Scorpiorose

The day we bought my engagement ring at diamonds internationa in Cozumel.

We came into port walked by diamonds international and my now husband said, I think it's time to go in there. We went in, found a beautiful 1 ct. diamond and simple setting, got in a taxi and headed to paradise beach for the day.

We sat on the beach for 5 hours, sipping melon drinks and swimming, climbed in a taxi went back to port and my beautiful ring was ready!!!!

He wouldn't let me wear it, he later took me to the top deck with a bottle of champagne and asked me under the moonlight of the beautiful ocean.

We've been married (2nd for us both) for 4 years now! LOVE him!:p

Here he is, Paradise beach Cozumel waiting for my ring!!!

How did you book a day at the Saint John Resort in Mykonos? We were going to do a tour to Delos in the morning, but a relaxing day may be a better idea. The resort looks lovely. Any help would be appreciated.

 

Kristin

I emailed the resort this week and they sent me a reservation form to send back, no money deposit. There are 2 options: One includes a lovely sounding lunch and massage aroudn $125 and the other just a day stay. $30.

This includes pick up and drop off! I just googled saint johns resort mykonon and it came up!

We can't help but note that most of the folks who love to carry their passports ignore the fact that many cruise lines take your passports at embarkation and hold them until near the end of the cruise. This is very common for cruises in Europe, Asia and South American. So I guess the cruise lines and their pursers do not think you need to carry the things.

 

Hank

I addressed that a couple times, you don't have control over that and it's too bad. Just because they do it doesn't endorse anything. There are plenty of travel agencies out there that think that's a bad idea and recommend you always carry it.

But what can you do? You can't contols this or many other things the cruise line does.

First of all, if I need a replacement passport I can get one. Second, the ship knows who left and who didn't come back. I asked about this and I was told that if you do not return, they will check your safe for a passport and leave it with the local agent.

 

You have not responded to anyone that points out that there are cruises where your passports are collected on day one and returned on the last day. I did respond to that, a couple times. If a cruise ship takes your passport that is a no brainer, you can't take it. End of story. I'd not like that as I think it leaves passengers vulnerable, I hadn't heard that some ships do that, it's a bad policy in my opinion but what can you do there?

Obviously in this case you can't take your passports with you. How do you respond to that?

 

Finally I can control when I return to the ship. I cannot control who holds me up and where. Thus I figure the chances of my missing the ship are less than my chances of having the passport get lost or stolen. This is a calculated risk you are free to take. I see it the other way and earlier I posted the odds of being robbed of your passport, much less than 5% I based that on the statistics out on passports issued and passports reported stolen to date in 2011, it ended up being roughly 5% AND that included those passports lost not just stolen, so the theft issue is probably about half 5% so let's be generous and say 3-4%, not worth being stuck in port for who knows how many days vs. having it stolen, getting on the cruise, and dealing with the re-issue at the end of the cruise.

 

Therefore, since there is no reason to take the passport off the ship, I choose not to take the passport off the ship.

 

Let's talk FACTS, you in fact must have a passport is you are left in port for what ever reason or you cannot leave and re-enter the US. That is a reason based on fact. Now, if you think the odds are small enough then you are making a choice to risk that.

I hesitate to say to people, there is NO reason. That is misleading because the fact is in certain situations you must have it. Say instead you are choosing to go without in because you think the risk is low.

 

I don't take the copy for id, I take it because it make replacement of the passport easier. This is the only use for a copy. Exactly why I leave it in the save on the ship. If the passport is lost, I board the ship, phone or email the powers that be the number of my passport and report it stolen.

This is vs. in the event of some mishap, being in port without it, and waiting days to replace it.

 

As to the credit card, while I have not had a card stolen, I have had the number stolen, which amounts to the same thing. I haven't had to pay for the times someone else used my card card number without my permission.

 

 

 

Again, I have flown to foreign countries and I have cruised to foreign countries. Myself as well and well as many others here. The only time I needed the passport was when I was in the airport Exactly, if you are left in port for whatever reason you need that passport to get home. or when I was in the ship's home port terminal. I have never been asked for my passport at any other time. So, do I need my passport while in a foreign country? Apparently not.

If you have traveled that much everyone knows you need a passport in a foreign country. Because you haven't had occation to need it means you have either taken good care as a person who travels or you've been lucky.

FACT - A passport is the only internationally accepted form of ID. I don't travel around the US wihtout my ID. Since my US ID isn't accepted anywhere but here, I use the internationally accepted form - Passport.

BTW - I haven't had to show my drivers license for years, no accidents, no speeding, no reason. That doesn't mean I don't carry it. Same thing!

