Identification while onboard?

[Fubie]

Hello.  I am a complete noob to cruising, going on my first cruise this December.  I have searched the forums but haven't found the answer to this question.  While onboard the cruise ship, do you or should you carry identification (Driver's license, passport, etc.) with you all the time?  Off ship, this is a no-brainer.

 

Thanks for your help.

[1025cruise]

The staff have the right to ask for ID if they feel it's necessary. So unless you look too young, it's probably not a worry.

 

And while I agree carrying ID off ship is a no-brainer, there are many people that don't understand that idea either.

[BklynBoy8]

34 minutes ago, Fubie said:

Hello.  I am a complete noob to cruising, going on my first cruise this December.  I have searched the forums but haven't found the answer to this question.  While onboard the cruise ship, do you or should you carry identification (Driver's license, passport, etc.) with you all the time?  Off ship, this is a no-brainer.

 

Thanks for your help.

 

Your ID on board will be your Shipboard Card that will be presented to you on boarding. You will use it to get on and off the Ship. You will also use it for purchases on board the ship.

 

It will also be your ID off the ship in Ports of Calls telling all what Ship you are connected with.

Some ships have your Photo Image on it.

 

You can also make a copy of your Passport Page to carry with you if you need additional ID.

 

 

[John Bull]

On-board at pretty-well all times you'll want to carry your cruise card, credit-size cards given to each of you when you register at the cruise terminal.

This card is what you have to present when you buy drinks or anything else aboard, and your purchases will be charged to your on-board account.

It's also your cabin "key", much like most hotels.

And it's your embarkation & disembarkation card for when you go ashore. It'll be swiped when you go ashore & when you return so they know that you're on the ship or not, and you'll often have to show it at the port entrance when you return.

You might also have to show it at the dining room entrance, and certainly to buy drinks in the dining room.

So you'll understand that if you don't have it with you, you'll have a long walk back from a bar or on-board shop or the disembarkation gangway, or you'll have to sheepishly find a cabin steward to let you back into the cabin to collect it.

 

Pretty-well all cruise cards have a punch-hole, so you can take with you - or buy on-board - a lanyard & hang it from your neck.( I'm a smoker & slip it into my cigarette pack - but I don't recommend that, cos on more than one occasion I've had to rummage thro' trash bins looking for my empty cig packet 😄)

 

I think a cruise card will identify whether the holder is of age to buy alcohol, but if in doubt junior might want to carry ID. I can think of no other reason to carry any other ID on the ship, just the cruise card is fine.

 

BTW, you can register two or more credit cards at the cruise terminal (or in advance) and elect for the on-board account to be split between credit cards in any way that you want, or between credit cards & cash.

Just one cruise card is normally OK for buying drinks on most cruise lines.

 

For going ashore you'll be told whether you need any ID as well as your cruise card. 

Unless told otherwise, advice from cruise lines & most cruisers is not to carry your passport ashore. If it's lost or stolen, or damaged by immersion in water or a spilt drink, it can make life difficult, It might be sold on the black market or the information used to clone your identity. Some cruisers insist on carrying their passport ashore (in case they miss the sailaway) but lost or stolen is waaaay more common. So if you have to take your passport on the cruise, leave it on your cabin safe and use either a photocopy or some other Government ID like a driving licence.

 

There - now like others on this thread I've managed to make it sound complicated 🙄.

It ain't.

It'll all fit in comfortably when you sail - and many of your ship-mates will be experienced cruisers who can answer your queries.

 

All first cruises are great - enjoy

 

JB 🙂

 

Edited July 11 by John Bull

[1025cruise]

3 hours ago, BklynBoy8 said:

 

Your ID on board will be your Shipboard Card that will be presented to you on boarding. You will use it to get on and off the Ship. You will also use it for purchases on board the ship.

 

It will also be your ID off the ship in Ports of Calls telling all what Ship you are connected with.

Some ships have your Photo Image on it.

 

You can also make a copy of your Passport Page to carry with you if you need additional ID.

 

 

I have never received a cruise card that has my photo on it. And yes, when going off ship, you really need to have some form of government issues photo ID on you. Not a copy of your passport page.

