Hello, I am doing an eastern- caribbean cruise and I want to book the dolphin swim at the facilities in Tortola. Since the ship stops at St. Thomas I have to do the ferry ride to Tortola. I cannot book through the cruise line because they only offer the encounter and not the swim. Now, my question is: On the website they state that you need your passport to enter Tortola Island. But doesn´t the passport remain in the hands of the ship crew until you´re back in Miami? How can I then bring my passport to Tortola?
Maybe this question is stupid, but I am taking my 15 year old godson with me and he would do anything for swimming with the dolphins, so I want to make this work, at any price.

Thanks for your help in advance, Lucy

The ship doesn't keep your passport. If you use it for check in they give it right back to you when they give you your seapass card.

Bill is correct on this. I went on an Eastern Caribbean cruise this last December and I kept my passport with me the whole time. I kept it in my safe for the entire cruise.

Thank you both for your quick response. Then I can easily book the excursion and take the ferry on my own without booking through the ship, which really would be disappointing because the swim is so much better than the encounter.
Thanks again, Lucy

Have a great time. It is worth every dime to book the swim instead of the encounter.

Thanks, Laurie, I am thinking about even booking the Royal swim. I have done both the encounter and the swim and therefor I know the difference. My godson is hopefully having a great time. I hope we can manage it on our own, taking the ferry and getting back to the ship in time. I am a bit nervous but I guess everything will be just fine.
Lucy

You'll be fine, we take the ferry to St. Johns from St. Thomas all the time. The locals use the ferries, so they're pretty reliable. I'm sure your godson will love it. I've heard the Royal is the ultimate, they only had the swim or encounter available when we did it. I will try the Royal at the next opportunity, the swim was fantastic!

the royal swim was what we did. I figured we might only do this once in my lifetime so go for the all-out experience. We were not sorry!

Lugi-Have a great time-but don't forget to take the passports with you-
Tortola is not a U.S.possession!-Your going over on a ferry not on the cruise ship-

Bon Voyage,

BillyBuzzy

Definitely do the Royal Swim- we did this one in Cozumel and it was worth every penny! What a fabulous experience.

Don't worry about your passport- they give it right back to you at check-in and at the Royal Swim, lockers were provided at minimal charge for any personal belongings.