FigmentSpark
DIS Veteran
- Joined
- Apr 9, 2016
Only if it's required. Some excursions (those that go across the Canadian boarder, for example) will require passports.do you have to show or carry a passport if you are on a DCL tour?
So sorry. I meant in St. Petersburg, as someone above me was responding to that. I should really remember to quote people when I ask questions or respond.Only if it's required. Some excursions (those that go across the Canadian boarder, for example) will require passports.
Yes, it is required to have your passport stamped in St. Petersburg, even if you're with a DCL tour group. We're going on the Northern European cruise this summer, so I've been researching it.So sorry. I meant in St. Petersburg, as someone above me was responding to that. I should really remember to quote people when I ask questions or respond.
Yes, things can change from cruise to cruise. If a country that the ship is calling at requires passports, then the cruise line will require passports. Many upscale cruise lines already require passports for any cruise, regardless of what the actual legal requirements are.On the 2017 EBTA we were told by DCL we had to have our passports with us in every port. They checked them on every DCL sponsored excursion and we needed them to enter all of the port areas when returning to the ship.
For St Petersburg, if you do not have a Port Adventure booked with DCL or an excursion pre-booked with a licensed touring company, they will not let you into the country without a tourist visa. Tourist visas cost somewhere in the neighborhood of $400 per person (non-refundable) to apply for, about 6 months to process, and are not guaranteed to be approved.
Some other European ports (I think Mediterranean) have laws about identification so the navigators says you need your passport. In these two scenarios, it is important to have your actual passport.
Interesting, we were just talking about this yesterday; we're European, will we need to bring a passport? If we would drive from Spain through France to Italy, we would not bring our passports. The cruise starts in Spain, so everyone on board is already in Europe and approved.
It's almost like going from state to state, if cruising to Alaska and getting off the ship for an excursion, you're not bringing your passport are you?
[just thinking aloud, I don't know the actual answer]
Interesting, we were just talking about this yesterday; we're European, will we need to bring a passport? If we would drive from Spain through France to Italy, we would not bring our passports. The cruise starts in Spain, so everyone on board is already in Europe and approved.
It's almost like going from state to state, if cruising to Alaska and getting off the ship for an excursion, you're not bringing your passport are you?
[just thinking aloud, I don't know the actual answer]
So sorry. I meant in St. Petersburg, as someone above me was responding to that. I should really remember to quote people when I ask questions or respond.
I know some people already answered but...do you have to show or carry a passport if you are on a DCL tour?
Thanks.I know some people already answered but...
For St. Petersburg you must carry your passport off and show it in the Boarder Control station, even if you are on a DCL tour.
Do Caribbean ports stamp your passport?
There are a lot of different opinions out there. I make a personal judgement call based on my personal perceived risk, making sure to remain compliant with the rules for getting on and off the ship at a minimum.
When we were in Cartegena Columbia, I felt it was better for my wife and I each to be carrying our own passports. We were only required to carry a photo ID and KTTW card (which we also carried). When we arrived in Mexico (both ports) we just carried the driver license. When visiting foreign countries that I'm not cruising with, I always carry my passport.
I do realize passports can (and are) stolen. Carrying just a photocopy doesn't help much, because it doesn't serve as an ID and it still has all the personal information that a passport does. High risk, little reward. Having a photocopy in your room safe carries little risk and can help in obtaining a temporary passport from the US embassy if yours is lost or stolen and you need one right away.
Most cruise vacation go to common ports and guests join a tour operator on an excursion (ship booked or not). Those carry lower risk of issues than if you are out on our own milling about.
I have a travel safe pouch for my passport for those places where I have a greater concern due to history of pick-pockets.
Your mileage may vary.
When we cruised to Iceland and Norway, DCL took up everyone's passport when we checked in at Dover and gave them back after they had them stamped in Iceland.