3 day wonder cruise and passport?

[chrisann]

I know having a passport would be a good safety net for our cruise, but we just booked a 3 night for March Break on the Wonder and really don't want to have to rush and spend $400 on passports until we have to(June 2009). The DCL website says that for Canadians, a birth certificate and drivers license is enough becouse we are only going to the Bahamas. Has anyone gone without a passport and everything has gone smoothly?

 

[Ham Ham]

Since you don't have passports you must be driving or flying within the US for your trip to FLA.

When traveling internationally border/customs folks may not be as up to date on requirements as you are. Passports are more quickly recognized and accepted.

We always travel with out passports.

One of my favs.

 

[chrisann]

we will be flying from Detroit to Orlando, so it would only be the Bahamian customs. I was just wondering if anyone has specifically done this cruise without passports. BTW, I LOVE your passport!!

 

[disneynuts777]

I cannot imagine traveling anywhere without a passport anymore. Without proper documentation you could be denied boarding or when you get to the Bahamas be denied to disembark. It only takes one customs offical to get the rules mixed up and ruin the entire vacation.
I would spend the money. They are valid for 5 years and you would only be getting them a few months before they are mandatory. Would it not put your mind more at ease than to worry the whole time hoping it works out.

 

[OntFamily]

When traveling on DCL, you will never see a Bahamian customs officer. DCL handles your customs clearance for you. So, if DCL says you do not need a passport, don't worry about it.

You will see a US Customs officer upon your return to the USA @ Port Canaveral. However, as a Canadian, you only need proof of citizenship (ie birth certificate) and gov't issued photo id (ie drivers license).

I certainly understand why you don't want to spend the money needlessly.

 

[chrisann]

that's what I was thinking. As for the U.S. Customs officer, lkiving in a border city, we're very used to U.S. customs officers. Thanks for your help!

 

[nokidz]

We were told by our TA that we required passports to sail on DCL. So we got them. We have sailed three times, going on our fourth in a few weeks (1 month and 2 weeks) and we are glad we have our passports. Wouldnt go with out them. You will not see a Bahamas Agent.

 

[braydensmom]

It only took me 3 days to recieve our passports, and as someone who lives on a bordering city, I would never go across the border without one. What if there is another major attack and they beef up the border or something happens while you are there.
Spend the money and get it a couple months earlier, if you plan on waiting till its mandatory, theres going to be huge wait times.

 

[Tantor]

if it was me , I'd get the passports. Peace of mind.

 

[minnie56]

Ditto. These days-I wouldn't take the chance.

 

[mtmbyck]

I would call DCL again and get a second opinion. BTW, I went to the passport office directly in Toronto, and fast tracked my passport (in October-never owned one before) and went to pick it up one week later - provided they are able to contact your guarantor they can move it this fast - it cost about $130.00.

 

[b-1]

A little OT but in reference to the US customs officials...

We crossed at the Winnipeg airport in September 2008. I was with my DD 6 and myself. the US customs official insisted that I sign my DD's passport. Which is explicitly against the rules of the canadian passport ( no one under 11 should sign their passport or have it signed for them). This guy was an old timer ( back when kids travelled on mom's passport) He basically said if I didn't sign I was turning around. I signed and as soon as I did I voided my DD's passport.

2 lessons.

1. I should have asked to see a canadian customs official before I signed anything.
2. not all customs officers know all the rules. travel with a passport.

 

[MickeyMick56]

I also live in a border town, we have cruised with Disney twice. Definately get a passport!!

 

[Cdn Gal]

Lately at the border they have been giving Cdns sheets that say that they must have passports by the end of Jan. We also received one on the mail. Why take the chance?? We are sending ours out this week.- after one last trip to NY

 

[garmich]

From now until May 31, 2009, you can still cross the border into the US by car without a passport. If you enter the US by air or ship, you will need a passport. On June 1, 2009, you will need a passport if entering by car.

Here are a few websites with information on border crossings:
http://www.getyouhome.gov/
http://www.dhs.gov/xtrvlsec/crossingborders/
http://www.cbp.gov/linkhandler/cgov/..._tearsheet.pdf

I would definitely get a passport. I'd hate to arrive at the cruise ship and be turned away. It's always better to have a passport in hand when traveling outside of North America.

I'm sending in my US passport application and my wife's Canadian passport application this week. We will be driving up to Québec in July 2009.