who else has cruised on enhanced drivers licenses?

[jodifla]

Our state offers them. They are good for land and sea travel. Who has used these instead of a passport?

Did they easily recognize them at the port?

 

[bumbershoot]

Not a direct answer for you, but just remember...those won't get you home in case of an emergency you need to fly for. If you are spending money for something more than a birth certificate, that's worth thinking about.

 

[jodifla]

I'm well aware of that.

My DH and I already have EDLs because we are now so close to Canada. So it's not an "extra" expense at all, and it's MUCH less hassle than a passport.

I can also easily get an enhanced ID for my son without hopping through all the hoops of a passport, since they are only good a measly 5 years for kids.

 

[insureman]

From the Michigan website:

"What is an enhanced driver's license or state ID card?

Answer:
They are dual-purpose documents designed for the user's convenience. In addition to serving as a typical driver's license or ID card, they may be used to re-enter the U.S. at its land or sea ports when returning from Canada, Mexico, Bermuda or the Caribbean. This flexibility speeds your passage back across the border. They verify your identity and citizenship - no other proof is needed. Enhanced driver's licenses and ID cards are among the federally approved border-crossing documents when entering the U.S. required under the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative."

I have never seen anyone use this id at the port and I also realize you are aware of the flight restrictions without a passport however I would strongly urge you to reconsider and get a passport. The hassle of trying to get a flight in an emergency and not having a passport is not worth it.

 

[jodifla]

If you have an enhanced driver's license, it proves you are a citizen.
It might take a few more steps to get home, but we'd get home. Not the calamity that people are making out here.

I've been on probably 20 cruises, and not only have I never had to have a need to fly home, neither has anybody I've cruised with.

I actually DO have a passport, but my DH and son's are expired. DH already has a EDL, and son's is a snap to get, unlike the passport.

 

[lanejudy]

Our state offers them. They are good for land and sea travel. Who has used these instead of a passport?

Did they easily recognize them at the port?

We don't have EDL's but did cruise with Passport Cards, which are essentially the same thing -- minus the driving. It was no problem. I don't think you'll have any issue using EDL's either - my understanding is they have all the same info as a Passport Card, plus more.

Enjoy your cruise!

 

[jodifla]

We don't have EDL's but did cruise with Passport Cards, which are essentially the same thing -- minus the driving. It was no problem. I don't think you'll have any issue using EDL's either - my understanding is they have all the same info as a Passport Card, plus more.

Enjoy your cruise!

Thanks!

 

[EPCOTatNight]

If you have an enhanced driver's license, it proves you are a citizen.
It might take a few more steps to get home, but we'd get home. Not the calamity that people are making out here.

I've been on probably 20 cruises, and not only have I never had to have a need to fly home, neither has anybody I've cruised with.

I actually DO have a passport, but my DH and son's are expired. DH already has a EDL, and son's is a snap to get, unlike the passport.

Well said.

 

[SNicksed]

We have them and have used them on at least our last six cruises. In the beginning, they obviously weren't familiar with them, but they certainly are now. Our DS 14 has the enhanced ID also. No problems using them at all!

 

[insureman]

If you have an enhanced driver's license, it proves you are a citizen.
It might take a few more steps to get home, but we'd get home. Not the calamity that people are making out here.

I've been on probably 20 cruises, and not only have I never had to have a need to fly home, neither has anybody I've cruised with.

I actually DO have a passport, but my DH and son's are expired. DH already has a EDL, and son's is a snap to get, unlike the passport.

I always have looked at having a passport as part of my insurance plan. I always buy cruise insurance but out of 13 DCL cruises we have never needed it (knock on wood). It's that one time, be it a medical emergency your family has or an emergency at home that can't wait and you need to get back now. I guess it's a personal preference and you seem to have already made up your mind but for my family it's one less thing to worry about.

 

[bumbershoot]

It might take a few more steps to get home, but we'd get home. Not the calamity that people are making out here.

I have never read of anyone making it out to be a *calamity*. Not once have I seen someone posting hysterically about it.

What it WOULD BE is a pain. Extra time. An hour, 3 hours, whatever, sitting there, waiting for a bureaucrat to do his/her job and get me a passport, when I want to take action and get the heck home.

That's not a calamity, but it sure isn't what I would want to be doing in case of an emergency that requires me to get a passport.

I'm well aware of that.

