PopsiB Posted November 8, 2013 #1 Share Posted November 8, 2013 I have cruised in the Caribbean many times but always with UK based ships. Once we get our Cruise Card we do not need any other ID with us. Our HAL paperwork states a photo ID issued by the government is also needed does anyone know how we obtain one of these. My only photo ID is a passport (don't want to take that off the ship). Or a UK travel card. Has anyone been asked for a Photo ID at ports rather than a just Cruise Card. Thanks Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cwd79 Posted November 8, 2013 #2 Share Posted November 8, 2013 We were told to bring some government issued i.d. along with the cruise card every time we ported. I'm glad we did because several of the ports, when trying to get back, the local police or security requested to see both. St. Thomas and San Juan were the two stops that especially enforced this on our recent cruise. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RetiredMustang Posted November 8, 2013 #3 Share Posted November 8, 2013 (edited) We also have had our ID checked at Caribbean ports (as well as European ones). The requirement is a government-issued photo ID, but it does not mean issued by the U.S. federal government. Do you have a UK driver's license or other such ID that has your photo -- for example the UK travel card you mentioned? That should work just as well as my Virginia state driver's license does. Dave Edited November 8, 2013 by RetiredMustang Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sapper1 Posted November 8, 2013 #4 Share Posted November 8, 2013 We also have had our ID checked at Caribbean ports (as well as European ones). The requirement is a government-issued photo ID, but it does not mean issued by the U.S. federal government. Do you have a UK driver's license or other such ID that has your photo -- for example the UK travel card you mentioned? That should work just as well as my Virginia state driver's license does. Dave Dave, i have been having trouble with emails not sending even though they indicate they have been sent. Did you receive the one I sent you in reply to yours? Sorry about the off topic. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RetiredMustang Posted November 8, 2013 #5 Share Posted November 8, 2013 Dave, i have been having trouble with emails not sending even though they indicate they have been sent. Did you receive the one I sent you in reply to yours? Sorry about the off topic. Yes, got it. Much appreciated! Dave Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare 1025cruise Posted November 8, 2013 #6 Share Posted November 8, 2013 On the cruise I just got off (Disney), at every port (Falmouth Jamaica, Grand Cayman, Cozumel), we had to show photo ID and cruise card to get through port security and back on the ship. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sapper1 Posted November 8, 2013 #7 Share Posted November 8, 2013 Yes, got it. Much appreciated! Dave OK Good. I can cross you off the list of the possible non delivered. :) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sail7seas Posted November 8, 2013 #8 Share Posted November 8, 2013 We are almost always asked to show photo driver's license along with our ship's ID when we return to the dock in each port. Ship's security only scans the ship's ID but the port security asks for the government issued photo ID. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bishop84 Posted November 8, 2013 #9 Share Posted November 8, 2013 (edited) I have cruised in the Caribbean many times but always with UK based ships. Once we get our Cruise Card we do not need any other ID with us. Our HAL paperwork states a photo ID issued by the government is also needed does anyone know how we obtain one of these. My only photo ID is a passport (don't want to take that off the ship). Or a UK travel card. Has anyone been asked for a Photo ID at ports rather than a just Cruise Card. Thanks You should be OK with your Travel card. My parents use their Welsh concessionary travel pass as Photo ID when cruising. They were even accepted as ID for crossing the border on the White Pass Railway excursion in Skagway when they forgot to take their passports! Edited November 8, 2013 by bishop84 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stlouistravelers Posted November 8, 2013 #10 Share Posted November 8, 2013 Bermuda required a picture ID also Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chrispb Posted November 8, 2013 #11 Share Posted November 8, 2013 I have cruised in the Caribbean many times but always with UK based ships. Once we get our Cruise Card we do not need any other ID with us. Our HAL paperwork states a photo ID issued by the government is also needed does anyone know how we obtain one of these. My only photo ID is a passport (don't want to take that off the ship). Or a UK travel card. Has anyone been asked for a Photo ID at ports rather than a just Cruise Card. Thanks Just do a colour photocopy of your passport and laminate it (or not).:) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
