Passports on Cruises????

[Moosysmom]

I know it's not Disney (wish it was but I didn't plan it), but anyway. I'm going on a Carnival Cruise in February. Western. They are now recommending a passport, and I'm wondering if Disney has said anything about a passport instead of a birth certificate. It's a little more money than I want to spend right now. Thought I'd ask here, since there are alot of multiple cruiser's here.
Thanks
Lynn

 

[Cruisin]

I don't think that American citizens are required to have a passport, just a birth certificate, but don't quote me 100% on that.
If you get a passport then you are ready to go at a moments notice. Who knows when you will decide to jet off to Europe, Australia or some other exotic place .
It could happen, but not if you don't have a passport. Passports also don't expire for a number of years, so if you spread the cost out over the years it really isn't that bad.
Have fun on your cruise.

 

[ClarabelleCow]

In this day and age, with what is going on in the world, I would not leave the country without a passport. I have them as do my kids, for a February Cruise, you should still have time to get one. I would do it ASAP, maybe I'm a worrier, but it does make traveling easier!

 

[kcashner]

As of this week, DCL has the same requirements it has had since the maiden voyage--a passport OR original, official birth certificate with the raised seal and photo ID for adults, official birth certificate or passport for children.

If another cruise line has other requirements, I'd certainly follow the requirements of the line you are using.

I've always travelled on my passport and my daughter's birth certificate--never a problem, and one took no longer to process than the other.

 

[Horace Horsecollar]

I'm also not aware of any changes to Disney's documentation requirements for U.S. citizens.

There are two reasons why another cruise may have different requirements:

-- Perhaps, that cruise goes to countries that require passports.

-- Perhaps that cruise line does not want to deal with situations where passengers bring unacceptable birth certificates (such as photocopies, hospital birth certificates, or certificates with questionable certification).

When we travel out of the country, we always bring a U.S. Passport for every member of the family. If there's ever a need to remain out of the country (for example, due to a medical emergency) or to travel back through another country, we're in good shape.

 

[Cara]

I am planning to go early next week to apply for passports for me and my nine-year-old DD for our March 20 cruise. DH has one already and insists that she and I get one as well, for the same reasons Horace listed. When you consider the entire cost of a cruise, a passport is just a small extra expense that could save you a lot of trouble in the event of an emergency.

Cara