Passports or not

[Dug720]

Well, if the cruise was a closed loop cruise and he's a US citizen, sadly, you were mis-informed. As long as he had at least his driver's license and birth certificate he could board. But, if he didn't have those, he couldn't as that's the minimum requirement. A passport works best, however.

Yes... But who carries their birth certificate around with them just randomly?

 

[PrincessShmoo]

Yes... But who carries their birth certificate around with them just randomly?

Well, I was just addressing the information supplied by DCL CMs that he wouldn't be able to board without his passport.

 

[Dug720]

Well, I was just addressing the information supplied by DCL CMs that he wouldn't be able to board without his passport.

Gotcha.

 

[jdb in AZ]

I firmly believe that everyone should have a passport, and not just for vacations. Here's an example: three years ago I got a call from my brother's co-worker in South Korea saying my brother had been found unconscious and was in the hospital in serious condition. I grabbed my passport and got on the next flight and was at his bedside within 24 hours. They had him restrained and were treating him for what they thought was psychosis, partially due to the language barrier. I fought to get him to an English speaking hospital where he was quickly diagnosed with a critical electrolyte imbalance, they told me he was hours away from brain swelling, seizures and death. I didn't do anything that special, just what anyone would do for a family member if they were at home, but if I didn't have a passport on hand I never would have arrived in time.

So a passport isn't just insurance for your own trip, I consider it essential for anyone who has loved ones who ever leave the country.

My story isn't nearly as dramatic as this, but years ago I lost my purse (here in the Valley) and it had my driver's license and several forms of I.D. and credit cards. Since I had a passport at home, I was able to use it as I.D. to replace my driver's license.

 

[Uncleromulus]

DCL and almost all TA's recommend getting a Passport--as do most of the written DCL guide books.

That was enough for me!!!

 

[kamik86]

Well, I was just addressing the information supplied by DCL CMs that he wouldn't be able to board without his passport.

My assumption is what was left out with that story is that the CMs said he couldn't just board with his licence he would need the passport or birth certificate which were probably both home.

DH and I got our passports as did my parents for a cruise to Alaska. That was a really low risk of needing them since the only foreign country was Canada and frankly if we needed a hospital badly Victoria probably has better ones then my middle of no where county with one hospital.

I did it for the following reasons.
We were starting to travel more. Knew we would probably go to Europe in a few years (now its next month YAY!!!).
i work for the government. Due to that I need ID for work stuff alot. Its a pain to have to figure out what forms of ID they accept each time when a passport is always sufficent. I have used my passport now just as much for things like that as I have for actually traveling.

 

[SandyinMonterey]

This is not everyone's experience, though. Many people have appointments backed up months, and don't have post offices that just have open hours (like my town does). I'm VERY glad for you (and me!) that it's easy in our areas, but it's not easy for everyone everywhere.



I read that, too. But I thought I read it didn't actually happen?



Agreed.



Was it a closed loop cruise? Is he a US citizen?

Yes, US citizen. I don't know what closed loop is. I told them the cruise we were on (which was the next day)/7 day, and the stop (same as original poster): St. Thomas, Tortola, and Castaway Cay. My husband drove from GA to Florida then back to GA then back to Florida so we can make the ship. 7 hours each way.

 

[kamik86]

Yes, US citizen. I don't know what closed loop is. I told them the cruise we were on (which was the next day)/7 day, and the stop (same as original poster): St. Thomas, Tortola, and Castaway Cay. My husband drove from GA to Florida then back to GA then back to Florida so we can make the ship. 7 hours each way.

Closed loop just means it starts and ends in the same port. So the ship makes a closed loop.

 

[SandyinMonterey]

Well, if the cruise was a closed loop cruise and he's a US citizen, sadly, you were mis-informed. As long as he had at least his driver's license and birth certificate he could board. But, if he didn't have those, he couldn't as that's the minimum requirement. A passport works best, however.

