Passports or Birth Cert.'s???

[jnc1970]

Is it worth spending the money to get passports for the cruise or is it not that much of a hassle to just use your birth certificate?

 

[QuiltTeddy]

We had passports already, so that seemed easier to us.

 

[sbelyo]

We got passports... Even for my 10 month old. I was just too leary about carrying around 30 yr old hard to replace documents. In this day and age it's better to have them. Now you can also take that trip over seas (yipee).

Also it's undisputable proof that you are who you are and you are a U.S. citizen.

For the 4 of us it was around $320.00 with photos all done at the post office. I know it's a bit much but for piece of mind it's the best option.

 

[TheWog]

I feel it is worth the money to get the passports. They are absolute proof of your identity. Will you be hassled using BC and IDs... no. Will travel document requirements change between now and your travel date? Who knows. I would invest the money and get the passports, they are good for 10 years. You have plenty of time if you wanted to do one a month until the trip to cut down the impact of the cost.


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

 

[sbelyo]

We got ours in less than 4 weeks...

 

[missmulan]

just get the passports for the adults....the kids only needed their birth certificates when we had Immigration check twice. The passports really was better than driver's license when it came to Immigration.

 

[faireygod mother]

We got the passports and it has paid off. The kids use BC. With all that has been going on it is easier and as it was already said, undisputiable.

 

[DrCavin]

If you only are going on this cruise, then IMO a passport is not worth the investment. If you plan to travel outside the US again before they would expire, then it may be something you will want to get.

 

[dzneprincess]

WE have cruised 4 times on DCL and have always had only our BC's with no problems.

 

[scrapperjill]

We went ahead and got passports...but honestly I don't see what the benifit of getting them was. The only time we even had them out was as we went into the terminal lot and at check in...I think we could have used our drivers licenses at the lot entrance but we had the passports handy.

As for the BC they are alot cheeper (you'll need it to get your passport anyway) and they are not that hard to replace if lost or damaged. And there is a safe in the stateroom to lock up all your documents anyway. The only thing you need at the ports are your KTTW card to get on/off the ship..so there would be no need to pack it everywhere with you.

Were going back next year with my parents...and I think I'm going to just suggest they get there BC and not the passports.

 

[jrabbit]

We've always used BC's in the past. Last year we decided to get the passports for the entire family. I feel its worth the investment.

Passports are designed with travel in mind. It's sturdy and can take some abuse (spill water or a soda on it and it survives - try that with your BC!)

You can use your Passport as ID when flying. I feel its easier to keep track of than my little itty bitty (in comparison) drivers license.

You only need the passport to board the cruise - but bring your DL because when getting off in port you need your photo id to leave and reboard the ship (and you don't want to take your passport ashore - a copy of the first page, but not the passport itself).

If a special overseas trip comes up - you're prepared (if you listen to KLOVE they are giving a christmas trip to Germany for christmas -- it's gotta be for next year but you'll need a passport).

Your birth certificate is fragile. It's larger than the passport. You don't want to loose your BC (or your passport for that matter). It's easier to get a replacement of your passport if it gets lost.

I think that if you and your kids all have passports and you are returning from a foregin country (like Canada) the addresses on the passports are reasonable proof that your child is yours (and you are not kidnapping the child).

Bottom Line: We prefer the passports over the Birth Certificates!

 

[tvguy]

Passports are better. Heck, if you have kids they are great for those umpteem times a year you need proof of identity for the kids....Little League, Soccer, school, travel, placement exams. I can't tell you how many battered unreadable birth certificates I have had to try and certify for little league! A passport is durable, and you can leave the b/c locked up safely.

 

[scrapperjill]

"It's easier to get a replacement of your passport if it gets lost."

I don't see how it can be easer to get a replacement of your passport than a BC...when for your BC all you have to do is go down to the Health department or Vital records and get a new one made...Not that you would want to loose either one..but a BC would be just as easy if not easer to replace...not to mention costs a lot less.

