Why do cruiselines take your passport away from you when you board for a cruise?

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Not all of them do this. It depends on where you're going. Sometimes the countries you visit reserve the option to review passengers' passports before they clear the ship. So the cruise lines need to have them available.

I've had my passport taken in Europe, but never in the Caribbean or Western Mexico.

As for visa requirements, they generally do NOT waive them. However, sometimes the cruise line automatically gets a visa for you. You need to check with your cruise line about the specific itinerary, though, as this isn't always automatic. For example, when I went to Turkey on Oceania it was automatic. But for cruises that go to Brazil you definitely have to get your own.

tbugs

I have cruised several times from both San Diego and ports in Florida. I never have had my passport taken away. The cruise agents check the passport during the check-in process but give it right back. The passport is one thing you should take with you when visiting the ports of call. You also need to take your ship's key card which has your photo imbedded on it so you can re-board the ship.

Jennifer s

They can take it to look at it, but they'd better give it right back to you. You need it at all your foreign ports of call...

MomSezNo

Have been on several cruises and never had my passport taken.

BTW - you don't "need" your passport at the ports of call. But you may want to take it, in case you're left behind or some other emergency. Some people advise taking only a copy of your passport ashore with you. That would identify you and perhaps help you at the embassy, should you need to go there, but it won't get you on a plane out of the country. Some people don't like the risk of having passport stolen or lost while ashore.

You don't need a via because you're only visiting for a few hours and are under the aegis of the cruise line.

DCDARLING

Actually the only place I had that take place was in Europe. I have done the Mexican Riveria, Southern Carribean, Eastern Carribean, Western Carribean, and Alaska and have never had my passport taken away...I have also cruised Princess, Carnival, Oceania, and RC.

auerboonies88

i have gone on ncl and they only look at it and than hand it back to us and we than place it in a safe place till we need it again . never did they hold onto it for any reason. before you travel on any ship ask these question .

Time travler

Princess took ours away only one time and that was in a french country because the french wanted to look at every passport. We all got it back later in the evening. Who knows why the French wanted to see everyone's. Other that that one time, I have never experienced them taking my passpot from us and I have been on 8 princess cruises.

Jimmymac

They take your passport as a security measure,so that it is not lost or stolen while you are ashore at foreign ports.

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