Security at the ports....

[2preschoolers]

This may be a silly question but I'm wondering how good the security is when you get back on the ship after being at a port of call. They make sure that nobody (or nothing) gets on board who shouldn't be on, right?? I'm assuming they check passports, etc when you re-board the ship? Don't mean to sound paranoid but just want to make sure it's "safe"!

 

Thanks!

[AlanAllyn]

On all of the ships I have been on the last several years, your picture is coded into your sea card (which is your cabin key and charge card on board). That is scanned when you get off and again when you get back on board. Your picture shows up on a screen and they do look at that. They also put all of your things through and xray machine.

[leaveitallbehind]

This may be a silly question but I'm wondering how good the security is when you get back on the ship after being at a port of call. They make sure that nobody (or nothing) gets on board who shouldn't be on, right?? I'm assuming they check passports, etc when you re-board the ship? Don't mean to sound paranoid but just want to make sure it's "safe"!

 

Thanks!

 

Only passengers with seapasses can board the ship. The ship - by way of the seapass - also knows who is off the ship, when they got off, who is back on, and when they get back on. (This is how they know everyone is back on board before they leave). Your embedded picture appears on a screen as your seapass is scanned, so only you can use your seapass to leave and reboard the ship. (In fact, you can't get off - or get back on - without it. So keep it in a safe place on you when off the ship!) And as indicated, everything is X-rayed. Nothing to be worried about.

[sail7seas]

You can't get to the ship without passing through port security first. They check your government issued photo ID and ship ID. After you clear through port security, you then have to show your ship ID again on the gangway and be scanned onto the ship. When they scan your card, your photo appears on their screen.

('Ya better look like the photo or you aren't getting on. :) )

 

There is nothing more important to the ship's officers/staff/crew than safety and security.

 

 

[Alexis]

Many Security people at the ports ask for a picture ID and your ship SeaPass just to get back on the pier. My husband and I always carry our drivers license with us, never our passports, just for that reason.

So always have some kind of official picture ID with you besides your SeaPass when you leave the ship. ;)

[Harry and Lucille]

I have seen port security in many forms. When entering the docking area it has been everything from a polite smile and a thank you for visiting to making sure you had a cruise card. The ship is the real security. Everyone aboard is in the computer and all items are screened. Last year on Ruby, the wife had gone on a tour. As we approached sail away time I was getting a little concerned. I waited by the gangway to watch for her. The last of the folks were straggling aboard. I went to the security officer who was manning the computer to ask if she was in fact aboard. He typed in her name and in a matter of maybe two seconds he told me she had boarded at the bow gangway seven min. thirty-four seconds ago. Gave me a whole new appreciation for ship board security. Harry :cool:

[pinkmonkey14]

So photo id and your seapass. Just wondering what happens if you lose it?

 

also do minors need a photo id? We all have passports but don't wanna bring it to the island.

 

thanks

[collegecruiser346]

In addition to the security they have on the gang-way, ports that use terminals to get on and off won't let you in the terminal without seeing your Sea Pass and a Photo I.D. Then you have to go through the ships security.

[FLACRUISER99]

So photo id and your sea pass. Just wondering what happens if you lose it?

 

also do minors need a photo id? We all have passports but don't wanna bring it to the island.

 

thanks

If you lose it you will get back on but it may take a while. I would get a photo ID for for the young ones, most states have ID cards for unlicensed drivers, check your DMV about this.

[2preschoolers]

Thanks everyone! I feel much better now!

[pinkmonkey14]

So minors need a photo id?

 

Also for the discount we used a state residentcy. Do the kids need something that says they live in the state where the discount is?

[cb at sea]

Under 16 years old doesn't need a picture ID, unless passports are required (then, the ID is "built in"!)

As far as State Residency, only the person who booked the room needs to be from that state....it doesn't matter about the others!

[pinkmonkey14]

Will Im a teen and my dad booked the cruise so he can just show his dl?

 

thanks cb @ sea!

[beachchick]

Will Im a teen and my dad booked the cruise so he can just show his dl?

 

thanks cb @ sea!

 

Well, are you younger than 16? If so, you will need only your Seapass to reboard the ship. As has been mentioned, if you are 16 or older, you will need your Seapass and at some ports you will also need a photo ID. That can be a driver's license, a state-issued photo ID, or a passport.

 

Reminder: If you are 16 or older, you will need your birth certificate and a photo ID or just your passport to check in and board the ship for embarkation.

 

For the residency discount, only one person in each cabin needs to prove their residency. In your case, it can be your dad. But it doesn't necessarily have to be the person who booked the cruise. If I book a cruise with my DD and there is a residency discount for WA, then she would be the one to show residency even though I did the actual booking.

 

What cruise did your family decide to take?

 

beachchick

[kitty9]

Will Im a teen and my dad booked the cruise so he can just show his dl?

 

thanks cb @ sea!

 

If you're under age 16, you won't need the photo ID, but if you're 16 or older, you will need a photo ID and your father's ID won't mean anything---you need your own.

[bluegirlum]

You'll be pleasantly surprised by the security. I was.

 

You may be a little disconcerted or surprised by it too. Depending on where you go, you will be "escorted" into the port by armed cutters, or similar boats. When we pulled into San Juan, we had quite a few Coast Guard boats and you could see the guns on them. It was reassuring, but a subtle reminder of the times we live in as well.

[pinkmonkey14]

Thanks everyone! We are taking RC on nos!

[Harry and Lucille]

Last year on Ruby, at sailaway time for several ships, harbor patrol kept control of the onlookers that bring their boats out to watch the spectacle. Their job is to keep the spectators behind the buoys marking the channel from the port. On the way out of the seaway, a large pleasure yacht was entering on the wrong side of the buoy. A Coast Guard port vessel raced up next to us. He positioned himself between the Ruby and the oncoming boat. If I was the captain of that yacht, I would have been pretty nervous. Riding on the bow of the Coast Guard boat was a guy harnessed into the loaded 50 caliber machine gun on the bow and he had it pointed directly at the yacht. As the pleasure boat passed, they spun around and followed him until the harbor patrol picked him and escorted him to wherever. Brings the reality of todays world home. Harry :cool:

[Guest TropicOne]

Very good, no need to worry :)