First-timer question on leaving ship after boarding and passport collection

[CruiseNovice2013]

Hi,

 

We're taking our first cruise on Oceania in a few weeks, and we can board about five or six hours before the ship leaves port. We're thinking we might want to check in, leave our bags on board, and then leave the ship and make a visit to a nearby museum before coming back on board. Is this feasible or practical? We'll have to give our passports to Oceania when we get on board... should we try to get them back before leaving the ship, or would that not be necessary?

 

Thanks for your guidance.

 

Martha

[JimandStan]

What City will you be boarding in? :confused:

[CruiseNovice2013]

We'll be boarding in Istanbul. (can't wait!)

[JimandStan]

We'll be boarding in Istanbul. (can't wait!)

 

I would suggest that you check in on the ship, leave your Passport with them, but carry a photocopy in your purse or wallet.

I can't see your needing to carry around the real document, doing something as tourist-centric as visiting a museum.

[Mura]

We've been to Istanbul several times and have NEVER carried our passport around with us. It really isn't necessary.

 

But yes, carrying a photocopy is a good precaution.

 

Mura

[CCM]

When you are in a port using private tours, as opposed to a ship's tour, is it advisable to carry your actual passport or will a copy do?

 

Also, how does one retrieve their passport from Oceania should it be needed?

 

Thanks for any, and all, advice!

 

Catherine

[tanny18]

When you are in a port using private tours, as opposed to a ship's tour, is it advisable to carry your actual passport or will a copy do?

 

Also, how does one retrieve their passport from Oceania should it be needed?

 

Thanks for any, and all, advice!

 

Catherine

 

If you are overnighting someplace, you will definitely need your passport and will also need it in certain cities. The ship will advise all passengers when their passports will be needed and then given out. Carrying a copy is just a good idea no matter where you are. Never needed one in Turkey. Arlene ;)

[LHT28]

Also, how does one retrieve their passport from Oceania should it be needed?

 

Catherine

 

If you feel you need it go to reception & request your passport

 

If you are required to have it when ashore the cruise line will tell you where & when to pick it up

[pacheco18]

We recently disembarked in Istanbul and the cruise line (Azamara) provided every passenger a copy of his or her passport when returning the original passports to us -- the copy was provided to give to the authorities if it were requested. It was not. Apparently, sometimes it is. So carrying a copy is indeed a good strategy.

[warburg]

Mura, were you on the Marina TA from Rome to Miami in November 2011?

[Mura]

Nope. We were on the Rome-Istanbul cruise on Marina in October.

 

Close but no cigar!

 

Mura

[ChatKat in Ca.]

When we did the cruise departing Istanbul, we boarded the ship, dropped our luggage, ran up top to grab a sandwich and took off to tour with a guide who met us shipside.

 

Just give yourself plenty of time to get back to the ship before it sails. Traffic in Istanbul is very unpredictable. If you are overnighting on the ship in port - nothing to worry about. In the US there are some new passport cards you can get from Passport Dept. Might be worth looking into.

[JimandStan]

When we did the cruise departing Istanbul, we boarded the ship, dropped our luggage, ran up top to grab a sandwich and took off to tour with a guide who met us shipside.

 

Just give yourself plenty of time to get back to the ship before it sails. Traffic in Istanbul is very unpredictable. If you are overnighting on the ship in port - nothing to worry about. In the US there are some new passport cards you can get from Passport Dept. Might be worth looking into.

 

Very good advice, and remember to check Section 8 in the terms and conditions of your Passage Contract to confirm the time when you are required to be back on the ship.

 

Oceania has to make up a complete passenger manifest, and swear up and down to it's accuracy before they can be granted permission to Sail in this crazy Post 9-11 World, so the time that you get back is a serious business.

[lovelyjubbly]

Hi,

 

We're taking our first cruise on Oceania in a few weeks, and we can board about five or six hours before the ship leaves port. We're thinking we might want to check in, leave our bags on board, and then leave the ship and make a visit to a nearby museum before coming back on board. Is this feasible or practical? We'll have to give our passports to Oceania when we get on board... should we try to get them back before leaving the ship, or would that not be necessary?

 

Thanks for your guidance.

 

Martha

 

Having just returned from Riviera I can confirm that they recommend that you take an original form of ID with you as copies are not acceptable. We had our drivers licences with us which fitted nicely into the other side of our Oceania card wallet.

[CruiseNovice2013]

Thank you to everyone. All the posts have been very helpful!