Taking a Caribbean cruise w/o passports

[ksjayhawks]

We're taking our very first cruise in December. It is the NCL Spirit out of New Orleans to the Western Caribbean (Belieze, Cozumel, Coasta Maya, Roatan)

The deal is we are a family of 5 and do not have passports. I have read that on a closed-loop cruise (leaving and entering the same port) that you can cruise with just a photo ID (adults) and embossed, official birth certificates.

My question is, has anybody here ever cruised with just the birth certificates? Did it create any hassle when you got off the ship?

I am leaning toward not getting passports because of the shear cost ($500) for them... and then the kids' passports are only good for 5 years. We have a modest vacation budget in that we only vacay once a year, and it is usually by car. And we live 2200 mi from "home" where the rest of the grandparents/family are from, so every other year the vacation budget is blown on a trip home. So I just don't see us getting a lot of use out of $500 worth of passports in the next 5 years. I'd rather wait until we NEED the passports, and if we don't NEED them for the cruise, I don't want to spend the $$ for what may very well be a one-time use.

The ports I am not crazy about. Again, I had to be talked into this cruise, but what did it for me was 7 days of pure relaxation. I might get off the ship to go to the beach, but as far as excursions ($100/pp x 5!) I am not so interested in being crammed into a tour bus like cattle, and seeing tourist-traps. So "missing the boat" is highly unlikely.

I would not travel without my passport, especially going out of the country! It is also great to have when traveling on the airlines, especially at busy times of the year. It will also be easier for your kids to renew as they get older. It takes time to get them the first time, but renewal is much easier and quicker.

As other pp's have said as well, I look at the cost of passports--and tips on the cruise for waitstaff and room attendants--as part of the cost of the cruise. There will also be other costs as well--beverages that aren't included, souveniers, taxi rides to/from pier, tips for the porters at the pier, possibly babysitting fees for after hours when kids clubs aren't open--depends on the kids ages. Make sure that you plan for these as well.

I haven't been to Belieze or Roatan, but have been to Cozumel many times and also to Costa Maya. Cozumel--fun to get off and walk around and souvenier shop. There is also a nice beach club that we went to that is very reasonably priced and is all inclusive for your day--food, drinks, pool, chairs, umbrellas or covered seating, clean restrooms. It is Nachi Cocum and needs to be reserved in advance. It was $40+ for adults and less for kids. You also need to pay a taxi fare, but it isn't much. There are also beaches that are close to the piers and are either free or have a small admission fee; you would also have a taxi ride.

In Costa Maya, as a pp said, you can shop and swim in the free pool by the pier. There are also several beach clubs there--we went to Nahochi Kay (sp?). It was a short cab ride-$2 person--and was $40 adult, $20 kids. It was also all inclusive. It was by other beach clubs and you could walk down the road and shop from beachside vendors.

So, you can do excursions that are cheaper--or free, if you just get out and walk around--than the cruise ships. The ships also do have excursions that aren't as expensive. We did the stingray beach in Cozumel this last time, was inexpensive and lots of fun/educational. We opted to go downtown afterwards to eat at Pancho's Backyard and shop our way back to the ship--finally had enough shopping and grabbed a taxi back.

 

[Deb in IA]

Also, what is the $500 as a percentage of the overall cost of the cruise?
Or compared to your on-board expenses?


Pretty small, I'll bet.

 

[jlewisinsyr]

The deal is we are a family of 5 and do not have passports. I have read that on a closed-loop cruise (leaving and entering the same port) that you can cruise with just a photo ID (adults) and embossed, official birth certificates.

My question is, has anybody here ever cruised with just the birth certificates? Did it create any hassle when you got off the ship?

I am leaning toward not getting passports because of the shear cost ($500) for them... and then the kids' passports are only good for 5 years. We have a modest vacation budget in that we only vacay once a year, and it is usually by car. And we live 2200 mi from "home" where the rest of the grandparents/family are from, so every other year the vacation budget is blown on a trip home. So I just don't see us getting a lot of use out of $500 worth of passports in the next 5 years. I'd rather wait until we NEED the passports, and if we don't NEED them for the cruise, I don't want to spend the $$ for what may very well be a one-time use.

