For a Cruising Trip...Where to Get a Certification?

[Llamster]

What kind of certifications should i aim for getting? Hopefully I'm going to be joining a crew in the Caribbean to Panama and onward and just wanted to know what to try and get. Also, where should I get it, apply for it at? As in how does one start the process for these types of certifications? I'm an American citizen and currently residing in the Midwest but going to Puerto Rico in a few days..

Thanks in advance

[Sailmonkey]

What kind of certifications do you want to get?
you can log the seatime and apply it to a captains license....

[Vasco]

Don't really understand the question. Are you learning to sail? Do you want to bareboat? Do you want some sort of qualification so that you can work on a boat? If you're cruising you don't require any qualifications whatsoever.

If you're already joining a vessel then the skipper must be satisfied with your ability. If you're trying to join the vessel I would think a skipper would want someone with sailing experience, although some skippers will take inexperienced crew.

[Tempest245]

Are you talking about Passports and visas ?

[Llamster]

Ok, sorry, didn't explain myself. I'm new and will be learning how to sail.. However, If I wanted to get into this business, maybe far in the future do some deliveries, join a sailing club/team, as well as just having positive credentials in case i wanted to join another crew.. What certifications and licences should I aim for getting?

Someone mentioned the Captains license? Where can I start that at and what other certs should I shoot for?

Also, as far as traveling goes you just need a passport right? Is there a generic travelers Visa sort of thing that I should have? How do you guys go from island to island or country to country etc? Do you get stopped when you enter the territory and what do they check for?

Thanks!

[Sailmonkey]

You'll need nothing to start with for the sailing aspect of this. A passport is 100% needed to leave and enter countries.
Depending on you nationality, and the countries you'll be visiting you may or may not need a passport (sorry I can't be more specific).
If you're just learning to sail, concentrate on that, as you learn more and become exposed to more of it you'll find the direction you would like to take. To just muck about on boat takes no certs, papers, permission, or anything else other than the will and desire to do it.