Using Birth Cert Rather Than Passport

[SteelersLover]

Been on 5 DCL cruises with my
Now 12 yr old son who doesn't have a passport because my ex is a "hater" and wouldn't sign for a
Passport. Raised seal BC every time and no problems.

 

[NCConch]

You can use a photocopy of an official state copy of a birth certificate.

I can verify this. After researching for our first cruise, the kids and I traveled with copies of our state issued BCs - wife used her passport. I had the originals stashed in our van in the parking deck - just in case. When we checked in at PC the CM looked at the copies for a few long seconds and called a supervisor over <start heavy heart beats>. The supervisor took a quick look and said "no problem".

I wonder if there is a way to figure out how many cruisers/travelers actually have to fly home quickly and how many have passport problems.

 

[JennyK822]

My husband and I will be traveling on the Fantasy in March with our 2 sons (6 and 1). My husband's passport will expire in May, my passport is in my maiden name (cruise is booked under my married name) and my 1YO doesn't have a passport. Rather than spend $300+, I'm considering traveling with the documentation we have. Each of us have state issued birth certificates and I can also bring my marriage certificate. My concern is that we will have trouble getting off the ship at the different ports (Falmouth, Grand Caymen, Cozumel). Will we need passports for this?

 

[PoopDeckPappy]

Which change in regulations? WHTI started in '07 and I believe was a tightening of restrictions, not a loosening. Though maybe I'm just thinking of Canada and not of Bahamas/Caribbean cruises.

When I got them passports were going to be required for sea travel and then by the time the cruise came they (gov.) removed the sea travel part (and it only applied to air travel). The regulation had not gone into effect but was scheduled to by the time the cruise was to take place. That's why I feel the passport was a waste (for me it was). I'm surprised that they are not required for sea travel yet (it's been just over 10 years since I got them).

 

[Vijoge]

My husband and I will be traveling on the Fantasy in March with our 2 sons (6 and 1). My husband's passport will expire in May, my passport is in my maiden name (cruise is booked under my married name) and my 1YO doesn't have a passport. Rather than spend $300+, I'm considering traveling with the documentation we have. Each of us have state issued birth certificates and I can also bring my marriage certificate. My concern is that we will have trouble getting off the ship at the different ports (Falmouth, Grand Caymen, Cozumel). Will we need passports for this?

No, you'll be fine.

 

[lanejudy]

My husband and I will be traveling on the Fantasy in March with our 2 sons (6 and 1). My husband's passport will expire in May, my passport is in my maiden name (cruise is booked under my married name) and my 1YO doesn't have a passport. Rather than spend $300+, I'm considering traveling with the documentation we have. Each of us have state issued birth certificates and I can also bring my marriage certificate. My concern is that we will have trouble getting off the ship at the different ports (Falmouth, Grand Caymen, Cozumel). Will we need passports for this?

Your official form of identification MUST match the name on the manifest/reservation. Newlyweds get caught with this all the time and it can create a delay and frustration for the woman. Assuming your driver's license is in your married name, skip the passport and travel with the DL and BC. If your DL is also still in your maiden name, then I suggest you change the name on the reservation to match the DL or passport.

DL + BC won't cause delay getting on/off the ship in ports as I don't believe those ports require a passport for US residents on closed-loop US cruises. Any issue would be with Customs and Immigration, either at initial embarkation or final debarkation. Just be sure to bring your DL and KTTW card as identification when in port.

Enjoy your cruise!

 

[JennyK822]

Your official form of identification MUST match the name on the manifest/reservation. Newlyweds get caught with this all the time and it can create a delay and frustration for the woman. Assuming your driver's license is in your married name, skip the passport and travel with the DL and BC. If your DL is also still in your maiden name, then I suggest you change the name on the reservation to match the DL or passport.

DL + BC won't cause delay getting on/off the ship in ports as I don't believe those ports require a passport for US residents on closed-loop US cruises. Any issue would be with Customs and Immigration, either at initial embarkation or final debarkation. Just be sure to bring your DL and KTTW card as identification when in port.

