Travel Documentation Question for Residents of MI/MN/NY/VT/WA

[ArielSparrow]

I saw some older threads on the matter, but I wanted to ask now that the program has been around for a few more years.

Has anyone ever had issue boarding the ship or entering the ports with an enhanced driver's license (EDL)? I know there is confusion when people think that their Real ID will work, but those aren't WHTI-compliant. All my research tells me it will work perfectly fine at each of the ports (assuming I don't need to fly), but I wanted to hear some anecdotal input. Thanks!!

 

[bumbershoot]

What types of documents are accepted for entry into the United States via land and sea?

• U.S. citizens can present a valid: U.S. Passport; Passport Card; Enhanced Driver’s License; Trusted Traveler Program card (NEXUS, SENTRI or FAST); U.S. Military identification card when traveling on official orders; U.S. Merchant Mariner document when traveling in conjunction with official maritime business; or Form I-872 American Indian Card, or (when available) Enhanced Tribal Card.
• U.S. and Canadian citizen children under the age of 16 (or under 19, if traveling with a school, religious group, or other youth group) need only present a birth certificate or other proof of citizenship. The birth certificate can be original, photocopy, or certified copy.
• WHTI does not affect U.S. Lawful Permanent Residents, who are still required to present their permanent resident card (Form I-551) or other valid evidence of permanent residence status.
• Canadian citizens can present a valid passport, Enhanced Driver’s License, or Trusted Traveler Program card (NEXUS, SENTRI or FAST).
• Bermudian citizens are required to present a valid passport.
• Mexican citizens, including children, are required to present a passport with visa, or a Border Crossing Card.
• U.S. citizens on closed-loop cruises (cruises that begin and end at the same U.S. port) are able to enter the United States with a birth certificate and government-issued photo ID.

EDL is fine. Those are compliant.

If you just had a normal DL then you bring the birth cert, too. Not sure about the other states, but WA has an extension so they are fine.

 

[ArielSparrow]

Yeah I know they are compliant, but I had heard of people having issues, so I was wondering if that was still happening. Or maybe those cases were several years ago, when EDL's were less common.

 

[_auroraborealis_]

I frankly threw up my hands on Minnesota's license debacle a few instances back and just renewed my passport.

 

[MickeyD]

I have the enhanced dl, no issues here, but I have since started to use my passport on board. From what I heard last year when we sailed, DCL skipped Tortola because the Fantasy was having mechanical issues and they did not want to take the chance that those traveling without passports wouldn't be able to get a flight home should they need to send people home from there. We go back and forth to Canada and no issues using enhanced.
Edited to add: I am from WA

 

[ArielSparrow]

I have the enhanced dl, no issues here, but I have since started to use my passport on board. From what I heard last year when we sailed, DCL skipped Tortola because the Fantasy was having mechanical issues and they did not want to take the chance that those traveling without passports wouldn't be able to get a flight home should they need to send people home from there. We go back and forth to Canada and no issues using enhanced.
Edited to add: I am from WA

Helpful information! I am from WA too but haven't yet used it for anything other than going between WA and BC.