Shore escursions and your personal belongings

[ajneedhams]

Hi all-

I'm trying to figure out every detail of our shore excursions. Going to be in Cozumel and Calica/Playa del Carmen. What keeps popping out in my mind is this question and I'm sure it has to be a universal concern for some of you at some point. What do you carry with you on your shore excursions? I figure I will take a small backpack or fannie pack and I will need to carry my sail and sign card, a credit card, my ID and my birth certificate (don't have a passport) and some cash. (along with sunscreen, glasses map etc and all the others stuff) But mostly I am concerned since we plan mostly beach days. ... What do you do with your belongings when you are swimming and beaching it? A person doesn't just leave their entire "identity" on their towel at the beach in Mexico, do they? What have you all done? I will be traveling with my hubby alone and obviously we would like to swim and enjoy the water together instead of stand guard. Some places have lockers, but most beach clubs don't (I don't think)

 

Thank you!

[mikeymars]

Lockers are a rarity in the Caribbean. So do what we do, and keep your valuables with you at all times (even in the water) using this:

 

http://www.splashcaddy.com/products.php?id=3&PHPSESSID=5777db70d7bfc544d6820ed6b979302b

[mnsawyer]

It was one of my big concerns too. I always take a beach bag and our sail and sign cards, photo id, some cash and credit card. I never take my birth certificate?? Maybe I should??? On Cozumel, we go to Chanakaab Park where there are lockers. Two years ago, my husband put his wallet and valuable right in the locker and then we used the beach bag for our other things. There was absolutely no problem and the both of us were snorkeling at the same time. Maybe I'm too trusting and I looked around and others seemed to be leaving towels, etc. there as well. Also, I purchased some swim trunks for my husband that has some type of waterproof pocket which would at least hold sail and sign cards, credit cards and some cash.

[karen2cruz]

We use something similar to the splash caddy too. Also, we have passports. We made copies of them and laminated them. We take the duplicates and leave the real ones in the ship stateroom safe. If you were to miss the ship, for some reason, it makes it so much easier to get out of any country with a passport.

[ajneedhams]

Thanks for your replies and the website above.

 

:)

[Mrs. Connie]

We were told to take our S&S and a photo id (a driver's licence would have sufficed) with us off the ship. Getting back on, you have to pass two checkpoints: the Mexican and the Ship's. When we got back on the ship at both Calica and Cozumel, both places asked to see our S&S (or "ship card" they called it), but we were never asked for a photo id. When you embark, they take a digital picture of you and encode it on your card. When you get back on the ship, they scan your card and your photo pops up on their screen. I suppose if you look like the person on the screen, they know it's you. I don't know of anyone who was asked for a photo id.

[judyf]

We use something similar to the splash caddy too. Also, we have passports. We made copies of them and laminated them. We take the duplicates and leave the real ones in the ship stateroom safe. If you were to miss the ship, for some reason, it makes it so much easier to get out of any country with a passport.

 

 

Beware! Stupid question coming!!

 

Do you just copy & laminated the last page. I like this idea. I take copies but it would be great to have them laminated!

 

Thanks for posting this tip!

[karen2cruz]

I jusr copy and laminate the front two pages with the picture, ID info and signature. I have heard that even though it isnt the original, it's enough info for the american embassy to verify to speed the process along...1-2 days stuck in a country vs weeks.

Hasnt happened to us, but we have read of others over the years that have been in these kind of situations.

[Pianogrl]

We also do the same thing: take S&S card & a copy of first 2 pages of our passports with us...leaving the original on the ship. My husband also has the splashcaddy-thing (waterproof) for credit cards/money. Has always worked great for us in many ports.

[Flip2cruise]

We were told to take our S&S and a photo id (a driver's licence would have sufficed) with us off the ship. Getting back on, you have to pass two checkpoints: the Mexican and the Ship's. When we got back on the ship at both Calica and Cozumel, both places asked to see our S&S (or "ship card" they called it), but we were never asked for a photo id. When you embark, they take a digital picture of you and encode it on your card. When you get back on the ship, they scan your card and your photo pops up on their screen. I suppose if you look like the person on the screen, they know it's you. I don't know of anyone who was asked for a photo id.

