For more information, a complete list of WHTI-compliant documents or to obtain a passport application, visit http://www.travel.state.gov. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zqvol Posted June 9, 2010 #8 Share Posted June 9, 2010 We've cruised a dozen times and have never brought our passports off a ship. We always used our sail and sign cards as id to get back on. Have they changed any rules in the past year? I could make copies of our passports and then have them laminated if need be. I just worry about bringing our passports and getting ruined or lost. No there is still no need to take your passport off the ship. In fact I just returned from a two week cruise in the Med, where the ship held our passports the entire time, including stops in Turkey. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sargent_Schultz Posted June 9, 2010 #9 Share Posted June 9, 2010 The copy of the passport page with the important stuff is useful should you need an emergency replacement or new one. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zqvol Posted June 9, 2010 #10 Share Posted June 9, 2010 This is from the Carnival site (I bolded some text): CRUISE TRAVEL U.S. Citizens Carnival highly recommends all guests travel with a passport (valid for at least six months beyond completion of travel). Although a passport is not required for U.S. citizens taking cruises that begin & end in the same U.S. port, travelling with a passport enhances your disembarkation experience, as delays may be expected upon your return to the U.S. if you do not have one. Additionally, passports make it easier for you to fly from the U.S. to a foreign port should you miss your scheduled port of embarkation, or need to fly back to the U.S. for emergency reasons. The Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative (WHTI) allows U.S. citizens (including children) sailing on cruises that begin and end in the same U.S. port to travel with one of the following WHTI compliant document: Valid U.S. Passport Original or suitable quality copy of a Birth Certificate Certificate of Naturalization Passport Card Enhanced Driver's License (EDL) Trusted Traveler Program Membership Card, e.g., Nexus Card, Sentri Card or Fast Card A government-issued photo ID is also required for all guests, including children 16 and over. For more information, a complete list of WHTI-compliant documents or to obtain a passport application, visit www.travel.state.gov. This has nothing to do with taking your passport ashore with you at at port. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jennmaybe Posted June 9, 2010 #11 Share Posted June 9, 2010 When we went to Grand Turk in 2008, we had to have a photo ID to get back on the ship along with our SnS card. Good thing we had our passports with us!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Upandadam Posted June 9, 2010 #12 Share Posted June 9, 2010 At certain ports you do need a photo id. We always take a DL and the S&S card and have never once taken a passport off the ship. If by chance you're left behind in a foreign port, one could be useful or perhaps just stay there and get a job rubbing aloe on tourists.:cool: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LemurCat Posted June 9, 2010 #13 Share Posted June 9, 2010 DL is laminated and SnS is plastic if I remember correctly - a passport is not. I think that we haven't even shown our DLs in the past just the SnS card with our picture on it. I remember the ship swipes the card when you reembark the ship at all of the ports that I've been to in the past. Like I said previously, it depends on the port. I've gone to some that required a photo ID to get into the port area, and I've been to some that didn't. In terms of the copy of the passport, I have read on this forum that some do bring that too in laminated form. No, it is not worth the paper but there is an assigned number to all passport holders that is uniquely tied to each person. You can also get a consular card with important contact numbers and write your Passport number on that. Less chance of someone faking your passport in it's entirety if you don't give them the full image to work with. Maybe I won't waste my time with the copies of the passport. Just was trying to play it safe in case things have changed lately. Nope, nothing's changed. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tak81288 Posted June 9, 2010 #14 Share Posted June 9, 2010 A driver's license and S & S card was all I carried around for most ports. However, I did do one excursion that was kind of long and took me far from the ship so I took my passport along with me even though it wasn't required. I figured that if we got back late and I missed the ship, my passport would have been useless locked in the ship's safe. I personally didn't want to take the chance of having issues getting on a plane if I needed to. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shelli Posted June 9, 2010 #15 Share Posted June 9, 2010 This has nothing to do with taking your passport ashore with you at at port. True. But that's not the post I was responding to. I quoted the post that I *was* responding to. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
