Passport email from HAL

[TAD2005]

Cruise lines recommend passports for closed loop cruises because of the possibility of unexpected disembarking in a foreign port.  Usually this occurs because of medical issues that can't be handled onboard.   But the cruise lines also have to protect themselves against situations like the absolute moron who climbed over the railing and stood there while her partner shot a pix while the ship was sailing towards Jamaica.  The cruise line forcefully disembarked the 2 passengers in Jamaica, and they had to fend for themselves to get home.   If they had no passports (probably not), then would the Jamaican authorities allow the cruise line to dump these passengers into their country with no legal documentation ?   The cruise line wants them off the ship because of their stupidity and liability concerns, but what if Jamaica said "no passport, no entry" ?   What would the cruise line do in that case ?    What if the 2 passengers had insufficient funds available for housing, food, and one-way airfare home while waiting for an emergency issued passport ?   Would Jamaica agree to help them ?  I doubt it.

[USN59-79]

5 hours ago, TAD2005 said:

Cruise lines recommend passports for closed loop cruises because of the possibility of unexpected disembarking in a foreign port.  Usually this occurs because of medical issues that can't be handled onboard.   But the cruise lines also have to protect themselves against situations like the absolute moron who climbed over the railing and stood there while her partner shot a pix while the ship was sailing towards Jamaica.  The cruise line forcefully disembarked the 2 passengers in Jamaica, and they had to fend for themselves to get home.   If they had no passports (probably not), then would the Jamaican authorities allow the cruise line to dump these passengers into their country with no legal documentation ?   The cruise line wants them off the ship because of their stupidity and liability concerns, but what if Jamaica said "no passport, no entry" ?   What would the cruise line do in that case ?    What if the 2 passengers had insufficient funds available for housing, food, and one-way airfare home while waiting for an emergency issued passport ?   Would Jamaica agree to help them ?  I doubt it.

That is one of the duties of the U.S. Embassy in Kingston, Jamaica, to assist our citizens whether they deserve it or not.

[3rdGenCunarder]

15 hours ago, TAD2005 said:

Cruise lines recommend passports for closed loop cruises because of the possibility of unexpected disembarking in a foreign port.  Usually this occurs because of medical issues that can't be handled onboard.   But the cruise lines also have to protect themselves against situations like the absolute moron who climbed over the railing and stood there while her partner shot a pix while the ship was sailing towards Jamaica.  The cruise line forcefully disembarked the 2 passengers in Jamaica, and they had to fend for themselves to get home.   If they had no passports (probably not), then would the Jamaican authorities allow the cruise line to dump these passengers into their country with no legal documentation ?   The cruise line wants them off the ship because of their stupidity and liability concerns, but what if Jamaica said "no passport, no entry" ?   What would the cruise line do in that case ?    What if the 2 passengers had insufficient funds available for housing, food, and one-way airfare home while waiting for an emergency issued passport ?   Would Jamaica agree to help them ?  I doubt it.

 

9 hours ago, USN59-79 said:

That is one of the duties of the U.S. Embassy in Kingston, Jamaica, to assist our citizens whether they deserve it or not.

 

Copper, if you're reading this, what's the procedure? If the ship wants to boot someone off, what local authorities have to be notified?

 

[Charles4515]

24 minutes ago, 3rdGenCunarder said:

 

 

 If the ship wants to boot someone off, what local authorities have to be notified?

 

 

Certainly they have to notify the local authorities. Cruise lines also have a port agent at every port. The procedures probably vary depending on the port. There may be maritime law involved. No one can just enter another country without some procedure. 

[3rdGenCunarder]

5 minutes ago, Charles4515 said:

 

Certainly they have to notify the local authorities. Cruise lines also have a port agent at every port. The procedures probably vary depending on the port. There may be maritime law involved. No one can just enter another country without some procedure. 

 

Which is why I'm hoping Copper, who actually knows about this stuff, will be able to answer.

 

[TAD2005]

Most countries try to protect themselves against people entering with minimal documentation and funds to sustain themselves while there.   These policies prevent stranded tourists from being a burden on the country's economy.  On a cruise, they assume that you will get back on the ship and leave.   With this assumption, most Caribbean countries allow passengers to enter without a passport.   It's good for the tourism business !!

Things get sticky when a cruise passenger is disembarked due to a medical issue, simply missed the ship, or involuntarily booted off.  In many cases there is no passport or sufficient funds to cover their expenses and the flight home.   That's where the embassies come into play, but on many Caribbean islands, there is no physical embassy.  You have to work by phone to the closest island that has an embassy.   Hotel and meal expenses, plus medical expenses if there is a medical issue really mount up.   If you have reliable travel insurance, that really helps in situations like this.  Never leave home without it !!