Passport cards vs. BC?

[JennyJ]

So we are doing the July 11 cruise...

Do we NEED the passpart cards? Or can we just use our birth certificates? And if we can just use our BC, is it a big hassle getting on and off the ship in Nassau?

I am trying to be economical...but also smart. I don't want to not get the cards and cause unnecessary issues.

Thanks!

 

[lborne]

It is my understanding that you can still use your birth certificate. Many people bring a passport in case of an emergency and they need to fly home. However, you can not fly using a passport card.

 

[mickeyfan1]

Passport cards are strictly for driving between the US and Canada or the US and Mexico, and usually used by people who travel back and forth a lot. It can't be used for any other country.

When you board the ship, you will need to show your Gov't issued picture ID (see the DCL rulse about monors) and your certified birth certificate. Once you have done that and are all OK, you won't need your BC again, but when you get off the ship you will beed your KTTW card AND your picture ID, this is true in every port I have been in.

 

[Caropooh]

Passport cards are strictly for driving between the US and Canada or the US and Mexico, and usually used by people who travel back and forth a lot. It can't be used for any other country.

When you board the ship, you will need to show your Gov't issued picture ID (see the DCL rulse about monors) and your certified birth certificate. Once you have done that and are all OK, you won't need your BC again, but when you get off the ship you will beed your KTTW card AND your picture ID, this is true in every port I have been in.

Actually the passprt card can be used in Bermuda and the Carribean.
http://travel.state.gov/passport/ppt_card/ppt_card_3926.html

 

[Pudo]

Actually the passprt card can be used in Bermuda and the Carribean.
http://travel.state.gov/passport/ppt_card/ppt_card_3926.html

That's correct. You only need a passpost if for some reason you have to fly home as lborne already stated. If you don't get a passport you are "betting" that you won't have a medical or other emergency. The best analogy I can use is that the passport becomes a form of insurance which is typically a very personal decision.

 

[JennyJ]

THanks for the info...so am I right in assuming that the BC will only be needed to board the ship? Is it a bigger hassle boarding with a BC as compared ot the passport card, or the same?

I appreciate all the info!

 

[pluto1979]

I can understand wanting to save money but in all honesty the best thing is to get the actual passport book. This last for 10 years (you might be able to get one that lasts for 5 years). Its added protectiong for you while away from home. Make copies of it and bring those with you and leave them on the boat while you take the real ones with you just in case you should lose them.

I know their expensive but you really should have a passport not just for cruises but for other things as well. In addition when you finish your first cruise you are going to want to cruise again in a year or so!

Good luck in making your decision and Welcome Aboard!

 

[mickeyfan1]

THanks for the info...so am I right in assuming that the BC will only be needed to board the ship? Is it a bigger hassle boarding with a BC as compared ot the passport card, or the same?

I appreciate all the info!

I find getting on is no different with BCs or passports. But getting off, I have my passport out and have never had an delays coming back through immigration. I use my passport for all my travel, it is so much easier going through the TSA check with it, you open it to the picture page, slip your boarding pass in, and the agent has no problems matching stuff up.

 

[WVMD]

Jenny, You can use Birth Certificates just fine. There is no difference in boarding with a birth certificate versus a passport. You just have to have an original BC with an embossed seal to be valid. The only advantage of having a passport would be if you needed to fly home in an emergency. if you didn't have it - it would be a huge hassle. A passport for adults is valid for 10 years - a passport for a child under 16 is valid for 5 years. Given the choice between the card and the book - I'd get the book - no real reason for the card - yes it's cheaper - but you can't fly using it.

Virgil

 

[JennyJ]

Thanks so much for all the info!

 

[irishdadx4]

what about a birth certificate "card". Thats what virginia was issuing in the early 70's when my parents got it. It's the size of a credit card, plastic, and the info on it it embossed...but I dont think it has an embossed state seal. Would this work? Would the Disney people accept this? would so hate to get down there and find out they won't accept it.