serendipity1499 Posted November 8, 2013 #12 Share Posted November 8, 2013 (edited) I have cruised in the Caribbean many times but always with UK based ships. Once we get our Cruise Card we do not need any other ID with us. Our HAL paperwork states a photo ID issued by the government is also needed does anyone know how we obtain one of these. My only photo ID is a passport (don't want to take that off the ship). Or a UK travel card. Has anyone been asked for a Photo ID at ports rather than a just Cruise Card. Thanks We carry our Passports with us at all times even in the Caribbean.. Would never leave the U.S. without our Passports.. If something happens to either one of us & we end up in the Hospital, or our Non-Hal tour is late & must fly back to the states, we will be required to re-enter the U.S. with a passport.. Betty Edited November 8, 2013 by serendipity1499 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
0bnxshs Posted November 8, 2013 #13 Share Posted November 8, 2013 (edited) Just do a colour photocopy of your passport and laminate it (or not).:) Another vote for a copy of your passport's ID page. We've used this method in the Caribbean several times. Never thought of laminating it though... :rolleyes: There is an argument for having the real thing with you though as Betty mentions. Guess it depends on your level of risk taking. We've not an issue not having our real passports (yet!). Edited November 8, 2013 by 0bnxshs Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fouremco Posted November 8, 2013 #14 Share Posted November 8, 2013 It might be interesting to know what sorts of activities the "We always carry our passports" passengers engage in ashore compared to those who only take them if required. In our case, we normally take only our DLs, which fit easily into a small waterproof box that goes with us when we dive, snorkel, swim, sail, etc., along with a bit of cash, a credit card and our ship's cards. Passports won't fit, and larger boxes aren't nearly as manageable. As beach/water-related activities are our preference, carrying passports just doesn't work for us. I suspect, but could be very much mistaken, that those who always carry their passports tend to enjoy pursuits ashore that enable them to more easily keep their passports with them and secure at all times. Thoughts? Might there be a correlation? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cruz chic Posted November 8, 2013 #15 Share Posted November 8, 2013 I suspect, but could be very much mistaken, that those who always carry their passports tend to enjoy pursuits ashore that enable them to more easily keep their passports with them and secure at all times. Thoughts? Might there be a correlation? In my case that is true. I almost always have my passport on me and don't leave it lying around anywhere. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sapper1 Posted November 8, 2013 #16 Share Posted November 8, 2013 It might be interesting to know what sorts of activities the "We always carry our passports" passengers engage in ashore compared to those who only take them if required. In our case, we normally take only our DLs, which fit easily into a small waterproof box that goes with us when we dive, snorkel, swim, sail, etc., along with a bit of cash, a credit card and our ship's cards. Passports won't fit, and larger boxes aren't nearly as manageable. As beach/water-related activities are our preference, carrying passports just doesn't work for us. I suspect, but could be very much mistaken, that those who always carry their passports tend to enjoy pursuits ashore that enable them to more easily keep their passports with them and secure at all times. Thoughts? Might there be a correlation? You have a valid point. Our passports are always tucked into a money belt under our clothes if we are required to carry them. I don't know what we would do if snorkling were to be involved. When we only need gov't picture ID our New Brunswick driver's licenses have always been sufficient. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare Vict0riann Posted November 8, 2013 #17 Share Posted November 8, 2013 We always carry our passports (in hidden pockets or pouches). But we stay dry! On occasion we have just used our driver's licences, but usually passports, sometimes two (we have dual nationality), as proof of age, for concessions in Europe. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
serendipity1499 Posted November 8, 2013 #18 Share Posted November 8, 2013 (edited) It might be interesting to know what sorts of activities the "We always carry our passports" passengers engage in ashore compared to those who only take them if required. In our case, we normally take only our DLs, which fit easily into a small waterproof box that goes with us when we dive, snorkel, swim, sail, etc., along with a bit of cash, a credit card and our ship's cards. Passports won't fit, and larger boxes aren't nearly as manageable. As beach/water-related activities are our preference, carrying passports just doesn't work for us. I suspect, but could be very much mistaken, that those who always carry their passports tend to enjoy pursuits ashore that enable them to more easily keep their passports with them and secure at all times. Thoughts? Might there be a correlation? You are correct..We normally don't do beaches on our cruises.. I lived on an Atlantic Ocean Beach up north