Passports needed for bahamas? Passport fees going up

[2littleprincesses]

We are going on a cruise in 2011 to the bahamas. Should I get new passports for all of us?

It looks like there will be a passport fee increase soon. About $35 more a passport.

http://travel.state.gov/passport/get/fees/fees_4734.html

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2408062

 

[disneyfaninaz]

Passports aren't currently required for a closed loop cruise. I guess you need to ask yourself if the passport will come in handy for other furture international travel or if you like the piece of mind of having the passport in case of emergency while on your cruise and have to fly home.

 

[MPwifey]

We do not have passports for this cruise, but we will hopefully be taking one when DH comes home from his tour and we will get them then. After reading stories about things happening on the ship I am rethinking our decision to wait to get our passports.

 

[kcashner]

The basic procedure if something happens on an island and you have to fly home is that you must contact the US embassy and are issued a "temporary passport" which costs the same as a regular passport. When you are back in the US, it MUST be exchanged for a real passport at no additional cost. SO...basically you incur the hassle of having to get the temporary passport. If you are air lifted off the ship and back to the US, you are obviously allowed in and they deal with the paper work after the fact.

If the price is going up $35 and you're going to get them anyhow....do you save the money or have them last a little longer?

I have been clicking all over the US gov passport site and can't see where it SAYS passport fees will increase March 11. I can find where it was proposed, but it doesn't say it will take effect then. I may call on Monday as I think DD's expires in April.

 

[rkwells]

We do not have passports for this cruise, but we will hopefully be taking one when DH comes home from his tour and we will get them then. After reading stories about things happening on the ship I am rethinking our decision to wait to get our passports.

Thanks for posting. We are leaving for our first cruise in 3 weeks and are not getting passports. Please let us know how it goes for you. I know we are not required to have them but I thought I read here that a customs agent gave a disboard member a hard time for not having them upon their return to Port Canaveral. Hope you have a great cruise!

 

[Reagan&Co.]

I booked last night for the Bahamas in 2011. The Disney lady said passports were not needed " at this time". I had planned on getting them, but as pricey as they are....maybe not. I guess I will just keep an ear out for any changes to the law.

 

[tvguy]

I've always cruised and traveled with a Passport. Not required, but like travel insurance, very handy if something comes up where you need it.

 

[NancyIL]

My passport expires in August, but I will be renewing it this week. I'm going to be in Europe in June, and you are supposed to have at least 6 months remaining time on your passport when traveling internationally - depending on destination. I'm also cruising to Mexico in April and would prefer to have my new passport in my hands when I sail.

 

[Candy Apple]

Thanks. Time to get new passports for the kids before the fees go up!!

 

[TheWog]

The basic procedure if something happens on an island and you have to fly home is that you must contact the US embassy and are issued a "temporary passport" which costs the same as a regular passport. When you are back in the US, it MUST be exchanged for a real passport at no additional cost. SO...basically you incur the hassle of having to get the temporary passport. If you are air lifted off the ship and back to the US, you are obviously allowed in and they deal with the paper work after the fact.

If the price is going up $35 and you're going to get them anyhow....do you save the money or have them last a little longer?

I have been clicking all over the US gov passport site and can't see where it SAYS passport fees will increase March 11. I can find where it was proposed, but it doesn't say it will take effect then. I may call on Monday as I think DD's expires in April.

They won't tell you the date the rates will go into effect until after the 30 day public comment period expires.

 

[kcashner]

They won't tell you the date the rates will go into effect until after the 30 day public comment period expires.

That makes sense...and the 30 day comment period expires on March 11. I called the 800 number today and they wouldn't tell me anything...said they don't have any information on fee increases at this time, but that IF there is to be a fee increase, it will be announced before it takes effect. I tried to push a little, pointing out that March 11 is only a week away; the man repeated that he has no information at this time.