passport? very confused!

[TylerAggie]

I just booked a three day cruise for our family of 4 including DH, myself, DD7, and DS3 for March 12-15. I am very confused over the passport situation. We do not currently have them and are not planning on traveling out of the country within the next 5 years. The Disney website has a place to enter the number before 75 days of your cruise. If I get the passports, I will not be able to get them before the 75 days and wonder can I add the number later. If we do not get them, what would be required to board the ship?

 

[mindelmouse]

If so, you need a passport...I think it's law as of 1/1/09 - someone correct me if I'm wrong

 

[tinkluvr12]

YES, to cruise you need passports. As soon as the ship is in open water- you have left the US.

 

[dta87]

This is from the State Department Site: (http://travel.state.gov/travel/cbpmc/cbpmc_2223.html)

CURRENTLY:
U.S. citizens need to present either (a) a passport, passport card (scheduled to be in full production beginning in July 2008), or WHTI-compliant document; or (b) a government-issued photo ID, such as a driver’s license, along with proof of citizenship, such as a birth certificate.
LATER:
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 WHTI-compliant document.

************************

The short answer is right now you do not need a passport to do a 3 day DCL cruise (due to the ports you will visit) just the WHTI compliant documents. It just adds to your peace of mind if there is an emergency in the Bahamas you will be able to fly back with no hassle.

FYI: I am cruising in May and do not plan on getting any passports.

Even after Jun 09 there is a provision in the WHTI that exempts "closed loop" travel from the passport requirements but everything is subject to change

 

[dismom73]

No, you don't need a passport, not yet anyways. The new law goes into effect (as of right now) June 2009. But they have been pushing it back for years. To "officially" find your answers go to the state department web page
http://travel.state.gov/passport_cal/passport_travel_requirements.php.
You will need a drivers liscense and birth certificate.

 

[dta87]

This is from the FAQs at the Dept of Homeland Security: (http://www.cbp.gov/xp/cgov/travel/vacation/ready_set_go/sea_travel/faqs/)

Traveling by Sea
5
How will the final WHTI requirements affect passengers going on cruises?
U.S. citizens on closed-loop cruises (cruises that begin and end at the same port in the U.S.) will be able to enter or depart the country with proof of citizenship, such as a birth certificate and government-issued photo ID. A U.S. citizen under the age of 16 will be able to present either an original or a copy of his or her birth certificate, a Consular Report of Birth Abroad issued by DOS, or a Certificate of Naturalization issued by U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services.
Please be aware that you may still be required to present a passport when you dock at a foreign port, depending on the islands or countries that your cruise ship is visiting. Check with your cruiseline to ensure you have the appropriate documents for the stops you’ll be making on your cruise.

 

[disneyfaninaz]

It's okay if you don't have a passport before the 75 days. Even if you choose not to get passports, you can leave that section of the online registration blank.

 

[jilljill]

The birth certificate must be a CERTIFIED copy of your BC not just a regular photo copy or your hospital copy of certificate of birth. Our BC's have a raised seal on the certified copy, not sure what other states use.

 

[lbgraves]

Virginia is one state that does not have the raised seal on the BCs but it does have a watermark.

You would only need a passport if you needed to fly back into the US after having to leave the cruise in one of the ports or emergency evacuation along the way to the closest medical facility. You can always contact the American Embassy in that country to get an emergency passport issued if that happens.

 

[auntyaba]

I don't know everything I have read says you need one. I also am not PLANNING to use it other than cruise but I got one anyway just for my own peace of mind. I understand others have had problems in the past if you get out of the US and have to be flown home you could face some serious problems. I chose to be cautious. But I worry about stuff like that anyway LOL

 

[outlander]

It is confusing...but really .... confusion is the easiest way for the government to scare us into parting with our money.

Back flamers! back! I have my passport

Bottom line: You do NOT have to have one. My family is proof. We just sailed and out of our group, I was the only one with a passport. All of the rest boarded without any hassle whatsoever using only their birth certificates.

Have a great cruise!

 

[Laura22]

I don't know everything I have read says you need one. I also am not PLANNING to use it other than cruise but I got one anyway just for my own peace of mind. I understand others have had problems in the past if you get out of the US and have to be flown home you could face some serious problems. I chose to be cautious. But I worry about stuff like that anyway LOL

Well all the official government websites say that a birth certificate and driver's license are sufficient until June 2009. I would go with that official word rather than anything else you see or hear on the internet.

 

[quentina]

We did RC cruise a few months ago. The people who did not have passports, were treated like outcasts. One family was held up at the door for quite a while. Everyone else with passports were quickly pushed into the terminal.

Although you technically do not need them, God forbid, you or anyone in your family has a medical emergency, you may put yourself in a sticky situation where you cannot get a flight home (if you get hurt on an island).

Although I did not like spending the $$$ for my 3 kids, I think it was well worth it.

 

[lbgraves]

DCL's check in system does not distinguish between those who have passports and those who do not. It is the same way when you get off the ship. I have heard those kind of stories about other lines and ports as well and have been very thankful to be cruising on DCL.

 

[dredick]

We cruised this year with driver id and birth certs. However, our next cruise is June 2010, so we will be getting passports for it. i do not think they will push the requirement that far out!

 

[bigbootee]

I just booked a three day cruise for our family of 4 including DH, myself, DD7, and DS3 for March 12-15. I am very confused over the passport situation. We do not currently have them and are not planning on traveling out of the country within the next 5 years. The Disney website has a place to enter the number before 75 days of your cruise. If I get the passports, I will not be able to get them before the 75 days and wonder can I add the number later. If we do not get them, what would be required to board the ship?

If you do not have your passports at 75 days out, they can enter the numbers when you check in for your cruise.