What can I expect when taking a cruise from the USA to Mexico (and others)?
This is the first time my wife and I have ever taken a cruise, and the process and requirements for this trip are more then a little confusing.
We are departing from Tampa FL, traveling to Mexico and Grand Cayman, then returning to Tampa FL.
It's unclear if we need a passport card, passport book, or nothing. Should be get local currency before we leave? Where would we get that currency? How commonly are credit cards accepted? Can we just stick with those?
In short, what can we expect, process and "money" wise on this trip. I wouldn't think it would be too complicated, but the cruise site (and to some degree the passport site) are very confusing.
PS. We are both US Citizens
Best Answer
To add extra detail to Dorothy's answer:
We were required to provide a valid passport in order to board. We had priority boarding, so I don't know if this was a requirement of that (as in if we didn't have a passport we would have had to go to the normal lines), but not having a passport that was valid for at least six months after the return date was not an option.
In both ports we were told to provide only the ship board ID and a valid government issue ID (Drivers licence). We were advised to leave the passport in a safe on the boat.
When returning to the boat, the ports (Mexico and Cayman islands) didn't even check the IDs. The cruise people checked the ship board ID as you got on and off the ship. They didn't check the IDs either (but photos were embedded in the ship board IDs).
As to the question of money. Cash was accepted everywhere. Credit cards were not. Some places took cards, some didn't. But cash was accepted everywhere. As an aside, be really didn't spend any money. By purchasing ship "excursions" every thing was paid for or charged to our ship board account. I would still advise taking some cash, but not much.
Pictures about "What can I expect when taking a cruise from the USA to Mexico (and others)?"
Do cruise passengers go through customs?
When your cruise ship arrives at its disembarkation port, local immigration officials need to clear the ship before anyone can disembark. Ships that terminate in U.S. ports may require passengers to fill out Customs forms and show their passports to border control in the cruise terminal.What are the requirements for going on a cruise?
U.S. citizens on closed-loop cruises will be able to enter or depart the country with proof of citizenship, such as an Enhanced Driver's License (EDL), a government-issued birth certificate (issued by the Vital Records Department in the state where he or she was born) or passport, and if 16 or older, a government ...How safe are cruises to Mexico?
Mexico is Safer Than These Popular Tourist Destinations and U.S. Cities. Many Mexican cities and states, particularly those visited by cruise ships, are just as safe or safer than many destinations that don't get a second thought when it comes to safety.What do I need to take a cruise to Mexico?
If you are planning a cruise to Mexico, make sure you bring one of the following documents: U.S. passport book, passport card, Trusted Traveler card (Nexus, SENTRI, or FAST), or an enhanced driver's license.ROYAL CARIBBEAN CRUISE IN 2022 | WHAT\
Sources: Stack Exchange - This article follows the attribution requirements of Stack Exchange and is licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0.
Images: SHVETS production, Anete Lusina, Budgeron Bach, Amina Filkins