Passport question and carnival triumph

[BearcatsFan]

Just because it's not required doesn't make it a wise idea. It's plain stupid to leave the country without proper documentation. You can't plan for every little thing, but a passport, the gold standard if ID, takes care of a whole lot.

I believe if you are planning a trip out of the country, you need to budget for a passport, more so than fish extenders or candy for the crew.

We are considering a cruise in a few years, and the first thing I said to my husband after I saw news about the Carnival was, "We need to add passports to the budget." I firmly believe in being as prepared as possible, and I'll budget for the passport just like I will for the onboard tips, drinks, etc.

 

[Acklander]

Yes, but it isn't quite as easy as you make it sound. It can take days to process, depending on whether its on a weekend, holiday, etc.

My SIL was in France and her passport was stolen. While she was able to get it replaced through the embassy there was quite a bit of red tape and it took several days (happened over a weekend). It wasn't an issue for her because she was going to be there for a month, but for someone needing to get home quickly you can be delayed, which could be an issue.

If you have an entire cruise ship full of Americans stuck in Mexico they would be going all out to get everyone processed. I'm sure, even on a weekend. And I'm sure carnival would be there helping in anyway they could with the expenses while everyone was being processed.
Personally, I have a passport so it would be a moot point for my family, and it would be ideal to have a passport in an emergency like this but I wouldn't go so far as to call someone foolish for not having one when it isn't required.

 

[WhateverLolaWants]

I agree it's foolish to travel without a passport while cruising. If something happens and they drop you off in a foreign port and leave you there then you will not be able to fly out of there without a passport. Same reason it's better to have an actual passport than a passport card. Yeah, 99.9% of the time you will be fine, but I wouldn't be willing to risk it.

 

[sam_gordon]

Just because it's not required doesn't make it a wise idea. It's plain stupid to leave the country without proper documentation. You can't plan for every little thing, but a passport, the gold standard if ID, takes care of a whole lot.

I believe if you are planning a trip out of the country, you need to budget for a passport, more so than fish extenders or candy for the crew.

I have no idea what fish extenders are, but I can't imagine candy for crew being much more than $20, MAYBE $50. A passport for each member of the family can be over $500!

I'm sure the Triumph situation will have some people rethinking their decision not to have a passport, but $500 is expensive "insurance" for a one week trip. And yes, even though they last 10 years, that doesn't mean someone would travel out of the country again.

 

[Darcy03231]

If you have an entire cruise ship full of Americans stuck in Mexico they would be going all out to get everyone processed. I'm sure, even on a weekend. And I'm sure carnival would be there helping in anyway they could with the expenses while everyone was being processed.
Personally, I have a passport so it would be a moot point for my family, and it would be ideal to have a passport in an emergency like this but I wouldn't go so far as to call someone foolish for not having one when it isn't required.

Right, but this is (hopefully) an isolated incident. Not often that you're going to have 900 passengers needing to get home from a cruising emergency.

My point was if you're 1, 2 or 4 people that have to leave the ship for an emergency in a foreign country without a passport, it could take you days to get an emergency passport. Not something I want to be worrying about if I need to get home quickly.

 

[Darcy03231]

I have no idea what fish extenders are, but I can't imagine candy for crew being much more than $20, MAYBE $50. A passport for each member of the family can be over $500!

I'm sure the Triumph situation will have some people rethinking their decision not to have a passport, but $500 is expensive "insurance" for a one week trip. And yes, even though they last 10 years, that doesn't mean someone would travel out of the country again.

When we got ours we knew we were going well in advance of our trip so we staggered buying them. While it still was expensive (we had to get 5, I had one but DH and the kids didn't), we were able to space it out over a six months so we didn't take the hit all at once.

 

[CdnCarrie]

I think it's important to have both a passport and travel insurance if you're setting foot off the country and that includes cruising. As for cost - well Canadians' have to buy passports to go to WDW - it's not that big of deal. Just budget for it. If people can afford silly fish extender junk they can afford passports.

 

[ilovetexas]

Why are they fools? It's not required.

