passport card

[JecHec]

Hey Dis Friends-
Soo, My DH wants to get a passport card instead of the passport book- has anyone ever utilized this fo ID for check in?

 

[Mommb]

Unless your husband is getting the passport card in place of a REAL ID drivers license/state ID card or is planning to be on a 1-way or Alaskan cruise, the card doesn't have much benefit on a cruise compared to a drivers' license and birth certificate. It would work on most cruises leaving from the US (though I haven't actually used one) but he may want to take other trips over the next 10 years.

A passport card can't be used for flights in and out of the country, so if something horrible happens during a cruise and he needs to fly (or be flown) home, he may need to get a passport book.

The card is valid for land and sea travel in Canada, Mexico, and the Caribbean, so it would work for Alaskan and Caribbean cruises but not for, for example, Europe or a Panama Canal cruise. Most Caribbean cruises start and leave from the same port, in which case a passport isn't required at all.

A passport card is easier to carry than a passport book, but that means it's also easier to misplace. It costs less, but if someone is going through the process to get a passport for a cruise (which costs thousands of dollars) spending $100 or so more to get a passport book would make more sense.

 

[lanejudy]

Yes, we have used passport cards. But it really has no value vs using a birth certificate + drivers license. If an emergency arises you cannot fly home with the card. If he has the card it’s fine but don’t get the card (only the card) with intent to cruise. Get the book or save your money.

 

[Kooks and Bay Bay]

I would not recommend getting only the card.
Personally I have a passport book and then also opted to add the card especially since I do not drive its good to just have in my wallet as my normal ID although people do find it very odd and confusing when I hand it to check at the liquor store or doctor's office.

 

[NYCgrrl]

I use the Federal system as my formal ID and convinced myself it would be a good thing to have both the book and card. Turns out I rarely used the card so when it was time to renew I only paid for the book. YMMV.

 

[dad of 3 addicted to DCL]

I use the Federal system as my formal ID and convinced myself it would be a good thing to have both the book and card. Turns out I rarely used the card so when it was time to renew I only paid for the book. YMMV.

Same. We had them for 10 years and literally never used them. Did not renew this last time

 

[mjkacmom]

No need for the card for most closed loop cruises from the US, just use birth certificate and drivers license. I opted to get the card as well as the book because I have no plans on spending hours getting real ID for domestic flights (our DMV is horrible).