Things you need to bring with you getting off at a port

[mrgabriel]

I may be wrong but am pretty sure there are notes in X Today (and on the app) that note exactly what you need for the port. "Picture ID" is usually noted.

 

We NEVER take our passports out of the safe. We both carry our DLs. I carry one single credit card so if we're pick-pocketed, we still have other cards available to us. We both carry cash. We leave everything else in the safe. Copies of our passports, health care cards, etc., are kept in Keeper (password protected) on our phones so if something horrific happens and we can't get back to the ship, we have enough information to make other plans. 

[Charles4515]

28 minutes ago, NevadaCruiser2023 said:

They (the ship) have never asked for that "photo id" you allegedly need to get back on the ship,or into the terminal, you just flash your sea-pass card to the local security. Your seapass card, when scanned, pops a photo of you onto Security's screen. I've never taken my passport off the ship, talk about a nightmare that a stolen passport would be. 

Local security at some ports does check your photo ID in addition to your sea pass card. Locals at Bahamas and Bermuda for example check. 

[Arizona Wildcat]

7 minutes ago, Charles4515 said:

Local security at some ports does check your photo ID in addition to your sea pass card. Locals at Bahamas and Bermuda for example check. 

Local security does usually glance at ID - checked at every port on last two cruises, even Greenland.   They look to see you have a Seapass and "a" drivers license.  Have switched with other family members so check is not intense.  

[Charles4515]

6 minutes ago, Arizona Wildcat said:

Local security does usually glance at ID - checked at every port on last two cruises, even Greenland.   They look to see you have a Seapass and "a" drivers license.  Have switched with other family members so check is not intense.  

In Bermuda they check intense. They also are suspicious of non anglisized last names and about 30% of the time pick me out for a bag check if I have a backpack coming back from the beach. Others I travel with who have anglized last names always sail through.

[the penguins]

50 minutes ago, mrgabriel said:

I may be wrong but am pretty sure there are notes in X Today (and on the app) that note exactly what you need for the port. "Picture ID" is usually noted.

 

We NEVER take our passports out of the safe. We both carry our DLs. I carry one single credit card so if we're pick-pocketed, we still have other cards available to us. We both carry cash. We leave everything else in the safe. Copies of our passports, health care cards, etc., are kept in Keeper (password protected) on our phones so if something horrific happens and we can't get back to the ship, we have enough information to make other plans. 

Until you lose your phone ( a particular target for thieves) and/or you at a port where there are physical checks as detailed by several other posters.

We have trousers/pants and shirts with security pockets in which we carry a minimum of:

1)  one piece of official identity  - usually driving licence and, when compolsary, passports.

2) travel insurance card (medical emergency number) - we had to produce this evidence at a hospital before they would let us in for emergency treatment.

3) the phone number of the ships agent in that port.

We also have a money belt with emergency dollars to ensure that we can always get back to the ship. We don't worry about taxis not accepting dollars as in an emergency we would only tell the driver that we didn't have local currency when we were back at the port. Once there we would be  able resolve any currency issues.

[mrgabriel]

1 minute ago, the penguins said:

Until you lose your phone ( a particular target for thieves) and/or you at a port where there are physical checks as detailed by several other posters.

We have trousers/pants and shirts with security pockets in which we carry a minimum of:

1)  one piece of official identity  - usually driving licence and, when compolsary, passports.

2) travel insurance card (medical emergency number) - we had to produce this evidence at a hospital before they would let us in for emergency treatment.

3) the phone number of the ships agent in that port.

We also have a money belt with emergency dollars to ensure that we can always get back to the ship. We don't worry about taxis not accepting dollars as in an emergency we would only tell the driver that we didn't have local currency when we were back at the port. Once there we would be  able resolve any currency issues.

 

We DO carry physical copies of our drivers licenses, one credit card, and some cash. The iPhone is only for backup in an emergency. 

[the penguins]

5 minutes ago, mrgabriel said:

 

We DO carry physical copies of our drivers licenses, one credit card, and some cash. The iPhone is only for backup in an emergency. 

Sorry partly misread your post. However you still don't appear to carry the emergency number for the ship nor a physical copy of your medical insurance details. I assume you would carry your passports in destinations where it was compolsary.

[SusieAV8R]

21 hours ago, DaKahuna said:

 

 That is an outstanding idea.  I was not aware that. you could have both.  Unfortunately, while that works for me, it does not help my DW.  She's not a US Citizen and I would hate to think what issues would arise if we were to misplace her resident card.  

