Is a copy of birth certificate enough

[Disneyloverliz]

Hey! I’m going on the Fantasy in September. Is a copy of your birth certificate acceptable on Tortola and St. Thomas? I’m reading it’s acceptable for the cruise, but also that a passport of needed in some countries. Can anyone clarify? One of us doesn’t have a passport.

 

[Dug720]

Honestly it is best if that person will get a passport - especially now. There is time to do so. And if something happens and you have to return from a foreign port, there will be a lot less of a mess and delay.

 

[ajo]

We went on the Eastern Caribbean cruise on the Fantasy in 2019 and the family we went with only had birth certificates for their kids and it was fine in Tortola and St. Thomas. That said, a passport is worth having in case something happens and you need to fly home.

 

[PrincessShmoo]

Hey! I’m going on the Fantasy in September. Is a copy of your birth certificate acceptable on Tortola and St. Thomas? I’m reading it’s acceptable for the cruise, but also that a passport of needed in some countries. Can anyone clarify? One of us doesn’t have a passport.

From the DCL website:

Original or copy of their state-issued birth certificate AND Government-issued photo ID

1. Puerto Rico birth certificates issued prior to 7/1/10 are not acceptable
2. Hospital-issued birth certificates are not acceptable

 

[tvguy]

In this covid era, where you could get diverted to different foreign port, I wouldn't go without a Passport.

 

[soniam]

Or god forbid you get sick with covid or one of its nasty cousins and have to fly home. You have to have a passport for that. They would probably want the entire party to leave together, assuming you had to fly home, so everyone would have to have one. You don't want the hassle of not being able to enter the country, along with dealing with an illness. Just get the passport. It makes life much easier, especially for children that don't usually have a driver's license yet.

 

[hrhdhd]

Note that Castaway Cay is in another country, as is Tortola. In any event, if you needed a passport for any country/port, you'd need it for the entire cruise; you wouldn't be allowed to board in Pt. Canaveral without it.

 

[ladyofthetramp]

St. Thomas is the US, but Tortola is a foreign country. The ship could be diverted anywhere for any reason. If you need to get off, in a foreign territory, you will want a passport. Trying to get home and obtain a temporary passport sounds like a nightmare. Worth the investment. Especially in these times.

 

[Cruising Engineer]

Aaaahhh ... do you hear the choir singing? Because "one of us" may be stuck on a foreign island and won't be able to fly home (just in case) or fly to the next stop on the cruise (you missed the boat)!

 

[sewdisney]

When we cruised on Disney several years ago, EVERYONE needed a passport. Hrhdhd was correct - you would never be allowed to board in Port Canaveral without a passport. It is easy to get one. I'd start the application right now though as I'm not sure how long it is taking with Covid right now.

 

[PrincessShmoo]

When we cruised on Disney several years ago, EVERYONE needed a passport.

True, if one of the port stops was in a country that requires a passport, the cruise line will require a passport to board. Most Caribbean ports, however, do not have a passport requirement for cruises.

 

[lorimay]

Passports are taking longer these days, we sent ours back in mid-February for renewal and have not received them back yet.
Last time we did it we had them in hand in less than 3 weeks.

 

[Dug720]

Passports are taking longer these days, we sent ours back in mid-February for renewal and have not received them back yet.
Last time we did it we had them in hand in less than 3 weeks.

Since the OP is not going until September, they should be ok if the passportless friend starts NOW to get one.