Do we *really* need passports?

[tvguy]

We're planning on a 3 day Bahamas cruise in June. My husband and I have been on 2 Disney cruises before DS7 was born and didn't use passports. I read on mousesavers that we should all have passports. Is that really necessary for this cruise?

In this day and age I don't know why everyone doesn't have a Passport....even those with no plans to leave the country.....just for everyday life. Job changes....which require proof of citizenship these days. Getting a Drivers License.....opening a bank account....domestic flights.

So my answer would be yes, but because you really need a Passport for other things these days, especially for kids, who would normally not have any legal photo ID until they get a Driver's License.

 

[sissy_ib]

PrincessSchmoo, every time you give this advice you are giving inaccurate information. You need photo ID for those age 18 and older. For some reason you keep posting that you need it at age 16 and this is clearly not correct. I am not trying to be snarky in any way when saying this but just telling you that the correct age is 18 not 16 so that people will get the correct information.


Posted from Disney Forums Reader for Android

According to the state department is it 16+.

U.S. Citizens on closed-loop cruises will be able to enter or depart the country on the cruise with proof of citizenship, such as an original or copy of his or her birth certificate (issued by the Vital Records Department in the state where he or she was born) and, if 16 or older, a government issued photo ID.

 

[sissy_ib]

In this day and age I don't know why everyone doesn't have a Passport....even those with no plans to leave the country.....just for everyday life. Job changes....which require proof of citizenship these days. Getting a Drivers License.....opening a bank account....domestic flights.

So my answer would be yes, but because you really need a Passport for other things these days, especially for kids, who would normally not have any legal photo ID until they get a Driver's License.

You do not need a passport for any of those things. Is it useful? Yes. Needed? No, not at all.

 

[tvguy]

You do not need a passport for any of those things. Is it useful? Yes. Needed? No, not at all.

Changed jobs lately?

 

[jilljill]

PrincessSchmoo, every time you give this advice you are giving inaccurate information. You need photo ID for those age 18 and older. For some reason you keep posting that you need it at age 16 and this is clearly not correct. I am not trying to be snarky in any way when saying this but just telling you that the correct age is 18 not 16 so that people will get the correct information.

The State Dept's website says that anyone 16 and over need a photo ID and BC. So the info is not inaccurate. I also see that DCL has taken out the 18 and over need a photo ID on their website and list what is need for those under 16 instead.

 

[sissy_ib]

Changed jobs lately?

No job requires a passport. Ok, ones that require travel outside of the U.S..
I have always shown my SS card. If asked I would produce a birth certificate. And yes, I did get a new job recently and they did not ask for any proof of citizenship.

 

[jilljill]

Changed jobs lately?

Actually there is other documentation that you can show to prove citizenship. Yes, a passport is the easiest, but it is not vital to have one at this time.

 

[stitchlovestink]

What is incorrect about it? For a closed loop cruise either a certified B/C and photo ID is needed or a passport.

If you scroll back up you will see that I came back to edit my post because I was posting from my phone (originally) and I hit the wrong button! Ugh!!
Anyway, the issue is... she is advising that you need a photo ID as well as your birth certificate starting at age 16 and that it not true. You do not need anything but the birth certificate until age 18. Some people have children who do not have state issued photo ID's or driver's licenses at age 16 or 17 and they do not need them. The rules are they need the photo ID at age 18 when they are a 'legal' adult. Minors (under 18) only need the certified birth certificate. That's all I am saying.

 

[sissy_ib]

If you scroll back up you will see that I came back to edit my post because I was posting from my phone (originally) and I hit the wrong button! Ugh!!
Anyway, the issue is... she is advising that you need a photo ID as well as your birth certificate starting at age 16 and that it not true. You do not need anything but the birth certificate until age 18. Some people have children who do not have state issued photo ID's or driver's licenses at age 16 or 17 and they do not need them. The rules are they need the photo ID at age 18 when they are a 'legal' adult. Minors (under 18) only need the certified birth certificate. That's all I am saying.

Yes, I saw you edited your post. I also edited with info from the state department. 16 and over needs a photo ID.

 

[tvguy]

No job requires a passport. Ok, ones that require travel outside of the U.S...

Well, yes.....but................

Actually there is other documentation that you can show to prove citizenship. Yes, a passport is the easiest, but it is not vital to have one at this time.

..........Neighbor is an attorney who specializes in labor law, and some employers have been stung with fines for accepting what appears to be legitmate birth certificates that were not. So they include the possibility of travel outside the U.S. as the reason for requiring a Passport. Think of a Passport as a Fast Pass to a lot of life's little tasks.