 

The photo ID is required at some ports. There will be officials that wont allow you to cross a checkpoint without one.

[spikes]

Just got back from Cozumel....we had to show photo id to get past the Mexican guards....then sail and sign to get on the ship

[oceantravel]

Beware! Stupid question coming!!

 

Do you just copy & laminated the last page. I like this idea. I take copies but it would be great to have them laminated!

 

Thanks for posting this tip!

 

I would never, never take copies of my passport into a foreign country. If you have a problem while there, copies of a passport will do you little good. Copies are not an acceptable form of ID. Can you imagine customs allowing you to use copies as official ID? Why have the passport…it is to get you out of a foreign country in an emergency…copies won’t work. Here is what we do.

 

We take on our trip original birth certificate, drivers license, and passport. I also make a copy of each document. When in port I take my original passport with us and leave copies of passport in safe along with the original DL and BC. If the passport is stolen we have copies to know who to call, numbers, etc. We still will have the original BC and DL.

 

The likelihood of our passports being stolen would be rare. We use the splash caddy as others have recommended and it is on us at all times.

[oceantravel]

We also do the same thing: take S&S card & a copy of first 2 pages of our passports with us...leaving the original on the ship. My husband also has the splashcaddy-thing (waterproof) for credit cards/money. Has always worked great for us in many ports.

 

This will work until you have a problem.

[karen2cruz]

As a cruiser, copies are acceptable along with your ship card, if your original is in the ship safe. You have already proven your identity to immigration to get on the ship and officials are very happy to assist you if you get stranded.

 

Even when you are not on a cruise. Keep the original in the hotel safe and carry your copies in your money belt or hidden money purse for sightseeing. Officials are happy to escort you to the safe for the original. If your original gets stolen, you are screwed and could be held up for weeks while the american embassy gets around to it.

[oceantravel]

As a cruiser, copies are acceptable along with your ship card, if your original is in the ship safe. You have already proven your identity to immigration to get on the ship and officials are very happy to assist you if you get stranded.

 

Even when you are not on a cruise. Keep the original in the hotel safe and carry your copies in your money belt or hidden money purse for sightseeing. Officials are happy to escort you to the safe for the original. If your original gets stolen, you are screwed and could be held up for weeks while the american embassy gets around to it.

 

Key word in your statement "As a cruiser"

 

I'm speaking of emergency situations. What if you are in an accident, miss the ship, miss your flight out and have to catch them at the next port. In those situations you can't get to your docs on the ship.

 

There have been many, many stories right here on cruise critic that have given real things that have happened and people were screwed without their passport. Yes it is true to exit the ship and enter the ship it would not be necessary, but if you get stranded you could be in a mess. Why have the passport! The following is from the US State Department website.

 

“A passport is an internationally recognized travel document that verifies the identity and nationality of the bearer. A valid U.S. passport is required to enter and leave most foreign countries. Only the U.S. Department of State has the authority to grant, issue or verify United States passports.”

 

IMHO I think it is bad advice to tell someone to leave their passport on the ship. I don’t understand why anyone would spend the money on a passport and leave it on the ship.

[Flip2cruise]

Key word in your statement "As a cruiser"

 

I'm speaking of emergency situations. What if you are in an accident, miss the ship, miss your flight out and have to catch them at the next port. In those situations you can't get to your docs on the ship.

 

There have been many, many stories right here on cruise critic that have given real things that have happened and people were screwed without their passport. Yes it is true to exit the ship and enter the ship it would not be necessary, but if you get stranded you could be in a mess. Why have the passport! The following is from the US State Department website.

 

“A passport is an internationally recognized travel document that verifies the identity and nationality of the bearer. A valid U.S. passport is required to enter and leave most foreign countries. Only the U.S. Department of State has the authority to grant, issue or verify United States passports.”

 

IMHO I think it is bad advice to tell someone to leave their passport on the ship. I don’t understand why anyone would spend the money on a passport and leave it on the ship.

