apcci2 Posted March 31, 2018 #1 Share Posted March 31, 2018 Has anyone here ever had someon arrive at the port to board only to find you had no paperwork? Last week in Charleston as we were boarding the Ecstasy, there was a couple that was stopped at the terminal with no documents. They said they left IDs, passports, docs in a folder at home in Georgia. They were in a panic. I felt bad for them. I can imagine that would be a terrible feeling when you realize you paperwork is several hours away. Seems like a nightmare. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare sparks1093 Posted March 31, 2018 #2 Share Posted March 31, 2018 As I understand it this happens on every cruise to many people. Sometimes it can be fixed, like someone left their passport at home but they can have their birth certificate faxed to the port (and they have a government ID already in their possession). Sometimes it can't be fixed (such as the couple in your story who left everything at home). This is one of the reasons why I triple check everything before we leave, I don't even take DW's word for it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
IPlayWithString Posted March 31, 2018 #3 Share Posted March 31, 2018 We had this happen one time in New Orleans...Hubs left his driver's license at home, but had his passport. He found out when he went to purchase something the night before with a credit card and was like, "Oh..crap." He had a friend (who was cat-sitting for us) take a photo of his ID, which she emailed him and he printed out at the hotel's business center. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare Roz Posted March 31, 2018 #4 Share Posted March 31, 2018 If he had his passport why did he need another photo ID? Roz Sent from my SM-S820L using Forums mobile app Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jk04 Posted March 31, 2018 #5 Share Posted March 31, 2018 This is always my biggest fear. I always put together a cruise notebook with dividers for the different sections, Flights and Transportation, Hotel, Luggage Tags, Embarkation Info, Insurance, Excursions and Reservations, etc. Everything that was booked or needed for the cruise (yes, I am anal and I own it :) ). I task DH with keeping track of the passports and I keep track of the notebook. I'm so afraid one day I will forget to put it in my bag. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bakersdozen12 Posted March 31, 2018 #6 Share Posted March 31, 2018 We had this happen one time in New Orleans...Hubs left his driver's license at home, but had his passport. He found out when he went to purchase something the night before with a credit card and was like, "Oh..crap." He had a friend (who was cat-sitting for us) take a photo of his ID, which she emailed him and he printed out at the hotel's business center. You don’t need a driver’s license if you have a passport. You wouldn’t need a birth certificate either. If you have a passport, that’s all you need. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare bluejay555 Posted March 31, 2018 #7 Share Posted March 31, 2018 This is one of my biggest cruise nightmares! We always drive to port, and every stop at a gas station or restaurant, I unzip my suitcase and do a document check, just for piece of mind. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
salty dingo Posted March 31, 2018 #8 Share Posted March 31, 2018 I was on a flight to Europe from Charlotte. As the plane was being pushed back, the lady in the seat next to me realized she had left her purse at the gate. Inside her purse was her passport, which meant when the plane landed she would not be let through immigration and would have to immediately fly back. Happy ending - she told the flight attendant, who told the pilot, who radioed to the gate agent, who recovered the purse. They brought the purse out to the plane which was waiting on the tarmac to start engines. They took a long pole with a hook and passed the purse through the cockpit window. Now that is customer service! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LuckyStar Posted March 31, 2018 #9 Share Posted March 31, 2018 This is one of my biggest cruise nightmares! We always drive to port, and every stop at a gas station or restaurant, I unzip my suitcase and do a document check, just for piece of mind. I do the same thing! In the shuttle, I always check several times to make sure docs are still there. LOL DH thinks I'm insane sometimes. But other times, he's glad I'm so on top of the situation. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Talex831 Posted March 31, 2018 #10 Share Posted March 31, 2018 I had forgotten to print our boarding pass for a Disney Cruise one year. I remembered as we were driving to the port. I whipped into a hotel and used the business center to print it out. Sent from my iPhone using Forums Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Micahs Grandad Posted March 31, 2018 #11 Share Posted March 31, 2018 We always double check our passport is in our bag. One year our son forgot his boarding pass but had supporting docs in his phone so he got on Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Purvis1231 Posted March 31, 2018 #12 Share Posted March 31, 2018 (edited) The boarding passes are not that important (we lost these in the wind one time walking off the shuttle bus,) but passports, drivers license, and/or birth certificates are a must. Thanks for the reminder to double, triple check to make sure we have these. Edited March 31, 2018 by Purvis1231 typo Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