I can understand being budget aware, but the cost of passports when entering international waters and foreign countries should be just part of the total cost of the vacation if you do not already have them. It shouldn't even be a consideration in the matter.

The ports I am not crazy about. Again, I had to be talked into this cruise, but what did it for me was 7 days of pure relaxation. I might get off the ship to go to the beach, but as far as excursions ($100/pp x 5!) I am not so interested in being crammed into a tour bus like cattle, and seeing tourist-traps. So "missing the boat" is highly unlikely.

I think you have a misconception, not all excursions are anything like what you describe. I took an excursion on Isla Roatan (Roatan as you state), it was great. It wasn't overly packed, we were able to snorkel in some of the most beautiful reefs that are basically untouched by over use (ie. Cozumel and some parts of Belize).

I also don't fully understand the idea that $500 for an excursion (many are less then $100/person), its not much more then what a five day hopper would be at Disney for one person. The cruise is basically your hotel, the excursions are like the parks. Sure you can have a good time at a Disney hotel, but part of the vacation is taking in the sights.

 

[Snowysmom]

It is worth it to get the passports. The paperwork you get when you book the cruise should have the state department website on it where you can go to get information on what you need for proper proof of citizenship. Also be sure to check with the cruise line regarding their requirements. I know some cruise lines will allow you to board with the birth certificate and license for adults but having the passports really gives peace of mind in case something does happen. And, of course, have a nice relaxing cruise!

 

[tvguy]

In this day and age I don't understand why everyone doesn't have a Passport, even those with no plans to travel out of the country.
It is a national form of identification that I have used more here at home than for travel. (Yes, I understand some folks don't like the idea of a national identity card)
When you get a new job now, you have to prove you are a citizen. Many youth sports groups and schools need proof of birth date and citizenship.
And when I took my daughter to get her driver's license at age 16, I took her birth certificate, and her Passport. The DMV clerk grabbed the Passport and told me that was the gold standard for identity to them. If we used the birth certificate, there were a number of things she would have to verify on the birth certificate to make sure it was a real, certified copy. Then she would have to have 2 supervisors do the same thing. With the Passport, all she had to do was write "Passport" as the proof of birth date and identity, because the Passport was proof the U.S. State Department had already verified all the information it contained.

 

[ksjayhawks]

In this day and age I don't understand why everyone doesn't have a Passport, even those with no plans to travel out of the country.
It is a national form of identification that I have used more here at home than for travel. (Yes, I understand some folks don't like the idea of a national identity card)
When you get a new job now, you have to prove you are a citizen. Many youth sports groups and schools need proof of birth date and citizenship.
And when I took my daughter to get her driver's license at age 16, I took her birth certificate, and her Passport. The DMV clerk grabbed the Passport and told me that was the gold standard for identity to them. If we used the birth certificate, there were a number of things she would have to verify on the birth certificate to make sure it was a real, certified copy. Then she would have to have 2 supervisors do the same thing. With the Passport, all she had to do was write "Passport" as the proof of birth date and identity, because the Passport was proof the U.S. State Department had already verified all the information it contained.

I have found this to be so true! The passport is gold when proving identity! DS has used his for work, for college applications and verifications. We use ours when we fly. Have used it at the bank when opening accounts.

 

[mdsoccermom]

In this day and age I don't understand why everyone doesn't have a Passport, even those with no plans to travel out of the country.
It is a national form of identification that I have used more here at home than for travel. (Yes, I understand some folks don't like the idea of a national identity card)
When you get a new job now, you have to prove you are a citizen. Many youth sports groups and schools need proof of birth date and citizenship.
And when I took my daughter to get her driver's license at age 16, I took her birth certificate, and her Passport. The DMV clerk grabbed the Passport and told me that was the gold standard for identity to them. If we used the birth certificate, there were a number of things she would have to verify on the birth certificate to make sure it was a real, certified copy. Then she would have to have 2 supervisors do the same thing. With the Passport, all she had to do was write "Passport" as the proof of birth date and identity, because the Passport was proof the U.S. State Department had already verified all the information it contained.

Absolutely. A passport is the best form of identification around.