Ship Visit Query
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Topic author - Senior First Officer
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Ship Visit Query
I think that some members of this forum may have had the pleasure of a ship visit in Southampton.
Can anyone who has been lucky enough to do one of these visits recall if they had to surrender their passports when they boarded the ship (ie hand in your passport and then collect it from the person who took it when you go back down the gangway)?
Many thanks.
Can anyone who has been lucky enough to do one of these visits recall if they had to surrender their passports when they boarded the ship (ie hand in your passport and then collect it from the person who took it when you go back down the gangway)?
Many thanks.
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- Commodore
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Re: Ship Visit Query
Not a 100% sure but I don't think so. Of course they definitely want to see it.
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Topic author - Senior First Officer
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Re: Ship Visit Query
Thanks Stephen.
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- Commodore
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Re: Ship Visit Query
No we didn't have to let ours go. We had a visitor badge which we had to give back at the end which is presumably how they ensured we all got off.
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Topic author - Senior First Officer
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Re: Ship Visit Query
Well, that's what I would have thought would have happened. I've been trying to persuade someone to go on a cruise, and she's very shy etc. So, the topic of a ship visit came up in the conversation - and she's now been persuaded by someone else that she'll have to hand over her passport.Mervyn and Trish wrote:No we didn't have to let ours go. We had a visitor badge which we had to give back at the end which is presumably how they ensured we all got off.
I can understand showing the passport and having it 'swiped' through a machine or something, I even think there'll be the usual security pass-through, but I don't understand this handing over a passport lark.
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- Senior First Officer
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Re: Ship Visit Query
We didn't have to hand ours in, though it was required to be checked. But even if it had to be handed in briefly, what would be the problem?
Last edited by GillD46 on 03 Jun 2016, 20:12, edited 1 time in total.
Gill
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- Commodore
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Re: Ship Visit Query
We just had to show it as ID
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Topic author - Senior First Officer
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Re: Ship Visit Query
First of all I'm trying to recommend/persuade someone else to go travelling in general, but cruising in particular, and I really, really don't want any slip-ups. Upsetting the applecart isn't an option, so I have to be careful. Bearing that in mind, I find it weird that a passport would be held whilst someone is having a couple of hours looking around a ship - fully escorted as I imagine it should be.GillD46 wrote:We didn't have to hand ours in, though it was required to be checked. But even if it had to be handed in briefly, what would be the problem?
As I understand it, it is not necessary to have to give in a passport - even for a visit airside at a major international airport all that is required in the UK is a valid passport and a.n.other means of photographic ID; with those simply to be shown, but not handed over. That's under the Aviation & Maritime Security Act. So, I find this potential handing over of a passport is a bit weird. I'll have to check into it.
Having said all that, UK passports are very valuable, and are the most useful in the world - but most of all, I really don't need to cause any uncertainty or jitters to the person I'm trying to persuade to go cruising. Just trying to be thoughtful and helpful - and grateful for any hints and tips from this forum.
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- Senior First Officer
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Re: Ship Visit Query
Be wary of persuading someone.
We tried for ages to persuade our best friends to try cruising. We absolutely knew 100% that they would love it, our likes and dislikes are virtually identical. After some considerable time, and a LOT of persuasion they agreed to give it a go - with us - on QE2
They absolutely HATED it, hated the meals, hated the formality, hated the crowds, hated their cabin and really resented the waste of both their time and money.
I would never try and persuade anyone now.
We tried for ages to persuade our best friends to try cruising. We absolutely knew 100% that they would love it, our likes and dislikes are virtually identical. After some considerable time, and a LOT of persuasion they agreed to give it a go - with us - on QE2
They absolutely HATED it, hated the meals, hated the formality, hated the crowds, hated their cabin and really resented the waste of both their time and money.
I would never try and persuade anyone now.
Last edited by GillD46 on 03 Jun 2016, 21:26, edited 1 time in total.
Gill
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- Senior First Officer
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Re: Ship Visit Query
PS And as explained by several of us, the passport is not retained, so no need for panic.
