Copy of Passports?

[mdnikki]

A relative told me to make a copy of my passport and when we arrive in the islands take the copy with me and leave my original locked in the cabin just in case you may lose it. Is this correct?

 

Will they take a copy when disembarking?

 

I apologize for yet another passport thread I see there is some anger over multiple posts on this board.

 

Thanks

[cruiseguy1016]

We have laminated copies of ours (just the page with the info on it). We leave the original on the ship and take the copies off with us.

[98Charlie]

A relative told me to make a copy of my passport and when we arrive in the islands take the copy with me and leave my original locked in the cabin just in case you may lose it. Is this correct?

 

Will they take a copy when disembarking?

 

I apologize for yet another passport thread I see there is some anger over multiple posts on this board.

 

Thanks

If you have only copies and need to use your passport for any reason, you will need to contact a US Consulate and have a replacement made. This will take some time but it can be done.

 

If you have your passport with you and need to travel (to the next port, to the US, etc.) you will need only to go to the airport/train station/bus station and proceed.

 

I have never, ever personally known anyone to need their passport when ashore. But, DW & I always take our originals with us.

 

If you are carrying copies you made be requested to have photo ID and your ship's card to enter the pier area. It happens but it is infrequent. I doubt that a copy of your passport would be accepted as a photo ID just as a copy of your driver's license would probably not be accepted by the nice policeman who pulled you over for speeding:) So if you are planning on carrying copies, you may want to take your driver's license also.

 

YMMV.

 

Charlie

[akcruz]

This is a topic that shows up her on CC a lot, and many have very strong opinions about.

 

Personally, I make a copy of our passport and keep the COPY in the safe. As mentioned previously if you were to miss the ship or something else happened while on shore your original would be needed. If it happens to get lost, I have the copy back on the ship to get another. I have always done this never had a problem. I keep the passports close to me at all times while on shore.

 

You need to determine for yourself what you are most comfortable with, having an original with you in case of emergency, or having your original back on the ship where it can't be lost.

[It'sRC4ME]

If you have only copies and need to use your passport for any reason, you will need to contact a US Consulate and have a replacement made. This will take some time but it can be done.

 

If you have your passport with you and need to travel (to the next port, to the US, etc.) you will need only to go to the airport/train station/bus station and proceed.

 

I have never, ever personally known anyone to need their passport when ashore. But, DW & I always take our originals with us.

 

If you are carrying copies you made be requested to have photo ID and your ship's card to enter the pier area. It happens but it is infrequent. I doubt that a copy of your passport would be accepted as a photo ID just as a copy of your driver's license would probably not be accepted by the nice policeman who pulled you over for speeding:) So if you are planning on carrying copies, you may want to take your driver's license also.

 

YMMV.

 

Charlie

 

 

You are completely correct Charlie. Having a copy in your cabin is a good idea, because then if you do lose your passport ashore, you will have a much easier time getting a replacement, but when visiting a foreign country, you will need to have your original with you.

 

We always take our passports on shore with us in case of emergency. The only emergency we ever had was needing to get cash from a casino cage in St. Maarten (needed $$ for bar bill at Sunset Beach Bar), and the cage would only give you a credit card cash advance if you showed ID, and the only ID they accepted from foreigners was a passport. I don't think they would have accepted a photocopy. If we hadn't had our passports with us we would still be in St. Maarten washing dishes to pay off our bill!

[chipmaster]

A relative told me to make a copy of my passport and when we arrive in the islands take the copy with me and leave my original locked in the cabin just in case you may lose it. Is this correct?

 

Will they take a copy when disembarking?

 

I apologize for yet another passport thread I see there is some anger over multiple posts on this board.

 

Thanks

 

 

Your passport is the only official recognized piece of identification overseas. If you think you'll never miss the ship then its probably okay to have a copy. Between that and your cruise card is all you'll ever need to get back on the ship. If you miss the ship and have to catch it in another country then you'll need your passport and not a foto copy. But at least you'll have the passport # when you go to your nearest consulated.

 

Again, what you do we'll be determined more about your fear of the likely hood you get stranded or detained by the local authorities, and the counterweighing fear of losing / getting your passport stolen on shore and not getting entry upon disembarkation :eek:

[pmfan]

I always take the orginials with me at ports. Never expect to need them but if I miss the ship:eek: I'll be glad I have them:D

[RWolver672]

While on our AOS cruise this month, my sister-in-law tried to cash a traveler's check at a bank in Curacao. They wouldn't cash it because all she had for ID was her driver's license. She had left her passport on the ship which is what they required for ID.

[Happy ks]

If you do take your passports with you, make sure they are secure and not in a backpack or purse that can be stolen.

 

We've never taken ours off the ship and never even taken a copy. But so far, our cruises have been to places where it would not be so problematic and we tend to re-board the ship several hours before most return. If we were to go on an excursion that took us a long way, then we would reconsider.

 

But, I'm wondering if the OP is thinking they need a passport to get off or reboard the ship during their cruise...most of the time the answer will be no. If you're going on a Caribbean/Mexican/Alaskan (ports in Canada) cruise your passport is not needed to disembark for the day. To reboard the ship, typically a photo ID such as your drivers license and your seapass card is all you need.

[98Charlie]

we would still be in St. Maarten

Would that be a bad thing?

:D

 

Charlie

[It'sRC4ME]

Would that be a bad thing?

:D

 

Charlie

 

Not really!