do you bring passports off the ship

[Kenito]

I am an American citizen who lives in a foreign country. Over the years I have dealt with situations and helped others deal with their situations concerning this issue.

 

I know many people who have lost their passports, or had them stolen. For that reason, I carry a PASSPORT CARD. (In addition to owning a passport.) It is the same size as my Sign and Sail card, driver's license, credit card, and is very easy for me to carry and keep secure. It is also waterproof.

 

I've heard people call a passport card worthless because you cannot fly home with one. First, rules are bent all the time and I think it depends on the country and situation. Second, it is a rather minor expense for the benefits and convenience most of the people on this cruise-related forum may be concerned with. More will benefit from having a passport card in their wallet than will ever miss their ship, or have to fly home in an emergency.

 

So I leave my passport in the safe and take the passport card and minimal other items with me.

 

While traveling by land in places like Europe, of course passports are the norm, and necessary.

 

With regard to photo copies. I keep them in my vehicle, and in my suitcase when I travel, along with a passport or passport card as appropriate. Yes, I've had different authorities dismiss it as not "real," but I've never had one not accept copies in a pinch. Certainly better than nothing. Of course, I rarely am accused of a capital crime. Most police or other governmental agents only want to know who you are, and a photo copy, while not perfect, works in many situations, combined with other ID. Most major travel sites and blogs strongly recommend keeping copies with you and leaving copies with someone at home.

 

Yes, carrying a passport at all times is the perfect, all-incumpassing solution. However, don't let the quest for perfection get in the way of the good. If you are prone to missing the ship, you probably are going to lose your passport too. In which case, a passport card and copies will be come in very handy.

[CruzVinnieCruz]

Really? Where does it state this in CCL's literature?

 

There are tons of protocols the ship follows that are never published that deal with passenger safety and other procedures that the ship personal need to follow. Not everything is open to public scrutiny.

 

Here is a reply to a post a while ago from one of the ships managers:

 

This sort of thing happens all the time. On a large ship - like the one I manage - every cruise we have at least one cabin that misses the ship during the cruise.

 

Ship Security searches their cabin for passports and valuables, and secures them.

Passports go to the port agent before we depart. Agent arranges visas for those left behind if needed.

The port agent assists in getting the tardy passengers back to our home port (At passenger's expense).

 

 

We always take our passports when going ashore. People always say "What if I lose my passport" so what happens if you lose your SS card, DL, BC etc you are still screwed. Just be careful and keep safe as you would any other ID. Taking a copy only makes it easier to obtain a replacement passport but will not get you out of the country in question.

 

Some of these ports we are talking about your replacement passport and an available seat on a flight home will happen probably at the same time. Just because someone has an emergency and has a passport does not mean they are on the next flight out.

 

The DW is an flight attendant and has flown back from the Caribbean with passengers who had the passport requirement to fly waived. The only thing that happened to them is officials met the plane checked IDs and questioned them and they were on their way. I do not know all of the details of their circumstances but they were still U.S. citizens and they were given an exception.

 

We are talking about closed loop cruises and the information needed to verify citizenship is easily obtained. Passengers names have already been checked by Homeland Security before the ship debarked the U.S.. The cruise line can verify that the passengers in question did not reboard the ship at a certain port. It's not like someone is showing up at an airport requesting to be flown to the U.S. out of the blue.

[near the beach]

We use our passports to get on the ship at the beginning of the cruise and at the end of the cruise. It stays on the ship the rest of the cruise. You will not miss the ship if you book Carnival excursions.

 

When we leave a ship we carry our sail & sign card and a picture ID as requested by Carnival. The countries we visit are ok with this. Same to get back on the ship.

 

Does anyone have any factual information on travel in the Caribbean from location to location what type of paper work is required?

[cruise mackel]

I was on on a bus coming back from a ship excurion. The bus had to stop at gates that were closed at the entance to the ship, Officers with guns got on the bus and told us "Take out you passcports and hold them open for us to check' The officer checked each and every passport. I was surprised that this happen but was happy I had my passport with me, as everyone esle on the bus happen to have with them too. The officers who came onbroad where a rough and loud bunch with very big guns over they shoulders. So after that I carry my passport in a waterproof holder/bag I found on Amazon. This happen on one of the Islands.

