Should we get passports?

[FreeTime]

I have been procrastinating about getting passports. I finally went and got our pictures and planned on getting the passports today. However, I was told that the requirements have changed and that the note from my spouse so that I have to get ones for my kids has to be notorized (as of Nov) apparently I have an old form. So I will not be getting them today and will need to find a time when we can go together. We have no plans to travel overseas anytiem soon and since we are cruising in May won't be required to have passports yet. So should we spend the $400 and the hassle to get them, or wait in case we ever need them? I don't like the fact that I arlready had to spend $30 on pictures, so maybe I should spend the rest. Also, I think it might be comforting to have an offical ID with picture for the kids just incase the unthinkable happened.
Advice please! Thanks

 

[ivanova]

there's a rumor going around that in 3 years passports will be REQUIRED for re-entry into the US (even on cruise ships) ... so you might have to have them in the future, so why not get them now?

I have mine because (1) DH has one for business travel, (2) if he ever falls ill overseas and I need to fly to his side I won't have any problems, (3) it makes airport check ins (even for domestic flights) a breeze, and (4) it's cool "collecting" stamps from the countries you visit (just got mine stamped in Belize last week on Carnival's Elation).

 

[HooKooDooKu]

Based on my experience with previous cruises, you have to have your driver's license (or other photo ID) to get back on the boat at various ports of call.

So what happens if I loose my photo ID while in port (theft or loss)?

I usually drive and park at Port Canaveral. Since in the past, ID has not been rechecked (for U.S. Citizens) upon our return to Port Canaveral, I've always just used Birth Certificates. I can still drive home even if I don't have my Driver's License.

But in May, we are doing the 14-day cruise where we'll have to fly home from LAX using non-refundable tickets. If I loose my license during this cruise, not only will I likely have troubles re-entering the US (Disney seems to be saying immigration will be tighter in LA) but I have virtually no chance of getting on my plane in time without ID.

So, because we will be flying to return home, I decided to spend the money for Passports as a means of backup ID (allong with Disney recomending Passports for the 14 day cruise to LA).

 

[DissyLove]

I must confess to not travelling by cruise before, but travel out of the country all over regularly (Mexico and Europe, mostly) and must say having a passport is much easier. Yes, you don't TECHNICALLY need it for many islands and Mexico and Canada, but I find it makes things go much more smoothly since I got one-especially if you are married and had a name change. If you bring your birth certificate and drivers license, but the names don't match, now you need your marriage license. And of course make sure it is an official notorized copy, etc....So I prefer it.

 

[FreeTime]

DisneyLove, I didn't know that I needed my marriage liscence also? I will need this for hte cruise along with my BC?

 

[DrCavin]

If you plan on just taking the cruise, then IMO it is not worth the $400. IF you may be going outside the US more than just your cruise, then you probably should get them.

Unless Disney has recently changed their requirements, no marriage license was required when we went.

 

[crisi]

I think its hard to know without knowing your circumstances....

i.e. my husband was born outside the country, so doesn't have a birth certificate. He has a very difficult to replace "U.S. State Department Record of Birth Abroad" or somesuch document. My BIL lost his - took nine months to get it replaced!....passport for him.

My son is Korean, he has "not proof of U.S. Citizenship" stamped across his birth certificate. Naturalization paperwork is difficult to replace as well....passport for him!

I haven't, but may be required to, travel internationally for work on short notice...so I have a passport.

I'd highly recommend a passport to anyone who's name or race may make them subject to racial profiling. As well as anyone who has a look that customs officials may decide to hassle (long hair and Birkenstocks for instance). Sometimes you just have to admit that the world isn't perfect about these things - fight the system when you aren't on vacation.

And then there are the "what if" scenarios. A passport will likely make life a lot easier if something terrible happens.

 

[imlazar]

Just another suggestion - take photocopies of your passports with you and store them in a safe place apart from your actual passport. It will be helpful to have your passport number if you lose your passport.

You should also leave a copy with someone back home just in case.

 

[kennysmom]

We took Western Carrib. cruise in December. My mother and I had passports, my husband and son did not. They are absolutely NOT necessary -- in fact, they recommend leaving them on board while in port and not carrying them at all. All you need is Drivers Licenses for adults and birth certificates (original with raised seal) FOR EVERYONE. The birth cert. are checked at check in, and disembarkation going through customs. Your Disney IDs and drivers licenses (adults) get you off and on ship. You MUST carry both. As far as getting your passport stamped to show your travels -- you only go through customs in the USA at port canaveral (final destination)and if you're a US citizen it doesn't get stamped. I personally wouldn't spend the money on passports -- save it for all the shopping you'll do...have fun -- it's the most awsome vacation EVER!

 

[tvguy]

Passports are not necessary. Having said that, they are ALWAYS better.
Birth certificates are fragile and vital documents that can be a hassle to replace.
Passports are durable, official government documents that qualify as photo ID, and that can be replaced a lot easier, often in hours in an emergency.

The only time we take the birth certificates out of the safe deposit box is to renew the passports. On the cruise, when in port, I kept them in my fanny pack inside a zip lock sandwich bag. We use them at home for all those times the kids have to prove their date of birth, little league, soccer, school registration, etc.

 

[ericamanda01]

I hightly recommend you get you passport. It is a great form of ID and you never know when you may need it. Better safe than sorry.

http://travel.state.gov/passport/passport_1738.html
You can go to this site to get all the information you need to get your passports. It also has a link to print out the new forms. The forms do have an experation date on them so look for it. I think it's in the upper right hand corner. Either way I hope you have a great cruise!