 

 Thank you.  I've never been to New Zealand so I would not have known but now that I do, I will be prepared. 

 

 

The passport card is not a copy; it is an original document, according to the US State Dept. 

[SusieAV8R]

21 hours ago, Charles4515 said:

The passport card isn’t better than a drivers license for ID at ports. It is a waste of $25. Passport cards are meant for easy crossing of land and sea borders without a passport book in North America. 

My experience has been different from yours, Charles4515. I was simply giving another option to folks.  

[Mona-Lisa]

We always take our actual passport with us wherever is our port. (EU citizens)

In case you miss your ship due to any reason, you need that to board a plane to get home or to rejoin your cruise. 

 

We do have a pre-printed checklist for each cruiser, and for each port we have game in the mornings to play. Tick the items you packed. We then attach it to the wall with a magnet. 🙂 

It is a basic sheet printed from excel listing items like: passport, sunscreen, phone, travel insurance, snorkel gear, towel, sunglasses, raincoat, cash, drinking bottle, any other stuff you may need.. long list. 

I love doing that, helps me to prepare for the day 🙂 

 

[CNSfromHI]

On 4/2/2023 at 12:11 PM, Jim_Iain said:

Unless things have changed you will need a photo ID to get back into the terminal to re-board the ship.   I have always used my Drivers License.

Ran into this at times on our latest cruise, i.e., some port-security spots require both your SeaPass and a photo ID to progress back to the ship. Seemed inconsistent, but definitely wise to always carry an official ID with you.

 

cjr

[phoenix_dream]

On 4/5/2023 at 9:59 AM, NevadaCruiser2023 said:

They (the ship) have never asked for that "photo id" you allegedly need to get back on the ship,or into the terminal, you just flash your sea-pass card to the local security. Your seapass card, when scanned, pops a photo of you onto Security's screen. I've never taken my passport off the ship, talk about a nightmare that a stolen passport would be. 

I have been asked for my ID with my seapass card at multiple ports in my 70+ Celebrity cruises.  It depends on the port.  It happens before you even reach the ship, where your photo does indeed pop up on the screen, at the entry gate to the ship areas.  Some ports have that and some don't.  You may have gotten lucky and not cruised one that required it.  I agree about never taking a passport off the ship unless the port specifically requires it.

[keesar]

27 minutes ago, phoenix_dream said:

I have been asked for my ID with my seapass card at multiple ports in my 70+ Celebrity cruises.  It depends on the port.  It happens before you even reach the ship, where your photo does indeed pop up on the screen, at the entry gate to the ship areas.  Some ports have that and some don't.  You may have gotten lucky and not cruised one that required it.  I agree about never taking a passport off the ship unless the port specifically requires it.

Never been asked to show my I.D. at any port.  I still bring it along just in case.  Never bring the original passport ashore.

[Arizona Wildcat]

On 4/5/2023 at 9:25 AM, the penguins said:

Until you lose your phone ( a particular target for thieves) and/or you at a port where there are physical checks as detailed by several other posters.

We have trousers/pants and shirts with security pockets in which we carry a minimum of:

1)  one piece of official identity  - usually driving licence and, when compolsary, passports.

2) travel insurance card (medical emergency number) - we had to produce this evidence at a hospital before they would let us in for emergency treatment.

3) the phone number of the ships agent in that port.

We also have a money belt with emergency dollars to ensure that we can always get back to the ship. We don't worry about taxis not accepting dollars as in an emergency we would only tell the driver that we didn't have local currency when we were back at the port. Once there we would be  able resolve any currency issues.

Great comments unless you are in a country where taxis do not accept cash.  Transport in the EU is rapidly going cashless.

Learned long ago I do not need the latest iPhone.   Unlikely to have a pickpocket steal my phone from a velcroed pocket.  Rest of the stuff you list above is inside my shirt on a lanyard

[the penguins]

5 hours ago, Arizona Wildcat said:

Great comments unless you are in a country where taxis do not accept cash.  Transport in the EU is rapidly going cashless.

Learned long ago I do not need the latest iPhone.   Unlikely to have a pickpocket steal my phone from a velcroed pocket.  Rest of the stuff you list above is inside my shirt on a lanyard

Buses: Interestingly we got caught out the other way round in Norway where the local buses are cash only no cards.

Taxis: in an emergency where our cards had been stolen/lost we wouldn't tell the taxi we only had cash until we were back at the port and at least one of us was outside of the vehicle. 

