Passports, KTTW cards, departure taxes and Tortola

[FigmentSpark]

I know most of you all here are US citizens, so I'm not sure if you can help me.

• 1 - On the Canadian government website, it says, "Canadians must present a passport to visit the British Virgin islands, which must be valid for at least six months beyond the date of expected departure from that country."

Does this mean I should plan to take my passport off the ship, even though many of the recommendations here have been to leave passports on the ship (albeit, probably for US citizens)? Are there any Canadians here that have done excursions in Tortola and can give advice?​

• 2 - Also, I assume all passengers must have a KTTW card to get on the ship again, so no bringing just one for the door and the rest of the family tagging along?

• 3 - Finally, another note on that Canadian government site said, "A departure tax is charged (payable in cash only) when leaving by air or by sea, including to cruise-ship passengers."

Does the ship take care of this in "port taxes" or are we required to pay these upon returning to the ship (and so much have cash for them)?​

 

[PrincessShmoo]

I know most of you all here are US citizens, so I'm not sure if you can help me.

• 1 - On the Canadian government website, it says, "Canadians must present a passport to visit the British Virgin islands, which must be valid for at least six months beyond the date of expected departure from that country."

Does this mean I should plan to take my passport off the ship, even though many of the recommendations here have been to leave passports on the ship (albeit, probably for US citizens)? Are there any Canadians here that have done excursions in Tortola and can give advice?​

• 2 - Also, I assume all passengers must have a KTTW card to get on the ship again, so no bringing just one for the door and the rest of the family tagging along?

• 3 - Finally, another note on that Canadian government site said, "A departure tax is charged (payable in cash only) when leaving by air or by sea, including to cruise-ship passengers."

Does the ship take care of this in "port taxes" or are we required to pay these upon returning to the ship (and so much have cash for them)?​

Well, the only one I can answer is #2 - each person needs to have his/her KTTW card to exit the ship and to reboard the ship.

 

[Shanti]

I know most of you all here are US citizens, so I'm not sure if you can help me.

• 1 - On the Canadian government website, it says, "Canadians must present a passport to visit the British Virgin islands, which must be valid for at least six months beyond the date of expected departure from that country."

Does this mean I should plan to take my passport off the ship, even though many of the recommendations here have been to leave passports on the ship (albeit, probably for US citizens)? Are there any Canadians here that have done excursions in Tortola and can give advice?​

• 2 - Also, I assume all passengers must have a KTTW card to get on the ship again, so no bringing just one for the door and the rest of the family tagging along?

• 3 - Finally, another note on that Canadian government site said, "A departure tax is charged (payable in cash only) when leaving by air or by sea, including to cruise-ship passengers."

Does the ship take care of this in "port taxes" or are we required to pay these upon returning to the ship (and so much have cash for them)?​

2: Yes, I had to bring the KTTW cards for my son & me.

3: DCL covered our port charges- we paid nothing for that during our trip.

 

[Sytrace]

Your KTTWC is encoded with your passport information which is what DCL requires you to have to leave and get back on the ship along with ID for adults. When you check in at the DCL terminal on embarkation day, they will verify your passport information and key the information into the system to be transferred to your KTTWC.

When you booked and paid for your cruise, it included port charges and taxes based on your Canadian residency. There is nothing additional to pay as it was included in your fare.

 

[FigmentSpark]

Is that passport information available to customs? Will they be able to read it off my KTTW?

 

[Sytrace]

All they do at the ports of call is to look at your KTTWC and ID to verify that you belong on the ship.
However, when you get back to the US, you will need the passport and ID to clear customs at Port Canaveral. The KTTWC becomes inactive once you scan out that last time before entering the terminal at baggage area pickup.

 

[lanejudy]

The Navigator will indicate if passports are required to debark/embark in ports. Just pay attention to the info provided. All passengers age 16+ will need official government-issued photo ID, so that may be your passport even if the passport itself is not required.

To my knowledge DCL handles payment of all port taxes.

Yes, each passenger must have their ship-issued KTTW card in ports for access back to the dock/ship. While it may have your passport info coded, Customs officials in port do not have readers to see that info. Your KTTW is printed with basic info identifying you as a DCL passenger, and coupled with your official photo ID is what Customs needs to see.

Enjoy your cruise!

 

[wombat_5606]

On the Canadian government website, it says, "Canadians must present a passport to visit the British Virgin islands, which must be valid for at least six months beyond the date of expected departure from that country."

I'm not Canadian, so I hope some posters will appear to answer your questions. Alternatively, if you have used a travel agent, they should provide the information you need.

But, I think I may have somewhat of an answer for you. When the ship reaches Tortola, the agents from Tortola will come aboard and they will meet with Disney officials and check that the documentation is correct for all of the passengers onboard the ship. You will then hear the announcement that the ship has been cleared, once that process is done.

When you disembark on your excursion, you will take your KTTW card for each member in your party. Additionally, and there will be posters that say it is not necessary, you could take a copy of your passport. The copy of your passport is only in case something unusual happens. But, I do strongly suggest you not take your actual passport.

To get back onboard the ship, you will only need to show your KTTW card.

Usually Disney will let you know what you need to take off the ship with you. Read your Navigator.

