Any Fellow Canadians Cruise DCL without a Passport

[MandM]

We are booked on the Sept4 sailing and have the kids grandparents coming with us. We have outr passports but they don't. I called Disney 3 times and each time they told me all they needed was their birth certificate and a goverment photo ID. I just read on the board indicating that a passport is required! We obviously don't have a lot of time to react so I'm curious if any other Candians have cruised in the last few months without a passport and did you run into any issues.

Input is greatly appreciated

 

[cdnmickeylover]

We were told before our last cruise which was the 7 day western that we did need passports in order to cruise. I'm not sure if that's the same for all cruises though. I would get the passport to be on the safe side.

 

[CindyAnn]

We were also told we would need passports for the 7 day Western itinerary in January 2002. I'm assuming that maybe your only stop is in the Bahamas, so the requirements are different? There's still lots of time for the grandparents to get a passport. If they go to the passport office in person it should take no more than a week, or maybe 2 weeks at the most. I think I'd feel a lot better with a passport, too.

 

[MandM]

I'm checking for the 7 day Eastern. I talked with Disney 4 times and each time they indicated that original birth certificate and driver's licence is OK.

I talked with the US State Department (202-663-1225) twice and they confirmed that only the birth certificate and driver's license is required for San Juan and St Thomas (as they are simply extensions to the U.S.A.) and I talked with the Bahama Embassy [202-319-2660] and they indicated the same for their country (Cast Away).

We will probably still try to get the passport but since we have to give the original birth certificate if we don't get it back in time we won't be going anywhere!

 

[robsawatsky]

Here is the answer from the Disney Cruise Line website Q&A section:

"What documentation do I need to bring?

All U.S. and Canadian citizens must travel with proof of citizenship, which is a valid passport, original, state-certified birth certificate and picture identification, or a certified naturalization certificate with a picture identification. Acceptable forms of picture identification are state or provincial driver's license, or federal, state, province or local government photo I.D. card. Guests age 17 and under who are U.S. or Canadian citizens are only required to have proof of citizenship, excluding picture identification. These guidelines are based on U.S. government regulations which are subject to change at any time. It is the Guest's responsibility to check with their Travel Agent, government agencies, embassies or consulates prior to their vacation to ensure that they have proper documentation. Any Guest traveling without proper documentation will not be allowed to board the vessel and no refund of cruise fare will be issued.

New security guidelines require all adult Guests to show a picture I.D. to embark and disembark the ship in all ports, including Castaway Cay. Please be advised that anyone under the age of 18 wishing to go ashore unaccompanied will be required to have a consenting parent, guardian or other responsible adult with them at the gangway, to provide their signature as authorization."

Personally, I would not risk the trip over the cost of a passport.

 

[Cruisin]

When we were getting our passports back on our 3 night Wonder Cruise in Jan 2004, I saw them return a Canadian Birth Certificate to another passenger.

I guess at that time a passport was not necessary.

 

[deltadinah]

I can't believe it's so hard to get a clear answer. On the Canadian passport web site it says although you don't require a passport for the States, it is mandatory if you are going on a cruise, yet the Canadian Foreign Affairs site says Bahamas does not require a Canadian Passport if your stay is less than 21 days. I remember seeing somewhere, can't remember where, that the requlations were being changed for Bahamas, but the Canadian Foreign Affairs site was current for July 19/04.
I'd say it might be safer to bite the bullet and pay the $85 bucks! The application can be downloaded from either Canada or the U.S on the Canadian Passport site.

 

[mbb]

the security guy on the gangplank isn't really going to care what the "website" says...

And you'll be stressed the whole vacation wondering if the next port of call will accept the DL and BC...

passports=peace of mind ...in these times we live in

 

[MikeJ]

Originally posted by mbb

And you'll be stressed the whole vacation wondering if the next port of call will accept the DL and BC...

passports=peace of mind ...in these times we live in

That is it in a nutshell. If I'm spending that much money for a cruise, is it worth it to nickle and dime myself into an ulcer because we didn't want to pay the for cost of a passport? No. I consider the cost of a passport as part of the basic trip expenses.

Think of it as a WDW Annual Pass. After your first trip on an AP you can make additional trips to the Mouse and can get into the parks for "free". Same thing with the passport - once you've got it you can take 5 years' worth of hassle-free cruises at no additional cost. Well, you know what I mean.....

- Mike

 

[Cruisin]

Originally posted by mbb
the security guy on the gangplank isn't really going to care what the "website" says...

And you'll be stressed the whole vacation wondering if the next port of call will accept the DL and BC...

passports=peace of mind ...in these times we live in

Actually the security guy on the gangplank at the ports of call will never see your passport because Disney takes them away from you when you get onboard their ships.

After that you come and go from the ships with your Key To The World Card and some other form of picture ID such as your license.

 

[RoyalCanadian]

The waiting time for a passport these days is essentially nothing but mailing time. I applied for DDs passport on Monday, July 12 at 4pm. The Expresspost notice was waiting in our mailbox on Friday, July 16 at 10am. The Canadian Passport is the preferred document of proof of citizenship for Canadians travelling abroad.

 

[Snowwark]

The passport question comes up so frequently! I agree with everyone who says...get one! No more worries/questions/doubts/confusion....

Maybe I'll see you on the Magic, MandM!