What if any documents to take ashore.

[BEnfield4]

All

 

We are going to St. Marteen, St Thomas (US) and the Princess Cays. When we get off the boat in the two foreign ports will we have to show travel documents to anyone? Passport copies or just the cruise card? I have not cruised before and have only driven into canada and you get stopped at the border and have a talk with the Canadian official and show Drivers license and or birth certificate and passport. Will we go through this ritual in either port or just get off the boat and go? We have the slip of paper to fill out for the Bahama's(princess Cays) so that will be with us. Anything else needed? Thanks

[mared1]

All

 

We are going to St. Marteen, St Thomas (US) and the Princess Cays. When we get off the boat in the two foreign ports will we have to show travel documents to anyone? Passport copies or just the cruise card? I have not cruised before and have only driven into canada and you get stopped at the border and have a talk with the Canadian official and show Drivers license and or birth certificate and passport. Will we go through this ritual in either port or just get off the boat and go? We have the slip of paper to fill out for the Bahama's(princess Cays) so that will be with us. Anything else needed? Thanks

 

Be sure and take your "cruise card" as you will need it to get back on the ship - also a photo id is a good thing to take. Usually the daily "paper" that you will receive in your cabin will tell you what you need to take. Often they will give you a number where you can contact someone from the cruise company if you encouter an emergency while off the ship. We have never had to show our passports at either of those islands

[98Charlie]

The ship will clear customs at the foreign ports. You will leave the ship by "swiping" your card at the ganway and walking off. We have never had to present any other ID when leaving the ship.

 

Returning, you will most often have to show your ship card to a local security agent and you pass through a gate to the docks. On one or two occasions, we have been asked for photo ID in addition. But, that is not the norm.

 

We take ashore:

• Ship ID
  
• Passport (some prefer a copy of the passport. Whole different discussion)
  
• The daily with the number for the ship's port agent.
  
• Sunscreen, Camera, etc.
  

 

I believe that you will turn in the completed Bahama Immigration Form on the ship. Again, when the ship docks, the local authourities come aboard, meet with officials from the ship and clear the ship for disembarkation.

 

If the St Thomas stop is after one of the foreign ports, you may have to go through a US immigration inspection on the ship before you can get off.

 

Charlie

[cb at sea]

All we've ever taken ashore is our seapass (ship ID) and driver's license. Have never needed anything else at the aforementioned ports.