Passports vs ID's

[dave54]

In the interest of being efficient, has anyone gone to the trouble of getting ID's for their non-driving kids (mine are ages 13 and 15), so they could use those smaller ID's instead of carrying the larger passports when getting off and on the ship etc etc

We all have passports but I assume a drivers license/federal ID (with a picture) works just as well.

Thoughts or comments?

 

[KAR3600]

Maybe things have changed since 9-11, but when I cruised July 2000, my children were both under 18, I only had to provide their birth certificates.

 

[mikeymars]

Why go the trouble to getting "state" i.d.? U.S. Passports are the -- I repeat, THE -- only form of 100% inarguable travel i.d. out there.

 

[jennifersmith23]

On the western itinerary only the people over 18 had to show ID when getting on and off the ship at the islands. The only time I had to show my daughters passport was when we got our Key to the World Cards. The guy in immigration didn't even look at dd's passport when we exited the ship. The rest of the time for us, we used our drivers licenses. It was easier because you could just slip them in your lanyard and pull it out rather than having to fumble through a purse or wallet.

 

[dave54]

Thanks for the quick feedback and that last post is exactly on point --- if the kids do not need anything but their key to the world when they get on and off then I have my answer, but like so many things, if the "rules" say they also need a form of ID? then they /we are stuck carrying passports vs small driver licenses which are so much easier to store

so can I count on the kids not needing anything after we initially board the ship?

 

[din]

Unless the rules change you will only need the passport or BC for the children at check in at the port. Once on-board, keep these in the safe and you will not need them any more. The adults however do need an ID. We kept in the safe while on board and just carried the KTTW card and took our DL when we were leaving the ship.

Again this is valid unless the rules changes...

 

[Señor Ferrari]

My understanding is that children under 18 are never required to show a photo ID. The DCL website says, "Children 17 and under who are U.S. or Canadian citizens are only required to have proof of citizenship, excluding picture identification."

I've never cruised with kids but it would seem to me that you'd only need proof of citizenship for kids when boarding, i.e. a birth certificate. You don't need photo ID for them to board initially, so I doubt you'd need it for re-boarding when in port. Actually, they only asked to see my driver's license once when re-boarding. I'd leave the passports in the room safe when in port. If worse comes to worse, you could always board using your driver's license and go get the passports from the room. I seriously doubt that you'd have to do this, though.

To put your mind at ease, you could give the cruise line a call (1-877-566-0976). They could clear it up once and for all.

 

[candyht]

From my own experience I would bring along passports. I went to apply for a passport a few months ago with my husband. Both of our passports had expired quite some time ago and also I had lost mine. When they asked me to see a picture form of ID, I gave them my Learner's Permit. The passport agent told me that a Learner's Permit was not considered a valid form of picture ID for them. My husband had to verify my identify for me by signing a document and showing his Driver's License. I found it confusing that they accepted a Driver's License as a valid form of ID, but not a Learner's Permit.

My family and I will be sailing on the Wonder in December. I have 5 year old twins. Even though passports are not required, I got them passports anyway.