Missed ship SXM, no passport, HYPOTHETICAL?

[TripleU]

It's not urban legend, they will raid your safe and leave your passport with the port agent.

 

 

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[Flatbush Flyer]

If you cruise on a line that requires you to surrender your passport at embarkation, that passport will be secured in the purser's office and available for customs inspections w/o needing to bother you.

If you miss the ship, the purser will leave your passport with the ship's agent at that port (contact info for the agent is usually listed in the daily news sheet published by the ship. Leaving your passport in a safe is not as secure as surrendering it. Carrying it with you is even worse.

 

 

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[Cuizer2]

Well, it is the right answer. Making it back EARLY isn't hard, and if you just do that one thing, you'll never face this question.

 

Did you miss the last word of the title of this thread?

 

Missed ship SXM, no passport, HYPOTHETICAL?

 

I've highlighted for you so that it is easier to notice.

[TravelerThom]

Even if there were no embassy on the island there would be a consular officer either on the island or near by. If you went to the police, they would get you in touch. If you had not had a passport before and were a US Citizen, they would find some way to issue you one. It might be very expensive-but I'm sure it could be done and it might take some time. There are temporary emergency passports that can be issued. Years ago, the son of a friend of mine lost his passport on his flight to Europe- when he arrived in Germany, he had to wait at the airport until a consular officer came and issued him an emergency passport- I think he was there about 10 hours...

Let me move our stranded cruise passenger to St. Kitts, since it clearly is serviced out of the US Embassy in Bridgetown, Barbados. Yes there is a Consular Official on Barbados, which is an island (relatively) nearby, BUT IT TAKES A PASSPORT TO GET THERE. Look at http://barbados.usembassy.gov/acs_consularvisits.html Note especially the statement "In order to better serve U.S. citizens living throughout the Eastern Caribbean, the U.S. Embassy in Barbados makes every effort to send a Consular Officer to countries in our Consular District approximately twice a year to offer certain American Citizen Services such as accepting applications for U.S. passports and Consular Reports of Birth Abroad, and provide notarial services." The last Consular visit to St. Kitts was 4-6 Nov 2014; the next visit is not yet scheduled. Waiting 10 hours is one thing, waiting half a year is another.

 

I have previously stated that I'm sure that something would be worked out, but WHAT? The guy in Nassau was able to go down the street to the US Embassy to get a passport. My question remains: How do you manage to get to the Consular Official to get a passport when a passport is required to get to the Consular Official?

[TravelerThom]

...Well, it is the right answer. Making it back EARLY isn't hard, and if you just do that one thing, you'll never face this question...

Why Mrs. Pete, I personally make every effort to get back early, which is why I said "I am always back within sight of the ship 2 hours before sailing". However, according to http://www.smn-news.com/st-maarten-st-martin-news/17584-port-st-maarten-hits-historical-two-millionth-cruise-passenger-mark-on-new-year-s-eve.html Sint Maaten "at the end of 2014 received for the entire year approximately 2,000,864 cruise passengers." If you think not one of those over 2 Million passengers made it back late, I have a very nice bridge that I am selling at an exorbitant price - I don't happen to have the Title for the property with me at the moment, but trust me....

[mickev99]

I thought you would just wait for the next Disney ship to come along, they seem to pick up strays all the time. :D

 

 

 

 

 

 

I always carry my passport with me.

 

OMG, that is hilarious! I am so sick of hearing that story!!

[time4u2go]

Did you miss the last word of the title of this thread?

 

Missed ship SXM, no passport, HYPOTHETICAL?

 

I've highlighted for you so that it is easier to notice.

 

Why Mrs. Pete, I personally make every effort to get back early, which is why I said "I am always back within sight of the ship 2 hours before sailing". However, according to http://www.smn-news.com/st-maarten-st-martin-news/17584-port-st-maarten-hits-historical-two-millionth-cruise-passenger-mark-on-new-year-s-eve.html Sint Maaten "at the end of 2014 received for the entire year approximately 2,000,864 cruise passengers." If you think not one of those over 2 Million passengers made it back late, I have a very nice bridge that I am selling at an exorbitant price - I don't happen to have the Title for the property with me at the moment, but trust me....

Apparently Mrs. Pete never has anything unexpected happen to her. And she obviously does not know what "hypothetical" means. :D

[sparks1093]

Let me move our stranded cruise passenger to St. Kitts, since it clearly is serviced out of the US Embassy in Bridgetown, Barbados. Yes there is a Consular Official on Barbados, which is an island (relatively) nearby, BUT IT TAKES A PASSPORT TO GET THERE. Look at http://barbados.usembassy.gov/acs_consularvisits.html Note especially the statement "In order to better serve U.S. citizens living throughout the Eastern Caribbean, the U.S. Embassy in Barbados makes every effort to send a Consular Officer to countries in our Consular District approximately twice a year to offer certain American Citizen Services such as accepting applications for U.S. passports and Consular Reports of Birth Abroad, and provide notarial services." The last Consular visit to St. Kitts was 4-6 Nov 2014; the next visit is not yet scheduled. Waiting 10 hours is one thing, waiting half a year is another.

