Forgotten Passport Question

[Jill Eisner]

My friend is leaving on a Disney cruise in 2 days. She goes from Miami to Puerto Rico. She forgot about the stop in the Bahamas, so didn't get her 2 year old a passport. She is panicking of course. When she called, she was told they might not let them on the ship with just a birth certificate. Has anyone been in this situation with a child? Do you think there's a chance they will let him board with just a birth certificate? I haven't taken a Disney cruise for 10 years and was able to go without a passport. I know things have changed. Thanks for any info!

 

[kendall]

Per https://disneycruise.disney.go.com/guest-services/passport-travel-documentation/ birth certificate probably not enough as it is not a closed loop cruise (edited). Complete info at that URL

 

[TestingH2O]

I read this as it being a one way iteberary to Puerto Rico. If that's true, only a passport is acceptable per the link above.

Sailing from: Galveston to San Juan, San Juan to Miami, San Juan to Port Canaveral, New York to San Juan or Miami to San Juan
The following guidelines are based on government regulations, which are subject to change at any time. It is your responsibility to check with your travel agent, government agency, embassy or consulate to ensure that you have all the proper documentation to board the ship and enter each of the countries on the ship's itinerary.

If you're visiting any country other than the U.S., remember to contact the consulate of that country to ensure you have the documentation required to visit. Travelers can visit the U.S. State Department's website. Guests without proper documentation will be denied boarding.

Adults who are not the parent or legal guardian of a minor traveling with them must present an Authorization For Minor To Travel Without a Parent or Legal Guardian Form signed by the child’s parent(s) or legal guardian.

Required Documents for U.S. Citizens
All Guests claiming U.S. citizenship, including children, must provide one of the following:

• A valid U.S. Passport
• A valid U.S. Passport Card
• A valid Trusted Traveler Card (NEXUS, SENTRI, FAST)

Photocopies of passports are not acceptable.

Guests disembarking in a foreign port and not returning to the ship should be sure that they meet all of the documentation and entry requirements of that country. In addition, they may be assessed a fine or penalty according to local or national regulations.

 

[GoofyLovingFamily]

Not a closed loop cruise. They will need passport.

 

[kendall]

If she is In Miami, perhaps she can get an expedited passport with same day service https://travel.state.gov/content/pa...nformation/where-to-apply/agencies/miami.html

 

[_auroraborealis_]

This also is not Disney's decision -- this is US regulation, and not subject to discretion or generosity.

 

[bumbershoot]

If she is In Miami, perhaps she can get an expedited passport with same day service https://travel.state.gov/content/pa...nformation/where-to-apply/agencies/miami.html

Yep.

 

[jdb in AZ]

When we were on a DCL Panama Canal cruise, a couple thought their 18-mos old DD didn't need a passport. They found out real quick that if an adult needs a passport, so does a child. They had a relative rush to their home and find the kiddo's birth certificate, fly it to Miami, then the parents had to expedite a passport in Miami. Very stressful (and pricey!) beginning to a cruise. Their extended family onboard were worried sick about them.

 

[tnkrbell]

I'm confused I thought a birth certificate and drivers licence is all that's needed?

 

[Party.Of.4-NY>>>FL]

I'm confused I thought a birth certificate and drivers licence is all that's needed?

That is true only for a closed loop cruise. One that begins and ends in a US port. Also, it might have to begin and end at the same US port (not 100% sure about the second part. I seem to remember reading that somewhere)

 

[KristiMc]

I'm confused I thought a birth certificate and drivers licence is all that's needed?

On closed loop cruises (Cruises that leave and return to the same US Port) this is the case. This particular cruise leaves from Miami but ends in San Juan so everyone is required to have a Passport.

 

[tnkrbell]

On closed loop cruises (Cruises that leave and return to the same US Port) this is the case. This particular cruise leaves from Miami but ends in San Juan so everyone is required to have a Passport.

Ooohhh!! Thank you!! I got scared

 

[_auroraborealis_]

If it begins, ends and never touches a non-US port, birth certificate is also fine.

Issue with the above itinerary is that while Miami and San Juan are US ports, they stop in the Bahamas. And no, just not getting off the ship isn't sufficient to make no passport okay under US regulation. US regulation doesn't have an opt-out-of-shore-excursion exemption.

 

[ivanp91]

If it begins, ends and never touches a non-US port, birth certificate is also fine.

Would this ever happen though? I thought it was a requirement that a non-US registered ship must stop at a foreign port, it can't simply sail between two US ports.

 

[_auroraborealis_]

Would this ever happen though? I thought it was a requirement that a non-US registered ship must stop at a foreign port, it can't simply sail between two US ports.

It actually isn't entirely registry, although registry is encouraged for regular loops, as is building the ship in the US, although some companies have gotten waivers there. If a ship cruises exclusively between US ports, as with a Hawaiian cruise that does not go from Vancouver or Ensenada or detour to Micronesia, the crew must be majority US citizens and comply with US labor laws.

This is also why Alaskan cruises always start from or stop in Canada somewhere. It allows them to skirt the labor rules for US-only cruises.

 

[minorthr]

Another reason you should just get a passport for yourself and everyone in your household. You never know when you might need it.

 

[kiford]

Would this ever happen though? I thought it was a requirement that a non-US registered ship must stop at a foreign port, it can't simply sail between two US ports.

I think that it can do this if the beginning and ending port are the same port and it also hits another port in between. But if it's two different ports for start and end, that's definitely a no-go. Though it may also be true that you have to hit a foreign port in between even for the same start and end port. I know that they've recently ruled that cruises to nowhere that simply sail out and return to the same port can't be done.

I also know that the cruise line can be fined if someone leaves the ship in a US port after starting in a US port (because they start and end in two different US ports). You also can't, for example, board in Key West if you miss embarkation at another US port - you have to board in a foreign port.

Daft rules, if you ask me, but that's what it is. Also worth nothing that you have to be a US citizen to be able to not have to use a passport for a closed-loop cruise even if you are a US resident.

 

[Dug720]

My friend is leaving on a Disney cruise in 2 days. She goes from Miami to Puerto Rico. She forgot about the stop in the Bahamas, so didn't get her 2 year old a passport. She is panicking of course. When she called, she was told they might not let them on the ship with just a birth certificate. Has anyone been in this situation with a child? Do you think there's a chance they will let him board with just a birth certificate? I haven't taken a Disney cruise for 10 years and was able to go without a passport. I know things have changed. Thanks for any info!

So what happened? Was she able to get an emergency appointment??

 

[jrabbit]

I too am curious as to what happened!

 

[Dug720]

I too am curious as to what happened!

I hate cliff hangers!!