canceling cruise

[6griswolds]

Well we have decided to cancel our first cruise ever because of the new policy for needing passports. It's just too much. At least we will still have the 4 (maybe 5 since cruise is canceled most likely) days at WDW. I am bummed. Guess I'll have to settle for the viking ship at WDW....if their is one.

 

[JSCTRico4]

What a bummer! Is it the expense? We had never had passports, and got them recently. I got 2 one month, and the other two the next month. I would hope that because they are required they would become cheaper! Just a thought...... did you tell your TA why you were cancelling? Maybe they would be willing to chip in for part of the passports with an additional onboard ship credit or a reduction in your cruise rate. They make commission on the trip, so, it's worth asking..... just a thought. I hate to see you miss out on a wonderful cruise over passports!

 

[connskell]

The passport requirement is not a done deal. So many just like you have flooded their congressman's offices about the expense. I live about 7 hours - maybe less - from Canada and it would be so expensive for a family who may never travel again to go to Montreal for the weekend. There is much discussion in our papers about the economic heart ship to certain areas because fo this. Keep checking and see if it becomes law.

Connie

Worked in 7 WTC on 9/11 - it fell at 5 pm so I do not want terrorists but this mandate just hurst families who are lawabiding and not rich.

 

[mmouse37]

Why cancel now....just wait to see what happens. You can cancel with full refund right up until final due date by DCL.

I understand it is an additional expense....but to cancel over the price of the passports may be a short sighted decision.

 

[WDWLVR]

I agree with MJ - why cancel now. Plus since you have 13 months until you cruise maybe you can find a way to afford the passports one at a time. Spreading it out over time you might be able to budget for it and then you would have them for the coming years. If you are like most cruisers you'll want to do it again Good luck with your decision.


I for one am glad they are putting the passport law into effect and I'm glad we got our two years ago. It has made our cruise process much much easier.

 

[Skatermom23]

I also hate the idea of forking out more $$$ for passports but if we gotta, then we gotta. When is your cruise date? I would hold off canceling until we have a firm policy in place.

 

[figment795]

I agree if you can wait to cancel do it. I would think they would allow birth certificates for a little while longer. DH and I have our passports prior to our 1st DC in April. It was worth the hassle they are good for 10 years.

 

[briarroselynn]

Im lost? I am going June19th ? Do I need a passport?

 

[ivanova]

no, the passport issue will effect those cruising in 2006 or later.

 

[disneydizz]

you're all scaring me...how much is a passport?

 

[gemjoy]

Just curious........ we're cruising Disney in 2006 and I know we may need passports - how much do they cost anyway???

 

[briarroselynn]

Quit scaring me!!! I just about had a heart attack! I dont think passports are expensive? I would not cnacel my cruise over the new policy? Am I missing something?

 

[DrCavin]

Quit scaring me!!! I just about had a heart attack! I dont think passports are expensive? I would not cnacel my cruise over the new policy? Am I missing something?

http://travel.state.gov/passport/get/fees/fees_837.html

 

[Sox_Fan]

Just curious........ we're cruising Disney in 2006 and I know we may need passports - how much do they cost anyway???

gemjoy,

According to the application form I have in front of me, an adult passport (16 and over; valid for 10 years) is $97, a child passport (15 and under; valid for 5 years) is $82. A requests for expedited service is $157/adult and $142/child.

 

[JSCTRico4]

The expense doesn't sound too bad when you are talking about a couple..... but, when you have a whole family to get them for, it really adds up! I think we paid a little over $350. for our family of four. If you have 3 or 4 children, it starts to add up. I am sympathetic to people who are scraping up the money to go on a vacation with their family. I agree the passports are a good safety measure for our country, but, if it's something that's required, it SHOULD be cheaper. $350. to someone who has been saving for years for a vacation is a lot! The good thing is that for adults, it is good for 10 years. I really hope maybe you can get them and go! Have a garage sale, go aluminum can collecting one weekend..... you have time if your trip isn't until 2006. It will be worth the effort!

 

[chip&dale&fun]

Well we have decided to cancel our first cruise ever because of the new policy for needing passports. It's just too much. At least we will still have the 4 (maybe 5 since cruise is canceled most likely) days at WDW. I am bummed. Guess I'll have to settle for the viking ship at WDW....if their is one.

Come-on 6 griswolds - although I would not want to lay out all the money at once, (if there are 6 of you) can't you make a game of saving up the change between now and the cuise to pay for passports, or cut down the number of pictures you buy on board. I hate to see you cancel on passports, because during the next 10 years who knows where else you may need or want to go.....If you have time, you don't have to pay more for overnight - that is the real expense...And the pictures were $5.00 each, I think...

 

[ivanova]

If you are talking 2 adult passports and 4 kids' passports (assuming 15 or younger) that's $522 ... you don't sail for 13 months according to your signature line ... so if passports are needed within the next 12 months, that's $45 a month ... it would be possible to work out a budget/money earning-saving plan for $45 per month and just get each passport every other month until you have all 6 in hand 12 months from now.

And like someone else posted, you currently may not be PLANNING to ever leave the country again, but how do you know what might happen in the next 5-10 years?

And if national IDs do come to pass, having a passport might save you the expense in the future of paying to get some kind of national ID.

 

[Belle2002]

Honestly, I would find a way to save for the passports. $97 isn't bad for a passport that will last 10yrs. I live in Canada, I think I paid about $80 for my passport (I just renewed last year) but ours are only good for 5yrs and the price of a Canadian passport went up considerably from the 5yrs before. So, chances are, if you wait a few years, they will get more expensive, and chances are you are going to want to travel somwhere outside of america in the next 10yrs. so why not just bite the bullet now?

 

[6griswolds]

Thanks for all your comments but when it comes to matters of the wallet my husband usually makes the decisions....at least with the big ticket things. If it were totally up to me I would spend spend spend. I guess we'll hold off awhile and see what comes about....maybe I will win the powerball! I guess I was just looking for a pity party.

 

[CaribGirl]

No matter where you get a passport, it is expensive, and our price just went up to $97. So I don't think the price will come down. On the contrary, it will probably keep on going up...