Gill
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Topic author - Senior First Officer
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Re: Ship Visit Query
Gill - thanks for your wisdom and advice on this. Fingers crossed!
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- First Officer
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Re: Ship Visit Query
Just contact the cruise line concerned and get their definitive answer on this which you can then pass on to your friends.
Well, that's what I would have done.
Well, that's what I would have done.
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- Captain
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Re: Ship Visit Query
So far we've only done P&O visits where the passport was only required as ID. We did not have to part with it.
Thinking of applying to Cunard for a visit this year.
Thinking of applying to Cunard for a visit this year.
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Topic author - Senior First Officer
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Re: Ship Visit Query
Well, it will be interesting to see what changes have been made (I don't always believe marketing and advertising). I'm (shock horror) toying with the idea of another Cunard cruise - but that depends on what plans other family members have for the festive season etc.qbman1 wrote:So far we've only done P&O visits where the passport was only required as ID. We did not have to part with it.
Thinking of applying to Cunard for a visit this year.
Hope you go, and hope you enjoy it.
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- Captain
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Re: Ship Visit Query
Thanks - I've been galvanised into action and just registered with Cunard for a visit. Fingers crossed !
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- Deputy Captain
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Re: Ship Visit Query
We've done a ship's visit with Celebrity, MSC and Cunard and, on each occasion, our passports were taken at check-in and returned to us as we left.
Alan
Q-CC-KOS
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- First Officer
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Re: Ship Visit Query
Ohhh my word Boris, I hope you don't bump into those people you don't like much when you were recommending they try Cunard.. .I'm sure someone said recommendations can back fire...Boris+ wrote:Well, it will be interesting to see what changes have been made (I don't always believe marketing and advertising). I'm (shock horror) toying with the idea of another Cunard cruise - but that depends on what plans other family members have for the festive season etc.qbman1 wrote:So far we've only done P&O visits where the passport was only required as ID. We did not have to part with it.
Thinking of applying to Cunard for a visit this year.
Hope you go, and hope you enjoy it.
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- Senior First Officer
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Re: Ship Visit Query
Boris+ wrote:Well, it will be interesting to see what changes have been made (I don't always believe marketing and advertising). I'm (shock horror) toying with the idea of another Cunard cruise - but that depends on what plans other family members have for the festive season etc.qbman1 wrote:So far we've only done P&O visits where the passport was only required as ID. We did not have to part with it.
Thinking of applying to Cunard for a visit this year.
Hope you go, and hope you enjoy it.
Shock/Horror indeed Boris just a little friendly advice though, if I were you I would save your cash.
The suites will still be filthy.
The butlers still won’t be dancing to your tune.
The grills will still be full of people who have no right to be there.
The rest of the crew will be as rude as they ever were.
And that’s just for starters hmmm would I be toying with the idea .. doubt it BUT that was then and this is now and maybe the grass isn’t always greener even if it is real.
Jo
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Topic author - Senior First Officer
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Re: Ship Visit Query
Huge thanks for that Alan.Silver_Shiney wrote:We've done a ship's visit with Celebrity, MSC and Cunard and, on each occasion, our passports were taken at check-in and returned to us as we left.
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Topic author - Senior First Officer
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Re: Ship Visit Query
Now then - I don't know if you are being witty, sarcastic or commenting on your experience.Dancing Queen wrote:Boris+ wrote:Well, it will be interesting to see what changes have been made (I don't always believe marketing and advertising). I'm (shock horror) toying with the idea of another Cunard cruise - but that depends on what plans other family members have for the festive season etc.qbman1 wrote:So far we've only done P&O visits where the passport was only required as ID. We did not have to part with it.
Thinking of applying to Cunard for a visit this year.
Hope you go, and hope you enjoy it.
Shock/Horror indeed Boris just a little friendly advice though, if I were you I would save your cash.
The suites will still be filthy.
The butlers still won’t be dancing to your tune.
The grills will still be full of people who have no right to be there.
The rest of the crew will be as rude as they ever were.
And that’s just for starters hmmm would I be toying with the idea .. doubt it BUT that was then and this is now and maybe the grass isn’t always greener even if it is real.