[BklynBoy8]

3 minutes ago, 1025cruise said:

I have never received a cruise card that has my photo on it. And yes, when going off ship, you really need to have some form of government issues photo ID on you. Not a copy of your passport page.

 

Unfortunately I must beg to differ. I do have a selection of Cruise Cards with photos on.

 

Also we have not had a problem with a copy of a passport to accompany our Driver or Military Base ID as a form of ID.

 

This is why we exchange comments on Cruise Critics with past personal experiences we have had. Thank you for your comments. 

[zqvol]

No need for any ID (other than your cruise card) while on the ship. When going ashore you should have your ship card and a government issued ID. It is always a good idea to leave your passport on the ship, it is much more likely to be lost or stolen than needed ashore. 

[zqvol]

Just now, BklynBoy8 said:

 

Unfortunately I must beg to differ. I do have a selection of Cruise Cards with photos on.

 

Also we have not had a problem with a copy of a passport to accompany our Driver or Military Base ID as a form of ID.

 

This is why we exchange comments on Cruise Critics with past personal experiences we have had. Thank you for your comments. 

Why do you need multiple forms of government ID? One is sufficient. A photocopy of a passport is worthless. 

[1025cruise]

1 hour ago, BklynBoy8 said:

 

Unfortunately I must beg to differ. I do have a selection of Cruise Cards with photos on.

 

Also we have not had a problem with a copy of a passport to accompany our Driver or Military Base ID as a form of ID.

 

This is why we exchange comments on Cruise Critics with past personal experiences we have had. Thank you for your comments. 

Your driver's license is your form of ID. The copy of the passport page is a waste of paper.

[broadwaybaby123]

Your shop card/SeaPass will be your ID once onboard as well as your credit card and room key so guard it with your life. Princess has Medallions, RFID versions of the SeaPass. 

 

While not always appearing directly on your card, your picture will be stored on there and brought up by staff when purchasing items or embarking/debarking at each port.

 

For extra ID, even off cruise ships, I took pictures of my IDs and have them stored on my phone.

[sparks1093]

When we first started cruising one of our sons was standing with us in the casino and one of the staff asked to see his ID because he didn't look 18. His cabin card was insufficient and he had to go back to get his ID. So, those who look really young may want to carry an ID with them onboard just in case. 

[Mum2Mercury]

When you board the ship, the terminal staff will check your passport (or driver's license + birth certificate), and that information will be "coded into" your Ship ID -- that's the only time the ship bothers with your "real world ID". 

 

At any point, any staff member (bartender, for example), can use your ID to get your full name, cabin number, and age -- they never need to ask you for a second ID.  When they scan your Ship ID, your photograph pops up, so they can verify it's you.  

 

In theory you should carry your Ship ID at all times, and 100% of my cruise clothing has pockets for that purpose.  In reality, I don't always do it; for example, if we're going to dinner, I might say to my husband, "You have your Ship ID to get us back in the room?  I'm not going to carry mine or my purse."  If I want a drink, he can buy it for me (Note:  We are far above the age that any bartender would think we're trying to pull an underage scam).  Or, if he decides to go down for coffee early in the morning, he might go out without his Ship ID, knowing that I'm in the room dressing /will let him back in. 

 

Regardless of what other ID you may /may not take off the ship, you must always take your Ship ID when you get off at an island -- We call this "dinging us off the ship".  The staff will scan your ID through the computer, which allows them to verify exactly who is /isn't onboard at any given minute.  Even an infant's Ship ID must go through that computer to exit the ship.  

 

When you disembark at the end of your cruise, you should have your "real world ID" + your Ship ID in hand.  The ship will "ding you off" one last time, then Customs will want to see your passport (or driver's license + birth certificate) once you're off the ship.  

[1025cruise]

10 hours ago, broadwaybaby123 said:

Your shop card/SeaPass will be your ID once onboard as well as your credit card and room key so guard it with your life. Princess has Medallions, RFID versions of the SeaPass. 

 

While not always appearing directly on your card, your picture will be stored on there and brought up by staff when purchasing items or embarking/debarking at each port.

 

For extra ID, even off cruise ships, I took pictures of my IDs and have them stored on my phone.

