|
|
 Expert
Posts: 2097
 
Location: Deep South | Running Drums - 2014-03-19 10:46 AM
I've been looking at cruises too, out of Galveston. For those of you that have gone, do we need a passport? I had folks tell me yes and others tell me no.
Not if leaving out of a US port. |
|
| |
|
Elite Veteran
Posts: 1076
Location: Winds-A-Blowen, Oklahoma | BamaCanChaser - 2014-03-19 1:08 PM Running Drums - 2014-03-19 10:46 AM I've been looking at cruises too, out of Galveston. For those of you that have gone, do we need a passport? I had folks tell me yes and others tell me no. Not if leaving out of a US port.
Can we still get off in the mexican ports to troll around?
|
|
| |
|
10D Crack Champion
  
| I don't want to go on a boat, but I do want to go it on the pretty beach where the water is clear like in GoinJettin's pictures.
Edited by sodapop 2014-03-19 8:57 PM
|
|
| |
|
 Veteran
Posts: 151
| Passport-yes!! This is a new rule. We have cruised out of FL every time and passports are now mandatory. Check the cruise website! |
|
| |
|
Expert
Posts: 3147
| BamaCanChaser - 2014-03-19 1:08 PM
Running Drums - 2014-03-19 10:46 AM
I've been looking at cruises too, out of Galveston. For those of you that have gone, do we need a passport? I had folks tell me yes and others tell me no.
Not if leaving out of a US port.
If you plan on getting off the ship in a foreign country you will need your passport. In 2012 I was told by the cruise lines everyone needed their passport now. I also departed from Galveston. |
|
| |
|
  Witty Enough
Posts: 2954
Location: CTX | Running Drums - 2014-03-19 10:46 AM I've been looking at cruises too, out of Galveston. For those of you that have gone, do we need a passport? I had folks tell me yes and others tell me no.
Yes you do need a passport. You might be able to get away with not having it if you don't leave the ship on one of the ports of call, but when you go on the websites of the operators they will let you know you need one.
I would say, spend the extra money and get a balcony. It is so relaxing to be able to sit somewhere and maybe read a book, or just enjoy your breakfast. (Carnival has complimentary roomservice, not sure about the others.) |
|
| |
|
 Night Watchman
Posts: 5516
Location: Central Montana | The passport depends on the cruise. We didn't have to have them to go to Alaska even though there were stops in Canada. In the Caribbean they are required by some of the countries. Check out your itinerary and if you are still not sure check with your travel agent if you use one (we use one because we book groups of 5 cabins or more to get extra perks for the group.)
If you lose track of time and the ship leaves without you (which happens a lot, you can find threads on the cruise critic board from people who like to sit up on the top decks and watch people run for the ship) or you get hospitalized you are going to have one h$ll of a time getting back in the states without one.
On our January cruise something happened to one of the passengers in Cozumel. My guess from the code was a heart attack. An ambulance pulled up beside the gangway and they brought the passenger out on a gurney.
Edited by GoinJettin 2014-03-19 10:30 PM
|
|
| |
|
| We are going on our first cruise a week from Saturday. It's with royal carribean We leave from Galveston and sail to Jamaica, Cayman Islands and Cozumel. I'm a bit nervous leaving my animals for a week but daughter will be here with them and does a great job! I'll report back! |
|
| |
|
Industrial Srength Barrel Racer
Posts: 7268
| I would not, in any way, shape or form leave the US without a passport! |
|
| |
|
Expert
Posts: 1567
Location: Fairfield, IA | We went on a 5 day cruise on the Carnival Elation in the middle of January that departed from New Orleans, we stopped in Progresso and Cozumel.
I don't have any complaints. Food was good, service was excellent. We did an on-shore excursion of the Uxmal Mayan ruins while in Progresso. The town of Progresso itself leaves a lot to be desired, but the Mayan ruins was wonderful. While in Cozumel we did Snuba diving, which was awesome.
I definitely would go on another cruise. Drinks were pricey, but we aren't heavy drinkers. Also, keep in mind that any extras (alcohol, soda, etc) are going on your bill. Anytime your card is swiped your being charged.
|
|
| |
|
 Expert
Posts: 3477
Location: Argyle, NY | Someday I'd love to go - |
|
| |
|
 Poor Cracker Girl
Posts: 12150
Location: Feeding mosquitos, FL | We went on our first cruise two years ago (holy sheet has it been that long ago??) for our honeymoon. I was a little concerned because I am not good at relaxing. I just don't sit still well. I'm good for about a day if I have a good book or something. Otherwise, I gots to go. Too many things to see.
Turned out the cruise was perfect for me. I picked an itinerary where we were someplace new most every day and the absolute best part was I didn't have to worry about how we were going to get to the next place. I got back on the boat, got dinner, went to bed, and the heavily accented captain took me away. I woke up each day in a new place. Belize was wonderful. We went cave tubing with Major Tom who is just a fascinating guy. I'd go back again just to hang out with him. Roatan is stunningly beautiful. Currently trying to talk my family into flying to Roatan to go snorkeling again. Also it's a stupid cheap way to see places you probably wouldn't have gone to all by yourself.
If you're like me, I'd recommend buying excursions and tours. We didn't in our last stop at Grand Cayman and I was bored. We wandered all through the city and ended up taking a taxi to the beach but, aside from the crazy blue color of the water, I could have been on any Florida Gulf beach.
The parts I didn't like were there was no sweet tea to be found anywhere. I have an addiction. If I had thought about it, I would have brough tea bags and sugar with me. We were on a Carnival cruise and it was definitely the economy version. It wasn't bad, just cheap. There also was a little bit of a language barrier. Almost all of the staff were eastern European and Asian and I was never quite sure they understood what I was saying. The boat was kind of crowded some places but we spent the majority of our time on the boat on our balcony or wandering. It wasn't like there were mobs of people the minute you walked out the door.
Rumor has it that my mom is planning a family cruise later this summer. Different cruise line and different destinations. I'm ready to go again.
Edited by TrackinBubba 2014-03-20 11:01 AM
|
|
| |
Folks on-line