passport question on europe cruises

On my last two cruises, we gave our passports at the beginning of the cruise and got them back on last day. Does NCL spirit do this as well?

It depends on your itinerary (the regulations/practices of the countries visited) as well as your nationality and/or Schengen status.

I have never actually handed over my passport on any cruise. They need to see it at the start but they do not hold on to it - is that even legal?

I have never actually handed over my passport on any cruise. They need to see it at the start but they do not hold on to it - is that even legal?

Yes it is legal (even some hotels do that, experienced it the last time in Italy two weeks ago and that had nothing to do with nationality).

On cruises it's most commonly done when non-Schengen/EU citizens come to European cruises and visit for example countries like Turkey that require it - or like on our all-EU cruise that we disembarked yesterday when those non-citizens do not have permanent residence permit to stay in Schengen area.

I have never actually handed over my passport on any cruise. They need to see it at the start but they do not hold on to it - is that even legal?

It is surely also legal for you to refuse to hand over your passport. I don't know what happens in that case. (It is legal for them to refuse to let you board…)

Who would make it illegal? NCL does this for our convenience :p… If they didn't, at some ports everyone would have to line up and go through immigration in person before going ashore. And it would be perfectly legal to make everyone do that.

 

It is surely also legal for you to refuse to hand over your passport. I don't know what happens in that case. (It is legal for them to refuse to let you board…)

My question is WHY do you turn over your passport? What happens if I am in a different country and I have no proof of my citizenship. Who holds the passport? The ship? Why would a Hotel need to hold on to your passport? I need clarification of the process and the reasoning. I asked this on a different thread and so far no response. Does any seasoned EU CC cruiser have input? (I always have a copy of my passport elsewhere when I travel, but generally carry my passport on me when in a different country.)

Thanks.

The cruise line has your passport information from your booking and on-line check-in, and they are supposed to check your actual passport at check-in. Some countries trust the cruise line to do this properly and they only require the list of passengers. Some others want to see the actual passports, but not the person. Some countries require everyone to go through immigration in person, passport/visa in hand.

When the ship collects passports, it's because there are one or more ports where the local authorities require access to the actual passports. Whether or not they actually do anything with them (for example, stamp them). As I said, it is much faster and more convenient for everyone if they have all the passports ready for the officials to examine when the ship arrives in port, instead of asking 2000 passengers to go somewhere and present their passports in order to be allowed ashore.

Of course this is not ideal for people who feel safer carrying their passport in port. I remember one family that missed the ship in one Italian port and ended up sleeping in a train station overnight because no hotel would accept them without their passports (which the ship was holding). If this is a problem for you, ask at check-in or boarding if there is any way to avoid handing over your passport, or to hand it over for as short a time as possible. I have never asked about this, so I don't know kinds of accommodations they can make.

The cruise line has your passport information from your booking and on-line check-in, and they are supposed to check your actual passport at check-in. Some countries trust the cruise line to do this properly and they only require the list of passengers. Some others want to see the actual passports, but not the person. Some countries require everyone to go through immigration in person, passport/visa in hand.

 

When the ship collects passports, it's because there are one or more ports where the local authorities require access to the actual passports. Whether or not they actually do anything with them (for example, stamp them). As I said, it is much faster and more convenient for everyone if they have all the passports ready for the officials to examine when the ship arrives in port, instead of asking 2000 passengers to go somewhere and present their passports in order to be allowed ashore.

 

Of course this is not ideal for people who feel safer carrying their passport in port. I remember one family that missed the ship in one Italian port and ended up sleeping in a train station overnight because no hotel would accept them without their passports (which the ship was holding). If this is a problem for you, ask at check-in or boarding if there is any way to avoid handing over your passport, or to hand it over for as short a time as possible. I have never asked about this, so I don't know kinds of accommodations they can make.

Thank you for your logical and concise explanation of why this is done. It makes sense the way you explained the process. It doesn't make me feel comfortable to turn over my passport but with your explanation I "get it". I will make a couple of copies of my passport to carry with me when off the ship for my own peace of mind in case I am separated from my passport while in Europe.

Thank you!!!