 

I have previously stated that I'm sure that something would be worked out, but WHAT? The guy in Nassau was able to go down the street to the US Embassy to get a passport. My question remains: How do you manage to get to the Consular Official to get a passport when a passport is required to get to the Consular Official?

 

I'm sure that the State Department has a procedure but they aren't willing to share the specifics of that procedure. The last response that I read from them was kind of non-specifically generic with the "we recommend that all travelers have a passport" thrown in for good measure. Presumably one could obtain the Consulate email address in Barbados and ask them directly.

[dsrdsrdsr]

Sick or injured people would be best served by heading back to the ship, where they can get medical treatment. And the idea of NOT waiting 'til the last minute goes hand-in-hand with this.

I would recommend that in certain circumstances, eg. unexpected chest pains or copious bleeding, it might be preferable to seek treatment ashore.

 

As for the OP, if you miss the ship, you contact the port agent and do what he recommends. If your passport is on board, they'll find a way to get it back to you, if that's the only way to catch up. They'll arrange flights and hotels, all at your own expense of course. If you know in advance you're going to be late, you can contact the agent and let him know and he will see that the ship takes the passport out of your safe and hands it to him before departure. The agent's number will be on the daily programme.

Edited January 15, 2015 by dsrdsrdsr

[ger_77]

We were on a trans-Atlantic cruise in November when at a port in Spain, members of 1 cabin were called no less than 6 times over the public address system. We were enjoying pre-sailaway drinks on the back Lido Deck when I saw one of the officers walking down the gangway carrying a brown envelope. I asked my husband what he thought it might contain, right then our server arrived with our drinks and said "It probably contains the passports of the people who's names you heard announced - it will go to the port agent to be given to them when they finally arrive. It happens." I never did hear if they caught up to us at the next (and last) port before the trans-Atlantic portion, or if they ended up flying back to the US.

 

Smooth Sailing! :) :) :)

[marion10]

If needed- the consular agent would travel to you- you might be billed for expenses. There may be honorary consuls on the island. The port authority can probabably arrange for you to travel to an island which can issue you the needed documents are you are held at the new port.

[Aquahound]

What happens if anyone who is not carrying a passport misses the ship in Sint Maarten (or St. Kitts, Dominica, etc). None of these countries have a physical US Embassy, but are serviced by the US Embassy in Barbados. Theoretically you need a passport to get from Sint Maarten to Barbados in order to get a passport. What do you do then? And I'm sure that with tens of thousands of cruise visitors a week, this must be a fairly regular occurrence.

 

Hi Thom. Let me help with this hypothetical. Truth is, you would likely be fine. Every port has a ships' agent to assist with this, and those ships' agents have consulates, embassies and local authorities on speed dial. As a ship passenger, you are granted certain status that doesn't require a passport and every Caribbean island included in Closed Loop cruises is well versed on this. It's as simple as a phone call between ships' agents in Sint Maarten and Barbados. A couple hours of bureaucracy, which includes both islands confirming you on the ship's manifest, and you'll likely be on a plane.

[Hlitner]

Ok, so what if you do miss the ship. Nearly all cruise lines have an internal policy in place. Once they realize that you are not onboard (this is prior to departure) they would send security to your cabin to look for clues and your Passport (although many on a closed loop would not have a passport). If they do find your Passport they can turn them over to their local Port Agent from whom the passengers can later retrieve the document and then make their way home (at their own expense). But if they do not follow this procedure, or you do not have a Passport, you are then illegally in a country (in this case St Maarten). You would have to report to the authorities and then make arrangements with the US Consulate (or its representative) to obtain a Passport. This process can take several days (especially if there is a weekend or holiday involved) and meanwhile you stay on the island at your own expense. Once you have the necessary Passport then you can make arrangements to fly home (at your own expense).

 

We would just add that having traveled extensively for over forty years, we are among those who leave their Passports locked securely away in a safe...whether it be on a ship or a local hotel. We are of the school that feels the risk of losing a Passport (or having it stolen) while on our person is greater then the risk that can occur by not carrying the document.

 

For those who like to carry their Passport, we wonder what they do with the document when they go to a beach, swimming, snorkeling, etc. Do you carry them in the water? Do you leave them laying on the beach? We would add that we know quite a few folks who have had all their stuff stolen off beaches in various places around the world. Most recently, on a port stop in Ashdod, Israel...a fellow passengers (and Policeman) had all his valuables stolen off the beach in Tel Aviv with some very nasty consequences. He spent the next 1 1/2 days getting an emergency replacement (at some expense) and it certainly ruined his visit to Israel...as he and his wife spent nearly all their time waiting at a consulate.