I also found it MUCH easer to use my drivers licenses as photo id to board the ship... just because it fits nicely in the waterproof pouches...where a passport would not. While going to the beaches and such at the ports who wants to tote along a purse or wallet that's not waterproof ??..one of the waterproof container that hang around your neck...work wonderfully...their just big enough to fit the KTTW card, a DL, credit card and a little cash for a taxi or such....of course you could always get the XL ones to fit your passport...but myself i'd rather loose my DL than a passport.

 

[disneygatorfan]

unless you are planning international travel, I think Birth Certificate is fine. It's easy to obtain a copy, especially if you live in the state you or your children were born in. I have been on 10 cruises, and never had a problem using a birth certificate and ID. Passports are a huge investment, especially for a family. If it's not necessary, then I don't see the need for the added expense.

But if you are planning, or think anyone might be doing international travel, where it is necessary to have a passport, then I don't see why you shouldn't get one now. IF you are just cruising, then don't worry about any hassles. You show the Birth Certificate once, when you check in, and then you never have to pull it out again (with the exception of the Immigration Check on the Eastern, which the hassle is getting up early, not bringing documentation!).

All you need is a certified copy from a State agency, if you have that, there won't be any hassles.

 

[tvguy]

Good luck replacing a lot birth certificate in the middle of a cruise.
A replacement Passport or fascimile can be had in hours.
As for cost, well, if a family of 4 can afford a Disney cruise, they can afford the less than $200 for passports that are good for years.

 

[house_of_princesses]

I opted not to spend the extra $$$ and used our BC's this past trip. I put each one in its' own page protective sleeve then put all those in a folder w/ the three brads in the middle (they are called brads, right?). The metal thingys you fold down over the page your inputting. Anyway, the gal at the terminal counter was very pleased at my organization (if she only knew) and it worked well. I also had a copy of my DH's death certificate, because I didn't want anyone thinking I was stealing my dd's out of the country. The folder protected the papers and was easily attainable in any tote or backpack I could have put it in. For the record, my folder was DIS Green w/ my sig on it. No one noticed, though.

 

[sbelyo]

Good luck replacing a lot birth certificate in the middle of a cruise.
A replacement Passport or fascimile can be had in hours.
As for cost, well, if a family of 4 can afford a Disney cruise, they can afford the less than $200 for passports that are good for years.

Well put....

I just felt safer with them. Lets say you have one BC w/raised seal and your other family member doesn't. Now there are some official BC's without raised seals but what if you get someone that insists they all have raised seals. Then you have to explain it all to someone. Who wants that headache? Also you can be admitted into a U.S. Emabsy with no question in case of trouble. One other thing is that BC's are not made to travel and passports are.

 

[disneygatorfan]

DCL has taken the term "raised" seal out of its FAQ's reguarding Birth Certificates, this should help end some confusion about the "raised seal" Especially since most newly printed birth certificates are printed on security paper with a watermark.

All U.S. and Canadian citizens must travel with proof of citizenship, which is a valid passport, original, state-certified birth certificate and picture identification, or a certified naturalization certificate with a picture identification. Acceptable forms of picture identification are state or provincial driver's license, or federal, state, province or local government photo I.D. card. Guests age 17 and under who are U.S. or Canadian citizens are only required to have proof of citizenship, excluding picture identification

 

[mmouse37]

We have had passport for years and feel they are worth the investment. I find them much easier to carry around than BC's...and as others have said they are much more durable.

They came in very handy for my two DD's last month when they were invited to a trip to Scotland at the very last minute!!! They could go because they had their passports...others could not. They even saw Prince William in their hotel lobby...so...the moral of the story...get a passport and you can see Prince William....LOL.

But seriously...I even bring my passport as ID when I travel within the U.S. I just feel safer knowing I have one.

And in the future (I would bet pretty near future) most places that only require a BC will start requiring Passports for security reasons..

MJ

 

[Beth8266]

Gotta vote passports on this one! Smaller, easier to carry no folding wrinkling etc. Can use them for id ANYWHERE!