The only reason I'm considering this option is that it might suit me to be on holiday during a particular period. and please don't worry about saving my cash - that's besides the point (but thanks for your 'kind' concern).
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Topic author - Senior First Officer
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Re: Ship Visit Query
Good for you - have a good visit, and fingers crossed for the weather.qbman1 wrote:Thanks - I've been galvanised into action and just registered with Cunard for a visit. Fingers crossed !
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- Senior First Officer
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Re: Ship Visit Query
You are very welcome.Boris+ wrote:Now then - I don't know if you are being witty, sarcastic or commenting on your experience.Dancing Queen wrote:Boris+ wrote:Well, it will be interesting to see what changes have been made (I don't always believe marketing and advertising). I'm (shock horror) toying with the idea of another Cunard cruise - but that depends on what plans other family members have for the festive season etc.qbman1 wrote:So far we've only done P&O visits where the passport was only required as ID. We did not have to part with it.
Thinking of applying to Cunard for a visit this year.
Hope you go, and hope you enjoy it.
Shock/Horror indeed Boris just a little friendly advice though, if I were you I would save your cash.
The suites will still be filthy.
The butlers still won’t be dancing to your tune.
The grills will still be full of people who have no right to be there.
The rest of the crew will be as rude as they ever were.
And that’s just for starters hmmm would I be toying with the idea .. doubt it BUT that was then and this is now and maybe the grass isn’t always greener even if it is real.
The only reason I'm considering this option is that it might suit me to be on holiday during a particular period. and please don't worry about saving my cash - that's besides the point (but thanks for your 'kind' concern).
Definitely not my own experience, merely reminding you of what you have put in print just in case it had slipped your mind.
Jo
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- Senior First Officer
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Re: Ship Visit Query
Back to topic.
I hope you are successful with a ships visit Cubie, do you have any preference which Queen, many seem to prefer QM2 as she is a true Ocean Liner but as beautiful as she is I prefer either QE or QV but they all have the same elegance so I don't think you would be disappointed with any of them
I hope you are successful with a ships visit Cubie, do you have any preference which Queen, many seem to prefer QM2 as she is a true Ocean Liner but as beautiful as she is I prefer either QE or QV but they all have the same elegance so I don't think you would be disappointed with any of them
Jo
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- First Officer
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Re: Ship Visit Query
You should never let your passport out of your sight anywhere, I have on a number of occasions been told by a hotel reception that my passport will be kept until the following morning but have always demanded it straight back and despite a few muttered curses and even more dirty looks I always got it straight back.
You are responsible for the safekeeping of your own passport and in some countries you can suffer great hardship if your passport goes missing.
We have had three ships visits and not once have we been asked to leave our passports onshore (not that we would) and like others have said you are issued with a temporary cruise card which is scanned on exit.
I think the ships visits are a good idea for people that have not cruised before and are good value considering you get a three course meal with wine thrown in.
Our last visit was on Britannia which was very useful to us as neither of us liked the ship so it would take an exceptional itinerary or bargain to tempt us to book a cruise on her.
P.S. When booking a ships visit be sure to supply your car registration details or you will be charged for parking.
You are responsible for the safekeeping of your own passport and in some countries you can suffer great hardship if your passport goes missing.
We have had three ships visits and not once have we been asked to leave our passports onshore (not that we would) and like others have said you are issued with a temporary cruise card which is scanned on exit.
I think the ships visits are a good idea for people that have not cruised before and are good value considering you get a three course meal with wine thrown in.
Our last visit was on Britannia which was very useful to us as neither of us liked the ship so it would take an exceptional itinerary or bargain to tempt us to book a cruise on her.
P.S. When booking a ships visit be sure to supply your car registration details or you will be charged for parking.
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- Senior First Officer
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Re: Ship Visit Query
Sometimes on cruises Ray, in particular world voyages, you HAVE to hand in your passport for the immigration officers. Often it is kept - very safely - by the Purser and returned when no longer needed. If you don't hand it in, you don't get stamped to enter the various countries.
Gill