Best Cruise Tips
What Identification Will Be Needed for a Bahamas Cruise
The Bahamas is seen as an island nation and is located in the Caribbean islands. The low-lying islands – over seven hundred in total – will include a combined region a bit less than that of Connecticut and enjoy over two thousand miles of coastline. Tourism is its main income source, employing half its workforce no matter if directly or indirectly and supplying around 60% of GDP. According to the Bahamas Ministry of Tourism, cruise vessels are the main contributor to this, accounting for almost 1.500.000 arrivals each year.
United Citizens
If you are a United States citizen and you plan to sail to the Bahamas, you may use a United States passport book or passport card to enter this country. Both the U.S. and the Bahamas are considered a part of the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative, which will aim to simplify travel between the U.S., Mexico, Canada as well as most of the nations of the Caribbean.
United States Residents
The rules will be a bit different for individuals who may be resident in the U.S., but remain citizens of a different country. You will still need to have a valid passport, issued your country, but also have to be able to show your original Alien Registration Card, commonly known as the green card. From 2011, you will also have to check before going on your cruise if your country has a visa waiver agreement with the Bahamas. If this is not the case, you will have to arrange a visa before taking your trip.
Passport Issues
Remember that you will need to have a valid passport if you want to re-enter the U.S. If you are a United States citizen and your passport is stolen or lost while being in the Bahamas, get in touch with United States Embassy in Nassau, the Bahamas`s capital city. The embassy runs an emergency out-of-hours phone service on 242 357 7004. You will also have to complete and sign a Form DS-64 copy, which is downloadable from the State Department site or from the embassy.
Considerations
According to the State Department, the Bahamas has a pretty high crime rate, so you may want to take a few measures of precaution while being here. Most crimes against travelers are pretty small, which generally may involve pick pocketing or theft, but various violent assaults may happen, even in the daily time. The States Department will advise being as cautious as you can and also using a healthy judgment during your stay here.
