Excuse for passport renewal

[mikesz]

My wife and I will be surprising my parents on their 50th anniversary with a Dream Double dip. We have booked the 2013 cruise date already but they are resisting renewing their passports.

What is a good story that would resonate with a 69 year old Buffalonian that would get them to renew but would not let the cat out of the bag?

Thanks in advance for the good suggestions!

 

[jdb in AZ]

If you know where they keep their passports could you sneak them out of the house and renew them (by mail) on the sly? You'd still have to come up with recent photos, but....

 

[dismom73]

If they are in NY that's pretty close to the Canadian border. Could you come up with some sort of potential family trip across the border?

 

[TinkLoverSam]

Tell them you'd like to take them to the Canadian side of Niagra Falls for their anniversary, they'll need a passport to cross the border.

 

[mellers]

My wife and I will be surprising my parents on their 50th anniversary with a Dream Double dip. We have booked the 2013 cruise date already but they are resisting renewing their passports.

What is a good story that would resonate with a 69 year old Buffalonian that would get them to renew but would not let the cat out of the bag?

Thanks in advance for the good suggestions!

Tell him that emergency services recommends that people living in states bordering Canada and Mexico renew their passports in case of an emergency that requires evacuation.

 

[JJsmama]

Tell them you'd like to take them to the Canadian side of Niagra Falls for their anniversary, they'll need a passport to cross the border.

This is a good one. I was also thinking of renewing them for them without telling. Most stories would become very complicated, but the Niagra Falls one might be pretty simple.

From my point of view, you could tell them you are being transferred overseas and they will need a passport to visit, but believe me when I say that this will cause panic..

 

[DLW8]

Tell them you'd like to take them to the Canadian side of Niagra Falls for their anniversary, they'll need a passport to cross the border.

I was going to suggest this as well since you are so close.

What a fabulous gift - they will have a great time!

 

[sauerkraut]

You could always get new certified copoies of their birth certificates from state dept of records without them knowing. That's all they would need if you are doing a closed loop cruise. Just make sure they have their driver's licenses with them when you 'drop them off at the port' and you'll have the B.C. with all your paperwork.
"

 

[AbsyBabsy]

How about tell them you heard on the boards that the cost to renew passports was going to go up to almost $300 so if yours are going to expire in the next year, you should get them now!

You did read this on the board! Right here right now. Just saying.

 

[ntmec]

It's less expensive and MUCH less hassle if you renew through the mail than if you have to essentially get a new passport if your old ones have expired. You could encourage them to renew- saving money & time- just so they have them for travel flexibility in the future.

 

[gretchenohar@hotmail]

Tell them you'd like to take them to the Canadian side of Niagra Falls for their anniversary, they'll need a passport to cross the border.

Actually, if they have one of the new "enhanced driver's licenses" they won't need a passport, unfortunately. But it would sure work otherwise...

And what a thoughtful & generous son you are!

 

[BelleProfHP]

Actually, if they have one of the new "enhanced driver's licenses" they won't need a passport, unfortunately. But it would sure work otherwise...

And what a thoughtful & generous son you are!

But will *they* know that? You could always try and see if they "inform" you of the new ones.

I also like the idea of the "suggested" renewal in case of emergency evacuation (or is that real? Not living in a border state, I don't know).

 

[mellers]

I also like the idea of the "suggested" renewal in case of emergency evacuation (or is that real? Not living in a border state, I don't know).

Actually--it is real. They even advise us to keep them in "go bags" in case of emergency. (I live outside Seattle.) They did a whole big presentation on television after the Japan tsunami.

It's even come in handy, once, for a non-widespread emergency: our neighbor's washing machine overflowed, and flooded our home (we live in a condo). Our cousins live in Victoria, BC, and they let us use their beach house for a week (bless them!!!!!!!) All of us have required, electrified medical equipment, so we have to be prepared to leave if there are any electrical problems. We have packed bags in the hallway in case the snowstorm takes out our power.