Passports while in port

[justcruisin]

Do you have to take your passport with you when you get off the ship at the various caribbean ports - Casa De Campo, San Juan, St. Thomas, Nassau?

Absolutely not ;leave locked in your safe the entire time until final disembarcation.

[Donna]

Some people like to make a copy of their passport and just take that with them when they stop in ports, I've never done that, just take my sign and sail card with me.

you really dont even need a passport for any of those places. I always take mine because its easier than the birth certificate and photo ID treatment in customs. I certainly wouldnt take it with me in port though. Just a photo ID and your cruise card is sufficient in case you get face down in the gutter drunk and need to be identified and carted back to the ship in time for a sail away drink..

[ak0930]

I cruised on Summit in January and we tendered in St. Maarten. While waiting in line for the tenders, we had to show a photo ID and our sign and sail card. We brought our passports with us and breezed right through. Those who only had the sign and sail card had to wait until the crew could verify the passenger vs the names on the cabins. I always feel better with my passport with me as in case something happens, it proves citizenship and identification. I always keep a copy of my passport in the cabin safe in the passports gts lost/stolen.

[Texasmunk]

just a reminder..Puerto Rico and St Thomas as US territories.

All you need is your ship's pass, credit cards and tons of cash

[jimt]

Would take a copy - Not passport. Have been on several cruises where passengers have either lost or had passports stolen while ashore.

Nile Romance Nile River 5/90
QE2 Transatlantic 8/95
Norwegian Crown Western Caribbean 4/97
Celebrity Zenith Panama Canal 04/98
Carnival Jubilee Southern Caribbean 03/99
Renaissance R3 Tahiti 11/99
Dawn Princess back to back Southern Caribbean 04/00
Norwegian Majesty Bermuda 09/00
Norwegian Wind Western Caribbean 12/03
Norwegian Spirit Southern Caribbean 12/03/04

[moai]

Does Celebrity have the same kind of seapass as RCCL? The ones that shows your picture when they scan it?

[Donna]

Yes, Moai,
Celebrity is the same as RCL.

[sal7202]

While we always take our passport wioth us, I would strongly recommend NOT taking it ashore with you. It's your ticket back into the USA and I wouldn't want to take a chance on losing it. I take my drivers licence, as photo ID, as well as my "Sea Pass" when leaving the ship.

[Stacy]

I always take a photo ID and credit card ashore (some security checks require them to get back on the tender or the pier) in case I need it to get back to the ship... because if I miss the ship (car accident... rental breaks down... anything!) I will need these to fly to the next port. Think about it... left behind and no way to get home or to the ship. Photocopies of passports are accepted and much safer than carrying the real one in port.

[Barbie]

I have never been asked for photo ID getting back on the ship. Thats not to say it doesnt happen. As for passports, with very few exceptions, the Bananna Republics do not require passports for entry so why bother taking one in to port with you? Photo ID is quite sufficient. Why risk losing it? Keep it locked in your safe. If carrying it makes you feel more secure then make a copy. I can assure you that if you run into trouble your passport will not help. They would much rather see a picture of Benjamin Franklin than your face on a US passport.