That's the problem these days. People have to be "required" (read: forced) to do things that are sensible. Nobody wants to be responsible for thinking on their own. Imagine the cries of RAGE if they had ended up towing the ship to Mexico and 900 people had to wait a couple/few more days before they could get home because THEY didn't have a passport. It would have been 47 more verses of "It's Carnival's fault, they didn't require me to have a passport".

Good grief!

 

[declansdad]

To the OPs question, it had to do more with the ocean currents than teh passport issue from what I understand.

By the time the tugs reached her, she had drifted about 90 miles north and the current was going to keep them going that way. On another board someone wrote that they tug at about 7 knots per hour and the current was about that strong as well. They had calculated that with the current and the winds working against them it would have taken about 30 hours more to tow the ship to Mexico.

 

[disykat]

The passport thing always surprises me. I live in a border state, yet know TONS of people (who have the resources to buy one) refuse to spend the money on a passport because they don't "need" it.

My main reason I got my passport was not because I was going to be traveling, but because family members were. If my child is going to be in Canada or Mexico, I want the ability to go there. If my parents (in their
80's) are going to be traveling in Europe, I want the ability to go there. If DH has to travel for work, I wouldn't want an opportunity to go with him to have to be passed up because I don't have a passport.

The reality is I haven't "needed" it, but to me the possibilities it opens up are worth it.

 

[Tiger926]

Brings up a good point with the passport thing. Sounds like the ocean currents were pushing the ship towards Mobile, but what if the whole passport thing favored on their minds when making the decision?

I am sorry, but if you have money to travel, then you factor passports into your budget.

It shows the common lack of foresight that people seem to have these days (eg. medical emergency and needing to get off of the ship in port) in planning ahead and preparing for emergencies, as well as a lack of altruism. Maybe my having a passport will help others onboard, so that is a good reason too.

The whole situation is very unfortunate, and pretty rare, but a possibility when cruising, so proper prepration is key.

The other thing to discuss is how many cruisers didn't have travel insurance, as they didn't want to spend the money, yet now, Carnival is taking care of them anyway.

Tiger

 

[sam_gordon]

The passport thing always surprises me. I live in a border state, yet know TONS of people (who have the resources to buy one) refuse to spend the money on a passport because they don't "need" it.

My main reason I got my passport was not because I was going to be traveling, but because family members were. If my child is going to be in Canada or Mexico, I want the ability to go there. If my parents (in their
80's) are going to be traveling in Europe, I want the ability to go there. If DH has to travel for work, I wouldn't want an opportunity to go with him to have to be passed up because I don't have a passport.

The reality is I haven't "needed" it, but to me the possibilities it opens up are worth it.

I got my first passport in 1987(?) for a class trip to Europe. Obviously that expired. I didn't NEED another passport until 2012. It's not like I have the financial & time capability to decide "Hey, I want to go out of the country next week, too bad I don't have a passport!"

And I think not taking a passport on a closed loop cruise is more a case of not doing proper research. Sort of like someone going to Disney and not knowing about Fast Pass or not knowing there's more than just Magic Kingdom.

Sorry, I don't get all the hate for those without passports.

 

[disykat]

I don't see hate. I see people wondering why, for those whom money is not a big issue, if you live near a border (like me,) or if you are going to be traveling within a foreign country (like on a cruise,) you wouldn't be willing to get one for the "just in case" factor.

Sure there are a lot of people who truly have no need for them. But if you are traveling in a foreign country, live near a foreign country, have close family members in a foreign country, etc. why not get one? I think it's almost a point of pride thing for some people. Remember, I say that as a person living near a border who knows many people who have purposely never crossed it.

 

[NHdisneylover]

Brings up a good point with the passport thing. Sounds like the ocean currents were pushing the ship towards Mobile, but what if the whole passport thing favored on their minds when making the decision?

I am sorry, but if you have money to travel, then you factor passports into your budget.

It shows the common lack of foresight that people seem to have these days (eg. medical emergency and needing to get off of the ship in port) in planning ahead and preparing for emergencies, as well as a lack of altruism. Maybe my having a passport will help others onboard, so that is a good reason too.