 

Thank you for your logical and concise explanation of why this is done. It makes sense the way you explained the process. It doesn't make me feel comfortable to turn over my passport but with your explanation I "get it". I will make a couple of copies of my passport to carry with me when off the ship for my own peace of mind in case I am separated from my passport while in Europe.

 

 

It is a good idea to make copies, just make sure to keep the copies you don't take with you, safely tucked away in the cabin safe.

On our 21 day eastern and western med cruise in Feb 2015, NCL took our passports when we checked in at boarding and returned them about a week later. It was the first time this has happened to me. You have to pick them up at the guest service desk when it is announced in the daily.

We did have copies of our passports that we took ashore. Have fun.

I've had my passport taken away from me by ships and hotels more times than I wish to remember and have always gotten them back.

 

It is a good idea to make copies, just make sure to keep the copies you don't take with you, safely tucked away in the cabin safe.

Thank you CC members, you are a wealth of information and I appreciate it so much.

At an EU Hotel, would it make a difference if you stayed at a known American Hotel chain in Europe like Marriott, or is it just luck of the draw? We traveled to Europe in 2010 and I don't remember this happening, but I am so glad to know that this could happen otherwise I would be unnecessarily alarmed.

Thanks, I generally carry a copy and have one in the safe. Great reminder.

We've cruised NCL, RCI, CCL, & X on 5 different European itineraries (including Turkey, Morocco & Croatia) and never had to turn over our passports.

Perhaps it makes a difference if the ship overnights at a port?

My understanding is that when a ship arrives in port the authorities from that country enter and go through a process relating to confirming the ship is complying with their laws and that the people on it are acceptable to admit to their country even if it is only for the day.

When you look at this scenario certain countries are going accept that the properly run cruise lines will drop off a large number of people in their country but take them all back on board before sailing. They will also trust that the cruise line will competently do this and their administration work is all they need to know or look at. Some countries, however will want to know more information about exactly who the people are etc. in order to find this out they may well want to see the actual passports of specific individuals and in this respect it is easier to have original documents filed for reference by the local immigration people.

The US has lists of people who they wont let in and others they take more interest in. Similarly all countries of the world tend to be a bit careful with certain nationalities, hence the visa system and countries nationals being exempt from it.

So basically if you cruise to certain countries, your passport will be held by the cruise line for possible inspection at each port. Sometimes the cruise line does not hold passports but tells you when going ashore that you need your cruise card and your passport. This "and your passport" will vary depending where you are stopping off at.

As far as I can remember in Norway we needed to take passports ashore. In China; Taiwan and Hong Kong we had our passports held on board and disembarked with photocopies of passports. We needed these to get cash from banks. Some countries will allow you ashore but only on an official excursion because they do not want independent travellers. This may be based on the politics of you finding out too much about their society or for your own safety in that country.

In general it is done for passengers to have a better cruise without large queues to comply with officialdom. If you travel on Cunard Transatlantic then immigration officials are on board and they personally look at everybodies passport. Deck by Deck you have a slot to turn up and show your passport to get checked then when you arrive, disembarking is a lot easier and quicker.

Regards John

Thank you CC members, you are a wealth of information and I appreciate it so much.

At an EU Hotel, would it make a difference if you stayed at a known American Hotel chain in Europe like Marriott, or is it just luck of the draw? We traveled to Europe in 2010 and I don't remember this happening, but I am so glad to know that this could happen otherwise I would be unnecessarily alarmed.

 

Thanks, I generally carry a copy and have one in the safe. Great reminder.

We have always needed to turn in our passports to the hotels in Florence with American name brand as well as others. They lock them in their safe and return them at checkout. Smaller bed and breakfasts in Tuscany have not required this but they're supposed to. One time we were at a campground in Tuscany checking in and some police officers told us we were not allowed to check in without handing passports in. We only had copies. They let it slide but chastised us.

We've cruised NCL, RCI, CCL, & X on 5 different European itineraries (including Turkey, Morocco & Croatia) and never had to turn over our passports.

So have we... and also have had some itineraries where they DID retain the passports on the ship. We have stickers with name and cabin number on the passport cover, put there by the cruiseline.

