passport for Alaska cruise?

[cryssi]

Not sure of the current rules, but will my 1 year old need a passport for Canada, or just a birth certificate? Or anything?

 

[maria-fan-22]

It is always a good idea to have a passport. Getting into Canada is usually not the problem, it's getting back. The u.s. customs agents will deny entry if their is any doubt. But beyond that, i believe a BC should be fine to go to canada. But you should check with disney to see if they require a passport for the cruise. But to go to canada from the US a BC should be fine as long as it has the seal.

 

[cryssi]

Thanks! We just found out that we will be sailing this summer, so I wanted to make sure DS had what he needed.

 

[starwood]

If you take the white pass railroad excursion it says you will need a passport.

 

[NancyIL]

You definitely need a passport if you fly from Vancouver to the US.

 

[crw]

Here are current Canada specific rules:

http://ottawa.usembassy.gov/content/content.asp?section=can_usa&document=borderissues_whtiJune09

Children are specifically addressed. I know this is a hot topic on boards, but my kids have PPs even though not absolutely required. Link above is very specific and complete on the minimum requirements.
Hope this helps.

 

[disneyfaninaz]

Since you are leaving from and arriving to a Canadian port, yes, you will need a passport.

 

[stargazertechie]

Children under 16 need only present an original or certified copy of their birth certificate.

 

[BamaBornNemoNut]

I've been doing research into the passport requirements and I hope to get a definite answer. If anyone has a link or contact for the Canadian Customs website, that would be most appreciated.

I don't live close to the Canadian border but I applied for and have a US Passport Card and I used it earlier this year when I flew into Burlington VT and traveled by land to Montreal for business and back by land to Burlington.

I wish the requirements didn't leave doubt. When sometimes the requirement is a passport (or equivalent), then it leaves a doubt if a passport card is ok.

Cruise companies have been using Vancouver to start/end their Alaska cruises and the rules for flying out of the US are clear.

What isn't clear is the Canadian customs requirement for a US Citizen that has traveled by land into Canada and will be traveling by land back into the US.

Anyone know?

 

[luvdisney24]

If you are flying from Canada back in the US, you are required to have a valid passport. Check out this link: http://travel.state.gov/travel/cis_pa_tw/cis/cis_1082.html#entry_requirements.

Disney Cruise Line states the same: http://disneycruise.disney.go.com/faqs/preparing-for-your-cruise/proof-of-citizenship/.

 

[disneyfan19712006]

I've been doing research into the passport requirements and I hope to get a definite answer. If anyone has a link or contact for the Canadian Customs website, that would be most appreciated.

I don't live close to the Canadian border but I applied for and have a US Passport Card and I used it earlier this year when I flew into Burlington VT and traveled by land to Montreal for business and back by land to Burlington.

I wish the requirements didn't leave doubt. When sometimes the requirement is a passport (or equivalent), then it leaves a doubt if a passport card is ok.

Cruise companies have been using Vancouver to start/end their Alaska cruises and the rules for flying out of the US are clear.

What isn't clear is the Canadian customs requirement for a US Citizen that has traveled by land into Canada and will be traveling by land back into the US.

Anyone know?

I would like clairificaion on this also since we will be flying to Seattle and traveling by land. Do we need the card to cross into Canada?

 

[sayhello]

I've been doing research into the passport requirements and I hope to get a definite answer. If anyone has a link or contact for the Canadian Customs website, that would be most appreciated.

I don't live close to the Canadian border but I applied for and have a US Passport Card and I used it earlier this year when I flew into Burlington VT and traveled by land to Montreal for business and back by land to Burlington.

I wish the requirements didn't leave doubt. When sometimes the requirement is a passport (or equivalent), then it leaves a doubt if a passport card is ok.

Cruise companies have been using Vancouver to start/end their Alaska cruises and the rules for flying out of the US are clear.

What isn't clear is the Canadian customs requirement for a US Citizen that has traveled by land into Canada and will be traveling by land back into the US.

Anyone know?

Here's what travel.state.gov has to say:

http://travel.state.gov/travel/cis_pa_tw/cis/cis_1082.html#entry_requirements

When returning to the United States from Canada, it is very important to note that all U.S. citizens are required to present a valid U.S. passport to enter or re-enter the United States via air. For entry into the United States via land and sea borders, U.S. citizens must present either a U.S. passport, passport card, NEXUS card, Enhanced Drivers License or other Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative (WHTI)-compliant document. The only exception to this requirement is for U.S. citizens under the age of 16 (or under 19, if traveling with a school, religious, or other youth group) who need only present a birth certificate (original, photocopy or certified copy), Consular Report of Birth Abroad, or naturalization certificate.

Sayhello

 

[smb6]

We all got passports, but we are flying into and from Vancouver. In order to fly to/from Vancouver you MUST have a passport! If your driving across the border, I don't believe a passport is required- just a bc for child and photo id for adults. But I do know for sure that all international flights require passports.

 

[sayhello]

I would like clairificaion on this also since we will be flying to Seattle and traveling by land. Do we need the card to cross into Canada?

Here's the additional part from travel.state.gov for entering Canada:

Entry into Canada is solely determined by Canadian Border Services Agency (CBSA) officials in accordance with Canadian law. Please see the CBSA’s website for details. Canadian law requires that all persons entering Canada carry both proof of citizenship and proof of identity. A valid U.S. passport, passport card or NEXUS card (see below) satisfies these requirements for U.S. citizens. If U.S. citizen travelers to Canada do not have a passport, passport card or approved alternate document such as a NEXUS card, they must show a government-issued photo ID (e.g. Driver’s License) and proof of U.S. citizenship such as a U.S. birth certificate, naturalization certificate, or expired U.S. passport. Children under 16 need only present proof of U.S. citizenship. (Please see below for important information concerning re-entry into the United States).

See my reply to BamaBornNemoNut for re-entry into the US.

The requirements to get back into the US are stricter.

Sayhello

 

[BamaBornNemoNut]

It is understandable that a Cruise Line company would prefer that each passenger possess a passport. Do you know if each Cruise Line company can impose restrictions of their own and 'force' each passenger to carry a valid passport book in order to board the ship?

 

[sayhello]

It is understandable that a Cruise Line company would prefer that each passenger possess a passport. Do you know if each Cruise Line company can impose restrictions of their own and 'force' each passenger to carry a valid passport book in order to board the ship?

I don't know that they do, but I don't see why they couldn't. They're a business, and you're contracting with them, and if they want to stipulate you need a passport to board or disembark their ship (not to get into or out of the countries) I don't see why they couldn't.

I've had a valid passport since I was 20. Always keep it current & active. For just in case. Yes, it's not the cheapest thing in the world, but why take a chance? When I took my first cruise (to the Southern Caribbean) RCCL actually required that you give them your passport, and they returned it to you when the customs folks came on board to check everyone the last day of the cruise. I'm glad they don't do *that* anymore!

Sayhello

 

[cryssi]

Thanks for the responses. I think I will probably get him a passport, just because there is a possibility we may go abroad sometime in the next 5 years anyway.

 

[eandesmom]

I just went through this yesterday and Disney is requiring them for children, apparently regardless of what the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative (or something like that) says.

We live in Seattle and drive over, birth certificates have always been just fine. In reading the information yesterday it sounds like that still should be fine, or, the new passport card would work too as long as you aren't doing air.

Disney is saying passport, period. No cards, no other alternatives, passports.

Which means I have to get 2 of them now. Total pita. DH is really mad about it, to the point of not wanting to go, but he will get over it. I would rather be safe even if I know, legally, the BC's should be just fine.