Boarding/citizenship requirements

[MAFreeze]

First time cruiser here--I've seen conflicting information even though it seems this should be rather straightforward and widely known: must I carry my U.S. passport in the Bahamas (port adventure: Blue Lagoon/dolphin encounter)? I assumed we'd need them and that there will be lockers (or the like) to stow personal affects once in the water with the dolphins, but also see those advocating to lock passports up in stateroom safes at all times until disembarkation.

Basically, our planned stops are Nassau and Castaway Cay: What should we be taking with us when stepping off the ship re: citizenship docs (would gladly accept general tips for those days in port as well!)?

Thanks.

 

[MomOTwins]

First time cruiser here--I've seen conflicting information even though it seems this should be rather straightforward and widely known: must I carry my U.S. passport in the Bahamas (port adventure: Blue Lagoon/dolphin encounter)? I assumed we'd need them and that there will be lockers (or the like) to stow personal affects once in the water with the dolphins, but also see those advocating to lock passports up in stateroom safes at all times until disembarkation.

Basically, our planned stops are Nassau and Castaway Cay: What should we be taking with us when stepping off the ship re: citizenship docs (would gladly accept general tips for those days in port as well!)?

Thanks.

When going onshore in Nassau, all guests must have stateroom key card and all age 18 and up must have a government-issued photo ID (driver’s license is fine; passport not required).

 

[HeatherLassell]

When going onshore in Nassau, all guests must have stateroom key card and all age 18 and up must have a government-issued photo ID (driver’s license is fine; passport not required).

Exactly this. Lock your passports up safely in your room safe.

 

[MAFreeze]

Thank you!

 

[Mommb]

If it is required to show a passport when reboarding the ship at a port or required while you are in the port, that will be noted in the Daily Navigator and announced on the ship (after nightly shows and through shipwide announcements when announcing docking). If you are going on a DCL excursion for which passports are required, that will be emphasized when you meet to check in for the excursion.

Most Caribbean ports do not require passports, but some European ports do, as do Alaskan excursions that go to into Canada.

Whether it is a good idea to carry a passport when it is not required is a separate discussion, but Disney Cruise will let you know if it is strictly required. As mentioned, it is not required in the Bahamas.

 

[EveV]

I would like to add that if you are on a Disney excursion or any other cruise line excursion, bringing your US issued ID like a license is fine. Though, I'd always bring my passport card-- just in case. Makes things easier if something happens and you need to fly home. The carrier agreement (on your cruise contract that everyone signs to get on the ship) outlines the carrier's responsibility if people can't get back onto the boat for a reason out of the customer's control (the cruise line issued excursion boat or van breaks down, inclement weather, etc).

However, if you decide to take an excursion that is not provided by your cruise line and you don't have your passport and things go wrong, so that you can't make your ship's departure time-- you will need to go to the US Embassy and get a temporary travel visa in order to board the flight to go home. In Nassau, custom's for the US are in the airport in Nassau. These are some of the things I weigh when considering when to book an excursion through the cruise line and when to go rouge.

 

[Kennywood]

When we got our passports, we also chose to get passport cards. They're easy to keep in a wallet.

 

[HeatherLassell]

When we got our passports, we also chose to get passport cards. They're easy to keep in a wallet.

See I have no idea what a passport card is. I don't think we have those in Canada. Just the booklets.

 

[Ralph&Pam]

When we got our passports, we also chose to get passport cards. They're easy to keep in a wallet.

We also have passport cards along with the passport booklet. Do note that the passport card is NOT accepted for flights back to the US, but it is an acceptable form of government-issued photo ID.

 

[PrincessShmoo]

I'd always bring my passport card-- just in case. Makes things easier if something happens and you need to fly home.

Except that a passport card is not valid for flying.

 

[Kwami]

Except that a passport card is not valid for flying.

Yeah, I don't really get the point of passport cards unless you're regularly crossing the US/Canada or US/Mexico borders by land or sea. And even then, better to get one of the specific IDs for that.

 

[EveV]

Except that a passport card is not valid for flying.

That's true-- that's why I bring my passport, not the card if I do a rouge excursion.

 

[EveV]

Yeah, I don't really get the point of passport cards unless you're regularly crossing the US/Canada or US/Mexico borders by land or sea. And even then, better to get one of the specific IDs for that.

There are some benefits-- but overall, it's better as a back up for me. If I know I'm heading out on a friends boat, I can always take that too. It's scuba-friendly too

 

[Geomom]

Yeah, I don't really get the point of passport cards unless you're regularly crossing the US/Canada or US/Mexico borders by land or sea. And even then, better to get one of the specific IDs for that.

We got both a passport card and book for DD17 last year when she needed to get an adult passport. She can use the card as an ID to fly within the US (when she turns 18 next month and requires ID) and has used it as an ID when taking the SATs. I wish we had done both for my oldest's first passport...she didn't get her license until she was 19 and had to bring her passport book everywhere she needed to show ID... because I refused to pay for a state ID when she already had her learner's permit.