Cruiseline holding your passport

[notalandlover]

In August my wife and I did the British Isles cruise. We loved it. During the cruise our room stewards collected the passports for all passengers. They were returned a few days later. Has anyone ever had this happen and why would a cuiseline do this? I asked room steward who colaims he didn’t know.

 

Thank you

[wowzz]

Not that unusual on certain itineraries.  Makes it easier for Border Control staff to check documentation.

[klfrodo]

I had a cruise do that before. If I remember correctly, it was a cruise out of Venice. I believe it was because one of the countries we were visiting wanted to see the actual passports before arrival

[Flatbush Flyer]

8 minutes ago, notalandlover said:

In August my wife and I did the British Isles cruise. We loved it. During the cruise our room stewards collected the passports for all passengers. They were returned a few days later. Has anyone ever had this happen and why would a cuiseline do this? I asked room steward who colaims he didn’t know.

 

Thank you

Not only do some cruise lines (e.g., Oceania) require all passengers on all cruises to produce a passport, the Purser oversees their collection at embarkation. 
This is a far better and more convenient practice than leaving them with passengers who 

A) might carry them ashore when not required

B) misplace/lose them 

C) rise at the “crack of dawn” for a port immigration check.

 

[1025cruise]

This way immigration clears everyone all at once. Otherwise you would need to go through immigration. This is a standard procedure when countries need to inspect all passports.

[sanger727]

Yes, we have had this happen a few times. It's to do with what nationality you are, what ports you are stopping in, and the immigration paperwork needed. In Carribean cruises, for example, I've seen them collect non-us passenger passports. I've had mine held before in European and Asian itineraries. It helps them expedite processing the paperwork they need to do. AFAIK, if you really don't feel safe getting off the ship without your passport, you can pick them up at guest services daily to take them to shore with you and then return them when you get back. 

Edited January 2, 2023 by sanger727

[CruiseGal999]

3 hours ago, notalandlover said:

In August my wife and I did the British Isles cruise. We loved it. During the cruise our room stewards collected the passports for all passengers. They were returned a few days later. Has anyone ever had this happen and why would a cuiseline do this? I asked room steward who colaims he didn’t know.

 

Thank you

2012 I cruised to Alaska out of Seattle, WA.  NCL took our passports on land ... before we even got into line to start the check in / boarding process.  I was FLIPPING OUT!  But we had to do it. 

 

[LHT28]

well they have been collecting  passports  of Canadians & other Nationalities for years on cruises out of the USA

 

They can clear Immigration in other Countries without pax having to line up for  a F2F

Some you still have to do the F2F  but some it is far easier if the Purser has your passport ready for inspection

 

If you are worried just  refuse to give it to them

then get up every morning  very early to meet with the Officials 

[LHT28]

9 minutes ago, CruiseGal999 said:

2012 I cruised to Alaska out of Seattle, WA.  NCL took our passports on land ... before we even got into line to start the check in / boarding process.  I was FLIPPING OUT!  But we had to do it. 

 

LOL  did you think they were going to sell them  ??

Maybe some Canadians would want then  NOT!!

[Flatbush Flyer]

32 minutes ago, CruiseGal999 said:

2012 I cruised to Alaska out of Seattle, WA.  NCL took our passports on land ... before we even got into line to start the check in / boarding process.  I was FLIPPING OUT!  But we had to do it. 

 

Why would you flip out? Common practice for many itineraries.

[ontheweb]

We had an Eastern Mediterranean cruise on HAL in which our passports were collected, but we could get them back for one of the ports, Dubrovnik, IIRC. But they wanted them back by the next day. 

[CruiseGal999]

22 minutes ago, Flatbush Flyer said:

Why would you flip out? Common practice for many itineraries.

That was  a first time for me and it was ALWAYS my understanding that you are NEVER to be separated from your passport.  

[CruiseGal999]

55 minutes ago, LHT28 said:

LOL  did you think they were going to sell them  ??

Maybe some Canadians would want then  NOT!!

 

No ... It was always my understanding that you are NEVER to be separated from your passport.  It was the first time it ever happened on a cruise. 

[LHT28]

8 minutes ago, CruiseGal999 said:

 

No ... It was always my understanding that you are NEVER to be separated from your passport.  It was the first time it ever happened on a cruise. 

Do not go to Europe  where they want your passport  at the hotels 😉

 

 

[CruiseGal999]

1 minute ago, LHT28 said:

Do not go to Europe  where they want your passport  at the hotels 😉

 

 

 

2 minutes ago, LHT28 said:

Do not go to Europe  where they want your passport  at the hotels 😉

 

 

Too late ... have been many many times.  Hotel has NEVER taken my passport when there.  But thank you for all of your input. 

[SteveH2508]

I really do not get the paranoia about the ship holding your passport to expedite immigration procedures. Having said that, my previous passport had a problem where Australian immigration stamped my passport and then jammed it back in the drawer with all of the others before the ink was dry. Unfortunately, this left an inky impression over the machine readable part of my US visa. That was a PITA for the next 3 years when going to the US.

[Flatbush Flyer]

26 minutes ago, CruiseGal999 said:

That was  a first time for me and it was ALWAYS my understanding that you are NEVER to be separated from your passport.  

Get ready for some international hotels that still do this as well.

[Ferry_Watcher]

On cruises to Alaska, if a passenger is a foreign national who needs a Canadian visa (I.e., India, South Africa, Brazil and about 170 other countries), then their passport is collected, sent to the ship, and is returned to the passenger after the Canadian officials  inspect the passports upon arrival in (usually) Victoria.

If for example, the foreign national happens to be a US permanent Resident (Green Card holder), the check-in agent makes a copy of the passport and Green Card, returns the passport & Green Card to the passenger, and submits the photocopy of the documents.

 

 

[donaldsc]

This happens lots of times.  

 

DON

[Markanddonna]

I've had to show or register my passport at European hotels. They never took it away for a short or long period.

 

[Charles4515]

41 minutes ago, Markanddonna said:

I've had to show or register my passport at European hotels. They never took it away for a short or long period.

 

They used to take my passport at hotels 40 years ago. But they stopped some years ago. At least at the hotels I use. I have had the cruise line hold my passport a bunch of times. Depends on the itinerary. 

[ontheweb]

14 minutes ago, Charles4515 said:

They used to take my passport at hotels 40 years ago. But they stopped some years ago. At least at the hotels I use. I have had the cruise line hold my passport a bunch of times. Depends on the itinerary. 

When we did an escorted land trip in 2019 to Peru with Gate 1, every hotel that was used held everyone's passport.

[Charles4515]

3 minutes ago, ontheweb said:

When we did an escorted land trip in 2019 to Peru with Gate 1, every hotel that was used held everyone's passport.

I have not been to Peru but it may be the law in countries where hotels collect passports that the hotel collect them. It was standard practice once upon a time when I traveled abroad.

[BruceMuzz]

Since you paid for your passport, you probably believe that it belongs to you.

It doesn’t.

Nearly every passport on Earth has a message inside from the Government that issued it, informing you that the passport is the property of that Government - and that it must be surrendered to authorities when requested.

[navybankerteacher]

3 hours ago, Markanddonna said:

I've had to show or register my passport at European hotels. They never took it away for a short or long period.

 

They certainly used to (at least in Italy, Spain and France) until about 20 years ago -- but not so much these days.