Don't forget lucky your passport wasn't stolen because you needlessly took it off the ship when you didn't need to.

In the event of a theft, of which I take proper caution against such as wearing it under my clothing....Not too many pickpockets stick their hands up the front of your shirt.....I would report it stolen and board my ship, continuing on with my cruise.

It is your opinion a person wouldn't need it, the fact is you DO need it if you are left behind, to board a train, plane or to leave the country. OR if you are in an accident and cannot board the ship (which I said happened to my aunt, so it does happen).

Walking around a foriegn country without proper ID (a copy is not accepted for ID purposes only for replacing your Passport as it has your number on it and our drivers license isn't international ID either).

Your decision not to take it is a choice, the fact is there are cases you have to have it, you are just banking on those things not happening to you. Which, of course, is your choice.

Please don't contend that there is no need to carry a passport in a foriegn country, just say that you are choosing not too because you feel the odds are not in favor of you needing it.

Passports are meant to be used, not stored away like gold. Take the same caution you do to protect that credit card with $1000's of dollars in credit and your money.

If you are left or in an accident, you have it are required to get home or prove who you are. If it is stolen you report it's theft, or in many cases, lost, and you board your ship and continue on. Of course you have to deal with it at embarking time.

Unless you have to carry the actual passport on shore the best advice is don't take it, leave in the cabin safe. But it is a good idea in any foreign country to have a good copy of the passport in case you are challenged by someone in authority to prove your identity. Only the data page is needed. As a couple, we carry copies of both of ours so that each of us has identification for both.

A copy of a passport isn't proof of anything, and cannot be used for ID purposes. A copy of a passport is not will not prove your ID.

The number of cruises a person has been on means nothing, except maybe you are lucky one way or the other. Lucky you didn't have an accident, lucky you didn't get left behind for some unforeseen reason, lucky you didn't have it stolen if you took it.

How often you travel is the real question. Seasoned travelers do not allow themselves to be in a foreign country without access to the only form of international ID, a passport.

In a stationary place such as a land vacation, season travelers may leave it in a hotel safe because they know they can get to it no matter what, not true of a cruise ship.

many cruises we took our passports with us and then the last few left them in the safe and took copies, but reading this thread i think we are going back to carrying them with us...to many things can happen and a copy probably isnt going to do the job...i think i will go with my original feelings of "not going anywhere without it"!

 

i cant remember where we were--maybe canada on our cruise and we were specifically asked at the gate near the port for our passports--we had them.

Exactly, and like you, I don't know of any port that takes a credit card as ID to get in and out of port secure areas.

AND I hope not, geez, that would mean the port area isn't really secure, anyone can forge a credit card.

Talk about reading. Be nice, I missed that... You did not read the question I was answering. The question I was responding to asked about getting BACK on board. Not the initial boarding. You do not need your passport to get BACK on board. You only need it for the initial boarding and when you return to the US.

 

AND....while traveling around at ports....FACT: Passports are the only form of accepted ID in a foreign country, period.

If you decide to travel around without this ID it's a choice your are making and comes with some risks.

OF COURSE, when the cruise ships take your passports and hold them you have NO choice, but when given a choice many people wouldn't go into port without carrying it.

 

For cruises to Canada, Alaska, Mexico and the Caribbean ...

 

The cruise ship will use your room key as your ID. Thus you don't need any other form of ID while on the ship. However, sometimes you need government ID to get into the secured port area after you have left the secured port area. Having forgotten my driver's license I just a credit card with my picture on it. To get BACK on the ship I used my room key. You do not use your passport to re-board the ship.

 

I have never heard of using a CC with your picture on it or a drivers license to get in and out of port secured areas. Anyone else every hear of that?

 

School aged children do NOT need a picture ID to get BACK into the secured port area. People over the age of 16 sometimes do, and any government issued picture ID is acceptable.

 

There is no need to take your passport or birth certificate off the ship until you return to the US.

You opinion only.

This is the debate, not a fact. A fact is: The ONLY form of international ID is a passport.

As for myself and many others, I take valid ID whenever I travel. Passports would serve as ID for children, and perhaps and I don't know about this, Birth certificates.

In the unexpected cases of accident, missing the ship, delays, any emergency which may cause you to miss the ship, you want to have a passport on you.

Yes. Most cruise lines do not require government ID for people under the age of 16. I have also heard of some school aged children using their school ID cards, since schools are viewed as government agencies.

 

One time I forgot my driver's license, but had a credit card with my picture on it. I used that without any problem. I have not forgot my driver's license since.

