What do I need to get off and on the boat?

[katmigordon]

The plan was to pick up our passport cards last month so we could sail in September, but then Covid (insert long stream of expletives here). Now I don't know how to go about getting them for when we sail in April. What do I have to have so far as ID to get on and off the boat? I have my Birth Certificate and an ID - don't know how to tell if it's a "real" ID *that something new right?

My ID is a state ID but not a driver's license because I can't drive for medical reasons.

Somebody Help

 

[TRTRguy]

You should just need your key to the world card and state Id card.

Also you do not "pick up" passport cards. You apply for then and the Department of State mails them to you, its between 3 to 8 weeks under normal times. You could still apply in plenty of time and have them in time for April.

"Real IDs" typically have a gold star on them. They were supposed to be required for domestic airline travel beginning in October but due to covid it has been delayed.


Edit to add Key to world and I'd to get off in port. To embark and debark you would need your I'd and birth certificate.

 

[BartmanLA]

Additionally if you plan on flying to/from the ship, you can't use the Passport Cards if you are flying internationally, only domestic flights, you can use the cards to board a cruise ship but if you encounter an emergency on the cruise and have to get off the ship in a foreign port you will need the full passport book to fly home. Most people usually get the passport book or get both the book and the card. That's what we did. It's more expensive but you're covered for any eventuality.

 

[auntlynne]

The plan was to pick up our passport cards last month so we could sail in September, but then Covid (insert long stream of expletives here). Now I don't know how to go about getting them for when we sail in April. What do I have to have so far as ID to get on and off the boat? I have my Birth Certificate and an ID - don't know how to tell if it's a "real" ID *that something new right?

My ID is a state ID but not a driver's license because I can't drive for medical reasons.

Somebody Help

In one of these threads, people are posting of fairly quick turnarounds for passports. It seems like time may depend on which processing location is involved.

From the reports, you could have your passport and/ or passport card before April.

 

[auntlynne]

It also depends on where you are going. I seem to recall leaving my passport in the safe on most cruises.

 

[Rob1872]

It also depends on where you are going. I seem to recall leaving my passport in the safe on most cruises.

I always love hearing people talk about leaving their passport in their safe during port visits.
My philosophy has always been that the reason I have passports for my family is in case of an emergency where I miss the boat and need to fly home. If that happens, my passport isn't going to do any good on the ship. I always carry them in a little security travel bag that hangs around my neck and I tuck under my shirt.
Yes, I've heard people say that if you are going to miss the ship that they go in your room and check the safe for passports. (Which raises a whole other question of why put things in your safe if crew members have access to it.....) However, I feel a lot better with them on me instead of on the ship. (With the exception of Castaway Cay; you aren't missing the boat there!)

 

[JM23457]

The plan was to pick up our passport cards last month...Now I don't know how to go about getting them for when we sail in April. What do I have to have so far as ID to get on and off the boat?

A full passport (not just the passport card) lasts 10 years & is a very useful item to have. You have plenty of time to get one before April. Apply now & you'll have it way before then. You just never know when else you might want to travel internationally in the future, and having a full passport at the ready is a big help.

You'll need your proof of citizenship when disembarking the ship to go home. I recommend (and so does DCL) keeping the passport in a safe at Caribbean ports & the Bahamas, as you won't need it at those ports & the chance of it getting lost/stolen/damaged is something it's best not to have to worry about.

It would only be needed at port if for whatever reason you can't reboard the ship and have to go home directly from the port, and even then, DCL would typically clear your safe & give those important items to the port agent to give to you so you'd be able to get home. So be sure to keep it in the safe, not somewhere they wouldn't find. And don't be paranoid about DCL having access to your safe. For security, of course they have to have access to every part of their ship. Nothing will be stolen from you.

Always carry some form of ID at port for safety, in case you're incapacitated. A drivers' license and/or a photocopy of your passport (which won't get you home, but is helpful in case you need to get a replacement) should be carried with you at all times. You should also make the ship's port agent a contact in your phone, so you know how to contact the ship in case of emergency. This number is always listed in the Personal Navigator the day you visit the port.

You also need to carry your Key to the World card (which DCL gives you at embarkation & you'll use all the time onboard- it serves as your room key) when you're at port so they'll let you get back on the ship.

 

[Need a vacation NOW]

Where is your port of departure? What ports are you visiting? If it's a Bahamas, Caribbean, Bermuda cruise from a US port then you're good with your ID and birth certificate, but if you're going to other countries or leaving from other countries you probably need an actual passport. I've found the DCL website or calling the DCL reps very helpful when I've had ID questions. No worries--you have lots if time

 

[nancipants]

If you apply now, you should get them in time for an April cruise. I applied in March for my son and just got his passport last week. They've finally started clearing out the backlog.

 

[gotomu212]

I always love hearing people talk about leaving their passport in their safe during port visits.
My philosophy has always been that the reason I have passports for my family is in case of an emergency where I miss the boat and need to fly home. If that happens, my passport isn't going to do any good on the ship. I always carry them in a little security travel bag that hangs around my neck and I tuck under my shirt.
Yes, I've heard people say that if you are going to miss the ship that they go in your room and check the safe for passports. (Which raises a whole other question of why put things in your safe if crew members have access to it.....) However, I feel a lot better with them on me instead of on the ship. (With the exception of Castaway Cay; you aren't missing the boat there!)

Just one point of clarification, it’s only the purser officer and their very small (I believe 1 or 2 people) office that can access the safes. It’s a big pain if you disable your safe because they are the only ones that can come open it and you can imagine it’s a very busy office.

