notalandlover Posted January 2, 2023 #1 Share Posted January 2, 2023 In August my wife and I did the British Isles cruise. We loved it. During the cruise our room stewards collected the passports for all passengers. They were returned a few days later. Has anyone ever had this happen and why would a cuiseline do this? I asked room steward who colaims he didn’t know. Thank you Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wowzz Posted January 2, 2023 #2 Share Posted January 2, 2023 Not that unusual on certain itineraries. Makes it easier for Border Control staff to check documentation. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
klfrodo Posted January 2, 2023 #3 Share Posted January 2, 2023 I had a cruise do that before. If I remember correctly, it was a cruise out of Venice. I believe it was because one of the countries we were visiting wanted to see the actual passports before arrival 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Flatbush Flyer Posted January 2, 2023 #4 Share Posted January 2, 2023 8 minutes ago, notalandlover said: In August my wife and I did the British Isles cruise. We loved it. During the cruise our room stewards collected the passports for all passengers. They were returned a few days later. Has anyone ever had this happen and why would a cuiseline do this? I asked room steward who colaims he didn’t know. Thank you Not only do some cruise lines (e.g., Oceania) require all passengers on all cruises to produce a passport, the Purser oversees their collection at embarkation. This is a far better and more convenient practice than leaving them with passengers who A) might carry them ashore when not required B) misplace/lose them C) rise at the “crack of dawn” for a port immigration check. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare 1025cruise Posted January 2, 2023 #5 Share Posted January 2, 2023 This way immigration clears everyone all at once. Otherwise you would need to go through immigration. This is a standard procedure when countries need to inspect all passports. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sanger727 Posted January 2, 2023 #6 Share Posted January 2, 2023 (edited) Yes, we have had this happen a few times. It's to do with what nationality you are, what ports you are stopping in, and the immigration paperwork needed. In Carribean cruises, for example, I've seen them collect non-us passenger passports. I've had mine held before in European and Asian itineraries. It helps them expedite processing the paperwork they need to do. AFAIK, if you really don't feel safe getting off the ship without your passport, you can pick them up at guest services daily to take them to shore with you and then return them when you get back. Edited January 2, 2023 by sanger727 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CruiseGal999 Posted January 2, 2023 #7 Share Posted January 2, 2023 3 hours ago, notalandlover said: In August my wife and I did the British Isles cruise. We loved it. During the cruise our room stewards collected the passports for all passengers. They were returned a few days later. Has anyone ever had this happen and why would a cuiseline do this? I asked room steward who colaims he didn’t know. Thank you 2012 I cruised to Alaska out of Seattle, WA. NCL took our passports on land ... before we even got into line to start the check in / boarding process. I was FLIPPING OUT! But we had to do it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare LHT28 Posted January 2, 2023 #8 Share Posted January 2, 2023 well they have been collecting passports of Canadians & other Nationalities for years on cruises out of the USA They can clear Immigration in other Countries without pax having to line up for a F2F Some you still have to do the F2F but some it is far easier if the Purser has your passport ready for inspection If you are worried just refuse to give it to them then get up every morning very early to meet with the Officials Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare LHT28 Posted January 2, 2023 #9 Share Posted January 2, 2023 9 minutes ago, CruiseGal999 said: 2012 I cruised to Alaska out of Seattle, WA. NCL took our passports on land ... before we even got into line to start the check in / boarding process. I was FLIPPING OUT! But we had to do it. LOL did you think they were going to sell them ?? Maybe some Canadians would want then NOT!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Flatbush Flyer Posted January 2, 2023 #10 Share Posted January 2, 2023 32 minutes ago, CruiseGal999 said: 2012 I cruised to Alaska out of Seattle, WA. NCL took our passports on land ... before we even got into line to start the check in / boarding process. I was FLIPPING OUT! But we had to do it. Why would you flip out? Common practice for many itineraries. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare ontheweb Posted January 2, 2023 #11 Share Posted January 2, 2023 We had an Eastern Mediterranean cruise on HAL in which our passports were collected, but we could get them back for one of the ports, Dubrovnik, IIRC. But they wanted them back by the next day. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CruiseGal999 Posted January 2, 2023 #12 Share Posted January 2, 2023 22 minutes ago, Flatbush Flyer said: Why would you flip out? Common practice for many itineraries. That was a first time for me and it was ALWAYS my understanding that you are NEVER to be separated from your passport. