4-Night Bahamian Cruise From Port Canaveral - No Passport & No Birth Certificate

[shoegal9]

What phone number did you call ?

Thanks

1-877-487-2778

Here is the site. It’s FAQ #2: https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/passports/passport-help/faqs.html

 

[Anna131517]

You MAY be able to use an enhanced drivers license - call DCL to verify - however, you really should have a passport. https://help.cbp.gov/s/article/Article-74?language=en_US

The ability to renter the country using a birth certificate or enhanced drivers license is an exception to the general immigration rules that is applied to closed loop cruises. If something happened and one of you had to be medically evacuated or the ship had to reenter the country through another port (mechanical issues, another ship accident blocked the port, weather, etc) that exception wouldn’t apply and you’d need a passport. The safest thing to do is to expedite your passport.

 

[JWG]

You've gotten all the advice, but I *think* you'll have your passports in time though. We've never expedited and have always gotten them back within 6-8 weeks or less.

 

[Maroonag1]

Have you seen any recent reports on current passport processing time? I’m just curious myself.

I had one of my college kids renew her passport when she was home for Christmas break. She was 13 when she got her last one and had to renew in person. Her appointment at the post office was 12/14/22 and her passport arrived 1/23/23, so just under 6 weeks.

DH and I sent our renewals at the begging of February. I didn’t even check processing times and ordered regular service because I figured we had plenty of time. I just checked the passport status portal and it says current processing time could be 8-11 weeks from the date the application arrived in the passport office. If it takes 11 weeks, then our flight to Orlando will leave before our passports arrive.

We just got ours in the mail, we had our appointment at the PO in mid Jan. so about 7 weeks. We don't have our documents back but got our cards. (We did the card not the book, so I'm not sure if that affects processing time)

 

[mjkacmom]

We just got ours in the mail, we had our appointment at the PO in mid Jan. so about 7 weeks. We don't have our documents back but got our cards. (We did the card not the book, so I'm not sure if that affects processing time)

Why did you get the card and not the book? In case of an emergency requiring a flight home, the card isn’t any better than a license with a birth certificate. We got cards with our book, just because it was only $30 and is an extra form of ID.

 

[auntlynne]

 

[DisneyCowgirl]

Seek help from one of your state's US Senators. Mine has a link on his website for assistance with passport applications. I requested help when mine was taking a long time and I was afraid I would not have it back, and then I had it within a week.

 

[Maroonag1]

Why did you get the card and not the book? In case of an emergency requiring a flight home, the card isn’t any better than a license with a birth certificate. We got cards with our book, just because it was only $30 and is an extra form of ID.

We got it because the book is $130 ($100 for DD) and the card is only $30
It's $30 extra for a card if you are buying the book but you can buy only the card.
We needed 4 of them so its and extra $500

 

[Maroonag1]

Seek help from one of your state's US Senators. Mine has a link on his website for assistance with passport applications. I requested help when mine was taking a long time and I was afraid I would not have it back, and then I had it within a week.

You can also reach out to your congress person, you may be able to get a quicker response from them rather than a senator.

 

[mjkacmom]

We got it because the book is $130 ($100 for DD) and the card is only $30
It's $30 extra for a card if you are buying the book but you can buy only the card.
We needed 4 of them so its and extra $500

I get it, family of 7 here so getting passports was expensive. The main reason to splurge on passports instead of just using a license and birth certificate is in the case of an emergency requiring a flight, can’t fly with the card.

 

[Jack_Sparrow_NJ]

Have you seen any recent reports on current passport processing time? I’m just curious myself.

I had one of my college kids renew her passport when she was home for Christmas break. She was 13 when she got her last one and had to renew in person. Her appointment at the post office was 12/14/22 and her passport arrived 1/23/23, so just under 6 weeks.

DH and I sent our renewals at the begging of February. I didn’t even check processing times and ordered regular service because I figured we had plenty of time. I just checked the passport status portal and it says current processing time could be 8-11 weeks from the date the application arrived in the passport office. If it takes 11 weeks, then our flight to Orlando will leave before our passports arrive.

Just received mine this weekend, it took 8 weeks.

 

[CmdrThor]

We got it because the book is $130 ($100 for DD) and the card is only $30
It's $30 extra for a card if you are buying the book but you can buy only the card.
We needed 4 of them so its and extra $500

You wasted $120, a passport card doesn't help you at all. Sailing with DL and BC would have been the best option if you are wanting to save money.

 

[auntlynne]

 

[Dug720]

I get it, family of 7 here so getting passports was expensive. The main reason to splurge on passports instead of just using a license and birth certificate is in the case of an emergency requiring a flight, can’t fly with the card.

Not to mention at that point you're paying the full amount - plus I believe an expedited fee - PLUS lodging while you're waiting for them to come through. Adds up to a LOT more than just getting passports in the first place.