passport or birth certificate

[WINTER]

for a minor?

 

[PrincessShmoo]

for a minor?

In my household - a passport.

 

[WINTER]

was asking what is required: passport or a birth certificate for 7 yr old

 

[PrincessShmoo]

was asking what is required: passport or a birth certificate for 7 yr old

It depends on which cruise you're talking about.

 

[WINTER]

Disney Cruise to Bahamas

 

[WINTER]

Disney Cruise to Bahamas

 

[PrincessShmoo]

Disney Cruise to Bahamas

Legally, a birth certificate alone will do. But, if you find it necessary to fly home from the Bahamas (for whatever reason), they need a passport.

 

[NephieRN]

Passport is always better in case of emergency but we sailed with birth certificates for our girls a couple months ago.

 

[ladyofthetramp]

While expensive and passports for minors have a shorter expiration date than adults, we always did passports. You never know. For us, worth the peace of mind.

 

[Flying Fish]

While expensive and passports for minors have a shorter expiration date than adults, we always did passports. You never know. For us, worth the peace of mind.

This was always our thinking. Probably a one in a million chance of needing them, but it is nice to know you have options if something happens.

 

[disneyfaninaz]

We have always done passports.

 

[insureman]

Always passport as far as we're concerned.

 

[lpereira]

Legally you only need the bc. But in the event something happens you cant get back into the US without that passport except from your cruise ship or at a land border. But you cant fly into Mexico or Canada to be able to cross the land border without a passport. There is no exemption to the passport requirement for medical flights either. Cruising without a passport is foolish

 

[laceltris3]

We have always been always passports people, but I have to renew the kids passports before we do a river cruise in France in June. But we are dong DCL over new years (all of us) and RCCL for spring break in March (just me and the kids). There is literally no way to ensure that we will have the passports for all 3 trips, so I have appointments for new passports next week, and while I am losing a few months on the effectiveness, at least I don't have the hassle of taking all of them out of their different schools for the renewal. We are doing birth certificates for the first time ever, but at least my husband and I will have them and we can split up if necessary.

 

[Flying Fish]

I hate encouraging people to spend (waste?) more money, but if you do expedited you will have them back in time for New Years. Our friend says he recently got his back in about a week with expedited service. The funny thing is most of us agree on the importance of being passport people vs BC, but I have only ever known one person that had to disembark and fly home from a foreign port. I just wish I could detach my planning/worrying portion of my personality sometimes and just go and enjoy things. I bet I'm not the only one like this.

 

[MamaMermaid]

I wanted to do Passports but we didn't have time. Thankfully, the birth certificate was fine. We are hoping to get our son's passport this year.

 

[laceltris3]

I hate encouraging people to spend (waste?) more money, but if you do expedited you will have them back in time for New Years. Our friend says he recently got his back in about a week with expedited service. The funny thing is most of us agree on the importance of being passport people vs BC, but I have only ever known one person that had to disembark and fly home from a foreign port. I just wish I could detach my planning/worrying portion of my personality sometimes and just go and enjoy things. I bet I'm not the only one like this.

I looked into it, but we would need them back in 4 weeks from our appointment, and the official word is three to five weeks for expedited, not including mailing time. Just seemed aggressive given that those 4 weeks include both Thanksgiving and Christmas and relying on delivery at the height of the holiday season.

 

[Flying Fish]

Just seemed aggressive given that those 4 weeks include both Thanksgiving and Christmas and relying on delivery at the height of the holiday season.

You mean you don't think a government organization could have fast turnaround during the holiday season?

I'd have to say I think this is the best decision this time around. I'm also overly conservative with these things. In fact, I just got a reminder tonight on my phone to discuss passport renewal with the wife. Funny I've been on this thread all this time never knowing that was approaching for me as well. We have a cruise in early January, so I think I'll follow your advice and renew after that trip.