Cruise lines do not always do a good job, telling passengers what they need to bring with them in port. To be fair, when there is a special requirement or something that your explicitly not supposed to bring, the captain usually makes an announcement.
In addition. the daily schedule will usually have notes on any rules that are special for that port.
Related: Royal Caribbean passenger sounds alarm on growing cruiser problem
In Mexico, for example, there will usually be multiple ways the cruise line communicates that passengers should not bring vapes ashore. In other markets, announcements might be made about not wearing camoflauge, which is outlawed in certain markets.
There are, however, many cases where the cruise line gives limited advice. That can lead to people bringing more than they need with them when they leave the ship. That can be dangerous as you don’t want to risk losing your passport in a country where you did not need to carry it in the first place.
Come Cruise With Me Executive Editor Dan Kline and Postcard Travel Planning’s Dennis Post share some info as to what you should bring ashore in the Caribbean from the top deck of Norwegian Epic.
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Here’s what you need to bring in a Caribbean cruise port (1:59)
What to bring with you in Caribbean cruise ports
Transcript:
Dan Kline: Hello, cruisers. I am Dan Kline, executive editor of Come Cruise With Me. That is ComeCruiseWith.com.
Please sign up for our weekly newsletter. I am next to Dennis Post, the co-owner of Postcard Travel Planning. We are on deck 15 of the Norwegian Epic.
It’s a port day. We’re in St. Thomas. We thought it might be a good idea to talk a little bit about what you need to bring with you in a Caribbean port.
Mind you, pay attention on your ship because there could be different rules, but in most Caribbean ports, this is what you need to get off and on the ship. Dennis Post, tell them what they need to bring.
Dennis Post: You need to have a good form of government ID and your ship sail sign card or a passport and your ship sail and sign ID. That’s what you need in the Caribbean.
Kline: You want to pay attention if you’re under 16 for what the specific rules are. If you have a passport, bring it. If you’re sailing with a birth certificate, you’re going to want to ask, probably you just need your ship ID.
If you’re young enough that you don’t actually have a government ID, there are some other rules. When you get back on the ship, they’re going to put you through a metal detector. Here’s what they’re looking for, illegal drugs.
You are not allowed to bring food back on the ship. That is an environmental hazard, so even if you are halfway through your bottle of Coke, they’re going to make you throw that away. If you buy alcohol, Dennis, what happens?
They do not let you bring alcohol on the ship.
Post: Well, they take it from you temporarily and keep it until the last night of the cruise, so I know there’s some reasons for that.
Kline: Well, I think the reason is obvious. They don’t want you buying a bottle of rum in port and then not buying individual rums on the ship. They also want to monitor how much alcohol you’re drinking just to be safe.
Have a fun port day, but remember, bring your government ID with you, bring your ship card with you, but when you are actually in port, and I’m pointing to my chest here, tuck your ship card into your shirt. You don’t really want to look like a tourist. I’m sorry, you look like a tourist anyway, but you don’t want to 100% prove that you’re a tourist.
I am Dan Kline, he is Dennis Post, come cruise with us soon.
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Make a free appointment with Come Cruise With Me’s Travel Agent Partner, Postcard Travel, or email Amy Post at [email protected] or call or text her at 386-383-2472.