Why bother with a passport?

[HooKooDooKu]

We're make plans for the westard panama canal cruise. DCL is "recomending" passports for the cruise. We've never had problems on other DCL trips, why should this be any different?

Basicly I'm asking for someone to give me a legitamit reason that I should spend $250 for my family of 3 to get passports.

For my personal situation, the following are NOT considered legitamit reasons:

1. You might suddenly one day need them for an unexpected trip over seas.
I've never suddenly needed them in the past and I don't have any plans for trips in the forseable future that will require one. When I take a trip that needs them, I'll get them.

2. Good backup to birth certificate.
Well a passport would be placed in the same spot as I'd keep a birth certificate. So I'm just as likely to lose BOTH. And yes, a passport can withstand abuse better than a paper birth certificate, but I've taken the certificates on five cruises so far, and they look the same today as the day I got them.

Input?

 

[kpgclark]

It is your decision. If you can't find a legit reason then don't get them if they aren't required. Be absolutely certain they aren't required for adults though. We are also doing the Panama Canal crossing (the other way) and we did get them for the children. If you have a passport you don't need to bring your birth certificate with you.

 

[two-foxes]

I would see it as the only form of identification that doesn't leave room for problems or questions. But, since you have ruled out my only other points, I have nothing else to say Just kidding, I always have something to say!!! I would get it as my only form of ID, not as a back up to anything. I have never been to any of the areas that the 14 night is going to, other than Mexico, but I would NOT want any problems of someone questioning my birth certificate, which is no more than a photo copied piece of paper, in my opinion! Perhaps I am a bit paranoid, but if I am traveling in an unfamiliar, non US territory, I would feel more secure with my passport.

But it is your choice....and that is some good cruise spending money if you don't think it is important!

 

[kar313]

One reason I have been given is if you should have some type of medical emergency and have to leave the ship it is best to have passport in case you have to reenter US by some other means or travel to different country for treatment/transportation.

Also specifically for this cruise, since this is not regular Disney itenaray, maybe they just want to be safe with all countries' customs procedures.

 

[HooKooDooKu]

Thanks for the input...

...keep e'm comming if you have more.

 

[Amberle3]

We're make plans for the westard panama canal cruise. DCL is "recomending" passports for the cruise. We've never had problems on other DCL trips, why should this be any different?

Not addressing specifically if you need a passport for this particular cruise, not more on why this one should be different:
Because you're going to different ports in different countries, that might have different entry requirements than the ports that DCL usually goes to.

Also a passport is the only form of ID that absolutely proves your ID and citizenship. Birth Certificates & driver's licenses are easy to fake.

 

[bettemom]

I called DCL this weekend and specifically asked about passports, ( we have them) friends are on the fence about getting passports. Disney stated that they are not mandatory for the panama trip, however, they strongly urge you to get one. According to the rep I spoke with at Disney Cruise, "In LA the Customs & Immigration department has told Disney that NOT having a passport will absolutely cause a cruiser to be delayed in getting through customs and off the ship" ...

 

[CaribGirl]

Just a couple of more points:

1. In case you need a visa to enter (or in this case come into any ports)the country, you will need a passport. Some countries issue you a visa as you enter the country. Many countries stamp you entry date for visa in a passport. Can't be done on BC or Driver License.

2. The delays at immigrations. Some immigritions officers can make life a bit miserable. Had it happen in some islands in the carribean(not on DCL's itinirary) but you never know who you can get. Mostly children they question because of child trafficking!!! I know we don't think about it here, but it scared me when it was brought up.

The passport is valid for 10 years. It is worth the investment and not have to deal with uncertainty. Of course the ports that DCL travels to are nice and less questionable, but...

Good luck.

 

[kpgclark]

Adult passports are valid for 10 years but children's are only good for 5.

 

[tvguy]

The simple fact that Disney recommends them is enough reason to have one in my book. And unlike the Spa, alcohol sales, and excursions, they don't get a cut of the passport fee.

I don't recall what the prices were for the canal crossings, but I do know our 7 day Eastern one year ago in category 10 cost us $9,000 for the cruise and air fare, and another $1100 for tips and excursions. $250 seems like a trival amount to pay to BE SURE you don't have problems.

As for your list of reasons you don't consider legit for your personal situation, well, there was a time I would have agreed. Not any more. Like last year when with a few weeks notice my 17 year old went to France and Spain for a school trip. Several students couldn't got because they didn't have passports, and couldn't get them in time for the trip.

 

[ivanova]

Not addressing specifically if you need a passport for this particular cruise, not more on why this one should be different:
Because you're going to different ports in different countries, that might have different entry requirements than the ports that DCL usually goes to.

Also a passport is the only form of ID that absolutely proves your ID and citizenship. Birth Certificates & driver's licenses are easy to fake.

None of the repo ports "require" a passport for day visitors (i.e. cruisers).

You also will not need to show your passport to get on or off the ship at any of the ports ... just your KTTW and picture ID.

My paranoia though is if you do have to be medically evacuated from the ship, to return to the US probably be a LOT easier if you have a passport.

And yes, Customs in LA or FL will be easier to clear if you have a passport (or if the head of the family has one).