The whole situation is very unfortunate, and pretty rare, but a possibility when cruising, so proper prepration is key.

The other thing to discuss is how many cruisers didn't have travel insurance, as they didn't want to spend the money, yet now, Carnival is taking care of them anyway.

Tiger

My understanding is that most travel insurance would not cover this anyway. The cruise was not cut short, they were returned (via bus) to the correct port, etc--so technically it does not fall under any normal insurance issue. That is one of the reasons this has been such a nightmare for people.

BTW--we do travel without travel insurance (our medical covers us anywhere and does cover being evacuated via helicopter if needed). We travel OFTEN and have made the conscious decision to risk having to cover our own airfare change, hotels, etc in an emergency rather than paying insurance every trip. We have cash and credit cards to allow for this and are fully aware of the risk we are taking.

We DO NOT travel without passports. Heck, I had passports for both kids as infants back when trips to/from Mexico did not need them, even by plane (and back them US to Mexico was all I was doing with them). I feel that the risk of being in a foreign country without them is too big to take, especially now that you have to have them to fly home.

 

[jjje]

I will never understand why people get so worked up about other people choosing to not have a passport. There are some unusual circumstances in our case where it would be extremely difficult to get my 12 year old a passport but if I had a dollar for every passport lecture I've read on these boards I could probably pay for my upcoming cruise. (Don't worry, passport aren't required.)

 

[Tiger926]

My understanding is that most travel insurance would not cover this anyway. The cruise was not cut short, they were returned (via bus) to the correct port, etc--so technically it does not fall under any normal insurance issue. That is one of the reasons this has been such a nightmare for people.

BTW--we do travel without travel insurance (our medical covers us anywhere and does cover being evacuated via helicopter if needed). We travel OFTEN and have made the conscious decision to risk having to cover our own airfare change, hotels, etc in an emergency rather than paying insurance every trip. We have cash and credit cards to allow for this and are fully aware of the risk we are taking.

We DO NOT travel without passports. Heck, I had passports for both kids as infants back when trips to/from Mexico did not need them, even by plane (and back them US to Mexico was all I was doing with them). I feel that the risk of being in a foreign country without them is too big to take, especially now that you have to have them to fly home.

Why wouldn't travel or medical insurance cover this kind of issue?

You travel without insurance and have the funds to cover an emergency, so you wouldn't be making claims against the cruise line then. We do read stories though of families who don't have the funds to cover emergencies and don't get travel insurance, yet expect others to pay for the costs incurred. Highly irresponsible to do that...

First lawsuit was filed yesterday, so it will be interesting to see what happens with all of this.

Regarding passports, I still don't understand why people take a chance with not having one, especially with children. When you leave your country, you are in a different situation altogether, and passports are a small price to pay should a serious emergency occur. People have such a casual attitude in regards to this...

Tiger

 

[NHdisneylover]

I will never understand why people get so worked up about other people choosing to not have a passport. There are some unusual circumstances in our case where it would be extremely difficult to get my 12 year old a passport but if I had a dollar for every passport lecture I've read on these boards I could probably pay for my upcoming cruise. (Don't worry, passport aren't required.)

Generally, I don't get "worked up"--I just feel it is a poor choice to make and would advise against it.
However, IF something like Triumph occurred and a decision was made to keep everyone on the ship longer for the convenience of those who chose to take the risk of travelling abroad without passports THEN I would be very upset that i was delayed due to their risk taking. (and, yes, I know the currents were the bigger factor this time--but the passport issue was certainly one consideration).

Essentially, I feel that if someone chooses to take that risk, then they should be prepared to deal with whatever hassles ensue if their trip is interrupted and have no right to complain about delays or having to cover their own costs while they wait for an embassy issued passport, etc.

 

[NHdisneylover]

Why wouldn't travel or medical insurance cover this kind of issue?

You travel without insurance and have the funds to cover an emergency, so you wouldn't be making claims against the cruise line then. We do see read stories though of families who don't have the funds to cover emergencies and don't get travel insurance. Highly irresponsible to do that...

