When you go on shore what do you do with your passport while you swim?

Question

I'm planning my first cruise and the website says to take your passport with you but if you plan to swim, you have to do something with the passport so it doesn't get ruined in the water. What does everyone else do?

Answer 1

Every cruise we have been on, the ship keeps your passport for you and you use your seapass.

Mexico requires picture ID. Bring your driver's licence.

I have never met anyone that had a cruise that had to take their passport when disembarking. They keep it for you very safely.

While the ship is in port a customs official will come on board and may or may not look at some of the passports.

The ship wants you to bring a valid passport because that is the best ID you can bring and it is because of the new immigration laws, but they will keep it for you when you go ashore.

Have fun!

Answer 2

if its a cruise you hide it in your room. You dont want to risk taking ur passport in the water and it dropping to the bottom of the sea

Answer 3

It would be nice to know where you are taking the cruise. But without knowing, most likely you don't have to take your Passport with you off the ship during shore excursions because you're not leaving or entering a country, you're just going to be leaving and entering a port. In that instance, port security (in 90% of the ports) just need to see your ship pass card and a photo ID (ie. drivers license) to get back into the port.

Do NOT take your Passport with you on shore if you don't absolutely need it. The cards that you will and most likely will want with you on shore, ship card, drivers license, credit cards (for shopping), are all waterproof and so keep them in your pocket (security hint: front pocket so less likely/much harder to be pick-pocketed, guys - leave "wallet" in cabin room safe, girls - leave "purses or pocketbooks" in cabin safe too...your Sears, Home Depot, picture of your kids, lip stick, etc. do you no good to have with you so you don't need to take your big bag with you to pronounce to pick pockets that you have all those!)

The cruise lines in saying take your Passport with you is refering to coming back into the US (or into the US Virgin Islands). Immigration officials come onto the ship and check them. After they run you through the line, go back to your cabin and put them into your cabin safe.

Also, depending on where you are going to swim, if you are on a shore excursion, if you are going on a shore excursion beach by boat, etc. would depend on if you need to keep all the cards on you. If going on a shore excursion where you get off a boat and swim around at a beach, the boat will usually have a place to keep them or the crew of the boat will watch them. Just depends on where you are going swimming. Some places, shore excursions are safer than others from looting.

By the way, not a crazy question being a first time cruiser as it does seem a little confusing especially in hearing more and more about Passport requirements being put into place.

Answer 4

Some people leave it with their stuff on the beach or on the cruise ship. I know it's not the safest option. If you rent a car, you could leave it in the car. The beach may have lockers available to rent. There are also waterproof passport holders that you can purchase.

Answer 5

I have traveled to many Countries.  I make a photocopy of my passport...several actually...I put a copy in my luggage, a copy in my purse and keep the orginal in the hotel safe.  If you do not have the option of a hotel safe, keep it in a waterproof bag and keep on your person at all time.  The cruise line should offer a security box.

Answer 6

leaving your passport unattended is dangerous and stupid- make sure you have it on your person at all times (unless secured).  If you would be swimming - a ziplock bag would do the trick.  or just have some1 in your party stay with your belongings while you go have your fun...

have a good time!

Answer 7

I run a cruise ship shore excursion service in Italy. It is insane to bring an American passport with you when you are off your cruise ship. For example, despite what you may be told, one is NOT required to move about inside the EU. (A passport is only required to cross a border.) A photocopy is more than sufficient. Or any other form of ID, like a driver's license.  And take your boarding card. In Europe, an American passport is worth 5000 euros on the black market, as one can travel to "visa not required" countries.  If you have ever visited a police station in Italy, all you ever see are hapless tourists who have had their passports stolen by pickpockets! And if you do lose your passport, you won't be able to return home on a flight back to the States without one.

Answer 8

If you're on a cruise then put your passport in your stateroom safe before you go ashore. To get on/off the ship all you usually need is your ship identification. At times a separate picture ID (driver's license) is required. The daily ship bulletin will contain specific information so be sure and read it each day.

Answer 9

When you cruise, you need your passport to board the ship.  Once on-board, you are issued what looks like a credit card with your photo.  This acts as a credit card on-board and as your "passport" to get on and off the ship.  The WHOLE ship must pass customs at whatever port you stop... each cabin has a safe, or, on some ships, there are also safety deposit boxes near the pursers office.  Your passport, drivers license, jewelry, and any other valuables stay locked up.  

Cool, huh!

Answer 10

WHEN YOU GO ON SHORE YOU NEED TO TAKE YOUR SEA PASS CARD(IT IS A CARD THE CRUISE LINE GIVES YOU FOR ID ON THE SHIP) THEY DO SUGGEST THAT YOU ALSO TAKE YOUR PASSPORT BECAUSE IN SOME COUNTRIES YOU WILL NEED IT TO GET THROUGH SECURITY AT THE PORT. JUST PURCHASE A WATERPROOF POUCH, YOU CAN FIND THE BEST ONES AT ANY SPORTING GOODS STORE, AND KEEP A GOOD EYE ON IT. IF YOU ARE GOING TO A WATER PARK THEY WILL HAVE LOCKERS FOR YOU. JUST USE COMMON SENSE YOU WILL BE FINE. HAVE FUN. WE LOVE TO CRUISE, IT IS A WONDERFUL FORM OF TRAVEL. BE SURE TO BRING A FORMAL OR TWO DEPENDING ON THE LENGTH OF YOUR CRUISE, IT IS A LOT OF FUN ON FORMAL NIGHTS. BUT ANYWAY-HAVE FUN!!

Answer 11

Purchase a good water proof pouch , that you can wear while you swim--do not let it out of your site!