Off ship - what IDs do you carry?

[bbevanston]

When we cruised in the past, we only carried our driver's license and one credit card and cash. What are people carrying for ID? should I stick to that? I don't recall ever taking the passports out of the safe once we arrived and don't want to carry 4 passports with me with touring Labadee, Falmouth and Cozumel. I'm sure just the driver's license, one credit card and cash should be sufficient along with our sea pass. Can anyone confirm? Thanks so much. Last minute panic questions.

[Coralc]

When we cruised in the past, we only carried our driver's license and one credit card and cash. What are people carrying for ID? should I stick to that? I don't recall ever taking the passports out of the safe once we arrived and don't want to carry 4 passports with me with touring Labadee, Falmouth and Cozumel. I'm sure just the driver's license, one credit card and cash should be sufficient along with our sea pass. Can anyone confirm? Thanks so much. Last minute panic questions.

 

Yes, that should be fine. That's all we ever take with us onshore at those particular ports.

[Yenom]

When we cruised in the past, we only carried our driver's license and one credit card and cash. What are people carrying for ID? should I stick to that? I don't recall ever taking the passports out of the safe once we arrived and don't want to carry 4 passports with me with touring Labadee, Falmouth and Cozumel. I'm sure just the driver's license, one credit card and cash should be sufficient along with our sea pass. Can anyone confirm? Thanks so much. Last minute panic questions.

 

I think of Labadee as an extension of the ship, but bring extra cash (and my Seapass card).

 

For everyplace else in the Caribbean and Bahamas, I carry the same things that you said that you carry. However, when I renewed my last passport, I also got the passport card. I now carry that with me as well. It's just extra peace of mind for me, but not necessary.

[critterchick]

Bring what you feel comfortable with. I feel comfortable with my passport. We tend to go off on our own and you just never know if something might happen to delay our return to the ship. I would rather take my chances of having my passport lost or stolen than risk being stuck in a foreign port without my passport. Both are remote possibilities.

[bbevanston]

another thing on my to do list tomorrow....p/c passports. keep original in the room safe. thanks.

[DandDM]

Recently when cruising in Europe, we took a shore excursion to the Monte Carlo casino in Monaco. The casino requires a passport to get it. Well, after our time at the casino, we were waiting for the bus to take us back to the ship and a small group of people waiting with us were VERY upset because they had brought copies of their passports - and the casino wouldn't let them in. They insisted that they read over and over that you shouldn't take your passports out of your room and copies would work just fine. Obviously the copies didn't work there.

 

Moral of the story - in an emergency, a copy of your passport is better than nothing, but if you need a passport, you need a passport.

 

All that said, you shouldn't need passports in the ports you are visiting.

[Yenom]

another thing on my to do list tomorrow....p/c passports. keep original in the room safe. thanks.

 

When I renewed my passport, I really wasn't sure if it was worth it. I got it anyway and very glad that I did. It is nice to carry the passcard with you in ports and not worry about getting the paper passport wet or really beat up from sticking it in my pocket. After 3 years of use, my passport still looks new. This was not the case when I just had a paper passport.

 

One extra benefit I see of having the passcard - If I lose it, I still have my paper passport in my safe on the ship. It's vacation, so the more peace of mind, the better.

[Upandadam]

While in port, on 13 cruises, have never carried more than our ship card and driver's license with picture for ID.

[bbevanston]

sorry forgot to ask. In the past we only carried their ship card and no form of ID. should I reconsider? this is what happens if you don't consistently cruise...lose info and forget what is required and/or needed. We need to get back to our yearly cruises :)

[MarkSeattle]

sorry forgot to ask. In the past we only carried their ship card and no form of ID. should I reconsider? this is what happens if you don't consistently cruise...lose info and forget what is required and/or needed. We need to get back to our yearly cruises :)

 

Def. carry an ID. Some ports require you to show an ID that matches your ship card to get past initial screening before you get back to the ship; otherwise it can be a big hassle.

[novalab]

I carry the same as you, but I have heard of people also taking a photo copy of a passport with them.

 

We carry a photocopy of our passports plus our Sign & Sail cards, 1 credit card, 1 health insurance card & cash. We have never been asked for our drivers license so we leave them back on the ship.

 

Other things we don't take with us into any port is expensive jewelry or watches. We leave those back in our cabin safe. I have this $20 Timex that has served us well over many a cruise...a new battery every other cruise & we have never missed a ships sailing yet! (sorry to hijack this thread a little).

[satxdiver]

You are required to carry your ship ID of course but also a government issued photo ID. I have had to show it to the port security but that seldom happens. Most carry their DL.

 

Personally when my feet land on foreign soil, I take my ship ID of course and my passport. While most ports will recognize a DL, they do not have to do it. However the passport is a world wide recognized and legal ID. I believe better safe than sorry.

[JMG]

A TA once suggested to us that we should carry our Passport information whenever we are off the ship. If something happens that delays your return to the ship, you could need a passport to travel to meet the ship or fly home.

 

On one cruise, ID's were not requested at 2 ports of call so one guy got lax and left the photo id's on board ship. We then got to an island that required the ID. I remember a guy trying to climb the fence to get the attention of the ship security personnel because the island's security personnel would not let him pass the fence. He was eventually able to get on board but he stood there for a long time while the ship security worked on the situation.

[trev71]

I only take my drivers license with me off ports. I never bring my passport.. My passport stays in my travel sized passport holder and stays in my room on the ship its never leaves

[rcrdale]

I carry my drivers license and seapass card as well. But, I also carry a laminated copy of by passport and drivers license together, just in case something happens and I get left behind. This way I have all my passport information with me for emergencies. I laminate it just in case it would get wet or sandy when at the beach.

 

I don't know how legal it would be to use it, but at least I have a copy of it with all my information.

[PattyG12]

I have my backpack with a special compartment for our passports. I feel better having them. If there was a problem and we had to fly home, a copy of my passport would be pretty useless.

[nanwel]

The only time I needed my passport was in cuba, and the ship had them, so they had us line up and get them back the morning in Cuba.

Some ships (not RCl) hold your passport - same as a lot of hotels in Europe, so have a laminated copy of mine with my drivers lic to use to travel - cheap insurance and peace of mind.I am parinoid that they will loose it on me!!

Then, (i am canadian) take a small amount of US cash, and 1 credit card with a small limit.

I went into casinos in Europe without a problem - no photo id a few yrs ago, must be strickter there now.

Not the one I usually use.

[cruiseguy1016]

There are two sides to this passport discussion and most people are very firm in their opinions about why they do it the way they do it the way they do it. We always take our passports with us. We make sure we know where they are at all times. We treat them as we treat our wallet/purse. I am responsible enough to make sure my wallet doesn't get lost or stolen, therefore I am responsible enough to make sure my passport doesn't get lost or stolen either. While very remote, there is always the chance that something might happen and you will not get back to the ship in time. I would not want to be left foreign country without my passport.

[cruisenfever]

We never leave the ship without our passports, no matter the port. The only exception would be if the ship has collected the passports due to area we are cruising in. Then we take a photo copy with us.

[cb at sea]

Just drivers lic.....same size as your room key....easy! Even if they don't require ID to get back on the ship, you should have some form of ID on you!