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CruiseGal999 Posted January 2, 2023 #13 Share Posted January 2, 2023 55 minutes ago, LHT28 said: LOL did you think they were going to sell them ?? Maybe some Canadians would want then NOT!! No ... It was always my understanding that you are NEVER to be separated from your passport. It was the first time it ever happened on a cruise. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare LHT28 Posted January 2, 2023 #14 Share Posted January 2, 2023 8 minutes ago, CruiseGal999 said: No ... It was always my understanding that you are NEVER to be separated from your passport. It was the first time it ever happened on a cruise. Do not go to Europe where they want your passport at the hotels 😉 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CruiseGal999 Posted January 2, 2023 #15 Share Posted January 2, 2023 1 minute ago, LHT28 said: Do not go to Europe where they want your passport at the hotels 😉 2 minutes ago, LHT28 said: Do not go to Europe where they want your passport at the hotels 😉 Too late ... have been many many times. Hotel has NEVER taken my passport when there. But thank you for all of your input. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SteveH2508 Posted January 2, 2023 #16 Share Posted January 2, 2023 I really do not get the paranoia about the ship holding your passport to expedite immigration procedures. Having said that, my previous passport had a problem where Australian immigration stamped my passport and then jammed it back in the drawer with all of the others before the ink was dry. Unfortunately, this left an inky impression over the machine readable part of my US visa. That was a PITA for the next 3 years when going to the US. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Flatbush Flyer Posted January 2, 2023 #17 Share Posted January 2, 2023 26 minutes ago, CruiseGal999 said: That was a first time for me and it was ALWAYS my understanding that you are NEVER to be separated from your passport. Get ready for some international hotels that still do this as well. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare Ferry_Watcher Posted January 2, 2023 #18 Share Posted January 2, 2023 On cruises to Alaska, if a passenger is a foreign national who needs a Canadian visa (I.e., India, South Africa, Brazil and about 170 other countries), then their passport is collected, sent to the ship, and is returned to the passenger after the Canadian officials inspect the passports upon arrival in (usually) Victoria. If for example, the foreign national happens to be a US permanent Resident (Green Card holder), the check-in agent makes a copy of the passport and Green Card, returns the passport & Green Card to the passenger, and submits the photocopy of the documents. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
donaldsc Posted January 2, 2023 #19 Share Posted January 2, 2023 This happens lots of times. DON Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Markanddonna Posted January 2, 2023 #20 Share Posted January 2, 2023 I've had to show or register my passport at European hotels. They never took it away for a short or long period. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Charles4515 Posted January 2, 2023 #21 Share Posted January 2, 2023 41 minutes ago, Markanddonna said: I've had to show or register my passport at European hotels. They never took it away for a short or long period. They used to take my passport at hotels 40 years ago. But they stopped some years ago. At least at the hotels I use. I have had the cruise line hold my passport a bunch of times. Depends on the itinerary. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare ontheweb Posted January 2, 2023 #22 Share Posted January 2, 2023 14 minutes ago, Charles4515 said: They used to take my passport at hotels 40 years ago. But they stopped some years ago. At least at the hotels I use. I have had the cruise line hold my passport a bunch of times. Depends on the itinerary. When we did an escorted land trip in 2019 to Peru with Gate 1, every hotel that was used held everyone's passport. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Charles4515 Posted January 2, 2023 #23 Share Posted January 2, 2023 3 minutes ago, ontheweb said: When we did an escorted land trip in 2019 to Peru with Gate 1, every hotel that was used held everyone's passport. I have not been to Peru but it may be the law in countries where hotels collect passports that the hotel collect them. It was standard practice once upon a time when I traveled abroad. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BruceMuzz Posted January 2, 2023 #24 Share Posted January 2, 2023 Since you paid for your passport, you probably believe that it belongs to you. It doesn’t. Nearly every passport on Earth has a message inside from the Government that issued it, informing you that the passport is the property of that Government - and that it must be surrendered to authorities when requested. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
navybankerteacher Posted January 3, 2023 #25 Share Posted January 3, 2023 3 hours ago, Markanddonna said: I've had to show or register my passport at European hotels. They never took it away for a short or long period. They certainly used to (at least in Italy, Spain and France) until about 20 years ago -- but not so much these days. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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