Choose: Key West, Nassau, or Freeport

[emt]

Originally Posted by rednose83

Definitely something to consider although if it's gonna happen Freeport is the best place to miss the ship as you can get a shuttle back to Miami for $29.00!

It's very important to book with reputable providers if choosing private excursions.

Tell me more about the $29.00 shuttle????? (If that's the case, I might consider it for a day trip, wow that's cheap).

[rednose83]

Originally Posted by Okc_diver

ALL PERSONS traveling by land and sea outside of the United States are required to present a passport book/card, or other valid travel documents to enter or re-enter the United States.

ALL PERSONS traveling by air outside of the United States are required to present a passport book or other valid travel document to enter or re-enter the United States.

Passport Home

There is an exemption for people on a closed loop cruise. www.dhs.gov/xnews/releases/pr_1206635771151.shtm

Where it says:

U.S. citizens on closed-loop cruises (cruises that begin and end at the same port in the U.S.) will be able to enter or depart the country with proof of citizenship, such as a birth certificate and government-issued photo ID.

Many people choose to travel like this on cruise ships. Which is not a problem until they get left behind or have a medical emergency in port. The cruise lines lobbied for this exemption.

[Okc_diver]

It also says:

Please be aware that you may still be required to present a passport when you dock at a foreign port, depending on the islands or countries that your cruise ship is visiting. Check with your cruiseline to ensure you have the appropriate documents for the stops you’ll be making on your cruise.

The State Department has changed the regulations so many times that it is nearly impossible to keep up

Why traveling without a passport is risky:
Travel agents want you to know traveling without a passport is risky. “I advise all my clients who travel abroad to apply for a full-fledged passport,” said Frenaye. He cites an example of someone who sails out of Miami without a passport who falls ill when the ship is at sea and needs to fly home from the Bahamas. Frenaye adds, “Without a passport, this person is likely to incur extreme scrutiny and questioning by customs, which will only add more stress to the initial event.” It’s a rare situation, of course, but it does happen from time to time.

[rednose83]

I don't travel without a passport but people choose to all the time (by sea only).

And when they make that choice it becomes a huge problem when they get left behind. I'm not saying that traveling without a passport is a smart thing to do just that it IS allowed and many people still do it. Cruise lines advertise this as many first time cruisers don't have passports and many cruisers don't want to spend the money on them.

Caribbean islands don't ever ask for passports. Only Nassau (well and the AVI, BVI) even bothers to request picture ID from cruise passengers.

[Vercingetorix]

We tell all our travel clients: GET THE DAMNED PASSPORT. It's good for 10 years. When you're left behind, you'll get back to the USA with fewer problems.

When the clients cite the WHTI rule d'jour, I cite a few examples of my other clients who felt the State travel card or BC/DL were sufficient. It's ugly.

The traveler may leave the US by boat, but if they have to return by air, YOU WANT A PASSPORT.

Just do it. Now. Even if you don't plan a foreign dive trip or cruise in the near future. It takes time, so start now.

Just my two cents, my experience, and the unfortunate experiences of my clients.


Concerning the OP, it looks like I'll be contacting Unexso in Freeport while the wife is buying beads a the Straw Market. Thanks for the responses.

[rednose83]

Originally Posted by emt

Tell me more about the $29.00 shuttle????? (If that's the case, I might consider it for a day trip, wow that's cheap).

It looks like that one went out of business. Here's another: Bahamas Party Cruise - Limited Offer

[jet126]

Finally heard back from the guy in my club who dives in the Bahamas a lot:

The place we use to use went out of business. I don't know if someone else took over the shop or not. Zanadu was the name of the shop. The alternatives are Unexso and Club Viva Fortuna. Unexso is expensive but they do have a couple of good dive like their Dolphin Dive which is a blast. Club Viva diving is excellent but you have to stay at that resort in order to use them.

So it sounds like Unexso is your best choice. I think you already decided that so this is just good local validation.

[Vercingetorix]

Originally Posted by jet126

Finally heard back from the guy in my club who dives in the Bahamas a lot:

The place we use to use went out of business. I don't know if someone else took over the shop or not. Zanadu was the name of the shop. The alternatives are Unexso and Club Viva Fortuna. Unexso is expensive but they do have a couple of good dive like their Dolphin Dive which is a blast. Club Viva diving is excellent but you have to stay at that resort in order to use them.

So it sounds like Unexso is your best choice. I think you already decided that so this is just good local validation.

Thanks for following-up