Ok passport confusion!

[MommaluvsDis]

DCL strongly suggests that passports be obtained but my son and daughter-in-law will probably never use them after our upcoming 3 night cruise again. Is it necessary they have passsports or can they use their drivers' licenses and birth certificates?

 

[srferson]

My understanding is that for a closed loop cruise (US port back to US port) they can get by with a certified birth certificate and their ID (license).

But if anything happens and they get stuck at a non-US port, travel without a passport will not be possible.

I feel much safer having a passport. And the thing is good for ten years. Are they really sure they will never want or need to leave the US in the next ten years?

 

[jillianjigs7]

You do not need one if the cruise starts in US and ends in US - however, I highly recommend getting one JUST IN CASE. You never know if you become sick, and need medical attention on one of the islands, you will need it to get back into the US. I say, better to be safe than sorry.

 

[Disney Dreams]

Two important pieces of information that are needed for anyone to answer your question:

1. What is they country of citizenship?
2. Where does your cruise start, go, and end?

- Dreams

 

[MaryLynne]

I have been on 3 Disney cruises (and several other cruise lines) and have always used my birth certificate with driver's license. You just have to make sure it is a certified copy of the birth certificate which means it has the raised seal embossed on it. I was nervous about it the first time, but it was not an issue at all and have never thought twice about it since.

 

[ksucats]

We got them for our kids for our cruise 2 years ago even though we didn't think we would use them again. I just felt more comfortable having them. Now since we got them, they have used them to go to Jamaica & London and will be heading out on the Fantasy in 2 weeks. I say get them.

 

[MommaluvsDis]

US citizens and we will be on the 3 night going to Nassau, Castaway Cay and then home.

Thanks for the replies everyone!

 

[srferson]

Have fun!

 

[hrhdhd]

You do not need one if the cruise starts in US and ends in US - however, I highly recommend getting one JUST IN CASE. You never know if you become sick, and need medical attention on one of the islands, you will need it to get back into the US. I say, better to be safe than sorry.

The bolded statement (my bold) is not true. Cruises that begin in one U.S. port and end in another (open-loop) may require a passport. Panama Canal cruises that stop in Colombia, for example, require a passport.

 

[time4dis]

Do not forget about the option of a passport card. it's just for sea travel, and wouldn't help in an emergency when you needed air travel, BUT, the US embassy could step in and expedite one if necessary, but again, you'd have to deal with that aspect in a stressful situation. we did use the cards and found them to be useful and easy. they are cheaper than a passport but are only valid for 5 yrs. it's pretty much the same restrictions as a birth certificate, but with a plastic ID card, vs toting around your paper certificate.

Just another option to be aware of.

 

[srferson]

Do not forget about the option of a passport card. it's just for sea travel, and wouldn't help in an emergency when you needed air travel, BUT, the US embassy could step in and expedite one if necessary, but again, you'd have to deal with that aspect in a stressful situation. we did use the cards and found them to be useful and easy. they are cheaper than a passport but are only valid for 5 yrs. it's pretty much the same restrictions as a birth certificate, but with a plastic ID card, vs toting around your paper certificate.

Just another option to be aware of.

Not just for sea travel.

The U.S. Passport Card can be used to enter the United States from Canada, Mexico, the Caribbean, and Bermuda at land border crossings or sea ports-of-entry and is more convenient and less expensive than a passport book. The passport card cannot be used for international travel by air.

But yeah, not for air. If I was going to bother getting anything I'd just get a passport book.

 

[TXDCLfan]

I have been on 3 Disney cruises (and several other cruise lines) and have always used my birth certificate with driver's license. You just have to make sure it is a certified copy of the birth certificate which means it has the raised seal embossed on it. I was nervous about it the first time, but it was not an issue at all and have never thought twice about it since.

This is not CORRECT not all states use the "raised seal" these days, some use water marks,holograms and other methods of certification.

 

[Srebro Family]

I have been on 3 Disney cruises (and several other cruise lines) and have always used my birth certificate with driver's license. You just have to make sure it is a certified copy of the birth certificate which means it has the raised seal embossed on it. I was nervous about it the first time, but it was not an issue at all and have never thought twice about it since.

Just went on my first Disney Cruise in April and I would respond exactly the same way as above! They didn't even bat an eye when I handed the birth certificate to them!

 

[jillianjigs7]

The bolded statement (my bold) is not true. Cruises that begin in one U.S. port and end in another (open-loop) may require a passport. Panama Canal cruises that stop in Colombia, for example, require a passport.

Yes, you are correct. I was just saying she didn't need it with the DCL cruise she was going on bc it is a 3 day cruise going to Bahamas and Castaway. Otherwise, yes. I do know on some cruises you do need them for some places.

 

[MommaluvsDis]

Since it is a shorter cruise, they are not getting passports. They just bought a new home and this is an expense that they really don't need. I would buy them for them but DH and I are paying for the cruise as well as 5 park days with tickets, dining plan, flights and DCL transfers.

Thank you everyone!

 

[bumbershoot]

This is not CORRECT not all states use the "raised seal" these days, some use water marks,holograms and other methods of certification.

Excellent point. My CA birth cert has a raised seal, but my husband and son's WA birth certs have a multi-colored swirly stamp, with nothing raised on it at all. Both are totally good and proper.

 

[ltktmk]

So it sounds like we do not need passports if we are U.S. citizens, start in U.S. and end in U.S., what if we want to get off the boat in Grand Cayman are we still OK without passports. Thinking about taking the DVC deal that just came out, but can not get the kids passports by end of June.

 

[trimix]

So it sounds like we do not need passports if we are U.S. citizens, start in U.S. and end in U.S., what if we want to get off the boat in Grand Cayman are we still OK without passports. Thinking about taking the DVC deal that just came out, but can not get the kids passports by end of June.

This is only correct if the cruise starts AND ends at the same US port. Reposition cruises starting at one US port and ending at another require a passport.

 

[srferson]

So it sounds like we do not need passports if we are U.S. citizens, start in U.S. and end in U.S., what if we want to get off the boat in Grand Cayman are we still OK without passports. Thinking about taking the DVC deal that just came out, but can not get the kids passports by end of June.

Do you mean they wouldn't be ready by the end of June? Or is it that you don't have the time or spare cash?

If you think it won't be ready, I can assure you it will be. Especially if you pay the fee to expedite. It's not cheap. And I'm not saying you should or should not do it. Just want to make sure you know that you definitely can.