Passports for Canal Cruises?

[HooKooDooKu]

For the last 7 months we've been saying "We've got our reservation for the Panama Canal (E2W) Cruise, but it's so expensive that when final payment is due, we'll likely cancel".

Well turns of events now makes that we are DEFINITLY GOING!!! And now we have only about 4 months to get ready

I'm sure this has been asked several times by now, but I can't find it using the search feature and can't find anything in what documentation I've saved (and know where it is).

So now on to the question...

Will this trip require passports or will it be the same as typical 3,4,7 day cruises (DL and BthCert for US residents)?

 

[CM_Mom]

I don't think DCL has said definitely but I would get passports anyway. They are so much more durable than BCs and I personally think they are worth the money. I guess I just feel more comfortable with a passport. Besides, once you have them, you are prepared if unexpected opportunities come up for travel abroad.

 

[ivanova]

in researching the ports it does not look like passports will be required, but I 2nd what CM Mom said, they are worth getting.

 

[HooKooDooKu]

I just contacted DCL and the represenative that I spoke to said that passports would be required for this cruise. Funny that I can't find any confirmation regarding this on the reservation. Sounds like either DCL will find a way that only BirthCertificate is needed or there will be others (like me) who has forgotten about passport needs (assuming we ever got any paper work indicating that we did need them) and will find out too late.


UPDATE:
That just seemed so odd that I tried calling DCL again with this question. This time I've been told that a passport is not REQUIRED for the Panama Canal Cruise; however, they are suggesting that you have a passport to make things easier to get through customs in L.A. (i.e. you will spend more time in customs if you only have a birth certificate compared to those with passports).

Of course if that is the case, then it sounds like everyone booked on West Coast Cruises in 2005 should have a passport.