Passport for 2 year old?

[irishone21]

Hi everyone, We are sailing on the Wonder on 4/19 for 4 days. I have a passport for my 6 year old from our last trip, but not for my 2 year old, who absolutely refuses to have her picture taken right now (that is, sufficient enough for a passport). From what i've read, i believe she's ok with just a birth certificate but I wanted to double check (maybe Disney requires one??)
Thanks!

 

[kcashner]

If you're on a Bahamas or Caribbean cruise, you don't need a passport. If you're going to Europe, you do.

 

[lbgraves]

No one needs a passport to cruise right now or after the new law goes into affect on closed loop cruises that leave from and return to the same port unless one of the ports you are going to requires it. None of the regular ports DCL goes to does.

 

[cay2420]

If traveling after June 1, 2009 even the children will need a passport or passport card.

 

[peaches26]

No one needs a passport to cruise right now or after the new law goes into affect on closed loop cruises that leave from and return to the same port unless one of the ports you are going to requires it. None of the regular ports DCL goes to does.

You don't have to have one if cruising before June 1, 2009, however, we are cruising in April and were advised to get one for everyone, even our baby who will be 10 months old when we cruise. I was told if you were in port say in Cozumel and would have to fly home for an emergency, then the baby would not be able to fly w/out a passport. I was told EVERYBODY should have one, so we went ahead and got him one, too.

 

[lbgraves]

If traveling after June 1, 2009 even the children will need a passport or passport card.

Actually, no they do not need one to cruise, which is the question. Also, a passport card is only good for land crossing at the borders of Mexico and Canada, not flying if that is your reason for getting one.

http://www.getyouhome.gov/

This link shows that children under the age of 16 do not need passports if the cruise is not a closed loop one and that no passengers that are on a closed loop cruise need a passport to cruise unless one of the ports that they are going to requires it, which none of the regular DCL ports do.

Click on USA, click on Special audiences, then click on either children or cruise ship passengers and it will all come up.

CHILDERN
U.S. and Canadian children under the age of 16 will be able to present the original or copy of their birth certificates, or other proof of citizenship such as a naturalization certificate or citizenship card.

Groups of U.S. and Canadian children ages 16 through 18, when traveling iwth a school or religious group, social organization, or sports team, will be able to enter under adult spvn with originals or copies of their birt certificats or other proof of citizenship.

CRUISE SHIP PASSENGERS
U.S. citizens on closed-loop cruises (cruises that begin and end at the same U.S. Port) will be able to enter or depart the country with a birth certificate and government-issued photo ID. Please be aware that you may still be required to present a passport to enter the countries your cruise ship is visiting. Check with your cruise line to ensure you have the appropriate documents.

 

[Momof4girls]

Remember - even if your child doesn't need a passport, they would need one to travel by air. So, in the event of an emergency, you would not be able to return to the US with said child until you obtained an emergency passport. This is the kind of hassle that we didn't want to find out about in the midst of crisis.

On June 1, 2009, the U.S. government will implement the full requirements of the land and sea phase of WHTI. The proposed rules require most U.S. citizens entering the United States at sea or land ports of entry to have a passport, passport card, or other travel document approved by the Department of Homeland Security.

CHILDREN: U.S. citizen children under the age of 16 will be able to present the original or copy of their birth certificate, or other proof of U.S. citizenship such as a naturalization certificate or citizenship card.

 

[cay2420]

Ok, are you ready for this? I called US Department of State this morning two times. Both times I was told that yes, children under 16 do need passports after June 1st. I even told her about their own website that says otherwise and she even put me on hold to speak with her supervisor who told her the same thing. I read to her, verbatum, what the website said and she said that they still need a passport. I am going to try again next week and see what they say. Very interesting...I don't know what to make out of this. By the way, when you call DCL they say you need one as well.

 

[Tooth Fairy]

We are sailing June 13 2009. I have called DCL twice and they have told me passports are not required since it is "closed loop" but they do advise them. We are planning to ge them for myself and DH but let the children sail with BC

 

[kcashner]

We are sailing June 13 2009. I have called DCL twice and they have told me passports are not required since it is "closed loop" but they do advise them.

This statement agrees exactly with the government web site. They are not required, but are recommended.

The reason for the recommendation is exactly as above--in an emergency, life will be easier with a passport. You can get an emergency passport issued, but it's just easier to have it in advance.

 

[pursuethekingdom]

Leave it to the government to say both Yes and No on needing Passports. Much like the absolute date we need to have a converter box for Digital TV