Enjoy your cruise!

Thanks for your help! We've been married for a while, so most of my documentation is updated. I've just been waiting until my passport expires to renew under my married name, which will be next year.

 

[chik1987]

Thanks for your help! We've been married for a while, so most of my documentation is updated. I've just been waiting until my passport expires to renew under my married name, which will be next year.

I know it won't make a difference for you but maybe it will help someone else. If you have had your passport for less than a year when you get married you can send in your marriage license and the passport and they will change your name on the passport for free. Just make sure to give yourself enough time that you won't be pushing that year marker. That way you can travel under your maiden name and change your name on everything once you get home from your honeymoon.

 

[hrhdhd]

My husband and I will be traveling on the Fantasy in March with our 2 sons (6 and 1). My husband's passport will expire in May, my passport is in my maiden name (cruise is booked under my married name) and my 1YO doesn't have a passport. Rather than spend $300+, I'm considering traveling with the documentation we have. Each of us have state issued birth certificates and I can also bring my marriage certificate. My concern is that we will have trouble getting off the ship at the different ports (Falmouth, Grand Caymen, Cozumel). Will we need passports for this?

If you needed a passport for any ports, you wouldn't be allowed on the ship from the get-go. It's not a matter of staying on the ship if you don't have the right documentation; when you're in a country's waters, you're in that country and need the appropriate documentation.

That being said, on a closed-loop cruise, you're fine with BC and DL.

 

[MunFam]

What is legally required to board the ship and what is smart traveling practices are two different things. I have first hand experience needing to obtain a passport in a foreign country. It was NOT fun.

I had a client's wife fly down to Costa Rica with our team. She was an American citizen. Her passport was expired and she did not realize it. They let her in to Costa Rica, but when we were all at the airport getting on our flight home, they denied her boarding. I stayed back with her because I was the travel director and I spoke Spanish. I had to contact the embassy which was located in San Jose. We were in Gunacaste. It was an EXTREMELY expensive 4 hour cab ride to the embassy. Of course it was a Friday afternoon, so we had to pay for hotel nights in San Jose, Friday, Saturday, Sunday. Finally, on Monday, the Embassy opened and we were able to go in and get assistance for an expedited passport...mind you, she already had one...it was just expired, so less paperwork. Finally, we had the passport on Wednesday afternoon. The next flight was Friday from San Jose. We had the super expensive cab ride, the 7 nights of extra hotel rooms, the new plane tickets, the cost of the missed flight and the cost of all the expedite fees. To make matters worse, she missed a week of work and her employer considered it job abandonment so they fired her!

It was stressful and expensive getting her a new passport in a foreign country. After experiencing this with her, I vowed to NEVER travel without my passport again. I cannot imagine how much more stressful it would have been had it been some type of medical emergency. What if someone falls ill and misses the ship because they are in the hospital or if they are medevac'd out, then becomes stable enough to be transported back to the States where the medical care is significantly better than 3rd world countries, but now has to wait it out for a passport while the rest of the family continues on the ship because they did not have passports either? Or what if a traveler simply misses the ship and needs to meet the ship at the next port? No flying for you!! Its just not worth it in my opinion to travel without one, whether it is required by law or not, because circumstances change.

FWIW, our 2015 WBPC cruise dropped a passenger (and family) who fell ill off the shores of Guatemala. The boat anchored, a tug boat came out and met the ship and then took the family to a hospital in Guatemala. It was the closest medical facility, so that is where they went. Given, we had to have passports so the family was good there, but still, when its a medical situation, they take you to the closest care facility...passports or not.

 

[sweetpee_1993]

Fair enough. 50 states. 50 seals. Point being, Official state seal, and not a photocopy, an "official" copy, whatever that means in their state, and again, not the state you live in, the state your child was born in.

Unless there's been a recent change a photocopy of your official (vital records) birth certificate does work. I know first hand. Friend traveling with me forgot her passport. She had her husband scan & email her birth certificate. She printed it at the hotel, presented it at port with government issued photo ID, and onboard we went.