passports Venice

[Maggie 3]

When we are in Venice for a few days do we turn our passports over to the hotel or do we keep them?

[Keith1010]

When you check into the hotel they will ask to see them but then they give them back to you.

 

We then just keep it locked in our hotel safe.

 

That way we don't have to worry about them being lost or even stolen.

 

Keith

[aquilegia]

Under Italian law, non-Italians are supposed to carry their passports with them. A lot of people don't bother though. I leave mine in the hotel safe because I reckon the likelihood of losing it is greater than the likelihood of being stopped by the authorities and asked for it.

[kuldalai]

We meet the requirement by copying inside INFO PAGES and laminating it . we carry that in wallets for ID, and Passports remain in hotel safe on ship .

[aquilegia]

We meet the requirement by copying inside INFO PAGES and laminating it . we carry that in wallets for ID, and Passports remain in hotel safe on ship .

 

I see your reasoning, but I don't think that meets the requirement. As far as I know, you are required to carry the original.

[agabbymama]

Why do you get a passport in the first place???

 

That is your legal ID to prove you are a U.S. Citizen when abroad.

 

You are supposed to have it in your possession, not left in some hotel safe.

 

On a Med cruise, the cruiseline sometimes holds your passport, but once you leave the ship and are staying on land, you should have your passport on you.

 

Sometimes, you will need your passport to exchange money, make a purchase, etc.

[Earl Rosebery]

Why do you get a passport in the first place???

 

That is your legal ID to prove you are a U.S. Citizen when abroad.

 

You are supposed to have it in your possession, not left in some hotel safe.

 

On a Med cruise, the cruiseline sometimes holds your passport, but once you leave the ship and are staying on land, you should have your passport on you.

 

Sometimes, you will need your passport to exchange money, make a purchase, etc.

 

This advice is really out of date. European hotels and so on used to require a form of id. Now all they wan't is a credit card. I'm awfully glad I didn't have my passport with me when I had my pocket picked in Madrid. (They were very smooth)

[lisiamc]

Per the Italy travel advice page of the Gov.UK website* (https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/italy/local-laws-and-customs):

 

"By law you must be able to show some form of identification at all times. In most cases a photocopy of the data page of your passport should suffice, but you may be asked to accompany the police to collect the original document, or to produce it within 12 hours. The police will normally ask for your full passport if you are stopped while driving."

 

Hotels are required to record some information from your passport, which they often do as a photocopy while you are standing at the desk, but sometimes they will still keep your passport for a few hours or overnight until they can record what they need for the form. During this time, of course, you are free to wander about without your passport, so I agree that the requirement is for photo ID, and not necessarily your actual passport.

 

*which I am quoting because I have some hope that they know what they are talking about, and because they talk about it in English.

[cruisemom42]

Why do you get a passport in the first place???

 

That is your legal ID to prove you are a U.S. Citizen when abroad.

 

You are supposed to have it in your possession, not left in some hotel safe.

 

On a Med cruise, the cruiseline sometimes holds your passport, but once you leave the ship and are staying on land, you should have your passport on you.

 

Sometimes, you will need your passport to exchange money, make a purchase, etc.

 

Actually, the primary function of a passport is to enable a person to travel outside of the borders of their own country. Its function as a legal ID/proof of US citizenship, while valid, is secondary.

 

And the US Department of State (the passport issuers) actually do recommend that people not carry their passport with them unless it is necessary in that particular country. Yes, they advise leaving it in a hotel safe.

 

Their exact wording: "Your passport, cash and credit cards are most secure when locked in a hotel safe."

 

http://travel.state.gov/travel/tips/safety/safety_1747.html

[Hlitner]

The Passport issue is one of some controversy on Cruise Critic. Many experienced travelers have learned that the safest place for Passports and other valuables is locked in a safe. Even the US State Department has the following posted on their own web site:

 

"Carry the minimum number of valuables, and plan places to conceal them. Your passport, cash and credit cards are most secure when locked in a hotel safe. "

 

Now some might ask, why does the State Department not say that you should keep your Passport on your person? The answer is simple. Every day they have travelers coming to their embassies and consulates in desperation because their Passport has been lost or stolen. If this happens on a cruise you might be forced to leave your ship and spend 2 or 3 days (at your own expense) on land until you can get a replacement Passport. And then you have to either catch up to your ship of fly home at your own expense.

 

So, after more then forty years of extensive international travel (on both ships and land) we follow a very basic rule. We never carry our Passports unless it is absolutely necessary. When it is necessary (like in Venice if staying on a ship) we keep our Passports in a secure neck wallet under our shirt. But if you are in Venice and staying in a hotel the best place for your Passports would be the hotel safe!

 

We would add that a wise traveler never wears expensive jewelry (this is like putting a bulls eye on your back). In Western Europe, gypsies (also called Roma) have spent generations perfecting the art of separating travelers from their valuables (including valuable Passports) and you do not want to call unneeded attention to yourself.

 

Hank

[John Bull]

I'm firmly in the "leave it where it's safe" camp, for the reasons discussed by others.

But in Venice you will need it (the original, not a copy) in order to board the ship. Even after you've registered - for instance if your ship is overniting & you want to go off into Venice for the evening or next morning. Venice is unique in this requirement, just your seapass is good enough in other Italian ports.

 

How do I know this?

We were told to take our passports ashore.

We didn't.

When we returned to the ship we were led to a little line of others who'd done likewise :o

And a ship's rep went through the passenger manifest with a less-than-cheerful immigration officer before we were allowed to meekly proceed.:rolleyes:

 

JB :)

[Karennella]

When my daughter had her (Australian) passport stolen in Spain a few years ago, she was told that the consulate deal with about one per hour. So multiply that many times for Americans, seeing that you outnumber us 15 to 1. Major problem.

[euro cruiser]

This advice is really out of date. European hotels and so on used to require a form of id. Now all they wan't is a credit card.

Italian hotels still require a passport and most will keep it for a few hours or even overnight. They are required to report the identities of all foreign visitors and they take your passport to get the information for their report.

 

If you are concerned about it being out of your possession you can insist that they take down the info while you wait, but be prepared to stand there for a while.

[dogs4fun]

Italian hotels still require a passport and most will keep it for a few hours or even overnight. They are required to report the identities of all foreign visitors and they take your passport to get the information for their report.

 

If you are concerned about it being out of your possession you can insist that they take down the info while you wait, but be prepared to stand there for a while.

 

Yes. This is also true for the Netherlands and the Czech Republic ... our hotels in Amsterdam & Prague also wanted our passports (in June, 2013). :)

Also, for our Venice trip next month, I must show my passport at the Doge's Palace to exchange my Secret Itineraries Tour voucher for the tickets (per instructions on the website).

[CathyCruises]

Italian hotels still require a passport and most will keep it for a few hours or even overnight. They are required to report the identities of all foreign visitors and they take your passport to get the information for their report.

 

If you are concerned about it being out of your possession you can insist that they take down the info while you wait, but be prepared to stand there for a while.

 

In my most recent experiences, they ask for the passports at check in, make a photo copy and hand them right back. I haven't had them keep the passports for 3-4 years now.

[euro cruiser]

LOL - you probably stay at nicer places Cathy :D.

 

I imagine that what you describe is the norm at bigger, newer, and city hotels, while some of the old school places aren't quite as quick (I've stayed several times recently at a convent in Rome, they're still doing it the way they have for decades). When I have taken groups to Italy in recent years they've also held them for a few hours, rather than hold up the entire group while they deal with each individual passport.