Passports or birth certificates?

[PRINCESS VIJA]

We are debating if we should spend the money on passports? If I understand correctly the only documentation you need are certified birthcertificates and driver liscenses for picture ID. What about the kids, do just birth certificates take care of documentation?

We were originally going to do passports, because for me it is easier to not have to carry around too many things, but is it worth the cost? We are on a 3 day cruise so the only stop would be at Nassau.

what do you do?

 

[DisneyJumper]

Your birth certificate will be just fine. You only need it before you get on the ship. We did the 4night last June and had no problems. We are doing the 4night on Sept. 28th again.

 

[gdulaney]

We thought the same way... We started with a 7 day land/sea, but now we're hooked. If you think that you might continue doing the cruises, having a passport is really handy.

We finally broke down and got ours last month. I'm excited about not having to drag our birth certificates along (especially since my husband was born in Germany on an AFB... we'd hate to lose that birth certificate!!!).

- Ginny

 

[ZebraStripes]

We have done a 4 night and 7 night western (next year 7 night eastern) and we do not have passports. The birth certificates have been easy to carry and store away until we have needed them.

 

[BethC1952]

Here you go...this information just came from Merrie, my DU agent, this morning.....

Any adults traveling will need to have their original birth certificate with a raised seal issued by the vital statistics office of the city in which they were born along with a valid photo ID (license). The children will need to have their original birth certificates with the raised seal. It is very important that the birth certificate is issued by a government agency---I have had people take a birth certificate issued by the hospital and it was NOT acceptable at the airport--what a nightmare!

I hope this helps!

Beth

 

[Favorite Auntie]

I have a passport already for other international travel, so that is what I bring. Very easy. My parents got them just for the cruises because it is very easy to carry. A child only needs a birth certificate.

 

[PRINCESS VIJA]

Thanks for the info. Another question, what do you need when you get off and get back on the ship at Nassau, just the KTTW card, or the other documentation as well?

 

[minniecarousel]

Just back from the Wonder & using the BC & DL were fine - no problem. Getting off/on the ship in Nassau, you need your DL & Key to the World. What I find odd is that you need both the DL & Key to the World at Castaway Cay also. My younger DS lost both cards while snorkeling in Serenity Bay! (no problems at airport, thank heavens!)

 

[FantasticDisFamily]

You may want to consider the age of your kids when making this decision. I mentioned in my trip report that my DS (15 and 6'3" ~200 lb) was questioned on multiple legs of the trip about ID. He only has a learner's permit - no photo license yet, or his school ID in addition to his passport. I was VERY glad we had the passports as it simplified getting past those airport security checks.

Deb