Passports - Getting them stamped!

[elmo2wdw]

I made such a big deal about getting our passports that I really want to get them stamped in the Bahamas. BUT....I have read 2 different things - 1) leave them with guest services and they will get them stamped AND 2) take them with you and get them stamped at the port.

Can someone who was recently cruising and got their passport stamped at the Bahamas provide me with some guidance??

Thank you so much!

 

[lbgraves]

Goodluck getting them stamped. We have empty books from the EB PC cruise last year even though Colombia required a passport to go there. We were not happy that none of the custom officials would take the time to stamp any of them.

 

[SoccrMom]

We were prompted by guest services to take them off the ship with us and get them stamped at the port. We did it in Nassau, but did not bother at St. Maarten. It wasn't that hard to do, but we asked the people at the port and we ended up being shown to a little room way off to the back to get it done. I don't think that they get that many requests.

 

[Carlnne]

I hear you! I went thru the time and expense to get that thing- I want my stamps!! It reminds me of the passport you buy and take around the world showcase. Im gonna feel like a loser if my book goes unstamped for ten years. Too bad Disney cant give us a "cruise stamp."

 

[Waltworshiper]

I hear you! I went thru the time and expense to get that thing- I want my stamps!! It reminds me of the passport you buy and take around the world showcase. Im gonna feel like a loser if my book goes unstamped for ten years. Too bad Disney cant give us a "cruise stamp."

I feel the same way! This is going to be our third cruise since we got our passports last year, and not one stamp to show for all our travel

 

[Eeyore'sthebest]

I've got the best stamps in my OLD passport from East Germany. Aahhh, the good old days of communism. Just kidding - before any one flames me, I was just kidding. But seriously, I got a boat load of stamps from East Germany. It was like everyone wanted to stamp them on my train ride to West Berlin.

The new passports are pristine. DH asked the US customs guy if he could get a stamp. The gave him a look which made me smirk and just responded with "You are coming back into your own country. Why would I stamp it?" Poor DH. It's his first passport and he really wants a stamp.

 

[nmtltd]

We left ours at the desk on the ship two years ago on the Western and we got them back unstamped. This year on the Eastern we upgraded to a Suite and gave them to the Concierge. Got them all back stamped for every port.

 

[Marla Hellwig]

At Grand Cayman, we just walked over to the building where the gentleman was happy to stamp ours.

We left ours at GS the day before Cozumel and asked nicely if they could get them stamped. When we picked them up later on, they said they didn't have time to stamp, but when we were checking in at Orlando airport, we noticed they had gotten stamped.

I also walked over the building in Nassau and the gentleman happily stamped it

 

[IrenicMom]

I've got the best stamps in my OLD passport from East Germany. Aahhh, the good old days of communism. Just kidding - before any one flames me, I was just kidding. But seriously, I got a boat load of stamps from East Germany. It was like everyone wanted to stamp them on my train ride to West Berlin.

The new passports are pristine. DH asked the US customs guy if he could get a stamp. The gave him a look which made me smirk and just responded with "You are coming back into your own country. Why would I stamp it?" Poor DH. It's his first passport and he really wants a stamp.

A little after the fall of communism, but I also have some awesome stamps from Eastern Europe from about 10 years ago in my old passport.

As far as US Stamps - I've actually been stamped every time I've re-entered the US (with the exception of the cruise). So, I'm more surprised they DIDN'T stamp.

I'm addicted - I love my passport stamps! I covet Visas, too (though seriously? They're a PITA to get....)

I mentioned it in Nassau, but didn't have time to pursue it as I was with a group for my excursion on the way off the boat and trying not to drown from the rain on the way back.

 

[disney1990]

I've never travelled out of the country as an adult except to Canada. So when I got my passport, I made sure to take it off the ship in Nassau to get it stamped. You walk off the ship just like everybody else, except don't turn right to go into the large shopping area. Tell the guard in the little building at the turn that you want to get your passport stamped. He will direct you to a small building on the left side when you will be directed to the room at the end of a hallway -- and there you will get your STAMP.

 

[iloverags2]

You can get your passports stamped once you are off the ship in Nassau. Everyone has to walk through a small building (with a "market" of sorts set-up inside). Go to the door furthest to your left as you walk out. To the left of the building, behind a fence is the immigration building (there are guards standing on the other side of the fence). Just let the guards know you would like to go inside and have your passports stamped. They will let you through. It took me awhile to find someone in the building, but if you go to your right when you enter the building their are a row of offices. A gentleman in the furthest office stamped my passport for me last year.

It all feels a bit odd, what with the fenced in area (which is new in recent years) and the guards, but everyone I came in contact with was quite pleasant. Oh, and I was alone, so that could be why it all felt so odd!

 

[trimix]

Sorry to hijack the thread; I will be on a Western later this month. Is it possible to get a Bahamas stamp at Castaway Cay?

 

[gismo1554]

Sorry to hijack the thread; I will be on a Western later this month. Is it possible to get a Bahamas stamp at Castaway Cay?

Castaway Cay doesn't have customs and isn't the real name of the island so any stamp put in your passport there could be seen as defacement of a government document so I'm guessing no.

 

[trimix]

Castaway Cay doesn't have customs and isn't the real name of the island so any stamp put in your passport there could be seen as defacement of a government document so I'm guessing no.

Then again, I would expect some official process by the government of the Bahamas to allow people into their country. If an immigration official visits the ship to review documentation, he or she may be able to stamp passports while there.

I am curious - at what ports have you had to deal with customs? I know a lot of veteran cruisers who have told me they have NEVER dealt with customs in the Caribbean - they get off the tender or walk to the end of the dock and step on foreign soil often without even seeing customs or immigration staff.

 

[poohj80]

Sorry, just found my answer above and couldn't figure out how to delete post.

 

[disneylove69]

I've got the best stamps in my OLD passport from East Germany. Aahhh, the good old days of communism. Just kidding - before any one flames me, I was just kidding. But seriously, I got a boat load of stamps from East Germany. It was like everyone wanted to stamp them on my train ride to West Berlin.

The new passports are pristine. DH asked the US customs guy if he could get a stamp. The gave him a look which made me smirk and just responded with "You are coming back into your own country. Why would I stamp it?" Poor DH. It's his first passport and he really wants a stamp.

How sad. I am picturing his disappointed face. Wish I could get him a stamp.

 

[disneylove69]

Then again, I would expect some official process by the government of the Bahamas to allow people into their country. If an immigration official visits the ship to review documentation, he or she may be able to stamp passports while there.

I am curious - at what ports have you had to deal with customs? I know a lot of veteran cruisers who have told me they have NEVER dealt with customs in the Caribbean - they get off the tender or walk to the end of the dock and step on foreign soil often without even seeing customs or immigration staff.

When I took a cruise passports had to be turned into guest services and were stamped in Scotland and were not returned until we left the two ports. Nice surprise when we got them back. They were stamped. They had customs aboard who had to stamp all 2400 multiple times. (coming and going)

 

[Davids-Coco]

We left ours at the desk on the ship two years ago on the Western and we got them back unstamped. This year on the Eastern we upgraded to a Suite and gave them to the Concierge. Got them all back stamped for every port.

So you need to travel in a suite to get them? lol. I guess this means our children will get them - a big deal for me - since we did splurge for a suite.

 

[elmo2wdw]

Thank you for your help!