Western Carribean and Passports

[LC30]

Hello. When we get off the cruise at ports, do we have to bring our passports with us? Also do they stamp our passports? Thank you!

 

[Stitch'sCousin]

If you are 18 or older, you just need some form of photo ID (e.g., driver's license) in addition to your DCL room key. We always left our passports onboard as we didn't want to worry about losing them, so I don't know if you can get them stamped.

 

[apathetic]

No and no. You don't need to carry your passports unless that is your only form of picture ID. I usually just carried my license since it is smaller. They do not stamp your passport because you really don't pass through immigration. They just scan your key card.

 

[adamki]

You don't say what cruise you are on. A few ports do require a passport; St Petersburg, Russia is the only one that comes to mind. But that is unusual, Caribbean/Bahamian ports are as described above.

Also do they stamp our passports?

If you want a passport stamp, there is usually an office you can go and get that done. I think there was a thread somewhere describing where to go at the various caribbean ports.

We stopped at the Customs building in Nassau to get my son's passport stamped; just because he wanted a stamp.

 

[MickeyD]

If you want a passport stamp, there is usually an office you can go and get that done. I think there was a thread somewhere describing where to go at the various caribbean ports.

I thought I heard that Caribbean ports were no longer doing this? St Thomas is the one that sticks out in my mind, but that is US territory anyway. Will be curious to hear if the other ports still do this.

 

[Carrie in AZ]

We took ours with us because we did not want to be in another country without our passports. I'm the type of person who plays out every horrible scenario in my mind....just wanted to be safe rather than sorry. Everyone has their own level of comfort.

 

[Whimsical1995]

I was just going to say what if you missed the ship and needed them to fly home or to the next port?

 

[adamki]

I thought I heard that Caribbean ports were no longer doing this? St Thomas is the one that sticks out in my mind, but that is US territory anyway. Will be curious to hear if the other ports still do this.

I know it can be done at Nassau (as of January 2016, at least). According to this article, the US ICE offices at St. Thomas and San Juan don't provide stamps for tourists. But other non-US ports still do.

 

[Meriweather]

I always carry mine with me.....you never know.
We got a passport stamp in Costa Maya last June.....I believe at Diamonds Inter. A man was sitting there giving out the free charms and he had the passport stamp too.

 

[adamki]

Here's another article with instructions for additional ports.

 

[PrincessShmoo]

I always carry mine with me.....you never know.
We got a passport stamp in Costa Maya last June.....I believe at Diamonds Inter. A man was sitting there giving out the free charms and he had the passport stamp too.

I doubt that someone handing out charms at Diamonds Intl, has an official passport stamp. Probably just a souvenir one.

 

[Bear3412]

St Thomas will not stamp US PP

Cozumel will. Closest is the post office, one block north of the pier entrance, on main road, east side, metal colored roof(green or blue? ? ? , can be seen from docked ship on upper decks) Depending on who's behind the counter they may have different stamps. Tip is always helpful if taking a while to decide on stamp. Max cruise pax in line ever seen; 3. Fast and easy for us always. 100% success.

Grand Cayman. Often during business hours, weekdays, within the small secured fenced port area, on the south side, on right as you enter, is the immigration office, if open, has odd hours.
We have never been able to get stamps there though, because we are always rushing to excursion/beach/etc, therefore never tried in the am.
However the first two story building south of the fenced port is the alternate location, second floor. It's the third or fourth structure, like 500 feet max. Never have had a wait. Go inside, bank right to stairs, second floor on left. This is where we stop on the way back to port/ship for our stamps. 100% success.

Falmouth. No stamps available in secure port area. No idea if outside port. I keep telling them they should set up a both and charge for them. They are losing a potential revenue stream. lol
This info from fall 2014. 0 % success.

Castaway. DCL will no longer touches PPs at CC. If you go the guest services and ask about PP stamps early, prior to docking, they may inform the custom officer, who may or may not be willing to stamp passports. Sometimes they don't bring the stamp. Sometimes the official refuses. You have to wait at guest service with all the PP you want stamped. One person can wait with "your cabin's/family's PP. If CM's can convince the official to stamp PP and they have the stamp, they will come up and stamp them in front of you. We have been 50% successful getting stamps at CC when we have docked and woken up early enough. Pax waiting has varied; 2 -10, of course with more PPs than that to stamp. 50% success.

HTH

 

[Bear3412]

I doubt that someone handing out charms at Diamonds Intl, has an official passport stamp. Probably just a souvenir one.

Agreed.

 

[Dug720]

I doubt that someone handing out charms at Diamonds Intl, has an official passport stamp. Probably just a souvenir one.

And is it even legal for a non-customs official to stamp a passport??? I would not let anyone who is not an official stamp my passport for fear of invalidating it. ESPECIALLY someone sitting handing out charms at a tourist jewelry shop.

 

[Bear3412]

deleted

 

[PrincessShmoo]

Agreed.
Where did that post come from. Can you delete whole posts now, without saying deleted or something.

Do you mean the post I quoted, about the passport stamp?
It's posted two posts above mine.

And is it even legal for a non-customs official to stamp a passport??? I would not let anyone who is not an official stamp my passport for fear of invalidating it. ESPECIALLY someone sitting handing out charms at a tourist jewelry shop.

Legally, only official stamps may be put in passports. That said, what stamps are "legal" and what are not have, in my experience, been up for variation. I have an unoffical "Alaska" stamp in my passport, but they stamped it all the way at the back of my pages and it's not immediately seen when looking though those pages at the stamps I have.

 

[Bear3412]

Do you mean the post I quoted, about the passport stamp?
It's posted two posts above mine.

Yeah, senior moment.

I tried to delete but you too fast.

Thanks

 

[PrincessShmoo]

Yeah, senior moment.

I tried to delete but you too fast.

Thanks

No problem.

 

[bumbershoot]

If you want a passport stamp, there is usually an office you can go and get that done. I think there was a thread somewhere describing where to go at the various caribbean ports.

Yep!

I have done the Nassau and Grand Cayman stops. Nassau is a bit intimidating, given the 20 year old soldier with the very very large gun you have to pass by (some might not find that intimidating but I do), but it's simple once you've done it.

Of course San Juan and St Thomas aren't going to do it for US citizens.

I was just going to say what if you missed the ship and needed them to fly home or to the next port?

One hopes you've brought the number for the ship contact with you, have been in touch with them, and they've been able to get at least your passport out of your safe and to an office on land.

I carry passport with me to all ports except Castaway and Coco. I'm fairly certain the ships are NOT going to leave me behind on "their" islands. No matter how much I might want them to!

 

[LC30]

We were able to get Bahamas stamp many years ago and also had DCL stamp passports for us in the different ports. But know their policy is different now. Also, was wondering if we should carry our passports off the ship for non-US ports. Thank you all. This is helpful!!