Regrets...About Not Having a Passport?

[D-Dreamer]

We are cruising in March and do not have passports at this point. It may already be too late for us to get them now in time for our March cruise. I know we don't have to have them for our "closed-loop" cruise, but I feel a lot more uncomfortable than my DH does about not having them. For those of you that have cruised without passports, did you run into any trouble?

 

[kcashner]

The only way you will have "trouble" is if you don't have CERTIFIED, government issued birth certificates or if you have an emergency that doesn't allow you to return to the US on the ship.

The "certified" thing used to be a raised seal, but many states use different ways to certify it now. The thing is that it has to be the state issued birth certificate. Many hospitals give "souvenier" type certificates--these are not legal and have no value on the cruise. They are intended to be stuck in the baby book as "oh, isn't that sweet." I know that some schools will accept them for enrollment, but they are not a legal birth certificate.

As to not being able to return with the ship--either there was a medical emergency or someone didn't make it back to the ship on time. There are emergency re-patriation procedures in place; granted these are a hassle at an already stresses time in your life.

Other than that, you're OK. That said, passports are easier to carry, not lose, and they will get you back into the US. That said, I probably ought to check my expiration date.

 

[sholey01]

We got our passports in less than two weeks. We didn't pay expedited processing.

 

[winniedapooh]

We got our passports in less than two weeks. We didn't pay expedited processing.

Same with us...I would just get them to be safe! Good luck.

 

[Tonka's Skipper]

I maybe wrong here, but make sure the orginial BC has the raised seal or halogram and the names of your parents on it. Teh parents thing is new!

AKK

 

[tinkmt]

From the day we made application until the day I got all four in the mail was 16 days for regular service. That was just a few weeks ago. Just remember, if you miss the ship you can't fly home or to the next port.

 

[Disney Dreams]

We are cruising in March and do not have passports at this point. It may already be too late for us to get them now in time for our March cruise. I know we don't have to have them for our "closed-loop" cruise, but I feel a lot more uncomfortable than my DH does about not having them. For those of you that have cruised without passports, did you run into any trouble?

See the thing about not having a passport is... if everything goes perfectly, you will never feel the need for them at all. It's when the bottom drops out (i.e. emergency, miss the ship) that you discover their value. I would guess 99% of all cruisers don't have those situations arise. However, for the 1% that does, a passport gives you options and makes life easier during a difficult time.

It's like insurance. You don't value it, until the rare occasion that you need it.

We paid a crazy amount of money to rush our passports and have them in less than a week, but... we had them, felt comfortable, and knew we had no need for worry should the "what if" in life happen while on our cruise. For our peace of mind, 100% worth it in every way.

- Dreams

 

[ksloane]

From the day we made application until the day I got all four in the mail was 16 days for regular service. That was just a few weeks ago. Just remember, if you miss the ship you can't fly home or to the next port.

You would be able to get home. You'd just have extra hoops to jump through.


I did not have a passport on our first cruise, and I did not regret it, but like a previous poster said, only those who run into the unexpected problems will regret it.

I traveled internationally this past summer, and had to have one so for our next cruise, I'll have one.

 

[GatorMomInNC]

We did the WBTA cruise flying to Barcelona, so we had to get our kids passports and it didn't take more than 3 weeks, if I recall, and this was in the summer when I think demand is a little higher.

We didn't have passports the first couple times we cruised, but it is nice to have them because you just don't have to worry if you have the right kind of documentation or anything. I also like to use them when I fly domestically because (and maybe this is psychological) but with the kids having passports the TSA seems to move us along slightly quicker through the security screening.

 

[Jme W]

I've done 2 cruises without them and have had zero issues. The only problem would be if you need to fly home for an emergency. As long as you have your IDs and birth certificates, you're good in any other situation.

 

[Wadekind]

sorry

 

[bledsoedoc]

We applied 16 days ago and they just showed up on the website. Website stating 4-6 weeks current time for applications. We leave march 3rd and I am nervous. Not all licences will work and they are picky bout the birth certificates now. If you want a passport do it tomorrow and expediated. Good luck.

 

[gkrykewy]

Related question: can I do online check-in with my current (expiring) passport, and then show up at the port with a new passport (presumably with a changed number)?

 

[woody73]

Related question: can I do online check-in with my current (expiring) passport, and then show up at the port with a new passport (presumably with a changed number)?

If I renewed my passport before sailing, I would notify the cruise line in advance by phone or by editing my online check-in. You don't want to be denied boarding because the manifest submitted to CBP has expired passport information.

YMMV.

Woody

 

[sayhello]

We got our passports in less than two weeks. We didn't pay expedited processing.

Yes, but I really don't think the OP should risk this unless they pay for expedited. She states that they're sailing in March, and if, for some reason, she's not as lucky as you were, and it takes 6 weeks to get hers back, they'd be screwed, because she wouldn't have her birth certificates OR her passports. In which case, she can kiss their cruise goodbye. Either spring for expedited, or just cruise with birth certificates this time, and be sure and order the passports earlier for next time.

Sayhello

 

[Wadekind]

Yes, but I really don't think the OP should risk this unless they pay for expedited. She states that they're sailing in March, and if, for some reason, she's not as lucky as you were, and it takes 6 weeks to get hers back, they'd be screwed, because she wouldn't have her birth certificates OR her passports. In which case, she can kiss their cruise goodbye. Either spring for expedited, or just cruise with birth certificates this time, and be sure and order the passports earlier for next time.

Sayhello

Excellent point. I forgot that we send our original birth certificate with our passport application.

 

[gkrykewy]

If I renewed my passport before sailing, I would notify the cruise line in advance by phone or by editing my online check-in. You don't want to be denied boarding because the manifest submitted to CBP has expired passport information.

YMMV.

Woody

Oh, I can update the info online? That sounds like the best thing then.

 

[Sleepyluke]

Our cruise in October, we ended up leaving a couple of people because they decided to shop after the excursion (per story we got from officers) and even with a passport they had all kinds of issues. I think that is one that i would rather not have to deal with. If you NEED the passport, it is not a hoop you want to have to jump through, in addition to the other hoops medical, airfare, or otherwise....