before we were married & spent my summer weekends baking in the sun..:eek: Since then we've always lived on the water, had a pool, had a boat, & swam off the boat..Therefore we don't usually go to Caribbean beaches.. The next time we get into HMC, we might go for a quick swim & DH might walk the beach..Then we'll go back to the ship for lunch..In Grand Turk the ship docks right next to the beach & my Friend & I keep saying that one day we should go for a swim there, since the beach looks so inviting, but we've been there many times & never have..LOL:D:D When I worked in the Intl Airline Field I was never without my passport when leaving the U.S. .We even carried it when we went to Alaska..BTW when we boated in the Bahamas, we carried our passports in waterproof cases, which can be purchased at Amazon for under $20.00.. http://www.amazon.com/s/?ie=UTF8&keywords=passport+case+waterproof&tag=googhydr-20&index=aps&hvadid=40058518687&hvpos=1t4&hvexid=&hvnetw=s&hvrand=686837741400481977&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=b&hvdev=c&ref=pd_sl_7xpmyg7pso_b Betty Edited November 8, 2013 by serendipity1499 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Typhoon1 Posted November 9, 2013 #19 Share Posted November 9, 2013 You are always advised to take along some type of government ID each time you leave the ship. Sometimes they ask for it when re boarding. Other times they don't. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PopsiB Posted November 9, 2013 Author #20 Share Posted November 9, 2013 Many Thanks for all your replies, I like the idea of photocopying and laminating the passport page. We will take our UK Travel Cards as well just to be on the safe side. Some varied points to consider Thanks again Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
djhsolara Posted November 9, 2013 #21 Share Posted November 9, 2013 We never leave the ship without passports. If there would be any kind of emergency that would keep us off the ship, the last thing that I want to be worried about is having to return to the ship to get the passports. We always travel with some sort of bag that we keep the passports in for safety. Sent from my iPad Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare TiogaCruiser Posted November 9, 2013 #22 Share Posted November 9, 2013 A friend shared his trick and I have been doing this now. He color copied his passport and folded it along with cash and keeps it in his money belt. I made one that really does not look like a money belt. Also put double pocket bags with an inside zipper in the jeans. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kakalina Posted November 9, 2013 #23 Share Posted November 9, 2013 Quite often on the cruises we take with HAL all the passports are collected at the beginning of the cruise and not given back until the end of the cruise. That is why we finally got the passport ID card to go with our regular passport. We just take that ashore along with our cruise card and we are set. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CaveDiving Posted November 9, 2013 #24 Share Posted November 9, 2013 ....we finally got the passport ID card to go with our regular passport. We just take that ashore along with our cruise card and we are set. I absolutely agree with this and have been doing it for years. Outside of N. America & the Caribbean, the card passport isn’t really accepted in lieu of a regular passport but it will serve as an ID and along with a photocopy of a regular passport will probably make flying back into the US, if necessary, a bunch easier. I like that it is the same size as a credit card and my cabin key card, serves as a government issued photo ID and DOESN”T contain my home address. I’m also always concerned about losing my driver’s license and needing to drive home after the cruise. Just a thought. YMMV. Scott & Karen Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
serendipity1499 Posted November 9, 2013 #25 Share Posted November 9, 2013 (edited) We never leave the ship without passports. If there would be any kind of emergency that would keep us off the ship, the last thing that I want to be worried about is having to return to the ship to get the passports. We always travel with some sort of bag that we keep the passports in for safety. Sent from my iPad A friend shared his trick and I have been doing this now. He color copied his passport and folded it along with cash and keeps it in his money belt. I made one that really does not look like a money belt. Also put double pocket bags with an inside zipper in the jeans. We never leave the US without our original passports.. It's not just in case we can't return to the ship, but also in case of an emergency at home & we must return to the US. immediately.. In order to fly back into the US, you must have a valid passport.. I believe this is still the case..Years ago a color photocopy of your passport or black & white was not acceptable & neither was the Passport card.. However, a photocopy does make it easier for the US. embassy to re-issue a passport, but it still might take precious time.. Betty Edited November 9, 2013 by serendipity1499 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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