Charles4515

Homeland Security is involved. They determined cruise passengers are low risk. As for the European requirement I think likely it is tit for tat. They are requiring them because the US has been requiring them.

They could by they have not. Why did they make the exception? What has changed that they would change the exception?

Why would they make it a requirement?

Why would they?

Personally since I retired I don't know any in that reality. When I was working I knew many in that reality.

The cruise lines won't make it a requirement. They don't want it to be a requirement. They wanted an exception to having a passport for cruises.

I think many of us are so used to taking multiple cruises every year that they don't relize that for many a cruise is something they might be able to do only once in their lifetime.

They are pretty good about accommodating diet in the MDR. The issue I think is with casual style. Since some people live in shorts and shorts are not supposed to be worn in the MDR I think that is a valid issue. If they are not going to serve a full restaurant dinner they should relax the dress request of the MDR. The full restaurant dinner in Oceanview was initiated at a time when there was only traditional dining and to be a casual alternative.

They were full because the prices were lowered to fill them. I always got the lowest prices in December, January and February. I would wait for the last minute to book those months.

They might have the thousands on their credit card and have a debt. I pay my cards off every month but a lot of people carry debt. That is why banks issue credit cards. Because people carry debt. Also seems like a substantial number don’t get insurance. From time to time people post crying they missed a cruise and did not have insurance and ask what to do.

You must not read the tipping threads. Numerous people have come right out and said they remove gratuities bcause they only eat in the buffet.

I got one last year of college because I wanted to travel. I recall you had to put down an overseas trip to apply so I made up one. Always had one after that. Before college our family trips were always camping which I grew to hate. My father traveled the world on business but never took my mother or us. After college I never went camping again. I started right away traveling in US and overseas. I did not cruise though until I was 45. I thought I would hate it.

They might. I never asked. I have only carried my passport off the ship at two ports. Russia since Russia requires carrying it. That should tell you something about Russia. Too bad for the two people on a ships tour that were robbed. Ugh. For the White Pass railway since the train crossed into Canada. They did not ask to see it though. Many of my cruises I was going to beach. I know there are people on CC who take their passport to the beach, snorkeling or on Catamarans. Really odd........but if it make you feel secure to always have it on your person go for it.

With no traditional seating I think they can move more people through the MDR. Plus a lot eat at speciality restaurants and get packages, Blu and suite restaurants.

That is the way it was years ago. The buffet only had a few stations. Salad, pasta and pizza. Then they decided to provide an alternative to dressing up for formal evening and added the grill. So formal dress is gone to a more casual dress evening chic request they probably don’t need the large dinner buffet. I know some liked dinner in the buffet so they could justify in their in their mind removing the gratuities. I guess they are screwed unless they are okay with pasta and pizza every night. I would go to the dinner buffet maybe once a cruise because sometimes I needed a break from the table service but I can live with the reduced buffet.

As I mentioned 40 years ago it happened all the time but they stopped holding it overnight at hotels a number of years ago. I have been on a number of cruises where my passport was held until near the end of the cruise. If Turkey is on your itinerary they will collect your passport. In Italy they often take it for a few hours to collect information required by law. They never keep it overnight.

Because they can't imagine themselves needing it. Most people are not world travelers. Many Americans don't get enough vacation time to travel overseas. Many can't afford it. If they have a family the costs would add up getting a passports for all family members.

The port agent contacted a consulate or embassy to get an emergency passport. That can be done by phone. ( contrary to some people’s opinion it can be done without an actual visit) They didn’t get home without a passport. The got a temporary or emergency passport.

You are taking it too literally. The port agent will help people obtain emergency passports from a consulate or embassy if they don’t have a passport. That is part of the port agents job.

Why would they do that? The mass market cruise lines don’t want to make it more difficult for people to cruise. They could have required a passport since 2008. They advertise you don’t need a passport. Only a few boutique cruise lines require a passport.

Anything heard on the big social media site that can’t be mentioned here must be true.

I have run into some people while traveling who don’t seem to understand that.

I mentioned in the remote possibility. That is not screaming.

In the event you needed to fly home you would need a passport. While having an emergency and having to return home may be remote having a passport would eliminate a hassle. As the sailing is in June you have plenty of time to get a passport. Also having a passport will make travel other than cruises that leave from a US port and return to a US port. possible

I think you were bored and made the whole thing up to have some fun. And yes a lot did take your bait.