[CruzVinnieCruz]

I was on on a bus coming back from a ship excurion. The bus had to stop at gates that were closed at the entance to the ship, Officers with guns got on the bus and told us "Take out you passcports and hold them open for us to check' The officer checked each and every passport. I was surprised that this happen but was happy I had my passport with me, as everyone esle on the bus happen to have with them too. The officers who came onbroad where a rough and loud bunch with very big guns over they shoulders. So after that I carry my passport in a waterproof holder/bag I found on Amazon. This happen on one of the Islands.

 

 

I would be interested in the name of the island. We have traveled all over the Caribbean on ships excursions and independently without an incident like you are describing. Now we have had port security stop vans and ask for ID which for us was a drivers license and sign & sail card.

[Tbay-eh]

:confused:How do you figure:confused: And why would anyone bring their birth cert on shore with them?

 

Whatever, so forget the me saying BC then. If they use SS card and DL to reboard and they lost THOSE - they would still be screwed. All I am saying is you have to be careful not to lose SS card or DL just like a passport.

[gtalum]

We never step foot in another country without our passports with us. The cruise line tells you to leave your passport aboard for their own protection, not for yours. As a common carrier, if they bring someone to the US without the proper documents for entry it becomes their responsibility to either assist you with entry into the US or to transport you back out of the country.

 

Meanwhile, if you miss the ship in a foreign port and you don't have your passport you'll be cooling your heels at the nearest US consulate or embassy for a couple of days or more waiting for a temporary passport to be issued before you can fly home. Sometimes in a less developed country it could take you a day or two just to get to the consulate.

 

If you have your passport, you can just head to the nearest airport and fly onward to meet the ship or fly home.

 

FWIW, this same argument is why I also wouldn't cruise with just a BC and photo id. You won't be allowed to fly internationally with just a BC and drivers' license.

[gtalum]

You will not miss the ship if you book Carnival excursions.

 

This is not always true.

[Rena921]

I was on on a bus coming back from a ship excurion. The bus had to stop at gates that were closed at the entance to the ship, Officers with guns got on the bus and told us "Take out you passcports and hold them open for us to check' The officer checked each and every passport. I was surprised that this happen but was happy I had my passport with me, as everyone esle on the bus happen to have with them too. The officers who came onbroad where a rough and loud bunch with very big guns over they shoulders. So after that I carry my passport in a waterproof holder/bag I found on Amazon. This happen on one of the Islands.

 

Really? If this happened, it should have been reported to the state department. Which port was this at?

[norcal2]

This makes sense to me. I have to be honest though, if I needed my passport to walk the streets when I am clearly a tourist, I doubt I would wander about in that country. I'd enjoy me some water slide fun onboard LOL To each her own ;)

 

We were CLEARLY tourists but for some reason the Chinese guards watch us all closer. Go figger! LOL

 

It was worth carrying that passport/visa around as it was remarkable. The neck purse made the misery go away. It was the first trip I used one and now I suspect I'll take it everywhere I have to carry the passport as I fit my money and other stuff in it and remained hands free. I'm thinkng it will also be great on the cruise for carrying my room card etc to the casino. Don't want a purse cutting into my slot machine tunnel vision. LOL

 

I don't carry my passport unless it is required.

[NS85]

ALWAYS bring my passport with me, just in case. You never know - one chance in a million if you are late getting back to the pier or something, they are not waiting for you and how are you going to get home without a Passport?

Just keep it on you at ALL times, in a safe place if at all possible!

[victoryred]

Whatever, so forget the me saying BC then. If they use SS card and DL to reboard and they lost THOSE - they would still be screwed. All I am saying is you have to be careful not to lose SS card or DL just like a passport.

 

No.....infact a few in our group forgot to take their DL's while in port........no problem getting back on the ship.....and I have even see here posted that people had lost their S&S cards......they can issue you a new one easily........you see they have your photo and all your info in their system.......and you could take it one step further once on board you can easily retrieve your passport from your safe for verification.

 

If someone stole your passport you would have a problem getting back thru immigration and would more then likely have your identity stolen before you got home......

[gtalum]

If someone stole your passport you would have a problem getting back thru immigration and would more then likely have your identity stolen before you got home......

