Passport

[Jeni1781]

What do children ages 14 and 11 need to get off the ship in the Caribbean? Website says birth certificate is enough, is that what is used to get off and on at ports of call like Tortola? Thanks.

 

[jdb in AZ]

https://travel.state.gov/content/tr...y-Information-Pages/BritishVirginIslands.html

Generally, all U.S. citizens are required to present a valid U.S. passport when traveling to the British Virgin Islands, as well as proof of anticipated departure from the British Virgin Islands. This includes travelers arriving by airplane and by private sea-going vessel. Those traveling to the British Virgin Islands on a cruise may use another Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative (WHTI) compliant document. However, we strongly recommend visitors obtain a passport before travel in case of an unforeseen emergency that requires a cruise passenger to disembark and return by air.

 

[lanejudy]

Website says birth certificate is enough, is that what is used to get off and on at ports of call like Tortola?

Birth certificate is fine to initially embark the ship. After that all they need to get off/on at ports of call is their KTTW card issued at check-in.

 

[kiford]

Birth certificate is fine to initially embark the ship. After that all they need to get off/on at ports of call is their KTTW card issued at check-in.

It's only over 18's that need to take ID off the ship. As mentioned, anyone under 18 only needs the KTTW.

 

[dioxide45]

It's only over 18's that need to take ID off the ship. As mentioned, anyone under 18 only needs the KTTW.

And only certain ports require photo ID for those over 18 to get back onto the pier/port area. Still always good idea to take photo ID off the ship anyway. Shoot, we take our passports off the ship.

 

[lklgoodman]

BTW, Just saw on the news that it's taking up to 4 months to get a passport. If you decide to get them passports, know it will be a long wait for them to arrive.

 

[ScooterScott44]

Expect that in most ports you will only need to scan your key card to get off the ship or get back on the ship.

While that is typical, adults should bring some form of picture ID. We typically will have our wallet with ID and key card for the adults and key card for kids. At times we do take our passports with us off the ship, but we usually consider many factors in that decision. (Too many to review/delineate here.)

 

[jdb in AZ]

If passports were required in any of the ports, all passengers would be required to show their passports before embarkation on the first day. When we went through the Panama Canal on the Wonder, a family thought that passports were only required for adults, not their baby who was less than two years old at the time. They had to have a non-cruising family member rush to the house and get the child's birth certificate and fly it to Florida, so the parents could apply for an emergency passport. IIRC they missed embarkation but were able to join their extended family on the cruise later.

Basically, if your I.D. will get you onto the ship, the same I.D. will get you back on the ship at any of the ports.

 

[anricat]

Only once on a Caribbean cruise do I recall needing to actually take our documentation with us off the ship and that was in Martinique since they are actually still fully part of France. So when you step off the ship there, you are actually IN France. I believe we needed passports for that cruise. Otherwise, you can keep birth certificates and/or passports locked away in the safe. Many people like to disembark with photocopies of their documentation, however, just in case.