St. Maarten - No Passport?

[cinderbella]

We've taken a few cruises before where a certified birth certificate was sufficient documentation.

 

There are rumors online that St. Maarten will not let you off the ship and on to their island without a valid passport. Is this true? We're cutting it really close (January 25th sailing) and I'd really prefer not to have to rush for passports for our family.

 

Just looking for some personal experiences -

Thanks!

[amyh13]

We stopped in St. Martin in 2013 and 2014. We travel with passports but just because that is my preference, not because it was required. We are all american citizens, on a closed loop cruise from an American port. Birth certificates would have been fine.

 

 

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[michiganredrose]

We went to St. Maarten in February on the Valor without passports and had no problem getting off the ship.

 

 

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[AnchoredInHope]

My husband and I went to St. Maarten in August without passports and had no problem getting off with just our birth certificates, although the woman at check-in gave us the "the look" like we were irresponsible for doing so.

[GTO-Girl]

Was just there week before last and the only thing we needed to get off the ship was our Sign and Sail card and drivers license....

[YorN]

There are rumors online that St. Maarten will not let you off the ship and on to their island without a valid passport. Is this true? We're cutting it really close (January 25th sailing) and I'd really prefer not to have to rush for passports for our family.

 

Not true.

[loxley]

We've taken a few cruises before where a certified birth certificate was sufficient documentation.

 

There are rumors online that St. Maarten will not let you off the ship and on to their island without a valid passport. Is this true? We're cutting it really close (January 25th sailing) and I'd really prefer not to have to rush for passports for our family.

 

Just looking for some personal experiences -

Thanks!

 

Where did you see these rumors?

[OCruisers]

If you have a port stop ON A CRUISE SHIP you will be fine.

[fuddrules]

No problems for us:

 

Edited December 16, 2014 by fuddrules

[travler27]

We were there in mid November and nobody checked for passports. If it was true I imagine a lot of cruise ships would have to skip the port due to the number of pax who would not be allowed off the ship.

[HawkIVette]

Was just there last Wednesday. Did not need to show passport of License to get off the ship. Needed a photo ID and S&S card to get past the pier guards and just S&S to get back on the ship.

Just keep in mind. The reason for carrying a passport on most cruises is not to get on or off the ship, but to get yourself back into the USA if for some reason you miss the boat, or get stuck in an other country for some reason (medical).

Edited December 16, 2014 by HawkIVette

[Rottweiler Puppy]

We've taken a few cruises before where a certified birth certificate was sufficient documentation.

 

There are rumors online that St. Maarten will not let you off the ship and on to their island without a valid passport. Is this true? We're cutting it really close (January 25th sailing) and I'd really prefer not to have to rush for passports for our family.

 

Just looking for some personal experiences -

Thanks!

 

I have been there 3 times in the past 2 years, this November being one.

 

They NEVER checked for passports. The rumor is not true, their entire existence is based on tourism. Have a great cruise and visit.

Edited December 16, 2014 by Rottweiler Puppy

[DavyJoneses]

We went to St. Maarten in February on the Valor without passports and had no problem getting off the ship.

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Forums mobile app

 

Same here - been there twice and was never asked for a passport.

[Donray]

The cruise line will not even let you board if any stop requires a passport and you don't have one.

[travler27]

There is an island in the Bay of Bengal that is sometimes called St. Martin's island. Maybe you need a passport for that one.

[cb at sea]

None of the Caribbean countries require passports for CRUISE PASSENGERS.

[hirent]

None of the Caribbean countries require passports for CRUISE PASSENGERS.

 

 

AFAIK, no cruise port checks for documentation. It is the duty of the shipping company to do so.

Simple fact is, there are 3-4000 passengers on a cruise ship, multiply that by 2-5 (depending on the day) and you can have 15-20,000 international visitors. The ports are not set up for that. Anyone who has traveled internationally has seen what happens when a few hundred passengers line up at an airport to clear immigration. It would take hours to clear even one ship's passengers. The countries keep the responsibility on the ship to track the exits and entries at port.

 

On a separate note:

Bahamas requires a visa for travelers from some countries; and it is the only one to do so. The rest of them don't require any visas (or passports).

 

Most countries in fact allow international travelers to visit (via air/road) without requiring a visa if they already have an US visa and are entering their borders through the US.

Edited December 16, 2014 by hirent

[Georgie562]

visited St. Maarten by cruise in November. No problem

[sparks1093]

None of the Caribbean countries require passports for CRUISE PASSENGERS.

 

For US citizens. I wouldn't go far as to say this applies to citizens of all nations.