Have you been to Western caribbean recently?

Question

Hi! I just booked a cruise with Carnival. I am going to Belize, Costa Maya, Grand Cayman and Honduras. I was wondering if everytime I need to get off the ship, do I need to bring my passport or only my sail &sign card? They told me I only need to bring the sail & sign card plus an ID (License, not including passport). I really want to know since I don't want to take my passport to the ports of call. Can anyone tell me? thanks!!!!!!! if you could also include any info about the ports of call, like if it was an easy debarkation, if they were strict, etc... I would really appreciate it!

Answer 1

I took that cruise last year on the Carnival Valor. I just took my sign and sail card and driver's license to the ports and had no trouble getting on. they will give you specific instructions in the daily newsletter they give you. Make sure to read it.

Belize: Tender port, there is a huge barrier reef so the ship had to tender really far away, you could barely see the land. Beware the cave tubing trip. It's amazing, but half the cruise ship does it.

Grand Cayman: LONG LINES to get back on the ship. If you want to see Seven Mile Beach, take a cab, you will save lots of money.

Costa Maya: You just walk off the ship. It's crazy, it's like an instant party when you get into the port. the port was built for the cruise ships. there is a pool a bar and lots of shops where you can barter. We did a Mayan ruins tour. It was amazing. I highly recommend it.

Honduras: Amazing! Make sure you do any excursion though. If looks like a super depressed area when you get off of the ship. Kids running through the street. We did snorkeling and kayaking with a small group. It was great. The other people in our group did NOT do an excursion and only stayed in town. They had a completely different experience there.

Here are our vacation photos if you are interested in seeing the places.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/eightdotthree/sets/72157594170748639/

Please feel free to email me any other questions. I am happy to answer.

Also, you may want to consult your doctor if he/she advises any vaccinations. I found out too late that sometimes a malaria and hepititis vaccine is needed. I didn't get anything, but I was paranoid and wouldn't eat the food or drink anything in port (except for beer! That is safe.)

Answer 2

I just did a short (four night) Western Caribbean to Mexico with Carnival, and I don't recall them requiring taking a passport off the ship. You should definitely check with your booking agent with Carnival--they're good people. And in Belize, try and take the trip to the zoo--if I remember correctly it's one of the only natural habit enclosures in the Western Hemisphere. And you'll get to see the "other" Belize, away from the tourist areas.

Answer 3

you dont need to take your passport if u dont want too but u will need your sign and sail card and a picture id on u at all times when u leave the ship and return i have been to grand cayman and costa maya the grand cayman i didnt care for it but costa maya was real nice its a whole lot of shops and the try to pressure u into buying things but they give u good deals

Answer 4

I have not been to those ports of call, but I have been on Carnival Western Carribean on the Elation, and we had a blast. We always take our passports. The only reason is that I am a pessimist, and that if for some reason you don't have your passport and you get left behind (I know, horrible thought but it does happen sometimes), you have no way of getting out of that country without one! So, we always take ours even though they say not to. Generally, we have a backpack orsmall bag with us anyway, so we just store it in a safe compartment there.

Answer 5

i've got cruised with Royal Caribbean and the only undesirable element (for me) is that there is particularly some little ones working around, yet it is by way of fact it is a relatives friendly cruise. each thing else is genuinely sturdy, the provider, the nutrients, leisure...... have relaxing!!=)