Passport in St Thomas

[byanks7]

I always thought that passports were not required for U.S.cruisers that were on cruises that started and ended on U.S. soil. Im trying to figure out why we were asked for passports to get back on the Disney Fantasy in St Thomas. Lucky for us, my wife was carrying our passports, but people dont believe that we had to produce passports. Anyone have an explanation?

[Ms411]

Customs and Immigration on St Thomas periodically performs random checks of people on the local ferries especially during periods of expected high passenger numbers. There are notices posted (not sure if all the time), and usually people post on social media that enforcement officers were at the dock checking ID.

 

Cruise ships have to comply with whatever Customs and Immigration requires so if a spot check is ordered they are compelled to obey. 

 

We saw an enforcement round up recently at Home Depot where possibly undocumented residents look for day jobs. From time to time reports of Immigration raids are reported in the local news but they are few and far between.

 

That's my speculation as to why. Hopefully someone has more definitive info.