Passports for Panama Cruise

[fast43]

I spoke today with a Disney cruise line representative regarding the Panama Canal cruise next year. She told me that they will probably require everyone to have a passport. Does anyone have any suggestions regarding the cheapest and least problematic way of obtaining these?

 

[mostyn17]

The lady I just talked too, said it was a possibility, but more then likely not.....She said other ships do that cruise and they don't require passports..... I hope it stays this way.....but we do plan on having a passport!

Travis

 

[TheWog]

Cheapest way is to spread them out over time. You have plenty of time so just get them every month or other month. KIds cost less than adults.

Here is the website with instructions, forms and costs.

http://travel.state.gov/passport/index.html

I recommend getting them as opposed to waiting and you likely not needing them. A lot can happen between now and then and would hate to have to shell out all that money or more for expedited services to get them in time to travel.

 

[kcashner]

The cheapest way is to do it "standard" service rather than waiting till the last minute and paying extra for expedited service. There is a rule change when a child turns 14--essentially, a 14 year old can apply for his/her own passport, under 14 needs both parents or one parent plus documentation why the second isn't there. Under 16 is a child, good for 5 years, a little cheaper. 16 and up is an adult, good for 10 years.

The only reason that I can see for waiting is if one of those "transition" times occurs in your family. For instance, I will wait till DD turns 14 rather than go thru the hassle of explaining how/why she has no father. Waiting till someone turns 16 would cost a little more, but gain 5 additional years of use.

All said, we're going to Europe in a year--we'll need em. What a summer--Europe and Panama cruise!