Hold on....KNOW before you GO....you better read the requirements of your specific cruise before you assume your children do not need a passport.

I've never heard of a cruise ship taking a credit card with your picture on it as your ID nor have I heard of a cruise ship sailing to foreign ports taking a school ID. Cruise lines are beefing up their security, I certainly wouldn't count on that. Birth certificates are usually requires in the very least.......

Read the fine print and document requirements well before your sailing date.

I have traveled extensively in many third world countries, including a couple of 3 week + stints in Southeast Asia. I ALWAYS have my passport on me. I would never leave it in the ship. What if you have an accident and need to be airlifted out of a foreign country? A copy of your passport will do you no good, and you do not want to be waiting on the embassy to make you another.

 

You can buy an inexpensive thin, fabric "neck wallet" that will hold your passport under your clothes. Or a money belt, same idea. I always use this. I will be *wearing* my passport, my husband's, and my son's. Nobody is going to steal it from me...I think I'd notice a stranger's hands coming up under my bra!

 

In my opinion, leaving your passport in the ship's safe is foolish. NO other ID is accepted in a foreign country if you need to fly back to the US. Take your passport with you while in port. Wear it discreetly under your clothing. It will not be stolen.

Thank you, exactly what I have been saying!!!

Do not take your passport with you just in case you miss the ship. The odds of missing the ship is MUCH less than your passport being stolen

Actually how likely are you to have a passport stolen???

To date this year 291,000 passports have been issued with a total of 15,652 recorded lost, mislaid or stolen. (see the entire article here dated 1/30/2011):

http://www.tribune.ie/article/2009/jul/05/alarming-rise-in-stolen-passports-on-black-market/

According to my math that is 5.38 % (15,652 of 291,000) and actually less because some of those were "mislaid" or "lost"!

Your chances of an accident is higher, or some other delay.....so I am not sure I buy your arguement that you are more likely to have it stolen.

AND.....take the same precautions you do with your money and credit cards and demeaner once in a port visit and your chances go down even more.

If there were a true emergency while ashore, the ship can be contacted and will leave your passport with the port authority.

This isn't true, my aunt could not contact the ship and the passport sailed away. The accident was more important and no one thought to "contact the ship". So you can say that but emergencies happen....

There is no risk in taking a copy of your passport.

This is your opinion. Mine is there is a risk, you risk that in given situations your "copy" is not accepted and will not get you what you want. If a copy allowed you the same access as the original no one would steal the originals.....

I think a good happy medium is to not take the original but take a photocopy. That way if you get stranded your not completely SOL and if you get it stolen you still have back up.

Actually, to use a copy to replace your old one yes, but to use as ID or to catch a flight should you miss the ship or have an accident and need to stay and fly home (my aunts story) a photo copy will not due.

If I'm left behind, I want my passport to go right to the nearest airport and hop on a plane to the next port, a photocopy will not get you on that plane.

Leave the original on the ship has risks too. Decide what you are willing to risk.

Going back to public beaches, there's also Platy Gialos. It's on the south coast of Mykonos, to the west of Paradise beach, and it's much more of a family beach than Paradise. It has loungers and sun shades on the beach and a row of restaurants & small hotels at the back of it, so there are plenty of facilities available. We've been there three times and enjoyed it each time. The sand is good, it shelves quite gently, and I've had good swimming there. No snorkeling I'm afraid. (Well, I suppose you could, but there's nothing to look at.)

 

You can get there by bus from the same bus terminus that the buses to Paradise leave from. Bus fare is about €1.50 or so per person each way and the journey, on a slow bus, take perhaps 10 minutes or less. It's not much more than two miles from the bus terminus, perhaps two and a half from the centre of Mykonos harbour. There's a bus every half hour except over lunch time when the driver has a break and there's just one in an hour.

Fantastic....sounds more my speed....here is high season I guess

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7hx6DuZ0b2M&feature=related

same here no return email to date....:cool:

Thanks, I already contacted them, waiting for a reply. I wonder, can you leave when you want, I don't think we'll want to stay all day.

Hum....after seeing these videos of Paradise and super paradise beach, I think we'll opt for the resort....this is way to busy and "young" partiers for us!

http://www.bing.com/videos/watch/video/super-paradise-beach-mykonos-greece-2007/f24e66850611753b9822f24e66850611753b9822-501771863348?q=super%20paradice%20beach%20mykonos

...and conversely, if you take it and its stolen....

...and my opinion counts as well, it's an opinion I've made for myself which lots of research.

You should look at both sides, research and make a choice. It could change too, depending on the port.