itzkaren Posted July 16, 2010 #16 Share Posted July 16, 2010 I read the list of 'bring one of these'....so just want to clarify ..one more time...thanks in advance for your patience! All 3 of us (DH, DD18, myself) have passports, California DL and will have out SnS cards. Is there any reason at all to bring along our birth certificates? However, I think that leaving the passport in the safe on the ship is a good idea....AND getting a laminated copy of the first page...it has the Passport number, etc...while it wouldn't serve as a passport...it could certainly simplify the chore (nightmare!) of having to replace it...if u are unable to get back on the ship. Thanks for clearing up the...'do I need to bring the birth certificates too?' My hunch is 'no'....but I know I have the expertise of hundreds of cruise experts here =0) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jessemon Posted July 16, 2010 #17 Share Posted July 16, 2010 Since the rules have changed as far as re-entering the US I now take my passport into port with me. If something were to happen it is not worth the time, hassle and money to sit in that port while things get straightened out because I don't have my passport with me....;) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
orthonurse Posted July 16, 2010 #18 Share Posted July 16, 2010 I was reading the shore excursion from St. Thomas to Virgin Gorda..and that says a valid passport is required :confused: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bubbadog Posted July 16, 2010 #19 Share Posted July 16, 2010 Keep your real passport in your safe,in the room,and just bring a copy with you,When you go ashore,and your d/L,and you will be good to go;):p Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zqvol Posted July 16, 2010 #20 Share Posted July 16, 2010 I was reading the shore excursion from St. Thomas to Virgin Gorda..and that says a valid passport is required :confused: This is a case where a passport is required to be taken off the ship. Not because of anything that is happening in St. Thomas, You are leaving US territory and entering British territory and you have to clear customs when you land at Virgin Gorda (Usually the ship 's crew will take care of it for you, but it is done). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stevesan Posted July 16, 2010 #21 Share Posted July 16, 2010 This is from the Carnival site (I bolded some text): CRUISE TRAVEL U.S. Citizens Carnival highly recommends all guests travel with a passport (valid for at least six months beyond completion of travel). Although a passport is not required for U.S. citizens taking cruises that begin & end in the same U.S. port, travelling with a passport enhances your disembarkation experience, as delays may be expected upon your return to the U.S. if you do not have one. Additionally, passports make it easier for you to fly from the U.S. to a foreign port should you miss your scheduled port of embarkation, or need to fly back to the U.S. for emergency reasons. The Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative (WHTI) allows U.S. citizens (including children) sailing on cruises that begin and end in the same U.S. port to travel with one of the following WHTI compliant document: Valid U.S. Passport Original or suitable quality copy of a Birth Certificate Certificate of Naturalization Passport Card Enhanced Driver's License (EDL) Trusted Traveler Program Membership Card, e.g., Nexus Card, Sentri Card or Fast Card A government-issued photo ID is also required for all guests, including children 16 and over. For more information, a complete list of WHTI-compliant documents or to obtain a passport application, visit www.travel.state.gov. Nuff said! :D You will need a passport: 1) If, as many others say, you miss the ship. 2) If you want to engage in a financial transaction. I Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Burchrod Posted July 16, 2010 #22 Share Posted July 16, 2010 We just returned from the July 10 Triumph sailing to Progreso and Cozumel. When we checked in in New Orleans the agent told us to take our passports ashore with us. Another couple said their agent told them not to take them ashore! Mixed messages for sure. We only needed to show S&S to re-embark in Progreso but they checked photo ID in Cozumel before you could walk onto the pier to the ship. We always take passports ashore just in case something would happen and we would have to fly home. What if you didn't miss the ship but suffered an injury requiring you to return home? A lot of shore excursions involve some risk of injury. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RWolver672 Posted July 16, 2010 #23 Share Posted July 16, 2010 For the life of me, I don't understand why people are so afraid of losing their passports but not their Driver's license or S&S card when going ashore. Why buy a passport if you're not going to use it? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DragonMouse Posted July 16, 2010 #24 Share Posted July 16, 2010 For me it's a "wetness" factor. My DL and credit cards fit in my pocket sized money pouch. It's also not an issue if it gets "wet" since it's "plastic". Cash too is not a big deal since it will dry out nicely. The passport is just "clumsey". I'd have to take a larger waterproof pouch to carry with me. Now if the "beaches" had some sort of "locker" where you could lock your stuff up while you swim it wouldn't be such a big deal. I'm not so fearful when we're on the boat (for snorkling) but when you go to the beach what do you do with your stuff. I tend to take DL and a photo copy and make certian I'm not late for the boat. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
azrayne Posted July 16, 2010 #25 Share Posted July 16, 2010 If your cruising often or live in a border state, why not get the passport card too? The passport card is good for border states, cuises into carribean/MX/CAN. Its the same size as you DL and plastic, so it's hard to ruin. Bring both onto the cruise, leave paper passport in safe and bring card into port. I just renewed my passport and got the card also for an extra $20 bucks. However, fees just increased so it might be a little more. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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