[JBare]

I can't comment on Bermuda but despite being warned multiple times on ship wide announcements and in the daily sheets on our recent Eclipse cruise in New Zealand, there were still a few passengers who did not take their original (I stress original) passport with them. They were not allowed to proceed to the ship but put on the naughty step and made to wait until a border force agent could escort them to the ship for verification.
In Dubrovnik you could not even leave the port without an original ID. People get used to just wandering of the ship, in Europe for example, where just the seapass card will do but there are many countries world wide where you cannot do this.

[phoenix_dream]

23 hours ago, keesar said:

Never been asked to show my I.D. at any port.  I still bring it along just in case.  Never bring the original passport ashore.

Respectfully, that proves nothing - only that you were at ports that didn't do it.  I've had to do it a number of times.  

[Spif Barwunkel]

Obviously, only bring ashore the required items that X tells you are necessary at a particular port-of-call. Beyond that, cash, credit card, etc. you have got to decide that for yourself. Lots of common sense and awareness can go a long way. Planned activities or excursions vs on-your-own and winging it, you be the judge.

Edited April 11, 2023 by Spif Barwunkel

[Arizona Wildcat]

On 4/9/2023 at 10:39 AM, Mona-Lisa said:

We always take our actual passport with us wherever is our port. (EU citizens)

In case you miss your ship due to any reason, you need that to board a plane to get home or to rejoin your cruise. 

 

We do have a pre-printed checklist for each cruiser, and for each port we have game in the mornings to play. Tick the items you packed. We then attach it to the wall with a magnet. 🙂 

It is a basic sheet printed from excel listing items like: passport, sunscreen, phone, travel insurance, snorkel gear, towel, sunglasses, raincoat, cash, drinking bottle, any other stuff you may need.. long list. 

I love doing that, helps me to prepare for the day 🙂 

 

I have flown in Europe using a photo of my passport.  I carried a copy of the police report showing details of where it was stolen from our rental car.  Was able to fly to the US using the photo after contacting the Embassy in Madrid.  They faxed paperwork to a hotel.  Spent HOURS AND HOURS sorting it out.

On our last cruise the locals wanted Seapass and government ID in Mexico, Costa Rica, Panama and Colombia.  Found security was lots higher.  Maybe because of holiday time?

Edited April 11, 2023 by Arizona Wildcat

[NutsAboutGolf]

On 4/9/2023 at 4:33 PM, keesar said:

Never been asked to show my I.D. at any port.  I still bring it along just in case.  Never bring the original passport ashore.

 

Key West and Nassau when getting back onto the ship.  Never been to a port where you had to show your ID while going ashore.  If you don't mind waiting for 5mins, it really isn't a huge deal if you don't bring it as the terminal folks will call/radio the ship who will send an escort and check to see if your face matches their "mugshot"

 

Almost always X will announce to take a picture ID with you ashore

[NMTraveller]

3 hours ago, NutsAboutGolf said:

 

Key West and Nassau when getting back onto the ship. 

Definitely Nassau.  I brought my ID and my DW left hers.  She had to wait in line...  I bet that is the last time she forgets.

Edited April 11, 2023 by NMTraveller

[crazyank]

On 4/10/2023 at 3:10 AM, Arizona Wildcat said:

Great comments unless you are in a country where taxis do not accept cash.  Transport in the EU is rapidly going cashless.

Learned long ago I do not need the latest iPhone.   Unlikely to have a pickpocket steal my phone from a velcroed pocket.  Rest of the stuff you list above is inside my shirt on a lanyard

Please post where you ran into taxis that do not accept cash?  We travel around the EU a lot and would like to be prepared for that situation.

[the_dylaness]

The ship was held last week for my mom and my two (minor) kids who got stuck on a very delayed non-ship shore excursion; they broke into her room and had me break into her safe to obtain her passport (my kids had theirs) so they could hand it to the authorities.  So, depending on your POV it was bad she didn't have it with her, or lucky she did, because as they were handing it off to the authorities, they showed up running down the pier.  Maybe the delay saved her. Worst day of my life.

[mahasamatman]

I find it strange that some people are saying they actually needed ID at any port. In the past six months, we've sailed to Iceland, Greenland, Australia, New Zealand, various South Pacific Islands, and multiple South American countries, and not once did anyone ask for a picture ID of any kind. All they ever wanted to see when we entered the port were our cruise cards. In fact, in Valparaiso, we didn't even need those to get back on the ship on turnaround day of a back-to-back.

[RedIguana]

On 4/2/2023 at 2:16 PM, Arizona Wildcat said:

ONE credit card

And not the one being used for the shipboard account. That one stays in the safe.