Passport ??...

[patches-4]

DOES ANYONE KNOW IF DCL IS GOING TO MAKE IT MANDITORY TO HAVE PASSPORT TO CRUISE? WITH EVERYTHING THAT IS GOING ON NOW IN THE WORLD JUST WANTED TO KNOW IF THERE WERE GOING TO MAKE IT THAT ANY CRUISES HAD TO HAVE VALIED PASSPORT. WE'RE NOT CRUISING UNTIL JUNE 2004 BUT WANTED TO GO ON AND GET THEM IF WE NEEDED THEM.

 

[Michelle]

No, passports are not mandatory at this point for travel to the ports where DCL goes.

 

[ducklite]

At this point they are not mandatory, however they could be by then. It's my personal opinion that one should have a passport when travelling outside the US, regardless of where the travel is to. But if you do'nt want to get one, you have plenty of time. Even if they do decide to make it a requirement, they will give plenty of notice so you'll have time to get one.

Anne

 

[Cara]

My husband has a passport, but DD8 and I do not. DH insists that we both obtain passports before we cruise next year. He thinks it is always a good idea to have them when traveling outside the US, even if they are not required. i.e. Emergency at sea, needing an emergency evacuation, ummm... can't remember his other reasons, LOL. Anyway, they are a small cost when you consider the cost of the entire cruise. He thinks they are well worth it for peace of mind.

Cara

 

[ducklite]

Cara, that's exactly why we have them

Anne

 

[MagicMouseketeers]

I believe the passport requirement is a US government issue, not DCLs

I already have a passport for business reasons, DW is getting one for our cruise. We've chosen not to get them for the children, due to the fact they only last 5 years and they probably won't be travelling out of the country again in that time frame.

 

[FantasticDisFamily]

We made the decision to get passports for everyone when we first cruised DCL back in 1998. For many of the same reasons stated earlier - you just don't know and in an emergency situation it is easier. True the kids' only lasted 5 years (we just renewed them before the rates went up) but they have used them when we though no way, this is a one time thing.

A couple summers ago we traveled from Michigan to NY and cut through Canada. We also had a friend's daughter with us. All had passports as well as a letter from her parents giving permission to travel with us. Smooth sailing but border guard did say the "proper" documentation helped. Also both have traveled away from home for Scout and church trips and this is the BEST type of ID they can carry - even in the US. Remember until they are at least 16 they don't have a driver's license.

They aren't required but I wouldn't travel without them.

Deb

 

[patches-4]

O.K. I KNOW I HAVE SEEN IT BEFORE ON THIS BOARD BUT WHERE IS YOU GO TO GET THE PASSPORT? IS IT AT YOUR LOCAL COURTHOUSE OR IS THERE A WEB PAGE?

 

[FantasticDisFamily]

It varies from place to place - there should be a listing in the phone book government section that tells you who the "agent" is. In our county it is the county clerk, but I've read other postings saying it is the post office.

Deb

 

[Señor Ferrari]

Originally posted by patches-4
O.K. I KNOW I HAVE SEEN IT BEFORE ON THIS BOARD BUT WHERE IS YOU GO TO GET THE PASSPORT? IS IT AT YOUR LOCAL COURTHOUSE OR IS THERE A WEB PAGE?

Check out http://travel.state.gov/passport_services.html. There's a lot of good information about how to get a passport here. Follow the "Where to Apply for a Passport Nationwide" link in the left-hand column for a search engine which you can use to find the nearest passport office. Most Post Offices take passport applications.

 

[jgalecpa]

If you are going to get a passport, especially for a child under 14, apply about 6 months of leaving and not before.

this is because they are 5 yr passports and not 10 year. If you apply too early you can end up wasting a year and having to reapply in high school unneccesarily (sp?).

ALSO, note that BOTH parents should plan on going for the application with the child.

It is mandatory that both parent's consent be on the application due to recent kidnapping issues.

ALSO, watch to make sure the clerk has everyone sign the right places.

ALSO, town hall offices tend to be quieter than US Post offices.

My DD's had to get their PP's renewed last year. went in earlyt April for June 28 trip. Clerk didn't have DD sign. Got rejected had to start over. got PP Monday before flight. AAAGGGHH!

Been there, done that, learned the hard way.

 

[patches-4]

THANKS FOR THE INFO. WE WON'T NEED TO GET IT UNTIL NEXT YEAR BUT JUST WANTED THE INFO TO PUT IN THE NEXT CRUISE FILE.