DISer chapter of NKOTB anonymous, part 3... still goin' strong!

[hmdavid]

Karen's right; as long as your cruise begins and ends in the US, you don't need a passport. A birth certificate will do. It's good to have a passport incase you miss the ship and get stuck on an island, making it nearly impossible for you to get home without one. But as long as that doesn't happen, you're good to go without a passport.

Hmmmm... This is what I am reading about passports:

As of June 1, 2009, the final WHTI regulations went into effect. These regulations state that all Adult Passengers (16 and older) must have a valid passport, passport card, enhanced driver's license, or Trusted Traveler Program card to travel to and from the U.S. Any citizen who doesn't have any documents which will verify citizenship has to present both a proof of citizenship and identification (a birth certificate and driver's license). Any adult going on a cruise must have these documents for re-entry to the U.S.

If one has an enhanced drivers license, then you are ok, but what is that?

That said, I would never travel internationally without a passport, even if it is allowed for cruising. What if there is an emergency and you have to catch a flight and can't because you don't have proper documentation? Worth the extra $$$ for the peace of mind.

 

[jenny105]

Hmmmm... This is what I am reading about passports:

As of June 1, 2009, the final WHTI regulations went into effect. These regulations state that all Adult Passengers (16 and older) must have a valid passport, passport card, enhanced driver's license, or Trusted Traveler Program card to travel to and from the U.S. Any citizen who doesn't have any documents which will verify citizenship has to present both a proof of citizenship and identification (a birth certificate and driver's license). Any adult going on a cruise must have these documents for re-entry to the U.S.

If one has an enhanced drivers license, then you are ok, but what is that?

That said, I would never travel internationally without a passport, even if it is allowed for cruising. What if there is an emergency and you have to catch a flight and can't because you don't have proper documentation? Worth the extra $$$ for the peace of mind.

This is true for flying or entering another country via car but for a cruise, it's not neccessary. I agree with you, I have one just incase I need it for an emergency. I don't want to be stuck in the Caribbean or strange country without a way to get home if I really needed to. It's worth the money for peace of mind alone. But as I said, it's not a must that you have one to board the ship.

 

[cruiserkaren]

Actually there have been cases where people have had to leave the ship for various reasons that did not have a passport and no one has been left in that country. You'll find stories all over cruise critic about it. They aren't common but it does happen. The US embassy will get you home. I know it's a heated debate and can get quite controversial! To each their own.

I have cruised many times since the "changes" went into effect and it's not applicable for closed loop cruises. The cruise lines lobbied hard for the loophole and won, for the time being. It's up to your comfort level though, Crystal.

From http://www.dhs.gov/xnews/releases/pr_1206635771151.shtm

Traveling By Sea
How will the final WHTI requirements affect passengers going on cruises?
U.S. citizens on closed-loop cruises (cruises that begin and end at the same port in the U.S.) will be able to enter or depart the country with proof of citizenship, such as a birth certificate and government-issued photo ID. A U.S. citizen under the age of 16 will be able to present either an original or a copy of his or her birth certificate, a Consular Report of Birth Abroad issued by DOS, or a Certificate of Naturalization issued by U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services.

 

[jenny105]

Kris asked if he needed a passport for the cruise we're going on in June. We're cruising to nowhere so I think he'll be fine without one. I told him to put the money he'll save toward drinks!

 

[hmdavid]

Yes, to each their own, but as someone who has travelled with a passport for 12 years, I say do it. It just makes life so easy. And in an emergency, if you have to fly out of a foreign country quickly, you can't just hop on the next flight without a passport. It involves a lot of paperwork that you won't have time for in that situation. In the grand scheme of things it is just a drop in the bucket on the list of expenses and something that is useful in the future. After you have it, you can put coming to see me when we get back to Germany in 2013 on your travel wish list.

 

[Brae's Mom]

Actually there have been cases where people have had to leave the ship for various reasons that did not have a passport and no one has been left in that country. You'll find stories all over cruise critic about it. They aren't common but it does happen. The US embassy will get you home. I know it's a heated debate and can get quite controversial! To each their own.

I have cruised many times since the "changes" went into effect and it's not applicable for closed loop cruises. The cruise lines lobbied hard for the loophole and won, for the time being. It's up to your comfort level though, Crystal.

From http://www.dhs.gov/xnews/releases/pr_1206635771151.shtm

Thanks for the tips Karen. I think I might go ahead and get one just in case. I think I'd rather be safe than sorry later.

