ID options for children

[88golf88]

What does everyone recommend for identification for children? We have three under the age of 9 and are going on the Dream in and out of PC...should we go with full passports?

 

[plutolovr]

Passports are highly recommended when traveling outside of the country, even if not required. If there is an emergency while you are in the Bahamas and need to get home in a hurry by plane, you will need the passports.

 

[celina14]

We are getting them passports. It gives me peace of mind in case of an emergency.

 

[kiford]

If you've got them, definitely. I personally wouldn't ever travel without one even though US citizens can travel to the Bahamas/Caribbean on a closed-loop cruise from a US port with just a birth certificate (not an option for me as a Canadian but I still wouldn't - I even travel with a passport domestically). But if you already have them or intend to get them to use them at a later date, it's ID that pretty much trumps every other type of ID so why go to a lesser one.

 

[Meriweather]

passport......DGD and DGS have them just for cruising

 

[lklgoodman]

passport......DGD and DGS have them just for cruising

Same with my dd, has only used it for cruising so far.

 

[Weedy]

You can:
If you are a US citizen and cruising from a US port and back to the same US port (leaving Port Canaveral and returning to Port Canaveral) adults and children can use a birth certificate. Adults 18 years and older will also need a state issue photo ID.
Is it a good idea to have a passport? Yes!! Is it mandatory no.

 

[disneyfaninaz]

As they get older the passport will be gold for ID purposes for school enrollment, sports activities, school trips abroad, drivers license identification, etc. Well worth the investment in my book.

 

[DCSWO]

Definitely passports. Only good for 5 years in this case but still worth the peace of mind.

 

[TreeFalls]

Our kids are the same age, and we are getting passports.

 

[Trera]

Our DD has had a passport since she was 2 because we knew we would be cruising often. She has traveled by air to Mexico and Bermuda so it has come in handy. She also has Global Entry in case she is with us travelling abroad and we can reenter now quickly when she is with us.

 

[soniam]

Passport is best

 

[deliela999]

We went with a passport too. I will add that it was suggested to us that we could save money and get the passport card, but we didn't see that as anything helpful since you can't board a plane with it. It wouldn't be useful in the exact emergency situation we were concerned about.

 

[Disneyland_emily]

We got a passport for my 2 year old and it’s been so much easier to cruise having everything the same (the adults have had passports for years) and it’s also been nice when we’ve started to get questioned about her age- I can reply ‘she’s 2 would you like to see a copy of her passport?’ And it stops the conversation dead and never had to show it-

Plus now it’s easier to decide on vacations as we don’t have to limit last minute destinations/cruises by passport status

 

[Jessicabr]

Its money well spent. Cause you will never know when you will need it. Like that golden rule: "when you have it you don't need it, but when you do not have if you will need it".

 

[Mousemommy1]

My kids have all had passports since they were 1 year old.

 

[DisneyPiPhi]

Another vote for passports! It is the safest choice in the event of an emergency. DD even likes to carry hers when we fly domestically so that she also has photo ID to show if asked. (She is never asked, but likes to be prepared!)

 

[allison0523]

It all depends on your risk tolerance and potential risks associated with your trip as well as cost. Keep in mind, passports for children under 16 are only good for 5 years. As others have said, if you are a US citizen on a closed loop cruise, a birth certificate will suffice.
We have passports because we are the type of family who always has some sort of emergency while on vacation and our 11 year old son has major medical problems. So, for us, the risk was too high and we opted for passports.Yes, emergencies happen but I have been on 15 cruises and none of us have ever needed to fly home from a foreign port, thankfully.
If you do have an emergency and need to fly home you would have to get an emergency passport first.

 

[DirectGirl]

Our DD has had a passport since she was 2 because we knew we would be cruising often. She has traveled by air to Mexico and Bermuda so it has come in handy. She also has Global Entry in case she is with us travelling abroad and we can reenter now quickly when she is with us.

I heard that young kids actually slow you down, because they don't take their finger prints, so upon re-entry, you have to wait for an agent to come to you and do a face-to-face. Have you experienced?

 

[Trera]

We haven't taken her out of the country yet since she got global entry earlier this year, so I cant comment.