Do I Need a Passport to Cruise??

[jrabbit]

Well it depends upon where you are cruising out of, the type of cruise and if you are planning on flying to your embarkation port from one of these states:
New York, New Hampshire, Minnesota, Louisiana

Their drivers licenses at some point NEXT year (2016) will not be good enough to board an airplane.

http://www.msn.com/en-us/travel/news/a-driver’s-license-won’t-get-you-through-airport-security-if-you-live-in-these-states/ar-AAezIvd?li=BBgzzfc

Interesting article.

In Oregon 10 years ago they started upgrading our Drivers License and the first time I went to renew under the new rules I just brought my passport with me - because it's the best ID there is. After they had me read the rules, I had to go home and find my SS card as well.

 

[Bree]

Straight from Homeland Security...

http://www.dhs.gov/real-id-public-faqs

I don't know about the rest of the states on that list, but NY doesn't require you to provide proof that you are a US Citizen or a legal resident to get a DL

 

[lanejudy]

I believe an Enhanced Drivers License from New York or Minnesota is still acceptable as a real ID even if the standard driver's license in those states is not.

Enjoy your cruise!

 

[bumbershoot]

In 2016 they still have to make a decision. Next year is the earliest it CAN be enacted, but it doesn't mean it WILL be enacted. (paraphrasing from people who pay more attention to things than I do, and I trust them)

 

[pjacobi]

As a NH resident, I am aware of the issue. There have already been several RealID deadlines that has passed, but NH was always granted exception or extension.

The real issue is money, i.e. unfunded federal mandate. The politician have been arguing about this for 10 years! Perhaps in another 10 years they might get it figured out. No need for worry or excitement.

-Paul

 

[krisinparis]

It's always best to have a passport in case of a medical emergency in another country or in the very off chance that for some reason you get left behind at a port.

 

[Tasmen]

I know Washington State is one of the states hit by this rule change too. We already have passports, so not an issue for us. Still, that's one more thing to remember to bring now when flying domestic unless we go and get enhanced licenses.

 

[dmunsil]

There is approximately zero chance that they are going to require a compliant ID for air travel before the vast majority of US residents have one. The chaos that would result from refusing to accept people's IDs would be epic. The publicity around this is an attempt to raise the profile of the Real ID program and hopefully light a fire under the states that currently aren't in compliance.

Even after these states become compliant, the TSA will still need to wait until those states bring all their IDs into compliance. Some might mail out new IDs to everyone (which will still take months; they can't actually print and mail a few million IDs simultaneously). Most states are going to wait for their normal renewal schedule, which could take 5 years or more.

 

[limabeanies]

Get a passport and pray you don't really need it. Isn't it better safe than sorry?

My uncle had a heart attack on board ship. At the next stop they put him and my aunt off and left them at the hospital. Thank God she had insurance. The hospital made her put $10,000 on her credit card before they would care for my uncle. She did it and was later reimbursed. They had a leer jet fly them back to the states for open heart surgery.