Should we get passports

[THESCHULTZFIVE]

Will it make everything go smoother and easier? What about the kids?

 

[TheWog]

When is your cruise? After Dec. 31, 2005 you will NEED them according to the new published regulations.

I am a proud member of the passport pusher society, so I would say yes get them.

 

[DrCavin]

If you are coming back before 12/31/05 then I wouldn't do it IF you would only use them on this cruise...

 

[popfam]

We just returned from an land/sea on the Wonder. DH and I did not have passports, we took birth certificates and driver's licenses. Had to show the birth certs only once at check-in at the Polynesian Village, after that only had to show "photo id" (driver's) and KTTW card when going on and off the ship. We got a passport for my DS who just turned 17 but does not have a driver's license yet, only a permit. Cost $95 and took 7 weeks. He looks over 18, so we figured it would avoid problems, but I don't think it was necessary. DD is 13, so a passport for her would have been cheaper but would only be good for 5 years, so we didn't bother. She did not need a photo id. Check with the US State Dept. website to see whether passports will be required at the time of your cruise - I think the Carribbean comes in sometime in 2006.

 

[THESCHULTZFIVE]

We are doing the land/sea in October. I've always just used bith cert. and license, but with DH and the kids this time, I thought it might be easier if everyone got a passport. The less stuff I have to keep track of the better. But if it's not really like we have to keep taking our stuff out then I won't worry about it.

 

[Disney with Triplets]

We are traveling in 2005 with a large party and are getting passports for all of the children - the adults already have them for various reasons. I cannot imagine leaving the borders of the USA without them. I want no questions whatsoever in the very unlikely event that I am at the mercy of an embassy abroad...

Cost of passport photo $15
Cost of Passport $80
Having a blue cover on a passport at a foreign embassy during a crisis: PRICELESS

 

[jrabbit]

Cost of passport photo $15
Cost of Passport $80
Having a blue cover on a passport at a foreign embassy during a crisis: PRICELESS

Actually the cost of the passports is:
Adults: $97 (good for 10 years)
Children UNDER age 16: $82 (good for 5 years)

Now for more reasons to go ahead and get passports for EVERYONE in your family. Some are better reasons than others but here's a short list.

**Identification: Passports are the TOP of the identification "food chain" you produce a passport, you almost never need another form of ID.
**Airport security: you know with the recient events in London that airport security is going to be cranked up tighter again and the passport will help speed you through security.
**We never thought that our kids would be flying on their own - but guess what - they have and having the passports have helped with getting them on the plane. We saw a couple of 15yo's get dropped off at the airport by their parents (nope the parents didn't come inside ) These kids were under 16 (ok to fly w/o id) but they had problems at the ticket counter and even more at security - don't know if they made it through)
**Our friends took our kids to Canada - the passports came in handy again.
**Getting a driver's learners permit and drivers license is easier
**Registering for school and little league is easier
**With the so called "Patriot Act" there are people baned from flying - if not banned, at least they will get extra scrutiny. We know someone who's name is on this list (no, HE'S not on the list - someone with the same name). First time he tried to fly after the "list" came out when he checked in at the desk the person said that there was a problem with his computer and that he needed a supervisor. Got the supervisor and he came and fiddled with the computer untill he looked up and said: "Don't move, the police are right behind you" After being questioned for over an hour they decided that he really wasn't the person on the list. Having a passport helps him, but he still has to go through additional hassels - but nothing like the first time!!

Passports are durable and made to withstand the rigors of travel - birth certificates are not. Using your passport for the drivers license / school / little league is one less time you have to handle a relatively fragile piece of paper that needs to last a lifetime (70+ years)

With the way the world is today - and we know it's not going to change anytime soon - like a prior poster said "Having a blue cover on a passport at a foreign embassy during a crisis: PRICELESS"

 

[musicgirl]

Did I miss something? Someone mentioned you HAVE to have them. Isn't this still a "PROPOSED" timeline?

 

[jrabbit]

More than you EVER wanted to know about travel outside the US
Passport Specific Information

To answer your question... Yes I believe this is still in the proposal stage. I thought that I heard that Prez bush wasn't going to sign it into law - go figure mr. hardhead / war on terror not "tightening up" the boarders.

 

[joshua121301]

We are traveling in 2005 with a large party and are getting passports for all of the children - the adults already have them for various reasons. I cannot imagine leaving the borders of the USA without them. I want no questions whatsoever in the very unlikely event that I am at the mercy of an embassy abroad...

Cost of passport photo $15
Cost of Passport $80
Having a blue cover on a passport at a foreign embassy during a crisis: PRICELESS

Total agreement, a passport is necessary regardless of the actual requirements.

 

[DrCavin]

More than you EVER wanted to know about travel outside the US
Passport Specific Information

To answer your question... Yes I believe this is still in the proposal stage. I thought that I heard that Prez bush wasn't going to sign it into law - go figure mr. hardhead / war on terror not "tightening up" the boarders.

Here is what I found on it "becoming law" I copied this from part of an entire dialog on the debate:

Bush said he learned that the passport requirement is mandated by law.

Bush said he has asked his Cabinet to see "if there's some flexibility in the law" to substitute such things as finger-imaging for passports.

The provision was included in a sweeping intelligence reform bill Congress passed and Bush signed last year. The law ordered the Department of Homeland Security, in consultation with the State Department, to require "a passport or other document, or combination of documents" for all travel into the United States by U.S. citizens and others who had previously had the requirement waived.

