Id to get back on ship

[carebott]

Just wondering in addition to your sea pass what do you need for id? I have cruised before and brought my drivers licence, but this time traveling with kids, do I need to bring their passports with me to each port? We will be on the Allure in Feb.

[Ashland]

Just wondering in addition to your sea pass what do you need for id? I have cruised before and brought my drivers licence, but this time traveling with kids, do I need to bring their passports with me to each port? We will be on the Allure in Feb.

I always have my drivers license too...But in the caribbean we have never had to show anything but our SeaPass...Your children under 16 don't need a picture ID...I would leave yours and their passports in your safe in the cabin..

[supercruisedad]

I think it depends on the port you're in. We were on the Liberty a few years ago and stopped in San Juan, Puerto Rico, and they required passports in addition to our sea passes to get back on the ship. I just happened to bring ours with us, and I'm glad I did. I don't remember seeing anything saying we needed them to get back on when we got off the ship (it may have been there, but I missed it if it was). There was a whole group of people standing at the entrance to get back on the ship telling the immigration officers that their passports were on the ship. They wouldn't let them through. I heard later that they were letting 1 person from each party go onto the ship, escorted by an officer, to get their group's passports and bring them back outside to be checked. It was the only time that ever happened to us. So, I guess the moral of the story is . . . Be sure to ask what you need to get back on before you leave the ship.

[matj2000]

14 cruises and never had anyone ask for ID.

I guess those others look suspicious...

[DrD]

IMHO one should ALWAYS have passport. What if you miss the ship? What if you get hurt? Alot can go wrong. It's a nightmare to be stuck in a foreign country without a passport. You might not even be able to get a hotel room. The only time I don't bring it is on a private island.

[Sheffie]

We have had to show ID in St. Thomas, San Juan, and some others.

 

The ship will let you know what you will need to show to get back on the pier and on the ship. I believe that the sea pass is the most the kids will need.

[AgVball]

I can't remember being asked for a photo ID, but, I definitely remember December 2011 in Cozumel - we walked through the port shop, and we noticed it said to have your Sea Pass card and your ID (to come back to the ship). We didn't chance it or push it - we went back to the ship and got it. Previously, if we were just going to be in the shops area, we felt comfy with just a DL. But, if you are out on a private excursion (and possibly on a ship excursion), you may still want that passport "just in case" something happened.

[Driftwoodgal]

The ship advises you what you need to take with you to get back on the ship. We have been advised to take our passport on some sailings and on others our divers license or our passport. Some ports we were told our seapass was all we needed.

 

I guess my suggestion would be that you make sure you know what you need to get back on the ship before you get off. Lots of thoughts about what you need or don't need. If I have a question about what I have to have to get back on it would be directed at the people that are admitting me back on the ship. My passport is my best friend.... I don't leave home without it, nor do I leave the ship without it unless I am at a private island.

 

I am all about making sure I can get back on the ship. :D

[Bettytrouble]

In St Thomas, St Maarten we were asked for ID along with Seapass. I carry a photocopy of all 5 passports( 23 kidlettes) when we get off on any stop except Labadee or Coco Cay.

 

We were told as we exited to make sure adults had ID in addition to seapass cards.

[jakenashleysmom]

I always have my drivers license too...But in the caribbean we have never had to show anything but our SeaPass...Your children under 16 don't need a picture ID...I would leave yours and their passports in your safe in the cabin..

 

Very bad advice! We were almost denied boarding in St Thomas because we listened to this advice. I feel like it was the US Territories that were the sticklers, but I never forgot it and always carry ID to back up that I am actually the person on the Seapass.

[LovesCruising]

Putting needing your passport aside should you miss the ship, alot of ports require picture ID and Seapass card in order to just get into the Port area. There is usually someone there checking just to allow you to enter the area where you would walk to the ship upon returning from the Island. As someone else mentioned, the ship will advise what you need to re-enter the port area upon docking - pay attention to all instructions and you will be fine. ID is taken quite seriously.

[akcruz]

The cruise lines clearly state in the compass what is needed in each port. Take a look at that before debarking and you will know what is needed.

 

The port that surprised us was Key West. We needed picture ID to get back on board along with our sea pass. Have had the same thing in other ports, but not all. A drivers license or passport will suffice.

 

As others have mentioned, under 16 usually does not need a picture ID, only those 16 and older. Think about the kids sailing with a birth certificate only, they don't have a picture id. Personally just another reason why EVERYONE should have a passport.

[BillOh]

Putting needing your passport aside should you miss the ship, alot of ports require picture ID and Seapass card in order to just get into the Port area. There is usually someone there checking just to allow you to enter the area where you would walk to the ship upon returning from the Island. As someone else mentioned, the ship will advise what you need to re-enter the port area upon docking - pay attention to all instructions and you will be fine. ID is taken quite seriously.

 

Perhaps none of these answers are 100% accurate for every port, but this might be the best advice. We take our passports with us on all ports. Why not? This would be the only time they get used, why have them if you aren't going to use them? I'm not worried about them getting lost any more or less than my Seapass card, wallet and credit cards. I've seen some people have more difficulty getting through security than others. We always breeze right through.

 

Ok, my passort does get used when we go to Niagara Falls one a year or so. We frequently drive there and again there having your passport, which I think is no mandatory there makes things much easier.

[jakenashleysmom]

Better safe than sorry I say!