 

Hank

[TravelerThom]

I'm sure that the State Department has a procedure but they aren't willing to share the specifics of that procedure. The last response that I read from them was kind of non-specifically generic with the "we recommend that all travelers have a passport" thrown in for good measure. Presumably one could obtain the Consulate email address in Barbados and ask them directly.

IF I was left on an island with no passport the first contact I'd make is with the Port Agent, and follow any reasonable advice they gave. If I couldn't contact the Port Agent I'd check with the local authorities (police and/or immigration), and again follow any reasonable advice they gave. If neither of these is helpful (or sounds unreasonable) I'd quickly be contacting the closest US Embassy or Consular Official, as I'm sure I'd not be the first person in this predicament. [As I am typing this I see some additional answers that more or less match what I've said]

 

The suggestion of contacting the Consulate is the best one I have heard for a real answer, but I'll not bother them with a hypothetical question and will leave them free to work on the real problems.

 

For the record I have traveled to over 100 countries, including a number of places that probably were not the smartest places to be (Central America in the 70s and 80s, Argentina under the Junta, the Congo, etc). Most of this travel was solo on the local economy (no tour groups, thank you). I have been to all 7 continents, and the only one where I did not use local transportation was Antarctica. I carried not only contact info for the US Embassies and Consulates, but also contact info for officials from the UK, Canada, Australia and NZ - I'm not too proud to throw myself on their mercy if need be. I also have carried the name of the US Consul for the country, figuring that if I was incarcerated the authorities might be much more impressed if it sounded like I knew the Consul (actually in the Congo I not only knew the Consul, I stayed in his house). This travel was for my own amusement, none of it for work (but someone I knew was convinced I was working for the CIA:eek:). It would be embarrassing if I managed to survive all that and then missed a cruise ship in Sint Maarten:D

 

Thom

[greatam]

2. Fly to Mexico. Walk across the border and then fly home from there.

 

 

I'm curious how this is going to work. You aren't walking across the US border legally without a passport or passport card. Coyotes to escort you across the border and leave you in the desert cost more than really nice hotels in the Caribbean (going rate is between $1500-2500 per person here in AZ). And you aren't getting on a regulated plane without a passport into Mexico. You might find a private plane to transport you but no regulated airline is going to fly you without a passport. To even enter Mexico other than just a border crossing from the USA (rule is 20 miles into Mexico), you must have a passport or birth certificate/DL. But you aren't getting back into the USA with a BC/DL.

 

Back to the original question. The port agents are your friends. Certainly not the first time someone has missed the ship for whatever reason nor will it be the last. Make sure you have a fairly large credit limit on your cards, HAVE NOTIFIED your bank you will be out of the country or have friends and family who can wire money (NOT CHEAP internationally except to Mexico).

 

Traveling without a passport is just sheer foolishness in my opinion. Don't carry it on your person off the ship but if all you have when you boarded the ship is a DL/BC, you have to begin at step one to get a passport if you miss the ship. Could add quite a few days (and cost) to your "self imposed" extended vacation instead of just getting a duplicate passport or consular letter to fly to the USA.

[Karysa]

Hi Thom. Let me help with this hypothetical. Truth is, you would likely be fine. Every port has a ships' agent to assist with this, and those ships' agents have consulates, embassies and local authorities on speed dial. As a ship passenger, you are granted certain status that doesn't require a passport and every Caribbean island included in Closed Loop cruises is well versed on this. It's as simple as a phone call between ships' agents in Sint Maarten and Barbados. A couple hours of bureaucracy, which includes both islands confirming you on the ship's manifest, and you'll likely be on a plane.

 

Would need to fly directly home or could you fly to the ships next port of call? If its the next port, then I would think that they would need to be notified and part of the conversation as well. Is this not correct? Are they obligated to allow you into their country via air travel without a passport? Thanks:)

[navybankerteacher]

Since Dutch ST Martin is the only country on your list that doesn't require a passport to enter or exit, I'd probably book a flight from there to San Juan, or the USVI, where I don't need a passport.

 

There is no such place as "Dutch ST Martin" -- I assume you were thinking about St. Maarten when you posted. Of course, those folk might not mind your leaving, but that is only half of a plane trip - there is landing to consider also: the U.S. authorities will not be impressed by someone's ability to leave St. Maarten without documents, and they will want to see something. Finally, no airline will let you board a flight to a U.S. territory without your showing documents: they do not want to be stuck with you.

