What documents do I need to get off a cruise ship at port?
What documents do I need to get off a cruise ship at port? Ships that terminate in U.S. ports may require passengers to fill out Customs forms and show their passports to border control in the cruise terminal. Some passengers might be required to meet with immigration officials on board prior to getting off the ship.
Are passports checked on cruises?
Immigration officials will often come onboard cruise ships to check documentation and the process of keeping the passports centrally makes it much easier and faster for the cruise line and passengers.
Can you get off a cruise ship without an excursion?
You absolutely do not have to do shore excursions on a cruise. You are free to come and go at will from most cruise ships while they are in ports of call. Shore excursions are simply one means to explore the areas visited by the ship and to participate in available activities off the ship.
Do you take your passport on shore excursions?
Taking Your Passport Should you take your passport with you on shore excursions? No, you shouldn't bring your passport, unless your tour requires it. We recommend bringing your driver's license as a form of ID instead. You don't want to risk losing your passport ashore.
Can you get off a Royal Caribbean cruise without a passport?
The need for a passport depends on where the cruise will depart and disembark. Consider your passport needs as follows: A Standard Cruise: Will the cruise depart or disembark from a non-U.S. port? If your answer to this is yes, then you will require to provide a valid U.S. passport.
What is the difference between embarkation and disembarkation?
First of all, “embarkation” refers to the act of boarding a vessel or airplane; “disembarkation” is the act of getting off the vessel or airplane at your destination.
What happens when you are left by cruise ship?
Most cruise lines have port agents stationed in the port area to assist if your ship has left without you. In cases when cruisers are late returning to the vessel, the ship's crew will often remove the passengers' essential items -- passports, cell phones and medication -- from the ship to leave with the port agents.
Do cruise ships check visa?
For Americans, some popular cruise destinations, such as Russia and Australia, require visas. Check with your cruise line because individual country policies can vary.
Do cruise ship passengers need visas?
Beyond needing a valid passport to travel, cruise ship passengers might also require a cruise visa. This happens when the countries they are exploring along the way have specialized entry requirements in place. A cruise visa provides the same credentials for a traveler as a traditional visa.
Do you have to pay to get off a cruise ship at ports?
Just as you have to pay your base cruise fare, you also have to pay port charges and taxes. These are necessary even if you don't actually get off the ship when the ship's docked at a port of call.
Can I come back to the US without a passport?
All U.S. citizens need U.S. passport books if re-entering by air. Land and sea border crossings accept additional travel documents, such as U.S. Passport cards and Trusted Traveler cards. Child travelers have additional options - see the Traveling with Children section.