 

Sidebar to the St Thomas story, we had just gone through Customs in the dining room that morning upon returning from St Maarten into St Thomas. We were told by Customs that we could put our ID away in the safe, that all that was needed was our seapass for the day. There was an announcement made also that morning by the captain that we could put our identification back in the safe, all we needed at this port was our seapass because we just gone through Customs. Obviously, neither person was the Customs officer at the gate......again, better safe than sorry!!

[lossforgain]

In Cozumel last weekend we only needed our SeaPass cards. We did carry Passports though - don't want to get stuck somewhere in a foreign country without them.

[Ashland]

Very bad advice! We were almost denied boarding in St Thomas because we listened to this advice. I feel like it was the US Territories that were the sticklers, but I never forgot it and always carry ID to back up that I am actually the person on the Seapass.

You state I gave "VERY BAD" advice.....I think "NOT".. Re-read my posted advice...I DID have my DL and always do, and did not advise that you wouldn't possibly need it...Have never had to show my passport in the caribbean ports on the 10 cruises I have taken there.. The passport is what I was suggesting you may want to leave in your cabin safe..however this is a personal choice...some insist they are more comfortable having it with them , some aren't...I personally decide depending on which port I am going to be in...Domestic or International.

[jakenashleysmom]

You state I gave "VERY BAD" advice.....I think "NOT".. Re-read my posted advice...I DID have my DL and always do, and did not advise that you wouldn't possibly need it...Have never had to show my passport in the caribbean ports on the 10 cruises I have taken there.. The passport is what I was suggesting you may want to leave in your cabin safe..however this is a personal choice...some insist they are more comfortable having it with them , some aren't...I personally decide depending on which port I am going to be in...Domestic or International.

 

Really? chill. You gave the advice that "all you have ever needed was your seapass". While that is possibly true in your case, it isn't always the case, and is bad advice. If you want to leave your passport in the safe thats your choice, I use my passport when TRAVELLING....thats why I bought it.

[Jt4428]

Will they accept a color photocopy of the passport instead of the actual passport?

[Ashland]

Really? chill. You gave the advice that "all you have ever needed was your seapass". While that is possibly true in your case, it isn't always the case, and is bad advice. If you want to leave your passport in the safe thats your choice, I use my passport when TRAVELLING....thats why I bought it.

Just curious...How many times have you "had" to show your "bought" passport when in a caribbean port?

 

Really chilled, but thanks for your concern ;):)

[Coralc]

I think it was Antigua...and we were going back through security and the guard in the booth wouldn't let me enter the port because I couldn't find my seapass. I had my driver's license.

 

She just said, "Start looking"

 

So I had my entire purse dumped out on the counter. I couldn't find it. I was looking at DH helplessly, and trying to figure out what to do.

 

One of the ship bartenders came through security and said, "It's Mrs. H, she's on the ship, I can vouch for her. "

 

So she let me through. I thanked the bartender profusely and found my seapass in yet another pocket that I hadn't checked, as we were walking back.

 

So my advice would be....take both. :D:):D

[Ashland]

I think it was Antigua...and we were going back through security and the guard in the booth wouldn't let me enter the port because I couldn't find my seapass. I had my driver's license.

 

She just said, "Start looking"

 

So I had my entire purse dumped out on the counter. I couldn't find it. I was looking at DH helplessly, and trying to figure out what to do.

 

One of the ship bartenders came through security and said, "It's Mrs. H, she's on the ship, I can vouch for her. "

 

So she let me through. I thanked the bartender profusely and found my seapass in yet another pocket that I hadn't checked, as we were walking back.

 

So my advice would be....take both. :D:):D

Agree..Always have both your DL and your Seapass (and make sure it's yours)...We saw a situation where a person getting back onboard had mistakenly taken their cabinmates SeaPass..too bad this wasn't noted as they got off the ship..it would have been easier and less of a problem..;):)

[matj2000]

I think it was Antigua...and we were going back through security and the guard in the booth wouldn't let me enter the port because I couldn't find my seapass. I had my driver's license.

 

She just said, "Start looking"

 

So I had my entire purse dumped out on the counter. I couldn't find it. I was looking at DH helplessly, and trying to figure out what to do.

 

One of the ship bartenders came through security and said, "It's Mrs. H, she's on the ship, I can vouch for her. "

 

So she let me through. I thanked the bartender profusely and found my seapass in yet another pocket that I hadn't checked, as we were walking back.

 

So my advice would be....take both. :D:):D

 

If you came on the ship, you will leave on the ship regardless if you have your ID with you or not.

If you think for a minute that they won't let you back on, your crazy...

[Coralc]

If you came on the ship, you will leave on the ship regardless if you have your ID with you or not.

If you think for a minute that they won't let you back on, your crazy...

 

I never thought about not getting back on for a minute Matt. I was just trying to think of the next step, who to contact to get past security.

 

And it's you're as in you are crazy, not your, unless you are in possesion of crazy. :rolleyes::D

[matj2000]

And it's you're as in you are crazy, not your, unless you are in possesion of crazy. :rolleyes::D

 

English was not a strong area and much of the time I don't proof read what I write..

Also that really was not directed at you as much as the others, your post was just the last one...

[Coralc]

English was not a strong area and much of the time I don't proof read what I write..

Also that really was not directed at you as much as the others, your post was just the last one...

 

My apologies Matt. I was just teasing. :):)