Passport Confusion

[ChrisHamlen]

We are going on our first cruise ever, on the Dream on May 5th.

I am confused..do I need to get passports for our family to get off the ship in Nassau and CC?? It's such an expense, I want to be sure I need it before I go get them..generally we only travel 4-5 hours from home, so obviously don't have a lot of need for them.

I have read "closed loop" cruises you do not need them..but as an inexperienced cruiser..I need to be sure.

In lieu of passports, do we all carry certified birth certificates?

Thanks in advance!!

Chris

 

[sweetinmaine]

We sailed the Wonder in March of 2010. You do not need passports. Bring picture ID's for the adults and birth certificates for the kids. Getting off at Castaway Cay requires just your room key. Bring the other documents when you get off in Nassau.

 

[MartDM]

Are the required...no. Recommended...yes, very highly.

They are an expense for sure but, if you ever find yourself in unplanned circumstances (such as missing the ship, medical emergency, etc.) they will be a godsend. I think of them as insurance against potential crisis, just like trip insurance.

Ever since I read a trip report from a woman whose husband had a heart attack and died on one the islands, and what she went through during the crisis and trying to get home because she had no recognized proof of citizenship (meaning a passport, which is universally recognized), I'd NEVER travel without ours. And this was long before the requirements changed a few years ago.

 

[disgrajak]

I haven't cruised yet, but was told to bring birth certificates with a raised seal for each person and picture ID's for the adults. I am also bringing a copy of my marriage certificate (with raised seal) just in case there is an issue with my last name being different on my DL than my birth certificate. I hope you have a great time on your cruise!!

Just wanted to add that if I were going on a longer cruise (I'm doing a 3 night and have also never cruised before) I would go ahead and get passports. I am only planning on getting off the ship at CC and feel that in my specific case the above documents will suffice. Hope that helps!

 

[kcashner]

Many people bring their marriage certificate--not needed.

You need either a passport OR a certified birth certificate and photo ID for each person 18 and older. Kids under 18 do not need the photo ID.

As above, there are reasons you might find it easier to have a passport in an emergency, but you will not be denied readmission to the US; you would just have to jump thru some hoops at what is already a stressful time in your life.

 

[disgrajak]

I'm bringing my marriage cert. because I was told that there have been a couple of times where people were questioned----I have mine and it's worth bringing the extra sheet of paper to avoid being delayed or even "annoyed". But I think Kcashner is correct in that you shouldn't have to have it. Hope that helps you out!

 

[mousejunkie98]

The Bahamas do not require a passport for entry, and in fact although we do travel with our passports we were told NOT to bring our passport with us off the ship in Nassau. They told us to bring our driver's license instead, because passports are a favorite thing for thieves to steal in Nassau, as they can get big bucks for them.

The reason we do travel with our passports is because if for some reason we had to fly home from somewhere in the Caribbean, you can't do that without a passport. It's not that likely to happen, but you never know.

 

[mousejunkie98]

As above, there are reasons you might find it easier to have a passport in an emergency, but you will not be denied readmission to the US; you would just have to jump thru some hoops at what is already a stressful time in your life.

You can be denied boarding by the airline if you don't have a passport and for some reason need to fly home.

 

[kmvand1]

We cruised to the Bahamas on Carnival in June and I too did not want the added financial burden on purchasing 4 adult passports. We took each birth certificates and photo ID's and did not have one problem. I was wondering if they were required for DCL in case we are fortunate this year to cruise with Disney, I am glad to hear it's not mandatory.

 

[Minniemiss]

The Bahamas do not require a passport for entry, and in fact although we do travel with our passports we were told NOT to bring our passport with us off the ship in Nassau. They told us to bring our driver's license instead, because passports are a favorite thing for thieves to steal in Nassau, as they can get big bucks for them.

The reason we do travel with our passports is because if for some reason we had to fly home from somewhere in the Caribbean, you can't do that without a passport. It's not that likely to happen, but you never know.

So if your passport is on the ship and you need to fly out of the Caribbean, having to go back to ship if it hasn't sailed becomes difficult during what could be a stressful time.

 

[OrcaPotter]

Hmm, this is good news, though, I will probably still try to invest in a passport. For one, I believe it's good for 10 years. Also, I know I will likely cruise again within the next ten years--and seeing how passport rules and cruising seem to change, better to have it than not. I've been on two cruises since 2002 (the last one in 2007) and have just used my birth certificate. I've looked at the US passport website for confirmation about this, though can't seem to find any. I'd hate to decide not to get a passport, then find out too late that I need one anyway.

 

[kcashner]

You can be denied boarding by the airline if you don't have a passport and for some reason need to fly home.