Mike

 

[mickeyfan1]

When my son needed to get his passport, he had to get an official paper copy of his BC from VA, the passport office would not take his credit card one. I can'[t remember what we used when we cruise and he was 10 and up. I don't think we needed any documents back then.

Just to be safe, I would go to te vital records office in Richmond and get a paper certified copy.

 

[jedijill]

what about a birth certificate "card". Thats what virginia was issuing in the early 70's when my parents got it. It's the size of a credit card, plastic, and the info on it it embossed...but I dont think it has an embossed state seal. Would this work? Would the Disney people accept this? would so hate to get down there and find out they won't accept it.

Mike

It's not a question of what Disney accepts, it is up to US Immigration. They set the standard for what they accept.

HTH

Jill in CO

 

[irishdadx4]

When my son needed to get his passport, he had to get an official paper copy of his BC from VA, the passport office would not take his credit card one. I can'[t remember what we used when we cruise and he was 10 and up. I don't think we needed any documents back then.

Just to be safe, I would go to te vital records office in Richmond and get a paper certified copy.

Wonderful...thankyou for the heads up.....

 

[tvguy]

I'd get a Passport.....second choice would be the B/C. Passport cards seem like a waste of time and money to me.

 

[breakingd_awn]

We have a family of 6 so getting passports would have been $600.00! We ended up just using BC's and we only had to show them once at the cruise terminal and then they gave us our KTTW cards and after that we never had to show our BC's again. You just show your KTTW card and ID at the port in Nassau.Very easy

 

[mazzarafe]

breakingd_awn was this just the 3/4 night Wonder cruise that you went on that you were able to just use your BC? My parents are going through the same decision right now whether to get the passcard or spend the extra money on the passport. See their problem is my stepfather will not fly so the passport is pretty much a waist for them. Also was this just on the cruise you went on in February? We just made ressie's with DU and they are saying making it seem like we pretty need the passport and don't recommend the passcard because of the "in case" you need to fly. My stepdad would have to be out cold during the whole trip to the airport including knowing where he was going to make that happen. But if they don't have to do either and can save the $ that would be great. My mom had to order a new BC because she couldn't find hers.

Any one else have recent experience going on a cruise with just their BC's?

 

[tvguy]

We have a family of 6 so getting passports would have been $600.00! We ended up just using BC's and we only had to show them once at the cruise terminal and then they gave us our KTTW cards and after that we never had to show our BC's again. You just show your KTTW card and ID at the port in Nassau.Very easy

Once you get Passports, you'll be amazed how often you use them at home, especially with kids. Little League and other use sports signups, school registration, driver's licenses, getting a job, opening a bank account. When I was involved in Little League I was amazed at how many BC were nearly destroyed they had been used so many times. So for us, that MORE than offset the cost. The BC stay locked up in the safe deposit box at the bank.

 

[mickeyfan1]

In New Hampshire you can NOT use your passport as ID to get a drivers license. You must show a BC or a Baptismal Certificate. Even if you have a DO from another state.

 

[breakingd_awn]

breakingd_awn was this just the 3/4 night Wonder cruise that you went on that you were able to just use your BC? My parents are going through the same decision right now whether to get the passcard or spend the extra money on the passport. See their problem is my stepfather will not fly so the passport is pretty much a waist for them. Also was this just on the cruise you went on in February? We just made ressie's with DU and they are saying making it seem like we pretty need the passport and don't recommend the passcard because of the "in case" you need to fly. My stepdad would have to be out cold during the whole trip to the airport including knowing where he was going to make that happen. But if they don't have to do either and can save the $ that would be great. My mom had to order a new BC because she couldn't find hers.

Any one else have recent experience going on a cruise with just their BC's?

Yes we just went on the 4 night , You don't need a passport to fly within the US, just leaving or entering. You do not need a passport for a closed loop cruise. If something bad were to happen while you are in Nassau and don't have a passport I've been told they have programs available to help people who don't have passports and you can still fly home. Just not as quick as if you had one in the first place. But you won't be stuck there.We are cruising again next year with BC's , one of these days I would like to get passports though.