 

 

Found this article online with advice from State Dept

 

http://www.chron.com/cs/CDA/ssistory.mpl/travel/shattuck/2465981

 

 

Excerpt:

 

 

 

I was right in that it's a bad idea to roam about a foreign country without proof of citizenship. But, said Stuart Pat, an information officer in the State Department's Office of Public Affairs and Policy Coordination, a better strategy may have been to put the passport in a secure location -- dare I suggest the purser's office? -- and carry the photocopy.

 

"We often advise people that when they travel in another country, it's not necessarily the smartest thing to walk around with their original passport," Pat said. "It's always smart to make copies before you leave home. Keep one in your suitcase and carry another."

[cantw82cruise]

We just got our first passports this year. If you read in there it says to make two copies of the picture page. Keep one at home and take the original and the other copy with you. Keep them in separate places, with the original being kept in a safe place and carry the copy with you.

[mikeymars]

I would never, never take copies of my passport into a foreign country. If you have a problem while there, copies of a passport will do you little good. Copies are not an acceptable form of ID. Can you imagine customs allowing you to use copies as official ID? Why have the passport…it is to get you out of a foreign country in an emergency…copies won’t work. Here is what we do.

 

We take on our trip original birth certificate, drivers license, and passport. I also make a copy of each document. When in port I take my original passport with us and leave copies of passport in safe along with the original DL and BC. If the passport is stolen we have copies to know who to call, numbers, etc. We still will have the original BC and DL.

 

The likelihood of our passports being stolen would be rare. We use the splash caddy as others have recommended and it is on us at all times.

 

I'm with oceantravel 100%.

 

Our ORIGINAL passports are in my splashcaddy whenever we debark in ANY foreign port (original BC and DL stay in safe back in cabin on ship; they don't do squat in a foreign country as I.D. anyway) .

 

If you or your party for some reason miss the ship, without an ORIGINAL passport (again, not a birth certificate, not a driver's license) you are in deep, DEEP you-know-what. I know it's been said before a zillion times on CC, but it warrants another mention:

 

If you run into trouble in a foreign port, driver's licenses and birth certificates will NOT serve as legal proof of citizenship.

 

If you run into trouble in a foreign port, copies of a driver's license, copies of birth certificates or copies of passports will NOT serve as legal proof of citizenship.

 

If you run into trouble in a foreign port, the only thing -- repeat, the ONLY thing -- that will serve as inarguable, 100% bulletproof proof of citizenship is...

 

...an ORIGINAL passport.

[mikeymars]

Found this article online with advice from State Dept

 

http://www.chron.com/cs/CDA/ssistory.mpl/travel/shattuck/2465981

 

 

Excerpt:

 

 

 

I was right in that it's a bad idea to roam about a foreign country without proof of citizenship. But, said Stuart Pat, an information officer in the State Department's Office of Public Affairs and Policy Coordination, a better strategy may have been to put the passport in a secure location -- dare I suggest the purser's office? -- and carry the photocopy.

 

"We often advise people that when they travel in another country, it's not necessarily the smartest thing to walk around with their original passport," Pat said. "It's always smart to make copies before you leave home. Keep one in your suitcase and carry another."

 

The soundbite from Mr. Pat makes it sound like the State Department doesn't want people "walking around" with their passports in foreign countres.

 

But pray tell, what would Mr. Pat tell the cruisers on CC who have posted real stories of missing their ship, and then running into SERIOUS flak with local authorities who wouldn't accept their PHOTOCOPIES of I.D.? As example, trying to get on the next flight to the next port to catch up with the ship? The photocopy won't cut it at the ticket counter.

 

Mr. Pat needs to learn that in the real world, many American citizens need to confirm their citizenship IMMEDIATELY and don't have a spare three-four days to deal with getting a replacement passport through the "local" U.S. consulate.