 

[pfishgirl]

we went on a 14 day cruise Not with DCL for our honeymoon. we were told they were a requirement and the cruise line held them ALL 14 days. i was alittle surprised at that but i guess i would much rather them hold my passport then my original birthcertificate..

i do have a question for you if you don't mind...
how come your passports are so expensive? Ours were about $30 a piece
is each state that much different??

 

[HooKooDooKu]

we went on a 14 day cruise Not with DCL for our honeymoon. we were told they were a requirement and the cruise line held them ALL 14 days. i was alittle surprised at that but i guess i would much rather them hold my passport then my original birthcertificate..

i do have a question for you if you don't mind...
how come your passports are so expensive? Ours were about $30 a piece
is each state that much different??

The passports are something like $40 per adult and $30 for children. But there is ALSO a $30 processing fee per application. So...

(40 + 30) * 2 + (30 + 30) = $200

I'm not sure about the exact amounts (perhaps it's a 40 fee and/or the passports are a little more). But either way, you can see it's more than you might think.


Am I perhaps wrong and there's only certain situations where the processing fee is needed, or perhaps the processing fee can be combined for all passports submitted for a single family?

 

[kpgclark]

Plus don't forget the price for the photos. They are extra.

 

[HooKooDooKu]

Here's the U.S. Department of State Passport Fees for first time applicants...

Age 16 and older: The passport fee is $55. The execution fee is $30. The total is $85.

Under Age 16: The passport fee is $40. The execution fee is $30. The total is $70.


So, $85 * 2 + $70 = $240...

And for a family of 4, that's over $300.

 

[HooKooDooKu]

Plus don't forget the price for the photos. They are extra.

That's where that other $10 or so came from. I knew the number of (about) $250 was in my head for a reason.

 

[ClarabelleCow]

Here's the U.S. Department of State Passport Fees for first time applicants...

Age 16 and older: The passport fee is $55. The execution fee is $30. The total is $85.

Under Age 16: The passport fee is $40. The execution fee is $30. The total is $70.


So, $85 * 2 + $70 = $240...

And for a family of 4, that's over $300.

BUT - god forbid something dreadful happens, say you are a us citizen and the ship has to pull into an island that requires a passport, Barbadoes, Jamaica, Cuba, just to name a few, that 300.00 could be what saves you from a lot of headaches.

Granted 99.9% chance of anything bad happening, but as someone else said, for adults, they are good for 10 years, and for kids they are good for 5, for a measly 14 bucks a year, not a bad investment! 8.50 for adults! We even use the passports for flying domestically, definately helps and speeds things up.

 

[SeaSpray]

We were on the August 28th, 2004 western itinerary cruise and because of Hurricane Frances our cruise got extended to 10 nights. During the cruise we had to make an unscheduled stop in Galveston, TX. Everyone on the ship HAD to appear in front of US Customs that morning.

Those of us with US Passports were handled quickly, those families with birth certificates and driver's licenses took much longer to go through due to the Customs Officer having to look through twice as many pieces of ID. They would also question some of the children, such as (What year were you born? What town were you born in? etc). They weren't harrassing the kids, and they tried to make it "fun" and not scary, but they were definitely checking those documents well and making sure they were all in order.

When it was my family's turn to present our passports, the Officer looked at the front pages where the pictures are, glanced at them all, then said "thank you!" and we were finished.

Again, we felt "safer" having them in the case of something unforeseen, including a medical emergency. We felt they were well worth the cost, but that's something that each family obviously has to decide for themselves.

P.S. Having passports for all of us also made it quicker at the airport security!

 

[dcandmc]

If you are renewing a just- or about-to-be-expired passport (and can provide the old passport), you can do it directly through the mail with the National Passport Center and not pay the $30 "execution" fee. So, the fee is just $55 for adult renewals and $40 for child (under 16) renewals. Also, if you have a digital camera and can download photos to a computer with basic editing software (for cropping), you can do your own passport photos. We did this following the photo guidelines at the Department of State's passport web site, and didn't have a problem. Saved $11.50 per person over having Wal*Mart photo studio take our passport photos.

 

[ClarabelleCow]

We were on the August 28th, 2004 western itinerary cruise and because of Hurricane Frances our cruise got extended to 10 nights. During the cruise we had to make an unscheduled stop in Galveston, TX. Everyone on the ship HAD to appear in front of US Customs that morning.

Those of us with US Passports were handled quickly, those families with birth certificates and driver's licenses took much longer to go through due to the Customs Officer having to look through twice as many pieces of ID. They would also question some of the children, such as (What year were you born? What town were you born in? etc). They weren't harrassing the kids, and they tried to make it "fun" and not scary, but they were definitely checking those documents well and making sure they were all in order.

When it was my family's turn to present our passports, the Officer looked at the front pages where the pictures are, glanced at them all, then said "thank you!" and we were finished.

Again, we felt "safer" having them in the case of something unforeseen, including a medical emergency. We felt they were well worth the cost, but that's something that each family obviously has to decide for themselves.

P.S. Having passports for all of us also made it quicker at the airport security!

Seaspray - thanks for posting your story, there are alot of people that don't realize that what you went through can happen, and that having a passport definately makes life easier, and for secure!!!

I really wish this government would make it mandatory for anyone leaving this country can only reenter with a valid passport!