First lawsuit was filed yesterday, so it will be interesting to see what happens with all of this.

Tiger

It would not be covered by most policies since most policies only cover:

1 "trip interruption" -- technically the trip was not "interrupted" or cut short. It was miserable and not what people expected, but it was not shortened.

2. "extra expenses incurred" -- so if someone had to change airfare to get back, then that would be covered--but nothing for the cost of a cruise spent mostly hot and stinky eating onion sandwiches, or for lost wages if there were any and very unlikely that extra pet boarding or babysitting costs would be covered either--just airfare change fees, etc at most.

This is actually one reason that with our current ages and heath we do not buy insurance--it often does not cover things that we would want. I totally think that if you do not have the means to cover an emergency yourself, have a strong liklihood of issues or are spending a HUGE sum (which varies depending on your income and savings level) on a trip, then the only reasonable thing to do is insure yourself--but, just as you need to know what not having a passport could put you through, you need to know what insurance really will cover and what it will not.

 

[mdsoccermom]

Why wouldn't travel or medical insurance cover this kind of issue?

You travel without insurance and have the funds to cover an emergency, so you wouldn't be making claims against the cruise line then. We do see read stories though of families who don't have the funds to cover emergencies and don't get travel insurance. Highly irresponsible to do that...

First lawsuit was filed yesterday, so it will be interesting to see what happens with all of this.

Tiger

Travel insurance wouldn't cover it because 1) you sailed on time so there was no delay; 2) you never got off the ship that did sail so your cruise was not interrupted and 3) the cruise was never cancelled. No, you did not make your ports, but there is nothing in your policy that says you can or will make them. Plus, your cruise contract states the itineraries can be changed. You were compensated by the cruise line so there is no fare money lost.

If you went to medical during the week and received copies of your paperwork, you night be able to file a claim for any fees incurred, but that's about it.

 

[sam_gordon]

I don't see hate.

Here's the hate I saw in this thread to say nothing of other threads I've read...

It made more sense to push on towards Mobile due to the current and the 900 fools who left the country without a passport. You need a passport to re-enter the United States by air.

Yes, I said it. Fools. That is exactly what a person is if they travel to a foreign country without the proper documentation to get them on a plane if needed

Just because it's not required doesn't make it a wise idea. It's plain stupid to leave the country without proper documentation. You can't plan for every little thing, but a passport, the gold standard if ID, takes care of a whole lot.

I believe if you are planning a trip out of the country, you need to budget for a passport, more so than fish extenders or candy for the crew.

I agree it's foolish to travel without a passport while cruising. If something happens and they drop you off in a foreign port and leave you there then you will not be able to fly out of there without a passport. Same reason it's better to have an actual passport than a passport card. Yeah, 99.9% of the time you will be fine, but I wouldn't be willing to risk it.

That's the problem these days. People have to be "required" (read: forced) to do things that are sensible. Nobody wants to be responsible for thinking on their own. Imagine the cries of RAGE if they had ended up towing the ship to Mexico and 900 people had to wait a couple/few more days before they could get home because THEY didn't have a passport. It would have been 47 more verses of "It's Carnival's fault, they didn't require me to have a passport".

Good grief!

I see people wondering why, for those whom money is not a big issue, if you live near a border (like me,) or if you are going to be traveling within a foreign country (like on a cruise,) you wouldn't be willing to get one for the "just in case" factor.

Sure there are a lot of people who truly have no need for them. But if you are traveling in a foreign country, live near a foreign country, have close family members in a foreign country, etc. why not get one? I think it's almost a point of pride thing for some people. Remember, I say that as a person living near a border who knows many people who have purposely never crossed it.

OK, so the 900 on the cruise ship obviously were travelling to a foreign country, but how many live near one? Or have close family members living in one? Or have the extra money for one.

Look, I agree a passport *IS* a good thing to have, even on a closed loop cruise. But can a cruise line REQUIRE someone to have a passport even if the government (of whichever county the cruise is visiting) doesn't?