 

[Marc D]

But, I think I may have somewhat of an answer for you. When the ship reaches Tortola, the agents from Tortola will come aboard and they will meet with Disney officials and check that the documentation is correct for all of the passengers onboard the ship. You will then hear the announcement that the ship has been cleared, once that process is done.

To get back onboard the ship, you will only need to show your KTTW card.

Indeed, when the ship docks, immigration officials are given the ship's manifest with all passenger and crew passport information. When they clear the ship, it means they have reviewed the list and allow the people onboard to disembark for the day. On some itineraries, some passengers are required to leave their passports with guests services so they can be reviewed manually (ex. : Israeli passports in Morocco).

In most ports, only adults need to have a photoID with them to embark again. The local port security will compare them to the names on the KTTW cards before allowing you back in port or near the ships. You only need the KTTW to get back on the ship itself.

 

[FigmentSpark]

I did ask my travel agent and she said much the same thing. But she added that the ship provides the passport info to customs, which is why we don't have to carry passports. She did mention that for safety we should have some kind of id, though. I don't know what that id would be, though. Driver's licenses for DH and I, but what about the kids?

And what about insurance info, in case of emergency on an excursion?

Do KTTW cards have our pics on them or only associated with the number in the DCL computer?

 

[Marc D]

She did mention that for safety we should have some kind of id, though. I don't know what that id would be, though. Driver's licenses for DH and I, but what about the kids?

Do KTTW cards have our pics on them or only associated with the number in the DCL computer?

The IDs are required for the adults to get back in port, not just for safety when ashore. Driver's licence are perfectly fine. For the kids, a copy of the picture page of their passport is all that's needed.

The KTTW do not have pictures, only your name and additional infos related to dining, castaway club and muster station.

 

[wombat_5606]

I did ask my travel agent and she said much the same thing. But she added that the ship provides the passport info to customs, which is why we don't have to carry passports. She did mention that for safety we should have some kind of id, though. I don't know what that id would be, though. Driver's licenses for DH and I, but what about the kids?

And what about insurance info, in case of emergency on an excursion?

Do KTTW cards have our pics on them or only associated with the number in the DCL computer?

Driver's licenses will be fine. But the reason I mentioned a copy of your passport, is because of an emergency. I always take a credit card for this reason, also. Unless your insurance is primary coverage, you are going to have to pay for any treatment upfront.

KTTW cards do not have pics on them that you can see. When they are scanned by the Disney officials, your picture appears to them.

 

[kiford]

Typically you are asked to take your KTTW card and photo ID for all passengers over 18. For us, this is usually our driver's license. Everyone must have their KTTW card - you cannot disembark the ship without it. They will scan them when you get off and when you get on. This is how they know who is on board and who is not.

You only need to take your passport if you are told to. This will be in the Navigator and they will announce it if it's necessary. I would expect that you won't need to for the BVI. On the Baltic cruise we had to take them everywhere. On the Med cruises we only needed to take them off in Athens (Piraeus) and we had to turn them in after Turkey and pick them up the next day because we were going Greece-Turkey-Greece (Athens/Piraeus-Kusadasi-Mykonos) which apparently requires customs and immigration to physically check them. I was hoping that would mean we'd get stamps but apparently they only do a random check of passports. We've never had to have them or hand them in on any Caribbean or Bahamian cruise.

If you have travel medical insurance you should have got a card that you can carry with you. I also carry my OHIP card with me just in case as well as corporate health insurance card. Also take the Navigator with you - it will have the information for the port authority in case you need it. You'll pretty much get all of the information and instructions you need ad naseum in several ways before you dock.

 

[Sytrace]

I did ask my travel agent and she said much the same thing. But she added that the ship provides the passport info to customs, which is why we don't have to carry passports. She did mention that for safety we should have some kind of id, though. I don't know what that id would be, though. Driver's licenses for DH and I, but what about the kids?

And what about insurance info, in case of emergency on an excursion?

Do KTTW cards have our pics on them or only associated with the number in the DCL computer?

The KTTWC have your picture encoded on them that will show up everytime you leave and get back on the ship. They will only show on the DCL system though and not for customs.
You will need Drivers licenses for you and husband as well as KTTWC and the kids will need their KTTWC only.
When you fill out your online information, there is an emergency contact information section for whoever you want to be contacted back home in case of an emergency.
Bring your insurance card if you have one for any medical issues that might arise on an excursion.

 

[Marc D]

The KTTWC have your picture encoded on them that will show up everytime you leave and get back on the ship.

Technically, much like your prints and the Magic Band at WDW, your picture is not actually on the card. The KTTW only brings up the picture from the ship's database on the security computer or at the kid's club.

 

[bumbershoot]

I personally take passports off with us because I want it with me in case something happens. I personally wouldn't bother with an insurance card because my US insurance isn't going to work on a Caribbean island. I do take a CC with us.

Generally all DCL will tell you to bring off is some sort of govt ID with your picture, and the KTTW. And that's for adults (the ID).

Canadians have access to different sorts of travel insurance than US citizens do (and some states allow access to insurance products that living in WA doesn't allow me), so if you have some sort of travel medical insurance card that might be of use, take that off with you.