As we've (Mr. Makarma) noted in our recent musings, two ships have set sail (actually, one's already here) around South America toward their new West Coast home ports. In both cases, some passengers were left behind, either canceling their trips outright or catching up with the ship at a later date.
Why did this happen? It happened because these vacationers arrived for their cruise without all the required documentation - in this case, tourist visas for one of the stops along the way.
While the importance of having a U.S. Passport is necessarily stressed for most foreign travel, it's also important to note that more is required by certain countries. Almost without exception, simply choosing to remain onboard the ship is not an option; if you don't have the proper documentation, and the ship pulls into port, some law has likely been violated. That's not something a cruise line (or an airline) wants to see happen. That's why some passengers on their way to a dream vacation recently made a side trip to a consulate and dealt with the expense of a one-way flight to catch up with the ship.
Always, ALWAYS, check the documentation requirements for any foreign vacation. There are a number of resources for this information; among them, the internet, travel agencies, tourism boards and consulates. Be certain of the information you're given. The ultimate responsibility to ensure you're ready for a trip is yours; a little preparation in advance will go a long way toward smooth sailing (or flying).
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