 

[Rence]

I recall reading about Bush's concerns. His main concern was regarding land crossings into Canada and Mexico. As the former Govenor of Texas he is very much aware about the day trips across the border etc. He was specifically asking that alternatives be looked into for day trips across the border with Mexico or Canada.

Now whether or not any changes will be made remains to be seen. Also if changes are made, they may be limited to Canada and Mexico and may not affect cruising at all.

 

[DrCavin]

IMO they will not move the date for the Caribbean. They may move the dates for crossing into Mexico/Canada or come up with a new type of document for those countries only....

 

[Eeyorefan12]

Will it make everything go smoother and easier? What about the kids?

The short answer is "yes"...whether it's a cruise or a spur-of-the-moment trip to Canada or Mexico. I have to admit that for years, I thought it would be cool to have a passport but never actually went through with it. We cross the border into Canada occasionally (we live in Washington state) but always went through the hassle of finding and copying the birth certificates--which are always in the file unless you need them and then someone left them in the file tray or something--each time.

Recently, my DH had a sudden trip to London come up and we had to do the last-minute, very expensive rush job to get his passport. It only reminded me that things happen, opportunities come up out of the blue, etc. and I should stop procrastinating. We had passports for our recent trip on the Magic and I felt really secure with them.

Oh, and I know a lot of people have said the lines through immigration/customs are the same getting off the ship with or without passports but that was not our experience. We sailed past at least 100 people who were in the "birth certificate" line. And next time I go to Canada for the weekend, I'll be in the short line too!

On second thought, DON'T get 'em! I LIKE the shorter lines! LOL!

CB

 

[Jillpie]

We just got off the Wonder in April with our family of five. We had our birth certificates and it worked perfectly. Getting on and off the ship, no problems and everything was done swiftly. Personally I don't understand the hype over getting a passport, especially for us who have families of five...expensive!! However, we are cruising in June and I'm patiently awaiting the official word. Until I get that, I'm not going to the expense. The BC's work just fine.

 

[tvguy]

We just got off the Wonder in April with our family of five. We had our birth certificates and it worked perfectly. Getting on and off the ship, no problems and everything was done swiftly. Personally I don't understand the hype over getting a passport, especially for us who have families of five...expensive!! However, we are cruising in June and I'm patiently awaiting the official word. Until I get that, I'm not going to the expense. The BC's work just fine.

If you have school age children, you WILL be facing lots of travel opportunities that seem to come up at the last minute that will require a passport. The general pattern is a Washington D.C. trip at the end of 8th grade, often with side trips to New York and Canada. If they take a foreign language in high school, you'll face the trips to Mexico or Spain, France, Germany or Italy. And usually the prices for this organized student trips are huge bargains. So, if you have kids, having a passport is almost a necessity, not counting a cruise.

 

[THESCHULTZFIVE]

The short answer is "yes"...whether it's a cruise or a spur-of-the-moment trip to Canada or Mexico. I have to admit that for years, I thought it would be cool to have a passport but never actually went through with it. We cross the border into Canada occasionally (we live in Washington state) but always went through the hassle of finding and copying the birth certificates--which are always in the file unless you need them and then someone left them in the file tray or something--each time.

Recently, my DH had a sudden trip to London come up and we had to do the last-minute, very expensive rush job to get his passport. It only reminded me that things happen, opportunities come up out of the blue, etc. and I should stop procrastinating. We had passports for our recent trip on the Magic and I felt really secure with them.

Oh, and I know a lot of people have said the lines through immigration/customs are the same getting off the ship with or without passports but that was not our experience. We sailed past at least 100 people who were in the "birth certificate" line. And next time I go to Canada for the weekend, I'll be in the short line too!

On second thought, DON'T get 'em! I LIKE the shorter lines! LOL!

CB

Trying to keep the short lines to yourself huh? Ha, now just for that I'm gonna get em. Just Kidding, but seriuosly with 3 kids anything that will make a line shorter or faster I'm all for. The kids are good for 5 yrs so I'm almost positive we'll be traveling somewhere out of the U.S.A. within the next 5 yrs. So you've all talked me into it.

 

[lbgraves]

If you cruise in & out of Port Canaveral there are not seperate lines for BC & PP. Everyone goes thru the same lines, which move very quickly. That seems to be something different that the Port out in CA does.

 

[Jillpie]

If you have school age children, you WILL be facing lots of travel opportunities that seem to come up at the last minute that will require a passport. The general pattern is a Washington D.C. trip at the end of 8th grade, often with side trips to New York and Canada. If they take a foreign language in high school, you'll face the trips to Mexico or Spain, France, Germany or Italy. And usually the prices for this organized student trips are huge bargains. So, if you have kids, having a passport is almost a necessity, not counting a cruise.

Its funny you mention this, yes, I do have school age boys. My DS is 17 and is going to Italy with school in the Spring. He'll need a passport. My next DS is 13, he's going to Washington next Spring, but no where out of the country. I won't be getting passports for him or the rest of us, unless it is mandatory for the two day Castaway Cay cruise in June, 2006. I'm waiting for the official word.

 

[tvguy]

Its funny you mention this, yes, I do have school age boys. My DS is 17 and is going to Italy with school in the Spring. He'll need a passport. My next DS is 13, he's going to Washington next Spring, but no where out of the country. I won't be getting passports for him or the rest of us, unless it is mandatory for the two day Castaway Cay cruise in June, 2006. I'm waiting for the official word.

We've just found it SO MUCH easier flying domestically with kids with a passport. I know that even though photo ID isn't required for domestic travel, the company that put together by daughter's Washington trip recommended kids have passports.