But you had your actual driver's license with you, correct? 

[1025cruise]

5 hours ago, sparks1093 said:

When we first started cruising one of our sons was standing with us in the casino and one of the staff asked to see his ID because he didn't look 18. His cabin card was insufficient and he had to go back to get his ID. So, those who look really young may want to carry an ID with them onboard just in case. 

This was the point I was trying to make. There may be times you need an actual ID on the ship, if you look too young. I've seen them setting up ID scanners at the club at night (not cruise card scanners, license scanners).

[broadwaybaby123]

7 hours ago, 1025cruise said:

But you had your actual driver's license with you, correct? 

For ports, yes. Otherwise, no. Not a big drinker, club-goer, or gambler, so no need.

Edited July 12 by broadwaybaby123

[mom says]

7 hours ago, 1025cruise said:

I've seen them setting up ID scanners at the club at night (not cruise card scanners, license scanners

How would that work, exactly, with licenses from all different states, not to mention countries? 

And why would they need a scanner for a DL, when the DOB is right there on the license?

[Mum2Mercury]

1 hour ago, mom says said:

And why would they need a scanner for a DL, when the DOB is right there on the license?

And why would they need a driver's license when the DOB is on the Sea Pass?  

[Kalliamo]

Hey! I went on my first cruise last year, and you definitely don't need to carry your passport or driver's license around the ship. Just keep your cruise card with you—it's your room key and onboard ID for purchases and stuff. It's super convenient. Save the passport for when you go ashore. 

[sparks1093]

11 hours ago, Mum2Mercury said:

And why would they need a driver's license when the DOB is on the Sea Pass?  

It's not on the physical card but is part of the info embedded in the card. In the case of my son they didn't want that, they wanted his actual ID.

[sparks1093]

12 hours ago, mom says said:

How would that work, exactly, with licenses from all different states, not to mention countries? 

And why would they need a scanner for a DL, when the DOB is right there on the license?

When scanned the info comes up on a screen which is easier to read then the license itself. I believe all licenses are able to be scanned.

[1025cruise]

The license scanners can also find fake IDs easier. But I'll be honest, it makes no sense to me why you might be asked for the ID on the ship when all the pertinent information is already stored in their system linked to the cruise card. But, the rules do state you may be asked to provide a government ID and must do so if asked. 

[Elaine5715]

On 7/13/2024 at 11:25 AM, 1025cruise said:

The license scanners can also find fake IDs easier. But I'll be honest, it makes no sense to me why you might be asked for the ID on the ship when all the pertinent information is already stored in their system linked to the cruise card. But, the rules do state you may be asked to provide a government ID and must do so if asked. 

Because you could be using a look alike older sibling's ship card to enter age restricted areas.  Not all crew have access to ship card readers

[john watson]

On 7/11/2024 at 6:52 PM, 1025cruise said:

I have never received a cruise card that has my photo on it. And yes, when going off ship, you really need to have some form of government issues photo ID on you. Not a copy of your passport page.

 

I think you will find that your cruise card, or whatever alternative the cruise line uses has an embedded photograph of you within it.  When you disembark or embark the crew put the card into their device and you photographic image appears on their monitor. Normally the cruise line specify what is needed ashore in terms of ID which varies port to port.

 

Regards John

[john watson]

On 7/12/2024 at 3:39 PM, 1025cruise said:

This was the point I was trying to make. There may be times you need an actual ID on the ship, if you look too young. I've seen them setting up ID scanners at the club at night (not cruise card scanners, license scanners).

Many cruise lines have a marker on the card to identify people who are not adults. In this respect it is not possible to charge alcoholic drinks purchases using those cards.  Some cruise lines allow parents can remove all purchasing capabilities from their children's cards or have a daily purchases limit imposed. 

 

Regards John

[1025cruise]

2 hours ago, john watson said:

 

I think you will find that your cruise card, or whatever alternative the cruise line uses has an embedded photograph of you within it.  When you disembark or embark the crew put the card into their device and you photographic image appears on their monitor. Normally the cruise line specify what is needed ashore in terms of ID which varies port to port.

 

Regards John

Yes, embedded when you look at it through the crew  scanners. But the statement was a picture on the cruise card.