I can only go by what they told me. Would of hated to show up and be wrong. He had his drivers license but birth certificate was also in GA with his passport. We followed up with several crew members during the cruise and all said passport required (or birth certificate).

 

[MUN]

We are traveling on the Fantasy 7 nights with stops in Tortola St. Thomas and Castaway Cay. We have two kids 4 and 9 and I'm wondering if I should get passports. I know we don't need them unless we need to fly home but I'm worried about medical emergencies for my kids. we can fly from St Thomas without a passport and there is no airport in Castaway Cay so am I wasting money getting them to be able to fly home from Tortola? If there was a serious emergency and someone had to be flown to a hospital will they not take you without a passport? Sorry so many questions. We have never left the country.

My opinion is you should get them, even though you don't technically need them. Once you have them, you will want to get your money's worth out of them and travel more internationally.

MUN

 

[TEMom2]

We just got passports for our trip. I looked at the list of what you can bring instead and the passports seemed easier.

 

[lanejudy]

I can only go by what they told me. Would of hated to show up and be wrong. He had his drivers license but birth certificate was also in GA with his passport. We followed up with several crew members during the cruise and all said passport required (or birth certificate).

That would be correct -- either the passport or a birth certificate (plus his driver's license) is required. They will not allow anyone to board without one of those documents. Sorry he had to drive twice! That must have been a stressful way to start the vacation. At least he only had to go back to GA and not CA!

I hope your cruise got better once onboard!

 

[bumbershoot]

We followed up with several crew members during the cruise and all said passport required (or birth certificate).

The *or birth certificate* part is the important part there.

So glad he was able to go back and get his ID!

 

[Jessirip]

Definitely do it. We got them for our DD 4 and DS 1 for our upcoming Bahamas cruise. Necessary no, but I honestly feel at ease having them. It's just one less thing for this trip and future ones. Also, who knows if and when rules may suddenly change?

It's easier than you think, just get the photos at a drug store, print out the applications online and take them to the post office with your check book. We were in and out in less than 15 minutes for two kiddos applications, and we received their passports in the mail less than 6 weeks later. And now we can rush off if someone decides to gift us with an exotic European vacation.

 

[TinkLoverSam]

We had to get a passport for my 7 week old ds to be able to get to my sister's wedding in wdw as we are Canadian and no one can fly from Canada to the us without a passport no matter their age. Now he has one and we won't have to worry about any international travel for the next 5 years.

 

[mevelandry]

We are traveling on the Fantasy 7 nights with stops in Tortola St. Thomas and Castaway Cay. We have two kids 4 and 9 and I'm wondering if I should get passports. I know we don't need them unless we need to fly home but I'm worried about medical emergencies for my kids. we can fly from St Thomas without a passport and there is no airport in Castaway Cay so am I wasting money getting them to be able to fly home from Tortola? If there was a serious emergency and someone had to be flown to a hospital will they not take you without a passport? Sorry so many questions. We have never left the country.

This is an excellent reason why you should get your passport done + it is a 2nd ID if you ever lose your other IDs.

Also, your passport will be valid for a very long time (I think it's 5 years for kids and 10 years for adults in the US?). Once it's done, you're good to go for years! Totally worth it!

 

[kiford]

Yes... But who carries their birth certificate around with them just randomly?

I do. And so does DH. We both have Canadian government issued laminated birth certificate cards (legal here in Canada for ID if used in conjunction with a photo ID). Of course, when cruising we use passports because we have to get into the US first, but we do carry our BCs with us. I also have a government issued marriage certificate card that I carry with me as I didn't change my name and I wanted to be able to prove relationship in the event it was necessary.

 

[Naomi Collison]

There is also the matter that if there is a medical emergency for your kids and it is approved they be rushed to a US hospital, there is no guarantee's that either you or your significant other would be approved to go with them without a passport. We are cruising in July of next year and are getting passports for our family of 6