If we have an excursion scheduled, we’ll just ask around once we get back. We usually ask around the main office whenever we exit the ship. So, How Do You Know If You Can Get a Passport Stamp?Īsk! Seriously, that’s the only way to find out. We asked multiple people and everyone told us they don’t offer them. Passport stamps are not an option at the Limón, Costa Rica cruise port. However, we didn’t actually see an immigration office so we can’t say for sure a stamp is an option! Workers at the cruise terminal building told us their immigration office is only open on weekdays. We had the same issue at the Colon, Panama cruise port. However, we missed our opportunity while road tripping around the island! Employees told us their office is only open during business hours. They are only open normal business hours so go early if you’ll be in port for a long day. The office is in a corner with a sign that says “immigration” and you’ll have to knock on the door. We sailed with Holland America, so we walked over to the other cruise terminal main building. In Aruba, the passport office is at the Carnival cruise terminal. It looks like a tiny house and it is not marked. To the right you can cross a dirt street and you’ll see the small customs building. When you get off the tender boats, you’ll exit into a small town square. It’s easy to get a passport stamp at Half Moon Cay, Bahamas! This is the private island owned by Holland America Line. George, Grenada port, the stamp does not include the date. Our Grenada passport stamp is also somewhat of a “souvenir.” At the St. Not every passport stamp you’ll get at a cruise port is “official.” For example, in Barbados the passport stamp they give you at the immigration office says “souvenir.” We still like to get them anyway to remind us where we’ve been and when!
In April 2016, we took a cruise to the Southern Caribbean and collected a handful of new stamps at our cruise ports. If you don’t see it, just ask! They’ll point you in the right direction! There is a building near where you’ll head through security and an immigration officer can stamp your passport. Nassau is another easy port to grab a passport stamp when you’re heading back to the ship. Our final cruise stop was in Victoria, Canada and we asked at the security office when heading back to the ship. We’ve been cruising together for many years and at first, we also did not realize that getting a passport stamp was an option! I think the first time we ever decided to ask about a passport stamp was during our 2014 Alaska cruise. (We’ve been to a few other ports but ran out of time to ask, so we can’t speculate on whether they provide stamps!) One time, the immigration officer even had to change the date on the stamp because it had been that long since anyone had asked!īelow is a recap of the cruise ports that we’ve been to and asked for passport stamps. It’s likely you will be the first person that day to visit the office! We’ve never witnessed anyone else go to these offices in search of a passport stamp. Sometimes you’ll have to knock and ask the person who answers whether they offer passport stamps. These offices are not usually well-marked. While we can’t say for sure and we’ve personally never had any trouble (we got a souvenir stamp in Grenada), we suggest that you get your passport stamps at the official Immigration or Customs Offices. Some people say these can invalidate your passport. Please note: Sometimes tourist shops will offer souvenir passport stamps. (There will usually be touristy shops in the building as well, and you’ll just have to look for the office) Often, this office will be inside a building that you have to walk through when exiting the port.
To find out if your cruise port offers passport stamps, look for the immigration or customs office after exiting the ship. We also got our passport stamped when we stopped in Canada while on a cruise to Alaska! Many Caribbean and Central American cruise ports offer passport stamps at the Customs office once you are off the cruise ship. So, why not get a passport stamp to mark your trip? While most cruise ports don’t actually require you to USE your passport, you are supposed to have one with you. Many travelers don’t even realize it’s an option, but YES you can get your passport stamped at many cruise ports! Fellow cruisers are often very surprised when we mention getting a passport stamp while in port.
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