Passports

[readytogotodisney]

I'm currently fighting with myself if I should get passports for my kids for our upcoming cruise.
We leave on April for the western, grand Cayman, Cozumel, key west and cc.

Dh and I already have ours bc of a European trip that we had to cancel a few weeks out.

For the kids, I've got all the forms and pictures for them all ready. But I'm still fighting with myself. They have done two cruises (both to Bahamas) without so I know they can, so I'm not sure.

Anyone sway me either way and make up my mind for me

 

[Maggie'sMom]

I always recommend having them. It sounds like you are already informed somewhat as to the risks of traveling without. It also sounds like you travel fairly frequently. I look at it the same as insurance. If you need it, boy are you glad you have it. And having gone so far as to get the pictures and forms all ready for the kids, think of how you will feel if you don't get the passports and something happens on your trip that would necessitate you having to fly home early.

 

[MakiraMarlena]

you won't NEED them unless you have to fly home for some reason. Unless it's from Key West.

 

[WIFamily]

Here's what we did in 2010 for our first cruise after passport rules changed quite a bit. Kids were 16, 12, 9, 5. We got them passport cards and my wife a passport, I had my passport for business. In 2014 we cruised again and used the same passport cards. In 80 days we're cruising again, the kids are now 22, 18, 14, 10. We have gotten passports for the two oldest boys, since they will be good for 10 years, and new passport cards for the youngest two.

Is it a risk, yes, if we have a medical emergency and need to fly home, there might be some delays with the younger two. However, I personally feel that risk and costs are worth the savings, what nearly $100 for each passport vs the card. I guess I'm just a dice roller!

 

[MUN]

Unless you plan on having the kids travel outside of the country, other than this cruise, I would not get the passports. Save your money.

 

[bumbershoot]

You don't need them for these plans, as long as everything goes well.

But it sure is nice to have the world in the palm of your hands. We have passports and always will.

 

[Heard02]

I would not travel without them...you never know what could happen.
Just my 2 cents from someone who has been in the industry for 22 years.

 

[Tasmen]

Pretty much echoing what others said. I went ahead and got my DD a passport just in case. It's one less thing to stress about.

 

[DSLRuser]

Get them. They are good for 5 years when issued to minors under 18.

We got them for our kids when they were 9 months and 7 years old. Used them for the Disney cruise.

One day we found a great deal on an all inclusive to Jamaica. Could not have booked the trip on a spur of the moment without.

Also, it is so much easier at TSA with passports instead of drivers license or SS cards.

 

[2-pointdoe]

DD is 8, she is one her 2nd passport, her first was issued when she was 3 months old for a mexico trip. We renewed because I want the option to take off and go somewhere whenever we might want to. It also serves as a great ID when needed.

 

[missyp]

DD is 8, she is one her 2nd passport, her first was issued when she was 3 months old for a mexico trip. We renewed because I want the option to take off and go somewhere whenever we might want to. It also serves as a great ID when needed.

I agree. Great to have. Makes getting on planes fast and easy. You know you can get up and go any time.

 

[readytogotodisney]

Thanks everyone. I went ahead and got them today, so that's done. Check that off the list!

 

[malbergotti]

Sailing on the Magic April 10th to western car. We went ahead and did our DD10 and DS5. I wanted the peace of mind that IF something happens we would have what we needed to get back home. Traveling in a foreign country with small children, even if getting back on the ship every night...not where I wanted to roll the dice. I figure we will be going on at least 2 more cruises while these passports are still valid, so it was worth the cost to me. And as an added bonus, they think they are BIG TIME now that they have passports.

 

[WIFamily]

Get them. They are good for 5 years when issued to minors under 18.

We got them for our kids when they were 9 months and 7 years old. Used them for the Disney cruise.

One day we found a great deal on an all inclusive to Jamaica. Could not have booked the trip on a spur of the moment without.

Also, it is so much easier at TSA with passports instead of drivers license or SS cards.

Just a note for everyone, its my understanding that passports and passport cards are good for 5 years when under 16. 16 and up they are good for 10 years.

 

[bumbershoot]

Just a note for everyone, its my understanding that passports and passport cards are good for 5 years when under 16. 16 and up they are good for 10 years.

Good catch. Yes you're correct.

Because we didn't get one for DS when he was tiny but waited until he was 6, we inadvertently timed it perfectly. 6, then 11, and the next one at 16 and it's good for 10 years.

 

[canyoncam]

Note too that passport cards are not good for air travel. So if the reason you are getting passports is for emergency flights home get the book. And for everyone who already has them make sure they are valid for six months PAST the date of planned RETURN. Had friends learn the hard way last fall.

 

[PrincessShmoo]

And for everyone who already has them make sure they are valid for six months PAST the date of planned RETURN.

The "6 month past the return date" is not a requirement in most Caribbean cruise stops.

 

[canyoncam]

The "6 month past the return date" is not a requirement in most Caribbean cruise stops.

True as of now but always be safe rather than sorry I say. My friends were in Mexico when they could no longer continue on with their trip so I say if your cruise includes Cozumel make sure.

 

[PrincessShmoo]

nm

 

[puffkin]

I am also a dice roller....I am just getting my kids the passport cards for our upcoming cruise. If they would expire in 10 years and not 5 I probably would get the passport books. I just think the costs are a bit much for the full passports since we don't really have anything else international on the table and would like to do Hawaii in the next couple of years which will be a big trip for us. If they were able to get 10 year passports I would definitely do those instead though.