IPlayWithString Posted March 31, 2018 #13 Share Posted March 31, 2018 This is one of my biggest cruise nightmares! We always drive to port, and every stop at a gas station or restaurant, I unzip my suitcase and do a document check, just for piece of mind. DH does the same thing. We travel with 2 messenger bags in the car with us, besides the suitcases. His has all the travel documents in a ziploc bag or in a manila envelope. Mine has all the charger cords, extra earbuds, etc. And he makes me check at every single gas station or rest stop we stop at to make sure nothing is missing because he's a bit OCD about it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare broberts Posted March 31, 2018 #14 Share Posted March 31, 2018 I'm panicking just reading this thread. I often have nightmares about forgetting passports. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cmichael1279 Posted March 31, 2018 #15 Share Posted March 31, 2018 I usually keep my passport in my backpack, my birth certificate in my suitcase and keep my passport card in my wallet - just in case the worst happens - I always fly to port - so more chances something gets lost/misplaced! Three different ways to get on the ship in three different places! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
apcci2 Posted March 31, 2018 Author #16 Share Posted March 31, 2018 This is one of my biggest cruise nightmares! We always drive to port, and every stop at a gas station or restaurant, I unzip my suitcase and do a document check, just for piece of mind. Me too. I have to double check Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mishka422 Posted March 31, 2018 #17 Share Posted March 31, 2018 This is one of my biggest cruise nightmares! We always drive to port, and every stop at a gas station or restaurant, I unzip my suitcase and do a document check, just for piece of mind.I do the same thing!!! Sent from my SM-G925V using Forums mobile app Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Safety Squirrel Posted March 31, 2018 #18 Share Posted March 31, 2018 Re: leaving passport or other documents at home by mistake: I have a packing list on my computer. I highlight each one when I have packed the item. The list includes medications, OTC things for cruise (cough drops, ginger pills, etc.), also clothes for formal night, if required. The list can be adapted whether I am going on a cruise, bus trip, train or to a friend's for a week. For cruises etc. I make sure that if I take a purse, it has a separate 'purse within a purse' to keep passport & airline tickets. In another pouch I have my cruise documents etc. I also some times take a "Lug" bag rather than a purse and again - use a separate pouch for passport & airline tickets and one for other important documents, etc. I also carry a copy of my passport, airline tickets, cruise line tickets etc. in my carry-on. Another tip is to have 2 credit cards especially for travelling and as I quite often travel solo, put them in separate pouches along with cash divided. I take a small purse when going on excursions which has one credit card, some cash, copy of passport etc. and anything that I might need for the day. I use one of the purses that goes over my head and around my underarm, one brand is 'pac safe' which is usually available at AAA stores or on-line. The other documents or $$ are left in the safe My list has had additions over time including OTC as they can be expensive on the ship. I also double check my list - having highlighted the items -- I then put a check mark on the item. I am very OTC or anal in that regard and do not want to have something that I will need sitting at home. Hope this might help. My son gave me his list for packing on my very first cruise which was Carnival and I have made additions/deletions since then. AND -- I always carry my medications in my purse or carry-on. I have read a few threads on CC where someone's luggage did not arrive at their destination and they had packed their medications in the suitcase. I also put one change of clothes in carry-on in case luggage arrives late to stateroom - that way I can change for dinner. Here's to happy cruising:D Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Retired_to_Cruise Posted March 31, 2018 #19 Share Posted March 31, 2018 You don’t need a driver’s license if you have a passport. You wouldn’t need a birth certificate either. If you have a passport, that’s all you need. Unless you have an excursion where you need to drive a car. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lazydays2004 Posted March 31, 2018 #20 Share Posted March 31, 2018 I'm so glad that I'm not the only one that double and triple checks for my documents. I fear leaving them at home. On my last cruise I scanned my documents and emailed them to myself just in case. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare Roz Posted March 31, 2018 #21 Share Posted March 31, 2018 Add me to the list of obsessive compulsive document checkers. Roz Sent from my SM-S820L using Forums mobile app Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jk04 Posted March 31, 2018 #22 Share Posted March 31, 2018 I'm so glad that I'm not the only one that double and triple checks for my documents. I fear leaving them at home. On my last cruise I scanned my documents and emailed them to myself just in case. Yup, do that as well in addition to my notebook. I also have a flash drive with everything on it. Add me to the list of obsessive compulsive document checkers. Roz I'm with ya, Roz, I'm with ya. :) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lhound92 Posted April 1, 2018 #23 Share Posted April 1, 2018 I have bad anxiety, I check for my documents, passport, and license so much I start getting anxiety that by checking I’m gonna end up losing it [emoji23] Sent from my iPhone using Forums Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
riclop Posted April 1, 2018 #24 Share Posted April 1, 2018 I more than triple check. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Budget Queen Posted April 1, 2018 #25 Share Posted April 1, 2018 I don't stress "check" and no issues. My passport, ,credit cards, Atm's, license are ALWAYS with me. Simple strategy that has fared me well over many years. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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