Whenever that was the case, we have never had any problem getting our passport back for the day on shore... a simple trip to Guest Services.

They advised if they needed it back again..or were done with the ports that had that requirement.

Thank you CC members, you are a wealth of information and I appreciate it so much.

At an EU Hotel, would it make a difference if you stayed at a known American Hotel chain in Europe like Marriott, or is it just luck of the draw? We traveled to Europe in 2010 and I don't remember this happening, but I am so glad to know that this could happen otherwise I would be unnecessarily alarmed.

 

Thanks, I generally carry a copy and have one in the safe. Great reminder.

Enjoy your trip.

We've cruised NCL, RCI, CCL, & X on 5 different European itineraries (including Turkey, Morocco & Croatia) and never had to turn over our passports.

Perhaps it makes a difference if the ship overnights at a port?

We didn't have to turn in our passports on our Baltic Cruise or show them to the hotel at all in Copenhagen (Crowne Plaza) - we did have to show them in St. Petersburg, Russia to disembark and embark each day.

My question is WHY do you turn over your passport? What happens if I am in a different country and I have no proof of my citizenship. Who holds the passport? The ship? Why would a Hotel need to hold on to your passport? I need clarification of the process and the reasoning. I asked this on a different thread and so far no response. Does any seasoned EU CC cruiser have input? (I always have a copy of my passport elsewhere when I travel, but generally carry my passport on me when in a different country.)

 

 

Thanks.

I can only speak as to the process on the luxury lines, whether in the Caribbean, Europe or Alaska. On those lines all passports are held for all passengers for the duration of the voyage.. If you need them for a particular port you pick them up before you leave and return them when you return to the ship. We have never found the need for them ashore.

Why do they do it? So that all passengers do not have to clear immigration every day of the cruise. Ours are full of stamps from Greece and Croatia. Every little island in Greece adds its own stamp.

If you don't want to turn them over to the ship you don't have to, but by the same token they don't have to allow you on baoord.

I can only speak as to the process on the luxury lines, whether in the Caribbean, Europe or Alaska. On those lines all passports are held for all passengers for the duration of the voyage.. If you need them for a particular port you pick them up before you leave and return them when you return to the ship. We have never found the need for them ashore.

 

Why do they do it? So that all passengers do not have to clear immigration every day of the cruise. Ours are full of stamps from Greece and Croatia. Every little island in Greece adds its own stamp.

 

If you don't want to turn them over to the ship you don't have to, but by the same token they don't have to allow you on baoord.

We have always needed to turn in our passports to the hotels in Florence with American name brand as well as others. They lock them in their safe and return them at checkout. Smaller bed and breakfasts in Tuscany have not required this but they're supposed to. One time we were at a campground in Tuscany checking in and some police officers told us we were not allowed to check in without handing passports in. We only had copies. They let it slide but chastised us.

Wow, the things you learn. I am so glad to be reading about this now.

On our Baltic cruise in 2007, we were requested to turn over our passports in order for the ship to obtain our Russian visa. We got them back the day before we reached St. Petersburg. A couple of years later we did the same thing, this time to get an Egyptian visa.

It used to be quite common to turn in your passport when staying in European hotels, particularly before the EU was formed. It's not nearly as common now. I fly to Europe about once a week and don't see it happening at all (UK, Netherlands, Germany, and France, at least.)

So here is my next question ( I am the op)... Hubby has to leave ship early, prob Athens, called NCL and they have to get permission from someone which may take a day or a few weeks. They do not foresee a problem though. I have 24 hours to make a flight change for a bit less money than if I wait. Would u just go ahead and make the flight change without hearing back from NCL?

I never heard of this but interested to know since we will be doing a Europe cruise in August. Some locations we are going to (Monte Carlo casino) require that you show your passport before entering. So would just get them back before we get off the boat, if they do take them for the duration of the cruise.

Stupid side question - do we get a stamp in our book for each country we go to? If we are doing France, Spain and Italy, will we get stamps for all 3 in the passports?

Stupid side question - do we get a stamp in our book for each country we go to? If we are doing France, Spain and Italy, will we get stamps for all 3 in the passports?