Originally Posted by
jphripjah
Why do cruise lines keep passports for the whole trip? I've never been on a cruise.
I keep mine in the in room safe. If no safe, I will usually keep it on my person during the day and hidden in the room at night.
Only time I ever had a passport stolen it was pulled right out of my front pocket on the street late at night. I was quite drunk though.
Cruise ships keep passports to facilitate customs pre-clearance for their passengers. They don't like it but the cruise ships will provide you with your passport if you ask for it before going ashore. I do not go into foreign countries without my passport even on a cruise. My passport doesn't do me any good sitting in a hotel or cruise ship safe if I need it at the time.