Yes, to each their own, but as someone who has travelled with a passport for 12 years, I say do it. It just makes life so easy. And in an emergency, if you have to fly out of a foreign country quickly, you can't just hop on the next flight without a passport. It involves a lot of paperwork that you won't have time for in that situation. In the grand scheme of things it is just a drop in the bucket on the list of expenses and something that is useful in the future. After you have it, you can put coming to see me when we get back to Germany in 2013 on your travel wish list.

I've always wanted to go over seas....... We need to all have a concert together next year before you go running off to Germany girlie! If the boys tour next year maybe we can find a central location to everyone and have a DIS/NKOTB meet. That would be fun!!!

 

[Marshmelo]

Thanks for the tips Karen. I think I might go ahead and get one just in case. I think I'd rather be safe than sorry later.



I've always wanted to go over seas....... We need to all have a concert together next year before you go running off to Germany girlie! If the boys tour next year maybe we can find a central location to everyone and have a DIS/NKOTB meet. That would be fun!!!

Indiana is a pretty central location #justsayin

 

[hmdavid]

Thanks for the tips Karen. I think I might go ahead and get one just in case. I think I'd rather be safe than sorry later.



I've always wanted to go over seas....... We need to all have a concert together next year before you go running off to Germany girlie! If the boys tour next year maybe we can find a central location to everyone and have a DIS/NKOTB meet. That would be fun!!!

Indiana is a pretty central location #justsayin

Before we (hopefully) head back to Germany, we will be in KS for a year, right outside of Kansas City. That makes a central location that much closer for everyone!

Hope everyone has a good week. First day of school for us. Sooooooo quiet around here!!!

 

[Brae's Mom]

Our first day of school is next Tuesday. It can't come soon enough. I've had Braelynn at work with me for the last 4 weeks. We lost our daycare halfway through the summer, and by the time they told us our summer camp program was filled. She is nervous to stay home alone since she came home last year and the door was open and someone was in the house. So she's been spending days at work with me. She's tried to be really good, but 9 hours in an office for an 11 year old is difficult. I think she is even ready to go back to school.....LOL!!!!

 

[cruiserkaren]

The tour is over right? Any news about what's next for the guys?

 

[hmdavid]

The tour is over right? Any news about what's next for the guys?

Sounds like a European tour in early 2012 for NKOTBSB, then who knows.

 

[jenny105]

No posts since August? I know we keep up with each other on facebook but...really guys?

 

[hmdavid]

No posts since August? I know we keep up with each other on facebook but...really guys?

Made me so happy to see this thread show up! Hope everyone is well!

In NK news... Europe dates are slowly being announced (with BSB) and Donnie and Mark are opening a burger place with their chef brother. You can buy raffle tix to benefit Mark's charity and win a trip to the opening.

 

[jenny105]

In NK news... Europe dates are slowly being announced (with BSB) and Donnie and Mark are opening a burger place with their chef brother. You can buy raffle tix to benefit Mark's charity and win a trip to the opening.

I saw that on FB. I think the tickets are $2 apiece. I think I may need to purchase a few just for the chance to tell Mark 'say hi to your mother for me.'

 

[hmdavid]

I saw that on FB. I think the tickets are $2 apiece. I think I may need to purchase a few just for the chance to tell Mark 'say hi to your mother for me.'

 

[T16GEM]

I got a 4* VIP for the NKOTBSB European tour next April, we have waited 3 years for them! I can't wait!!
I live about 1 mile from the arena too so I plan on going up there during the day in the hope that I might get to meet Donnie

Have any of you guys done a 4* I don't really know what to expect?

 

[hmdavid]

I got a 4* VIP for the NKOTBSB European tour next April, we have waited 3 years for them! I can't wait!!
I live about 1 mile from the arena too so I plan on going up there during the day in the hope that I might get to meet Donnie

Have any of you guys done a 4* I don't really know what to expect?

Woohoo! Can't wait to hear all about it!!!!!!!!!!

 

[StarLight StarBright]

How have I been on the DIS for 4 years and not known there was a NKOTB thread??? I have been to three shows since the reunion tour, and 2 of those I did 5star! Just wanted to say Hi!

 

[hmdavid]

How have I been on the DIS for 4 years and not known there was a NKOTB thread??? I have been to three shows since the reunion tour, and 2 of those I did 5star! Just wanted to say Hi!

Welcome! We have been kind of quiet lately, but this is our third thread!

 

[eh24fan]

I'm seriously annoyed with NKOTB/Boyz II Men NYE announcement! I love BOTH groups, but really, now? ugh.