Do I need a passport at the ports-of-call?

[DeLosLibros]

I've seen other posters mention that they have their passports or other documentation with them at the ports. I thought that all we needed until next year was our S&S cards to get off and back on the boat. Do we need to carry out passports or birth certificates with us at all times?

[big_duck]

At POC you need your S&S card and Photo ID.

 

Some prefer to use their PP as photo ID

 

Some like to take them in case they get stranded.

 

Others take a photo ID and a photocopy of their PP in case they get stranded.

[mrdood]

The ones that are anal enough to carry passports and plan on being stranded are the ones that you never read about actually being stranded.

 

Just a dood observation. Whatever happened to the lawsuit about the kids that were stranded - I assumed it was dropped?

[queeni]

I think it's wise to carry your passport. Especially if you are going out on your own and do not have an excursion planned with the cruise ship. A copy is no good. You need the original. I'd rather be safe than sorry and I don't think that's anal! I've purchased travel insurance also and I suppose some people would say that's anal. I'm pretty sure I won't need either of these things but I'd rather be safe than sorry. To each his own, but I think comments like anal are a little rude.

[caribbean dreams]

Mrdood rude? never!

 

There are alot of people who have not gotten passports yet. your sign & sail card and photo ID are all you will need in port for now, after 12-31-06, you will need your passport in port.

[zqvol]

Mrdood rude? never!

 

There are alot of people who have not gotten passports yet. your sign & sail card and photo ID are all you will need in port for now, after 12-31-06, you will need your passport in port.

Passports in port is a personal issue. My experience is that they are not needed at all. This is based on the fact that one two of the cruises I have been on we were required to surrender our passports and they were held by the purser for the duration of the cruise.

 

As far as requiring passports in ports starting next year this is not true. The passport rule taking effect next year has to do with returning to the US. The US government cannot dictate who needs passports in another country, and of now other countries have not enacted the same rule.

 

SO unless something changes in the next few months even next year you can go wander around all of your POCs without a passport.

[zqvol]

duplicate

[fdwt994]

This is based on the fact that one two of the cruises I have been on we were required to surrender our passports and they were held by the purser for the duration of the cruise.

 

Why were you required to surrender your passport? How is that acceptable?

[zqvol]

Why were you required to surrender your passport? How is that acceptable?

Never bothered to ask, really did not care. It is also common in European hotels. We, in the US tend to make a bigger deal of it than others. Until recently all foreign nationals traveling on ships from the US left their passports with the purser for the duration.

 

In the Caribbean it is highly unlikely that you will ever need a passport while ashore, but if you feel better take it with you.

 

Remember too, that St. Thomas and San Juan are US territories.

[marktac]

Why were you required to surrender your passport? How is that acceptable?

 

It used to be mandatory that Canadians and other foreign national surrender their passports to the purser. Same is true for US citizens in Europe. You had to give them to the hotel during your stay. Got them when you checked out, not just to go on the street.

 

Rules are changing every day. Now there is a push to delay the mandatory passports, at least for Canada, a minimum of 18 months. Northern states are in a tizzy because they have so much traffic back and forth for business and personal reasons with families.

 

We've been on 12 cruises, and I have never taken my passport on shore. Personal thing. If you want to take it, fine. If not, you don't have to.

 

Mark T

[phroggie]

Unless you plan on doing something illegal or marginally illegal, an American driver's license will be more than enough. And if you are, the passport won't be much help.

 

My California DL was all the identity I needed to enter a secure defense installation in Australia (with escort, of course). I left my passport hidden (where a pro would probably have found it anyway) in the hotel.