Leave your passport on the ship. I want to shout that!! Take picture ID and your sail pass. You can bring a copy of your passport if you want. Your passport is to valuable to lose.

and I want to shout...TAKE you passport with you!!! It's a hotly debated issue but it's a PASS PORT, as in a pass in and out of port, I always take mine in case of an accident or missing the ship. If you lose it, the embassy will replace it.

It's the ONLY internationally accepted form of ID, take it with you and wear it under your clothing like your credit cards, other id and money.

This is not a given, this is why ships can't and don't tell you not to take it. It's a personal choice UNLESS the ship takes them away from you, I guess they do that in some ports then you have no choice.

Know the risks advantages and disadvantages of both situations and then research it on various travel sites and their advise. Then make your own decision.

I wouldn't want to tell someone to leave it, then they miss the ship, can't get a flight out, or an accident, and oh the problems. This happened to my aunt....and things happen....beyond your planning and you miss the ship.

Research and make a choice for youself, don't take just what ppl say on these boards, that is all opinion.

Good luck!

Wow, well that is good to know, closer to the ships....interesting. I think I'll be buying inexpensive items to take home. Small glass items because it's a loooonnng way home!:p

My favorite thing to buy on vacation is silver charms for my silver charm bracelet. Of course not every port has something you want, but I have great charms from Rome, Venice, Delphi, Stockholm(and great American cities too!)

Well I see that Venice has some great glass beads, charms and earrings....that sounds perfect doesn't it. Venetian glass and in a small earring set!!

Anyone have any of these?

I'm not going to Turkey, Santorini, Mykonos, Corfu...

The point is: how do you know? Pashmina is the wool of a Himalayan goat. Period. It is quite possible that Turkish or Greek textile makers import the wool from the Himalayas and make the scarves there. Or that they import the scarves ready-made. It is equally possible that they use high quality local goat wool and make beautiful scarves and put a Pashmina label on them. Which one do you want to bet on?

 

If the scarf is really high quality and you love it, buy it. It is probably worth the price. Is it a real pashmina? Unless you are a textile expert, you don't know. So buy the goods, not the label. Labels mean nothing, especially in tourist bazaars. Shopkeepers know that tourists want to buy pashminas, so that is what the labels will say on everything from rayon to the real thing.

Good advise and from the comment above, I'm going to go to Nordstrums and check out the 100% pashminas....that should help. I guess the best thing is to go to a store there not the street stalls.....always a good bet...

You can slap a label that says anything on anything. There is no "pashmina" "appellation controlee" like in wines. If they are asking 7-15 euros, chances are that synthetics are most of the fabric. On the other hand, those are nice looking scarves that make nice, inexpensive presents. Just don't think you can get the real Himalayan wool in some Greek island for 10 euros. (Same thing if you go to South America and buy "real" alpaca wool scarves in the market for $3! And don't forget, you can get the same "pashminas" at any street corner in NYC for $7!)

 

Greece has lovely sheep and goat wool and I am sure they make beautiful, comparable scarves. However, they are not "real" pashminas and, yes, they can be high quality and very expensive.

 

 

Whenever there is so much fake stuff going around, I stay away from the pricey stuff and get the cheaper items knowing full well that they are not the real thing. I am not knowledgeable enough to tell the difference, so I pay the low price for presents I know will be enjoyed without pretensions.

So even the expensive stuff isnt real? Now I'm confused.

I agree that pashminas make great presents (don't forget to keep some for yourself) as they are easy to pack - ie they pack flat and don't take up too much room in the suitcase.

 

If your trip also takes in any part of Turkey, you will find them cheaper there than in Greece. If you shop for them at a stall or small shop, rather than a large emporium-type shop, then you can definitely bargain. I have was in this area twice last year and bought 10 - 12. I didn't pay more than 10 euros for any of them. The labels don't say where they are actually made, but they are labelled "Pashmina". Some say 55% pashmina 45% silk, others say 70% pashmina 30% silk. Pashmina is goat wool, just like cashmere. The "pashmina" goats are a special breed indigenous to the Himilayan high country in Pakistan and northern India (see the link with this info in a previous post on this thread).

 

Maybe I'm a "cheapskate", but I feel that around 10E is sufficient to pay for gifts - unless the person is VERY special. My friends have loved them. I have also kept some for myself and wear one often (especially in cooler weather) either as a wrap or as a scarf.

 

Enjoy your trip - especially the shopping !!!

Thanks, I'm such a shopper!!! I have two daughters and one upcoming daughter in law - I'll get 4 for sure.....not the 175 type certainly....thanks