This is referring to an emergency situation where someone had to be treated in another country and then fly home. The procedure is that you would have to visit the embassy/consulate in the country you are, and would be issued an "emergency passport." The fee for this is supposedly the same as for a normal passport, but the emergency passport is time limited and will get you into the US one time. When you arrive in the US, you are required to exchange the emergency passport for a normal passport.

Yes, you will be denied boarding on the plane and you would be denied entry to the US if you showed up with no documentation. You are required to obtain the emergency passport. And yes, it is a hassle to go thru at an otherwise stressed time. However, when you jump thru the hoops you will be able to fly and you will be able to enter the US.

The full procedures can be viewed at the State Department's web site under "emergency repatriation."

 

[TinkerbelleMom]

Hmm, this is good news, though, I will probably still try to invest in a passport. For one, I believe it's good for 10 years. Also, I know I will likely cruise again within the next ten years--and seeing how passport rules and cruising seem to change, better to have it than not. I've been on two cruises since 2002 (the last one in 2007) and have just used my birth certificate. I've looked at the US passport website for confirmation about this, though can't seem to find any. I'd hate to decide not to get a passport, then find out too late that I need one anyway.

It is a good investment...adults are good for 10 years, kids are good for 5, up to age 15, after that they get the adult passport with the higher price. My DD renewed hers at 16, and I told her this was the last one I was paying for! We needed them for our AK cruise, which went out of Vancouver. I thought it was a pretty good investment, there's not too many vacation related expenses that last for 10 years, I know my luggage sure doesn't!

 

[msbiscuit]

Can anyone tell me if the passport card will suffice instead of the passport book? I have both, but won't bring the book if it's not necessary.

 

[loving _life]

.

 

[loving _life]

...

 

[mrbudyhed]

Can anyone tell me if the passport card will suffice instead of the passport book? I have both, but won't bring the book if it's not necessary.

The passport card will work, but if you have an emergency where you would have to fly from an island you would need the book. i.e. for closed loop cruises: passport card=birth certificate with raised seal and picture i.d

 

[onecoolpilot]

I would caution anyone planning to use their birth certificate for boarding (in lieu of a passport), take your birth certificate to a local passport office and ask it is valid for obtaining a passport. If they say yes, from what I understand, you're good to go.

The ones that my wife and I have are the ones our parents received when we were born (1976 and 1978), and I just found out that they are not good enough for a passport. We're having to order official copies (long form they called it). My daughter's birth certificate was mailed to us about a month after she was born (2003) and it is the correct type.

I bring this up because my sister-in-law was denied boarding in Galveston this weekend for this very reason. Her birth certificate was just like ours, with a gold seal on the front.

 

[NHdisneylover]

passports are good for 10 years for adults and 5 years for children (but cost less, much less, for children). With the things that I've seen in the past few years of what can occur while on vacation, including cruises, I'd much rather be prepared than complicate something that may be tough already. For children, I'd suggest having the picture taken someplace other than the passport office... they are particularly pickey about the end result of the picture and it's not easy to get a child, especially a young one, to cooperate for what they require (straight ahead, certain size, etc.). It's a personal option to get a passport when not mandatory... go to the state department website for more passport info as well as info on any government warnings about your destination(s).

I just want to correct a minor issue with the title of your post (sorry, I just do not want anyone to be confused and passports are confusing enough for many). Adult passports are for ages 16 and up (not 18). 16 and 17 year olds have a coupe of requirements that 18+ do not when applying (I think having to do with parental permission), but the cost and the passport issues is the same as for any other adult.

I would caution anyone planning to use their birth certificate for boarding (in lieu of a passport), take your birth certificate to a local passport office and ask it is valid for obtaining a passport. If they say yes, from what I understand, you're good to go.

The ones that my wife and I have are the ones our parents received when we were born (1976 and 1978), and I just found out that they are not good enough for a passport. We're having to order official copies (long form they called it). My daughter's birth certificate was mailed to us about a month after she was born (2003) and it is the correct type.

I bring this up because my sister-in-law was denied boarding in Galveston this weekend for this very reason. Her birth certificate was just like ours, with a gold seal on the front.

Oh, I am sorry about your sister. This catches a lot of people unfortunately. YES< the certificate MUST be an official state issued one (which may have a raised seal or else a stamped one)--having it looked at at the passport agency is a great way to double check.

 

[OrcaPotter]

I honestly don't know why some states still issue the birth certificate "cards" versus the full versions. I used to work for a call center, processing health insurance enrollments, etc. and one of the most common problems that caused all sorts of headaches (for callers and us representatives) were the stupid cards. A good idea for anyone who has these, whether for themselves or their children, should get the long form version of their birth certificate anyway.

Don't forget, too, that passports take 60-90 days to process and arrive ... so if you need one to cruise or plan on getting one beforehand, better do that well before you set sail.