passport question

dawson21 · May 23, 2007

i have heard differing opinions on whether to take your passport while on shore. what do you think...do i take it or a photo copy of it? or is there another way to do this? i would hate to get stranded in san juan, st. thomas, or totola....sort of anyway.....having never been to any of them, i might find it's better than coming home... :biggrin:

Peddler · May 23, 2007

We always carry ours and leave a copy in the safe onboard...that's just us.

Ol39Capt · May 23, 2007

which would be better...carry the copy or the orginial? I am aware that in some countries there is pick-pocket problems...and what really gets me is that children are involved...

JohnG · May 24, 2007

Most people take the copy with them ashore, not the original. The purpose is that if you were left behind, you could contact the US consulate and show the copy to help get a passport for your return to the US. That is the Caribbean.

In Europe the ship holds your passport so all you have is a copy. If you are checking in to a hotel in Europe you must show your passport, many holding it overnight.

cruisetarp · May 24, 2007

We always take a copy and leave the original in our cabin in the safe. Should we need it we have all the information necessary in the front page which we have laminated.

hazelson · May 25, 2007

I agree - carry the copy - easier to replace if necessary lol.

CanadianCruiser · May 25, 2007

I take the copy along with me, and leave the original in the safe. I also take the emergency ship telephone number provided on the front of the caper

PJnVA · May 28, 2007

I use to carry my original then my sister pointed out that if it were lost or stolen it could be a problem. Now I just carry a copy and leave the original in the safe. Do forget a photo ID too. In one port my sister forgot her ID. The gate guard was very nice about it. He asked how we knew each other and like we always seem to do we replied at the same time "we are sister". So he looked at my ID and asked my sister when my birth date was. Of course she got it right :tongue:

dawson21 · May 30, 2007

when taking the copy....should it be in color or is black and white ok? maybe this is silly to even ask but don't want any problems on our first ever Eastern Caribbean cruise. i know i worry too much. hopefully that will change after getting some experience at cruising. thanks for all your help!

PJnVA · May 30, 2007

Mine is in color but I am sure B&W would be fine. The main purpose is to have all the info that is on the passport info page. I just made my copy on my flatbed scanner.