Opinions on Passports off ship

[pinkhatlady]

If I booked an excursion through the cruise line. I do not take my passport. if I booked an independent excursion through another vendor I take my passport. you cannot do anything without your Passport. You can’t check into a hotel, etc. I was recently on a trip with a lady who had her passport stolen on the airplane. when she landed in London she was not able to go onto the next destination, and had to buy a return trip ticket to fly back to the states. a photo copy of her Passport did no good and no one in the UK cared. Because she had global entry she could fly home without her passport. To get it re-issued by the embassy, She would have to have stayed a few days in London to get this accomplished. because she didn’t have her passport, She couldn’t check into any hotel. Weigh the risks before you decide what is right for you. When I do carry my passport, I carried on my person, not in a handbag. Even on an airplane I carry it on my person.

[Joebucks]

19 hours ago, kitkat343 said:

For those who are not aware, if going on an independent excursion make sure to take a picture of the daily with the port agent phone number.  If you are running late, call the port agent and keep them updated on your arrival time.  If you miss the ship and your passport is in the safe, guest services will leave it with the port agent.

 

This is a much better post than 4543 random opinions.

[Max and Ruby]

5 hours ago, Mick B said:

A lot of the places we visit, the ship docs at a port close to the town/city/beach we want to visit and we are normally back on board for lunch, so no rush/panic.

We do this also because we are aware of pick-pocket gangs.

One such scam is where there is a sign that says something like "check your belongings" and people then immediately touch their pocket or area on them where their wallet is to check they have it, but don't realise some innocent looking kid with a mobile phone has just observed you and is giving your details to their accomplice nearby who will soon bump into you and take it from you.

Paris metro stations are notorious for this type of scam.

Don't make the mistake if thinking it won't happen to you and you may not even notice it if it does, until its too late.

Make sure you keep your wallet in a safe and secure place like a inside zipped pocket that no-one can access without making it obvious.

Too many times I see people with money/phones and wallets hanging from their back trouser pockets - you are asking for trouble!

 

Happy cruising

Mick.

 

THIS. We are planning our first trip to London this summer and I admit I am a bit paranoid. This fear has more to do with pick pockets although you can be pick pocketed anywhere.  I bought a RFID blocking neck purse to wear under my clothes.  I also bought something that attaches to my phone and on my wrist so I'm a bit of a challenge if you want to take my phone.  I've also heard stories of people leaving their Passports in hotel safe and staff "being in on it" and stealing right out of safe or leaving hotel room doors open  for a long period of time as they clean so others can come on in.  And now someone in this thread said to keep Passport physically on you on plane since someone's was stolen while on the plane.  I know, I know, don't leave home.

 

So since it has been a while since I have actually gotten off the ship in Nassau I thought I'd ask for some opinions as how to handle Passports.  Mine was recently renewed and was $$$$ to get it in time!

[K32682]

When I travel I prefer to be self-reliant and not depend on others which is why I securely carry my passport when in foreign countries (USA excepted.) I am not going to rely on the ship's crew or the port agent to get me my passport should I need it. 

 

I have never had a serious emergency where my passport was required. I have however needed it to rent a vehicle, stay at a hotel, enter a casino, visit a game preserve, exchange currency and get through more than one police roadside check. It is quite possible a photocopy would have be sufficient but when the authorities in a developing country want to see your passport I'd prefer to give them the real item. I am less concerned about keeping my passport "safe" than I am about keeping me that way. 

 

My mode of carry varies with my wardrobe but a pickpocket is very unlikely to get it and a mugger is going to have to work to get it. He'll likely not make the effort and look for easier prey. 

[sparks1093]

45 minutes ago, Max and Ruby said:

THIS. We are planning our first trip to London this summer and I admit I am a bit paranoid. This fear has more to do with pick pockets although you can be pick pocketed anywhere.  I bought a RFID blocking neck purse to wear under my clothes.  I also bought something that attaches to my phone and on my wrist so I'm a bit of a challenge if you want to take my phone.  I've also heard stories of people leaving their Passports in hotel safe and staff "being in on it" and stealing right out of safe or leaving hotel room doors open  for a long period of time as they clean so others can come on in.  And now someone in this thread said to keep Passport physically on you on plane since someone's was stolen while on the plane.  I know, I know, don't leave home.

 

So since it has been a while since I have actually gotten off the ship in Nassau I thought I'd ask for some opinions as how to handle Passports.  Mine was recently renewed and was $$$$ to get it in time!

The thing to remember about pickpockets- they don't pick blindly. They know exactly what their target is before they swoop in. They know this from observing their marks. If you carry your passport and don't flash it around they'll have no idea where it is and won't target it. As I understand it most passports are stolen because they are kept with other valuables, such as in a purse or camera bag.

[sparks1093]

4 hours ago, Joebucks said:

 

This is a much better post than 4543 random opinions.

Well, the OP did ask for opinions.

[Hlitner]

More than 50 years of extensive traveling and cruising has taught me a very valuable lessen which is to safeguard your Passport.  Losing it, or having it snatched by a pickpocket can cause you lots of grief, money, and quickly ruin A trip.  If you do carry it, find a way to keep it very secure and never off your person.  Those who plan on swimming or going to a beach might want to give this some serious thought.