 

[jilljill]

If you scroll back up you will see that I came back to edit my post because I was posting from my phone (originally) and I hit the wrong button! Ugh!!
Anyway, the issue is... she is advising that you need a photo ID as well as your birth certificate starting at age 16 and that it not true. You do not need anything but the birth certificate until age 18. Some people have children who do not have state issued photo ID's or driver's licenses at age 16 or 17 and they do not need them. The rules are they need the photo ID at age 18 when they are a 'legal' adult. Minors (under 18) only need the certified birth certificate. That's all I am saying.

I also posted that DCL has removed the 18+ rule for having a photo ID and just says only a certified BC or passport for those under 16. To me that means anyone 16+ needs a photo ID and certified BC.

 

[tvguy]

Actually there is other documentation that you can show to prove citizenship. Yes, a passport is the easiest, but it is not vital to have one at this time.

Just like travel insurance, not required, almost never used, but it can make things a lot easier. Cracks me up people who would never travel without travel insurance, but regularly travel without a Passport.

 

[jilljill]

I just checked my cruise documents for my cruise earlier in Sept. and it reflects what the website says.

U.S. CITIZENS

All Guests claiming U.S. citizenship must present the following as proof of U.S. citizenship:
-A valid U.S. Passport
-A valid U.S. Passport Card
-A valid state-issued Enhanced Driver's License - this is a special type of license that provides proof of identity and US citizenship; not all states offer Enhanced Driver's Licenses - please visit http://www.getyouhome.gov for more information
-A valid Trusted Traveler Card (NEXUS, SENTRI, FAST)

-Government-issued photo ID along with one of the following:
- Original or copy of their state issued birth certificate
- Consular Report of Birth Abroad issued by the Department of State,
- Certificate of Naturalization issued by U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services.


Guests under the age of 16 may present one of the following:
-Original or copy of their state issued birth certificate
-Consular Report of Birth Abroad issued by the Department of State
-Naturalization Certificate issued by the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services

 

[Mom of DisKids]

Changed jobs lately?

Yes, just last week and I did not need a passport.....a SSN card and DL worked just as well

 

[stitchlovestink]

I also posted that DCL has removed the 18+ rule for having a photo ID and just says only a certified BC or passport for those under 16. To me that means anyone 16+ needs a photo ID and certified BC.

I just checked my cruise documents for my cruise earlier in Sept. and it reflects what the website says.

U.S. CITIZENS

All Guests claiming U.S. citizenship must present the following as proof of U.S. citizenship:
-A valid U.S. Passport
-A valid U.S. Passport Card
-A valid state-issued Enhanced Driver's License - this is a special type of license that provides proof of identity and US citizenship; not all states offer Enhanced Driver's Licenses - please visit http://www.getyouhome.gov for more information
-A valid Trusted Traveler Card (NEXUS, SENTRI, FAST)

-Government-issued photo ID along with one of the following:
- Original or copy of their state issued birth certificate
- Consular Report of Birth Abroad issued by the Department of State,
- Certificate of Naturalization issued by U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services.


Guests under the age of 16 may present one of the following:
-Original or copy of their state issued birth certificate
-Consular Report of Birth Abroad issued by the Department of State
-Naturalization Certificate issued by the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services

My Bad! This must be a newer change. I do know that not that long ago ALL minors were allowed to cruise using just their birth certificate. I only said something because that was the case and both Kcashner and I had caught this same type of post on previous threads as being inaccurate. I guess I should have made sure the law didn't change before posting. but not that long ago this was inaccurate information that she was giving when she was posting this. my apologies...

 

[sdflipside]

IMO, any time you plan to take your kid out of the U.S. I think a passport is the safer way to travel as it has your child's picture and it establishes citizenship. Never want to be stuck in a foreign country without one. Likely nothing bad will happen on DCL, but I would want to be prepared for the what if scenario.

 

[sdflipside]

Btw, passport cards only is a good alternative for kids--way cheaper!

 

[sissy_ib]

Btw, passport cards only is a good alternative for kids--way cheaper!

You cant use a passport card to fly. You might as well just use a B/C.

 

[CarolAnnC]

Cruising and traveling aside, I believe every U.S. citizen should have a passport issued (and kept current). It is the ultimate proof of citizenship and in this day and age of wars, terrorism, etc., it is wise to have such papers in order.

God forbid you are out of the country without one and something dreadful happens and you cannot return (speaking of acts of war and terrorism). Remember 9/11 caught all of us off-guard.

Passports will not get cheaper, and can be invaluable. Now off to take my anti-anxiety meds...

 

[disney1990]

You are only going to be gone 2-1/2 days. If you are comfortable with just Birth Certificates, then just go with those. I have friends that never purchase travel insurance (I can't do that), but they don't worry about it. The changes of something happening in that short period of time, is fairly low. Even with just BCs, if something happens, you will get home. It make take a bit more effort, but they won't deny your return to the US. We do have Passports, but that is the decision, I am comfortable with.