My DH and I already have EDLs because we are now so close to Canada. So it's not an "extra" expense at all, and it's MUCH less hassle than a passport.

I can also easily get an enhanced ID for my son without hopping through all the hoops of a passport, since they are only good a measly 5 years for kids.

OK, well you said none of that, and if you've mentioned it before, well, I find my time on the Dis to be easier if I forget who said what when. Of course that means I miss good stuff, too. Your original post sounded like you didn't really know what they were. You did not say you had them already. Hopefully some lurker out there will read my words and think "ooh, hadn't thought of that!" even though it was, it turned out, of no use for you.

We're close to Canada too. We have passports. I personally see very little point to the EDLs because they give us so little of the world.

 

[jodifla]

We have them and have used them on at least our last six cruises. In the beginning, they obviously weren't familiar with them, but they certainly are now. Our DS 14 has the enhanced ID also. No problems using them at all!

Great, this is the info I was looking for!

Thanks so much.

 

[jodifla]

I have never read of anyone making it out to be a *calamity*. Not once have I seen someone posting hysterically about it.

What it WOULD BE is a pain. Extra time. An hour, 3 hours, whatever, sitting there, waiting for a bureaucrat to do his/her job and get me a passport, when I want to take action and get the heck home.

That's not a calamity, but it sure isn't what I would want to be doing in case of an emergency that requires me to get a passport.





OK, well you said none of that, and if you've mentioned it before, well, I find my time on the Dis to be easier if I forget who said what when. Of course that means I miss good stuff, too. Your original post sounded like you didn't really know what they were. You did not say you had them already. Hopefully some lurker out there will read my words and think "ooh, hadn't thought of that!" even though it was, it turned out, of no use for you.

We're close to Canada too. We have passports. I personally see very little point to the EDLs because they give us so little of the world.

Looking over my OP, I can see how you thought that. When both my husband and I got our DLs renewed last year, we each just payed the extra $30 to get the EDLs. Both of us work less than a mile from Canada, so it makes sense to have them.

My DS and DS don't have much internationally traveling plans in the next few years, but we might take a short cruise in the winter, so it's good to know the EDLs will suffice.

 

[Uncleromulus]

Well--good luck!!!

I hated the hassle and expense of a Passport--but I got one anyway, after reading the strong recommendations of DCL, my own travel agent, along with many online travel and cruise experts.

 

[EPCOTatNight]

It's amazing how these threads always turn into passport threads when that wasn't the reason for it. ENHANCED DRIVERS LICENSE was the subject. NOT if the op should get a passport because they may fall, twist an ankle, get bit by a shark, and miss the ship. Just kidding, but you get the point.

Sent from my IPad using DisBoards.

 

[jodifla]

It's amazing how these threads always turn into passport threads when that wasn't the reason for it. ENHANCED DRIVERS LICENSE was the subject. NOT if the op should get a passport because they may fall, twist an ankle, get bit by a shark, and miss the ship. Just kidding, but you get the point.

Sent from my IPad using DisBoards.

It's something, isn't it?

 

[Uncleromulus]

Well-hard not to bring up the word Passport when the idea of a EDL is INSTEAD of a Passport

Folks are just suggesting why that might not be such a good idea----

 

[bumbershoot]

It's amazing how these threads always turn into passport threads when that wasn't the reason for it. ENHANCED DRIVERS LICENSE was the subject. NOT if the op should get a passport because they may fall, twist an ankle, get bit by a shark, and miss the ship. Just kidding, but you get the point.

Sent from my IPad using DisBoards.

There are plenty of people in the world who haven't thought things through. (Otherwise I wouldn't have to assure survey takers at wdw and Uni that I know they are separate places with separate tickets). What if the op had been one of them? What if they thought the Edl was a proper replacement for the passport and not just a replacement for birth cert/DL combo? What if the info isn't given and that person actually needed that info?

Sometimes an exact response to the exact question isn't the right response. And it hurts no one to have a bit of extra answer. Because sometimes it helps but I certainly didn't harm anyone by making SURE she knew that.

 

[insureman]

It's something, isn't it?

No need to get snippy. I was giving my opinion on what we do as a family which is the reason the disboards exist.

 

[jodifla]

Getting the passport lecture gets old, particularly when you are asking about something different that's out there now.

I realize only a few states even offer EDLs now; so most people are unfamiliar with them.