Newbie question regarding passports

[fam4jc]

Hi. We will be leaving on our first cruise Dec 10, 2005 on the Magic I was looking into getting passports for us all - 2 adults and 2 children. The cost will be over $300. Can I just get passports for my dh and myself and bring the birth certificates for my girls?

Thanks!

 

[mmouse37]

Yes...you can but I am a big supporter of passports...I know they are expensive but they last 10 years for adults and 5 years for kids.

If you plan on any other travel out of the US in the next 5-10 years then it would make sense to get them all now.

Many countries visited by cruise ships will start requiring passports instead of bc's....the way security is increasing everywhere these days...these countries will be requiring passports in the near future.

Right now you are not required to have a passport but eventually you will. But, getting back to your question at hand...yes you can get them just for your hubby and yourself for now if you wish. Think about adding the kids later, though!!!

MJ

 

[RKB]

From what I understand it is true - none of you actually need a passport. But I do agree - you never know when it may come in handy. It doesn't hurt to go ahead and get passports. There are quite a few stories by people about getting a last minute invite to go somewhere and they needed their passports. They can come in quite handy!

 

[tinkfan]

FYI- passports take about 4-6 weeks to come in unless you want to pay an additional $60 rush fee.
I got them done for our Dec 18th cruise. I have recieved mine, but still waiting on the kids. Its been about 3 1/2 weeks.

 

[SlyHubby]

Since you have so much time, don't sweat it.

Definitely get passports for you and your husband - it will always come in handing whether for travel or if you need to provide proof of identity for any reason. Here in NJ, for instance, they just start a program when renewing your drivers license that you have to show "6 points" of identification - a passport counts as 4 points by itself. Additionally, because they are good for 10 years it is really worth it to get it done sooner rather than later (it will only go up in price in the future).

For the kids, I don't think it's as big an issue.

 

[fam4jc]

Hi. good point about the rising security requirements. I should have thought about that. I think we will order ours now and then get the girls theirs if I have enough cash... This trip has turned into an $8000 Anniversary trip. I'm not trying to cut too many corners, but on the other hand I don't want to spend money that I could use someplace else, like for drinks on board

Thanks :jumping4:

 

[denecarter]

Definitely get passports for you and your husband - it will always come in handing whether for travel or if you need to provide proof of identity for any reason.

Summer before last, I was going to Seattle for a convention... the night before the trip, I was rechecking everything. I couldn't find my driver's license ANYWHERE. I was about to panic when the lightbulb went off... duh, the passport. So, I got out my passport for the early morning flight and everything was fine. Once I got home, I found my DL.

Sinced then, DD uses her Passport at the airport (doesn't have her DL yet). Technically, she doesn't need it... but it makes her feel cool.

 

[Lorij]

I agree that passports are definately the way to go. Since you have time, why not try and get one each month and spread out the cost? You'd have them all in plenty of time. One note on the children's passports. Unless both you and husband want to accompany them to the passport office, you will need an additional form signed by the non-appearing parent.

Here is the website... it has a ton of information for you.
http://travel.state.gov/passport/

 

[tinkfan]

I should read more carefully. Sorry I thought you were talking about this Dec, not 2005. I do agree though that you should get them. Since you have plenty of time you can get one ever other month to help with the cost. As mentioned before unless both parents are there with the children there is an addtional form to be filled out and as of Nov.1, that form had to be notorized. My husband has been bugging me for years to get them done and I promised I would for this trip and I am really glad I did.

 

[aprilgail2]

From what I understand it is true - none of you actually need a passport.

Nope, no one NEEDS them on the cruise if you don't want to spend the money a B/C and a drivers license work just fine too for all of you.

 

[surfergirl64]

What happens if you're married and your bc doesn't agree with your dl? Will I have any problems? We're going on a cruise at the end of January , but it's a surprise and my family won't find out until Christmas. I don't think we'll have enough time to get our passports.

 

[aprilgail2]

What happens if you're married and your bc doesn't agree with your dl? Will I have any problems? We're going on a cruise at the end of January , but it's a surprise and my family won't find out until Christmas. I don't think we'll have enough time to get our passports.

I had that with my mom and they said they just match the first name, and
date of birth....heck my moms birth cert. wasn't even her "real" name..we sent away for one for her and it came back spelled "Carbine" her real name had no "a" or "e" in it and another letter was wrong....they told us it didn't matter anyway since it didn't match the DL and they go by first name and dates of birth.

 

[TheWog]

What happens if you're married and your bc doesn't agree with your dl? Will I have any problems? We're going on a cruise at the end of January , but it's a surprise and my family won't find out until Christmas. I don't think we'll have enough time to get our passports.

Surfergirl, there have been people who say they are fine with no problems and a married name. You could take your Marriage Certificate to be sure if you wanted to. As far as not enough time, you should have plenty of time. We filed with the Boston passport agency last year Dec. 16 and had the passorts back in our hand on December 26. No problems. We had a Jan. 10 cruise date.

My suggestion to the OP is like above. Just get them one at a time and that will reduce the impact of the costs for you.

http://travel.state.gov/passport/index.html

 

[surfergirl64]

Well. I think I should go ahead and apply for mine since I'm the only one who knows about the cruise...And we'll apply for the others after Christmas and hope for the best! Thanks for all the replies!