Hi all, <BR>I've heard that for non-US citizens <BR>(in this case, US greencard holders), <BR>the cruise ship keeps the passports <BR>and doesn't let the passengers keep them. <BR>I don't how comfortable people feel <BR>in this situation, but are there any <BR>cruise lines and island excursions that <BR>do not do this, i.e do not take people's <BR>passports and/or IDs. <BR>Let me know. These are for cruises w/ <BR>departures from FL. <BR> <BR>Thanks.

When we used Royal Carribean for 3 Carriebean cruses they did not take our passport. This was a few years ago however. You used the ship ID for coming and going aboard, but had your passport for safe-keeping, etc. We did not purchase and $$ on those trips, but when we do at Change Bureaus in Europe we were always asked for our passport as well as the charge card. <BR> <BR>I have heard that on the Baltic cruise that Princess does take one's passport & keeps it for the duration. Does anyone know about RC or HAL in the Baltic? <BR> <BR>Frankly, after half a dozen trips to Europe and being "trained" to keep that passport on your person safe at all times, it does worry me that it is taken and thrown in with hundreds and who-knows-whom has both access to that info and could care less if it is loss -- what do they have to lose? a job that depends on tips? <BR> <BR>Sorry if I don't have a high opinion of personnel just know -- consider it "hangover emotion" from having my suitcase stollen from locked hotel room at Bersoly's in Paris a few weeks ago. At least my passport was safe! And after that we slept with them under our pillows!!

<BR>Let me add another hint for all you passport holders. <BR> <BR>I tell my customer's to make a copy of their passport and keep it a place other than the original. <BR> <BR>I also send them the phone numbers and addresses of all the U.S. Embassies in foreign countries in case their passport is either lost or stolen. <BR> <BR>Also to jot down the numbers on their charge cards and phone numbers listed on the back. <BR> <BR>Paul

Just a Caution: by all means jot down your card numbers & the 1-800 number to call if the card is stollen. BUT -- put it in code. My stollen suitcase contained card number info & even though that info could only have been used on internet or phone-mail order, the card companies canceled these cards upon notification. You could end up with neither sufficient travelers checks nor plastic. <BR> <BR>Also, by the way, you may get into Canada with only your photo-driver's license but you won't return without that passport or at least the birth certificate. The days of moving back and forth over this border without anything more than a drivers license have ended.

I am Canadian - on cruises to the Orient and Europe depending on the cruise line, some of them keep the passport for the whole duration and the others just ask for it on certain port of calls. I have no problem with it bec the cruise line puts a sticker on your passport with your cabin number and knock on wood I've never lost mine with them holding on to my passport. But as Paul mentioned I have a photocopy of my passport inside my luggage as well and I have the address and fone numbers of the Canadian Embassy on places I'm going to.

I am from Canada and went on my first cruise last year on Royal Caribbean's Monarch of the Seas. I took 2 photocopies of my passport, left one at home and took one with me. I carried my passport in my carry-on luggage. When I checked in at the cruise ship terminal in San Juan, the staff member who checked our tickets, also took the passport. Everything was well organized. On the last day, we went to a room where they has customs. There were about three crew members at a desk with files, who would ask your full name. They retrieved my passport. I proceeded to the customs, they stamped it, and I was on my way. In fact I actually thought it was a good idea, not worrying about leaving my passport in my cabin. Also I should mention that when we checked in, we received a id card from the cruise line, with our name, cabin # and dinner seating on it. We used this to board the ship after being on shore and also to purchase items on the ship. "Cashless" ship. I was not worried about my passport