[tankersbabe]

Hi all-

I'm trying to figure out every detail of our shore excursions. Going to be in Cozumel and Calica/Playa del Carmen. What keeps popping out in my mind is this question and I'm sure it has to be a universal concern for some of you at some point. What do you carry with you on your shore excursions? I figure I will take a small backpack or fannie pack and I will need to carry my sail and sign card, a credit card, my ID and my birth certificate (don't have a passport) and some cash. (along with sunscreen, glasses map etc and all the others stuff) But mostly I am concerned since we plan mostly beach days. ... What do you do with your belongings when you are swimming and beaching it? A person doesn't just leave their entire "identity" on their towel at the beach in Mexico, do they? What have you all done? I will be traveling with my hubby alone and obviously we would like to swim and enjoy the water together instead of stand guard. Some places have lockers, but most beach clubs don't (I don't think)

 

Thank you!

 

 

DO NOT take your original Birth Certificate with you to the beach. Your sign and sail and a photo ID will suffice on getting you back on the ship...if you miss the boat, then there are other issues.

 

We each have a water wallet that has a long string on it. Fits a credit card, sign and sail and the photo id plus some rolled up cash, is water proof and can be worn under your shirt or swimsuit by hanging it around your neck. Hubby always makes sure that his swim trunks have ZIPPERED pockets to put his water wallet in.

 

We didn't take any valuables. A disposable camera, some bottled water, and our Carnival towels were the only things left on the beach when we swim. If those walk off, then we are out the towels and a few pictures....

 

have fun!

[oceantravel]

I'm with oceantravel 100%.

 

Our ORIGINAL passports are in my splashcaddy whenever we debark in ANY foreign port (original BC and DL stay in safe back in cabin on ship; they don't do squat in a foreign country as I.D. anyway) .

 

If you or your party for some reason miss the ship, without an ORIGINAL passport (again, not a birth certificate, not a driver's license) you are in deep, DEEP you-know-what. I know it's been said before a zillion times on CC, but it warrants another mention:

 

If you run into trouble in a foreign port, driver's licenses and birth certificates will NOT serve as legal proof of citizenship.

 

If you run into trouble in a foreign port, copies of a driver's license, copies of birth certificates or copies of passports will NOT serve as legal proof of citizenship.

 

If you run into trouble in a foreign port, the only thing -- repeat, the ONLY thing -- that will serve as inarguable, 100% bulletproof proof of citizenship is...

 

...an ORIGINAL passport.

 

Thanks!

 

I was feeling all alone out here. LOL!

 

Seriously though, I understand where the opposite opinion is coming from, but I will take my chances and carry it on me. If I lose it, I still have copies on the ship in my room safe and at that time I can follow the procedures for a lost or stolen passport. And hey, I still have my original BC and DL to use as ID through the remainder of the trip. So I figure...what have I really lost by taking it with me. I think there is a lot more to lose by not having it on me.

 

I suppose if I was on a land based vacation in a foreign country I would leave it in my hotel safe. I could get to that if I had to. But when on a cruise ship it is a different matter.

 

I too always make copies for someone at home to have and a set to keep in the safe on the ship.

 

I tend to listen to people who have actually experienced a problem in a foreign country. From the stories I have heard here, 100% of those people say take your passport with you.

[mikeymars]

Thanks!

 

I was feeling all alone out here. LOL!

 

You're not alone, and how could I not help out someone from the town where my father is from? Been to Overland Park many times, grandmother still lives there!

[oceantravel]

They raise 'em good here! LOL We love it.

[BLonde_4_ever]

As a Canadian, I am under the impression that our passports will be taken from us when we board our ship and returned when we leave. Therefore..there will be no opportunity for us to carry anything but a copy when we are in port. Right???

[karen2cruz]

If you do a search on the "ask a cruise question" board you will see that this has been discussed alot. There seems to be no consistent answer. It did happen on our last cruise, in talking with the UK passengers onboard. The ship did keep their passports.

 

One might consider also making a copy of travel insurance, if purchased, to cover and expedite help, if you get stuck.

 

If you take your passport ashore and it gets wet, it is considered damaged and therefore not usable. Happened to my husband in the Bahamas last October. Had to send it in and get a replacement at $80 - it had only been renewed two years prior-ouch!

 

Just take care whatever you do.