Passport @ Port-- Poll

[HueyDeweyLouie]

All "BC/ID vs. Passport" debates put aside...

Lets get a poll going for those exercising their choice to travel with a passport. Which do you do:

1. Take passport out to port
2. Or leave passport in stateroom safe

I've read reports that DCL themselves will check your stateroom for your passports & leave it with the port officer (if you miss the ship). On the other hand for the uptight, you may want your PP with you at all times for emergency/peace of mind. Whatever the case is, I wanted to see what people did with their passport while out of the ship.

 

[MikeAndNick]

I just feel a lot better with the passport with me. In my mind my drivers license does not mean anything out of the US but my passport is identification all over the world. I do not know if that is correct but that is how I feel.

 

[SleepyDeb]

Left ours in the cabin safe. We thought the chances of losing it or having it stolen were greater than needed it. We have had two experiences, once in England our passports were stolen. Once in Paris I found a teenage girl with her had in my purse. I think she was looking for my wallet, but she could have taken my passport in the process. So, my thoughts re bad stuff always go to passport being stolen.

 

[danfromca]

Left ours in the cabin safe. We thought the chances of losing it or having it stolen were greater than needed it. We have had two experiences, once in England our passports were stolen. Once in Paris I found a teenage girl with her had in my purse. I think she was looking for my wallet, but she could have taken my passport in the process. So, my thoughts re bad stuff always go to passport being stolen.

This is my view as well. Generally speaking, the chances of having a passport stolen are greater than the chance of me needing it.

 

[Lobofan5]

I made photocopies of ours and had them with us..just in case.

I didn't want them to be lost/stolen.

 

[ASJMom]

I'd leave them in the room safe. I agree with one of the PP; copy and bring that along. It just another thing you don't have to worry about.

Sent from my iPad using DISBoards

 

[ludari]

I usually keep a copy of my passport on me and my orginal is locked away in the safe. I also keep one of those passport ID which is only good in certain countries but I just look at it as another form of ID.

 

[OrangeCountyCommuter]

It depends on the port, but if I take it I strap it to my body using my money belt. That way if I "find someone's hand in my bag" I am not worried. Actually if they take my wallet they have very limited funds and MAYBE one credit card.

 

[MrsScooby]

It depends on the port, but if I take it I strap it to my body using my money belt. That way if I "find someone's hand in my bag" I am not worried. Actually if they take my wallet they have very limited funds and MAYBE one credit card.

Same here.
If I am doing a port on my own and traveling a distance from the port (making missing the ship a risk) then I feel better if I have the passports with me. But also strapped to my body, under my clothes so don't have to worry about someone running off with it if they grab my bag.

If I am staying close to the port area, or on a DCL excursion, then I am more inclined to leave the passports on the ship...

That's what works for my comfort level...to each their own.

 

[mbrocker]

Wait, people leave them in their cabin? But unless you are POSITIVE the cruise line will thouroughly search your cabin for your passport before leaving you in a foreign port...what is the benefit of having a passport?

 

[jrbdad]

Wait, people leave them in their cabin? But unless you are POSITIVE the cruise line will thouroughly search your cabin for your passport before leaving you in a foreign port...what is the benefit of having a passport?

Wondering the same thing. We just ordered our passports. We never used them for our previous 3 & 5 night cruises, but doing 7 this summer and feel better having them. Of course, we tend to book our excursions outside of DCL.

 

[disneyfaninaz]

Wait, people leave them in their cabin? But unless you are POSITIVE the cruise line will thouroughly search your cabin for your passport before leaving you in a foreign port...what is the benefit of having a passport?

Absolutely none! If I am in a foreign port, my passport is on my person. I am not going to trust somebody else to leave it for me at the port. Your passport doesn't help when it is not with you.

When we cruised up the Pacific Coast, I kept my passport in my safe, as I had my driver's license with me and we were in the US. We were only off of the ship for 10 minutes in Mexico and never left the dock.

 

[disney1990]

Nassau and St. Marten we took our passports so that we could get them stamped by customs.

 

[OrangeCountyCommuter]

I didn't take mine in Nassau. I knew I could get back to the ship before it left LOL!

I will be taking it to the ports in Europe since I am not doing the DCL excursions. I am not really worried about missing the boat, but I will feel more secure with it.

 

[wiigirl]

I usually keep a copy of my passport on me and my orginal is locked away in the safe. I also keep one of those passport ID which is only good in certain countries but I just look at it as another form of ID.

I do that too...I am paranoid about losing my passport.

 

[neg58]

Nassau and St. Marten we took our passports so that we could get them stamped by customs.

Exactly. What's the fun if you don't get the stamp?

Some countries require foreigners have their passports with them (not countries on DCL cruises). If it is 'safe' to carry your passport around Russia and China, it is safe to have it in St. Maarten.

Nancy

 

[Anal Annie]

When we cruised the Med in 2011 DCL sent a memo around saying NOT to take our passports off the ship. We took color photocopies with us instead and left them locked up in our safe. It was also posted on the website under the European cruise information.

 

[peachygreen]

It would depend on the port.

Our last cruise was to St. Thomas (USVI), San Juan (US territory) and Castaway Cay. I left the passports in the safe. IF something happened I could get home with my drivers license.

Our 2nd cruise was to Canada and I had them with me. That was a much easier port to deal with because I wasn't swimming on the beach were I wouldn't want to leave them potentially unattended. They were on my person at all times.

Our first cruise was to St. Maarten and to St. Thomas. I carried them to St. Maarten (especially since I was renting a car) and left them in the safe at St. Thomas. We didn't get to stop at CC.

Our next cruise it to Alaska. I'll have to carry them at Skagway as we will be crossing the boarder from the US to Canada. Otherwise I will probably leave them on board since I will be in the US.

I have a purse that is designed to protect my passports and other things(RIFD safe, slash safe, the straps can't be easily cut and I can lock the zippers, but I still don't like to carry them around if I don't need them.

 

[calismic]

I carried mine with me in Nassau and felt totally comfortable. My purse is also Fort Knox. You'd have to take me out to get in it. =P Not to say that would never happen but I felt quite safe.

 

[pjacobi]

I've always followed this advice and never had a problem:

http://www.ricksteves.com/plan/tips/moneybelt.htm


-Paul