 

Umm, no. Your social security number isn't on your passport and neither is your address, both of which are needed for identity theft. You'd have the same trouble getting through immigration if you missed the ship with your passport aboard.

[GrandBistro]

If I am on foreign soil, I have my passport. An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.

[victoryred]

Umm, no. Your social security number isn't on your passport and neither is your address, both of which are needed for identity theft. You'd have the same trouble getting through immigration if you missed the ship with your passport aboard.

 

You are kidding right?

A passport number in conjunction with an illegal database can result in a wealth of information for thieves. Passport numbers can yield full names, date of birth, place of birth, and of course nationality. If your physical passport is snatched, the consequences go downhill quickly. With an altered picture, a thief could use your passport to open accounts internationally, resulting in some rather complex problems you’ll have to clean up.

[gtalum]

You are kidding right?

A passport number in conjunction with an illegal database can result in a wealth of information for thieves. Passport numbers can yield full names, date of birth, place of birth, and of course nationality. If your physical passport is snatched, the consequences go downhill quickly. With an altered picture, a thief could use your passport to open accounts internationally, resulting in some rather complex problems you’ll have to clean up.

 

False.

[babyblue78]

We plan to carry the actual Passport when off the ship, and will leave copies in the safe. That way, we have the actual passport if needed on foreign soil. If something were to happen to the original, we will have the copy in the room safe and will deal with it when we arrive at US immigration. We figured that we would at least be in the US having to sort it out, rather than in a foreign country. :)

[victoryred]

False.

 

 

LOL! Okey dokey...

[gtalum]

LOL! Okey dokey...

 

Only the facts. A drivers' license is a much better tool for identity theft than is a passport, as it lists your address. A passport by itself is useless for identity theft. The bigger threat is someone using it to fraudulently enter the US, and this is why you should contact the passport agency to report it stolen ASAP.

[Tbay-eh]

No.....infact a few in our group forgot to take their DL's while in port........no problem getting back on the ship.....and I have even see here posted that people had lost their S&S cards......they can issue you a new one easily........you see they have your photo and all your info in their system.......and you could take it one step further once on board you can easily retrieve your passport from your safe for verification.

 

If someone stole your passport you would have a problem getting back thru immigration and would more then likely have your identity stolen before you got home......

 

Sheesh - leave everything in the safe - don't take any ID to shore and reboard ship - what do I care. I PERSONALLY will take my passport on shore and you do what you want. All the poster asked was "do you bring passport off the ship" and MY answer is yes.

[NU2]

Sheesh - leave everything in the safe - don't take any ID to shore and reboard ship - what do I care. I PERSONALLY will take my passport on shore and you do what you want. All the poster asked was "do you bring passport off the ship" and MY answer is yes.

 

You sound upset.

[Tbay-eh]

You sound upset.

 

More frustrated that they are not getting my point that this is what "I" do.

[victoryred]

Only the facts. A drivers' license is a much better tool for identity theft than is a passport, as it lists your address. A passport by itself is useless for identity theft. The bigger threat is someone using it to fraudulently enter the US, and this is why you should contact the passport agency to report it stolen ASAP.

 

The facts are theives target passports not drivers license....and you are correct a criminal will use it not only to enter the country but also use it for other crimes associated with drug trafficking, human trafficking and terriost crimes which also include setting up bank accounts in other countries.......the list goes on......all under your identity......thus identity theft.

Yes report it lost as soon as you are aware...the sooner you do the easier it will be on you.

 

Sheesh - leave everything in the safe - don't take any ID to shore and reboard ship - what do I care. I PERSONALLY will take my passport on shore and you do what you want. All the poster asked was "do you bring passport off the ship" and MY answer is yes.

 

I was just responding to your question about what the difference was......sorry if I upset you.

[klmorg]

this is a disgrace! :eek::p:D

[Thoth]

That's why you book through the cruise ship in those locales.

That's correct. I always book through the ship. As a single traveler it is reassuring to know someone knows where I am . There are those who will tell me "you are wasting your money on ship tours ! " They may claim that some guy named "Ratero" sold them tours for cheap and that I too should look up "Ratero" when I'm in port.

No thanks ! I'll stick with cruise-line tours.