[sparks1093]

I'm curious how this is going to work. You aren't walking across the US border legally without a passport or passport card. Coyotes to escort you across the border and leave you in the desert cost more than really nice hotels in the Caribbean (going rate is between $1500-2500 per person here in AZ). And you aren't getting on a regulated plane without a passport into Mexico. You might find a private plane to transport you but no regulated airline is going to fly you without a passport. To even enter Mexico other than just a border crossing from the USA (rule is 20 miles into Mexico), you must have a passport or birth certificate/DL. But you aren't getting back into the USA with a BC/DL.

 

Back to the original question. The port agents are your friends. Certainly not the first time someone has missed the ship for whatever reason nor will it be the last. Make sure you have a fairly large credit limit on your cards, HAVE NOTIFIED your bank you will be out of the country or have friends and family who can wire money (NOT CHEAP internationally except to Mexico).

 

Traveling without a passport is just sheer foolishness in my opinion. Don't carry it on your person off the ship but if all you have when you boarded the ship is a DL/BC, you have to begin at step one to get a passport if you miss the ship. Could add quite a few days (and cost) to your "self imposed" extended vacation instead of just getting a duplicate passport or consular letter to fly to the USA.

 

Actually you can get across the border without a passport/passport card/

EDL. You will be sent to secondary inspection and they will use other means to identify you and there will be a delay until they do (it happens in our neck of the woods a couple times a year when someone loses their documentation in Canada). If you present yourself at a border claiming US citizenship they cannot legally keep you out.

 

As for not having a passport, it's an individual judgment call and millions travel without one on closed loop cruises every year just fine. There are provisions in the regulations that allow the State Dept to waive the passport requirement in an emergency or for humanitarian reasons.

[Cuizer2]

Let me move our stranded cruise passenger to St. Kitts ...

 

How were you able to do that without a passport? :)

Edited January 15, 2015 by Cuizer2

[TravelerThom]

...Are they obligated to allow you into their country via air travel without a passport?

If you are a US citizen, the US is the ONLY country that is obligated to let you in via air travel without a passport (and this is only after a probably lengthy procedure to prove that you are in fact a US citizen). Even though the US would eventually admit you as a citizen, it is a virtual certainty that no scheduled airline will let you board a flight to the US without a passport. Exceptions have been made for charter flights carrying passengers who were on closed loop cruises that aborted in foreign countries, but don't expect exceptions to be made on scheduled flights for people who missed the ship.

[Karysa]

If you are a US citizen, the US is the ONLY country that is obligated to let you in via air travel without a passport (and this is only after a probably lengthy procedure to prove that you are in fact a US citizen). Even though the US would eventually admit you as a citizen, it is a virtual certainty that no scheduled airline will let you board a flight to the US without a passport. Exceptions have been made for charter flights carrying passengers who were on closed loop cruises that aborted in foreign countries, but don't expect exceptions to be made on scheduled flights for people who missed the ship.

 

Makes sense. For the life of me I can't imagine a good reason to not get a passport if you travel out of the US if you are a US citizen, even if its on a closed loop cruise.

[Cuizer2]

1. Catch a cruise to St. Thomas which is 120 miles away. (or if you are really strong swimmer LOL) Fly home from St. Thomas.

 

2. Fly to Mexico. Walk across the border and then fly home from there.

 

3. Open up a shore excursion company and take cruise passengers on tours of the island :)

 

I'm curious how this is going to work. You aren't walking across the US border legally without a passport or passport card.

 

It would appear that the "alternatives" were tongue in cheek and not intended to be serious answers.

[sail7seas]

On HAL ships, if you do not return to the ship in port in time to sail, Security will look for your passport in your cabin safe. If they find it, they will give it to their Port Agent to hold for you. EVERYONE should take PORT AGENT'S NAME and contact information ashore with them. On HAL ships, it is listed on the port handout sheet HAL prepares for each port. Top right corner, name, address, telephone......

 

 

Please correct me if I am wrong but the references to U.S. Embassy in this thread should be U.S. Consulates. Isn't it the Consulate that issues duplicate passports abroad?

 

Edited January 15, 2015 by sail7seas

[sparks1093]

On HAL ships, if you do not return to the ship in port in time to sail, Security will look for your passport in your cabin safe. If they find it, they will give it to their Port Agent to hold for you. EVERYONE should take PORT AGENT'S NAME and contact information ashore with them. On HAL ships, it is listed on the port handout sheet HAL prepares for each port. Top right corner, name, address, telephone......

 

 

Please correct me if I am wrong but the references to U.S. Embassy in this thread should be U.S. Consulates. Isn't it the Consulate that issues duplicate passports abroad?

 

 

You aren't wrong, but Embassy and Consulate are terms that are used interchangably by many since few understand the difference.

[sail7seas]

Missed ship SXM, no passport,....

 

 

What does the "SXM" mean?