 

As to whether we carry it, only when absolutely necessary (which means rarely).  
 

Hank

[Dancer Bob]

To develop further what many have said, especially Hlitner (and I completely agree), knowing the location of the nearest consulate is a factor in an informed decision, and applies to all travel, not just cruises.

If you don't know why, you need to do more research than can be covered in one post. I recall seeing a while ago about a port stop in Mexico “I'll just take a taxi to the Embassy”. On the Saving Money board, poutanen has summarised a thread by klrhgr about missing the boat in Nassau which ran to 27 pages, well worth reading.

[9tee2Sea]

On 12/4/2023 at 12:11 PM, Max and Ruby said:

Thanks all.  I know it is 50/50, but in hearing some explanations it reminds me of things or gives me ideas (like the take a photo on your phone).  This is my umpteenth cruise, but my last few I have only gotten off ship for private islands or USA ports (Canaveral, Alaska).

 

And you would *think* I'd remember if I brought my passport to Victoria this summer (probably did), but I don't remember!  LOL!

funny you mention Victoria.  There was a notice that you need your passport to get off/on ship in Victoria BC. We both took ours ( when taking passports off ship, I use a travel passport holder that loops onto my belt, and tucked inside my pants). We did not need them to get off/on. My partner didn't give his back to me for safe keeping, he just put into his inside jacket pocket.  Turned out to be a pretty warm day walking around Victoria, so he slung his jacket over his shoulder.  Lo and behold...he lost his passport ( it fell out of the jacket pocket).  We didn't know until we got off in San Fransisco ( when we tried to find it for customs control).  Guest services on the ship gave us the number of someone in Customs that we had to speak to.  Luckily we always carry our CA Real ID, so it was not that big of a deal.  Reported lost passport when we got back home.  Received new passport in about 8 weeks

( expedited).  I will still take the passport off ship if directed, but now I will MAKE SURE I am the only keeper of the passports.

[Shmoo here]

On 12/4/2023 at 9:41 AM, Max and Ruby said:

Hi all,

It has been a while since I have gotten off the ship for more than a private island stop or walk around the port.  What do you choose to do?  Bring passport off the ship or just driver's license for the photo ID?  Right now, only have excursion through Royal in Nassau.

 

I know I can also bring a photocopy of Passport and leave original in cabin safe, but I want to hear your thoughts.

 

Thanks in advance!

 

 

We only take passports ashore if it's required to have them on us while there.

 

Otherwise, they stay onboard, in the safe.

 

Ship's card and photo ID works.

[LocoLoco1]

Nowadays, a FULLY charged smartphone with Photo of your Passport plus a paper copy is the way to go. (We’ve had to surrender our Passports to the ship on occasion, so going without seems reasonable. 

[Hlitner]

On 12/6/2023 at 8:53 AM, Dancer Bob said:

To develop further what many have said, especially Hlitner (and I completely agree), knowing the location of the nearest consulate is a factor in an informed decision, and applies to all travel, not just cruises.

If you don't know why, you need to do more research than can be covered in one post. I recall seeing a while ago about a port stop in Mexico “I'll just take a taxi to the Embassy”. On the Saving Money board, poutanen has summarised a thread by klrhgr about missing the boat in Nassau which ran to 27 pages, well worth reading.

Have to laugh about taking a “taxi to the embassy.”  For example, the nearest US Consulate to Puerto Vallarta is about 5 hours drive (one way).

[Dancer Bob]

An even bigger laugh- Embassies are to governments, you're going to Mexico City, CDMX. Consular sections/consulates handle emergency travel documents and repatriation of remains. Good luck finding their service hours and getting an appointment this week- best be very, very polite to the port agent.

[Mary229]

On 12/5/2023 at 3:40 AM, Honolulu Blue said:

My opinion is that unless there is a specific place I want to go that requires my passport in port, I'm not going to take it. And I don't bother with a passport copy because I have not and do not see a use for it.

The stories I could tell you😁.  I do carry a digital image and I also carry the phone number of the port agent.  

[ldubs]

6 hours ago, Hlitner said:

Have to laugh about taking a “taxi to the embassy.”  For example, the nearest US Consulate to Puerto Vallarta is about 5 hours drive (one way).

 

Did they close the consular agency office in Puerto Vallarta?    The list of office locations shows one there.  

Edited December 7, 2023 by ldubs

[Hlitner]

1 hour ago, ldubs said:

 

Did they close the consular agency office in Puerto Vallarta?    The list of office locations shows one there.  

There used to be one in Nuevo Vallarta, but I thought it was closed and business all handled out of Guadalajara.  But they do now show a consular agency.

[SPacificbound]

We carry drivers license and a copy of passport.

[ldubs]

4 hours ago, Hlitner said:

There used to be one in Nuevo Vallarta, but I thought it was closed and business all handled out of Guadalajara.  But they do now show a consular agency.

 

I didn't know.  I just got curious about offices in popular tourist areas so did a quick look.