 

[wombat_5606]

I always love hearing people talk about leaving their passport in their safe during port visits.

I've understood that most travel experts advise you only take the copy off with you. (A few countries, though, may require you to have your passport on you.) If needed, the copy is good for getting the replacement as @JM23457 has stated. If someone gets your actual passport, they can alter it and of course, the worst part of that is someone now has one more American passport to use for their nefarious purposes.

@gotomu212 has explained that your passport is secure when left in you safe.

A drivers' license and/or a photocopy of your passport (which won't get you home, but is helpful in case you need to get a replacement)

Yes, I've heard that it definitely facilitates the ease of getting a replacement.

Just one point of clarification, it’s only the purser officer and their very small (I believe 1 or 2 people) office that can access the safes.

 

[PrincessShmoo]

The plan was to pick up our passport cards last month so we could sail in September, but then Covid (insert long stream of expletives here). Now I don't know how to go about getting them for when we sail in April. What do I have to have so far as ID to get on and off the boat? I have my Birth Certificate and an ID - don't know how to tell if it's a "real" ID *that something new right?

My ID is a state ID but not a driver's license because I can't drive for medical reasons.

Somebody Help

To get off the ship, every passenger needs their Key to the World card. To reboard, in most ports, you need your KTTW card plus (for those 18 and over) a government issued photo ID (passport, ID card, driver's license, etc).

From a (fairly) recent Navigator:

 

[hrhdhd]

Just one point of clarification, it’s only the purser officer and their very small (I believe 1 or 2 people) office that can access the safes. It’s a big pain if you disable your safe because they are the only ones that can come open it and you can imagine it’s a very busy office.

Yes, and someone has to be able to open it. We've arrived to our cabin more than once to discover that the previous occupants left it closed and locked.

 

[katmigordon]

I thought I had to go get pics taken to have them sent in to have the cards processed?

You should just need your key to the world card and state Id card.

Also you do not "pick up" passport cards. You apply for then and the Department of State mails them to you, its between 3 to 8 weeks under normal times. You could still apply in plenty of time and have them in time for April.

"Real IDs" typically have a gold star on them. They were supposed to be required for domestic airline travel beginning in October but due to covid it has been delayed.


Edit to add Key to world and I'd to get off in port. To embark and debark you would need your I'd and birth certificate.

 

[katmigordon]

Sailing out of San Diego - forget what the ports are, but I think it's the mexican rivera?

Where is your port of departure? What ports are you visiting? If it's a Bahamas, Caribbean, Bermuda cruise from a US port then you're good with your ID and birth certificate, but if you're going to other countries or leaving from other countries you probably need an actual passport. I've found the DCL website or calling the DCL reps very helpful when I've had ID questions. No worries--you have lots if time

 

[auntlynne]

I thought I had to go get pics taken to have them sent in to have the cards processed?

You do. But Walgreen’s, Staples, etc, should be open in most states. I get mine at AAA as part of my membership (but you don’t drive, so maybe not an option for you.).

 

[auntlynne]

I've understood that most travel experts advise you only take the copy off with you. (A few countries, though, may require you to have your passport on you.) If needed, the copy is good for getting the replacement as @JM23457 has stated. If someone gets your actual passport, they can alter it and of course, the worst part of that is someone now has one more American passport to use for their nefarious purposes.

@gotomu212 has explained that your passport is secure when left in you safe.



Yes, I've heard that it definitely facilitates the ease of getting a replacement.

A photocopy is extremely handy to carry. I had to replace a stolen passport in Guatemala and had a copy with me. My friend did not; I had to sign a testament that I had known her for more than two years. Fortunately, I did; otherwise, I don’t know delay we might have had.

Port Agents - Great reminder to take that info with you - both in your phone and on paper in a place unlikely to be stolen; perhaps by itself in your pocket.

Thanks posters for some good advice.

 

[katmigordon]

I can't drive - but my wife does and we do have AAA I'll have to look into that, if not we could hit a Walgreens. I thought we had to hit the DMV.

You do. But Walgreen’s, Staples, etc, should be open in most states. I get mine at AAA as part of my membership (but you don’t drive, so maybe not an option for you.).

 

[auntlynne]

I can't drive - but my wife does and we do have AAA I'll have to look into that, if not we could hit a Walgreens. I thought we had to hit the DMV.

I can see why you were hesitant. Waiting at a DMV. The horror stories you hear.

If you want a passport and have never had one, you will probably need to make an appointment at the Post Office (public library, municipal building - whichever your area has designated) to submit the paperwork. Renewals (even for expired passports) can be done by mail - if the old one was issued after you were 16 and was issued within the last 15 years.

I got the card as a substitute for a Star Driver’s License - to avoid a trip to the DMV!

I got a passport card with my renewal in 2019. Only one photo required to cover both - I guess they are scanning them in now. You will get two photos wherever you end up having your photo made. Should be in the $15 range at Walgreen’s.

 

[katmigordon]

Normally, I'd just suck it up and go, but with Covid so bad out here (Az) I really don't want to sit in a small space packed with strangers for hours.

How do I find out which area is designated? The last time I had a passport I was in Kindergarten.

Thanks for all the helpful info!

If you want a passport and have never had one, you will probably need to make an appointment at the Post Office (public library, municipal building - whichever your area has designated) to submit the paperwork. Renewals (even for expired passports) can be done by mail - if the old one was issued after you were 16 and was issued within the last 15 years.

I got the card as a substitute for a Star Driver’s License - to avoid a trip to the DMV!