Do you take your passport or just a copy of with you on excursions?

[Mikeb1892]

Wondering what would be best. 

[Ditchdoc]

Being of sound kind and body, I feel like I can keep up with my 'mess'. Out side the US, my documents stay on me.

[DaiC01]

I don't just carry some sort of alternative photo ID

[wordell1]

I take copies and my drivers license.  If you do not back it back to the ship, my understanding is that they will remove your passports from the room safe and leave them with the port agent.  There are some potential negative consequences to losing your passport while ashore.  

 

I actually take pictures of my whole families passports on my phone and email a copy to someone who is not going on the cruise in case my phone is lost or stolen.

[KWong]

35 minutes ago, wordell1 said:

I actually take pictures of my whole families passports on my phone and email a copy to someone who is not going on the cruise in case my phone is lost or stolen.

Same. This also helps when I do online checkin for flights, as it saves a bit of time and hassle in opening up everyone's passports.

[danv3]

My passport is on my person while ashore outside the US. 

[DunkelBierJay]

If I screw up and miss the ship, I don't want to rely on others or an embassy/consulate for documentation I need to get me home. I always have my passport book in my possession while in a foreign country, no exceptions. I have a passport card, but it is no good for air travel if I need it.

[WAAAYTOOO]

Never ever take our passports off the ship. 

[Psycho and Barb]

Our passports stay locked in our safe till we get off the ship.  I do have pictures of them on my iPhone...Not sure what good they do except like @wordell1  said...Makes filling out Setsail paperwork easier.

[Big Tule]

From the Royal Caribbean website .....We strongly suggest that you take a photocopy of your passport in addition to your passport itself with you on holiday and carry the photocopy with you each time you depart the ship in order to minimize any inconvenience this may cause...though I think I will carry   my passport on me when in Northern Europe next year

[Jolly Ogre]

I take it with me as that is what I use for my wallet, so it has my cash and CC as well.

A photo copy might work but if it gets wet or damaged you may be SOL. 

As ex military and having been in a lot of foreign countries, it is a good idea to have your official documents with you.

[MikeK]

I keep it with me if I am off the ship.  Doesn't do much good locked in the safe on the ship.

[dodgestang]

I always carry my passport when outside of the US.

[Pima1988]

I am like others.  Passport stays in the safe unless the cruise compass tells us that we need it for re-entry.  Otherwise, on both of our phones we have screenshots of our passports.  We  do not carry paper copies.

[sk8erguy1978]

We've done both. I do make copies regardless. Some at home with family, some in my little "travel packet" which has various documents needed (travel insurance, set sail pass, excursion stuff, etc).

As mentioned, I have a passport wallet too, which holds some credit cards, drivers license, US cash and/or a local currency if required so it's not a big deal to carry it off the ship.

[Pooch]

Not sure what good a picture of your passport would be if you are left at a port.  I also would be hesitant to rely on someone to get my passport from my safe and leave it with the port agent.  Passport is with me whenever I leave the ship.  Might be overcautious but it's what I do.

[SpeedNoodles]

5 minutes ago, Pooch said:

Not sure what good a picture of your passport would be if you are left at a port.  I also would be hesitant to rely on someone to get my passport from my safe and leave it with the port agent.  Passport is with me whenever I leave the ship.  Might be overcautious but it's what I do.

Yeah, I'm always rather baffled at what good a photo or a copy would be.  But people like to do it.

[steverk]

I have a passport book and card. The book stays locked in the safe. The card goes with me on excursions.

I'm not sure the card is enough to get me home, but I'm sure it would make it easier to deal with the US consulate (and it is definitely better than nothing)

[Flacruiser99]

It's all a matter of choice, If you don;t miss the ship your passport is safer on the ship with no risk of it being lost or stolen. However if you miss the ship you are better off having it,

[bhageerah]

I know this poor horse has been beaten to death, back to life and death again, but my two cents is that I carry it.  Better to have it and not need it than need it and not have it.  I also carry a travel safe to lock them up and secure our valuables if we are on a beach excursion so we can let our hair down and relax and get in the water together.  It gets secured to something that cant move nearby and we enjoy our time.  

[ChessE4]

15 hours ago, Mikeb1892 said:

Wondering what would be best. 

You've heard just about everything from other members, but I have to say it depends upon the excursion.  If you are going swimming, etc., it's hard to safeguard your real passport.  A driver's license can get wet, but not your passport.  If you are just shopping for jewelry, that's another story.  So think about what you will be doing and the sort of purse/bag you'll have.  Some excursion sites have lockers, but some lockers aren't trustworthy.  Have a great cruise....

[USCG Teacher]

16 hours ago, Mikeb1892 said:

Wondering what would be best. 

So, as this thread has clearly demonstrated, the final answer to this question is

[Mikeb1892]

Does anyone ever take a copy or the real thing off the ship at Coco Cay?

[SpeedNoodles]

2 hours ago, Mikeb1892 said:

Does anyone ever take a copy or the real thing off the ship at Coco Cay?

I only take my Sea Pass card off the ship in Coco Cay. It's basically an extension of the ship. 

[Mikeb1892]

Just now, SpeedNoodles said:

I only take my Sea Pass card off the ship in Coco Cay. It's basically an extension of the ship. 

That's what I was figuring. Thanks for the confirmation. 

[Cat mom]

It’s a personal choice I however will never be in a foreign country without my documentation on me I’ve had to personal experiences that have made me feel this way. One becoming extremely ill and having to be moving from one country to another for attention and another being in an area where a protest/riot broke out and we were unable to get back to our hotel if my passport wasn’t on me I wouldn’t been able to get to safety.

[Matt]

Always take it with me off the ship, except CocoCay or Labadee. No point there.

Photocopies are useless. It's like photocopies of cash...you can wave it around all you want, but no one is taking it.

[luv2sail]

3 hours ago, Matt said:

Always take it with me off the ship, except CocoCay or Labadee. No point there.

Photocopies are useless. It's like photocopies of cash...you can wave it around all you want, but no one is taking it.

I have totally changed my thinking on this question lately.  If you were on an excursion, say a snorkeling trip, would you put it in a water proof container/pouch and swim with it?