Passport VS Passport Card

[djhsolara]

Does anyone have experience using a Passport Card for re-entry back into the US after a cruise to the Caribbean?

We have a few people sailing with us that will probably not be doing any other travelling outside of the US that would require a passport, so we were doing some research about passports and saw that the Passport Card can be used for re-entry from the Caribbean at US sea ports. This seems like a much more economical way to go since they will really not have the need for a passport again.

Any input would be greatly appreciated.

Thank you!!

:) :)

[sail7seas]

You cannot fly internationally with a passport card.

It is mainly good for entry when driving acrossr border at either Canada or Mexico.

Were they to have an emergency and have to fly home, they could not do so with Passport card.

[expectGREATthings]

I have both. I keep the card in my carryon bag when I travel as a backup when flying locally. Just incase something happens to my wallet. I used the card this March when we boarded and returned from a Westerdam spring break cruise. No problems at all.

Michael

[fann1sh]

If the object is to save money, your friends will see very little difference between using a driver's licence + certified birth certificate vs. either passport or passport card.

I'm a strong advocate of a real passport in case of emergency. But if they won't apply for a passport, I don't see getting a passport card is going to help. It would still be a hassle if they had to fly home.

If anyone lives in a state which offers them, an "enhanced driver's license" might be of more use.

[djhsolara]

Thanks for the insight...I wasn't thinking about the possibility of flying home in an emergency because it has never happened to us, but I'm so glad that it was mentioned. Passports it is.

[rafinmd]

I think another option may be a NEXUS or SENTRI card. These cards have specific target countries but are also supposed to be sufficient documentation for return to the US by air, Probably not an option for the OP since they require a personal interview at a border city. I have applied for one since I have an RCCL cruise in January and was concerned my passport may be out of service for visa processing for my February Zaandam cruise. I made the mistake of thinking Dulles airport in Washington could do the interview but will do it next week when I go to upstate New York for my high school reunion. Looks like a useful alternative for some people.

Roy

[Hawaiidan]

Passports last 10 years... they are the gold standard of travel world wide.
I would think of the big picture and the future in travel any where out side the USA as needing one.
For the same effort as the card you can get a passport..and as time progresses more and more demands will be placed on travelers...

The goal is to get everybody with passports. Knowing this is the goal why not do it now rather than later:rolleyes:?

[djhsolara]

Passports last 10 years... they are the gold standard of travel world wide.
I would think of the big picture and the future in travel any where out side the USA as needing one.
For the same effort as the card you can get a passport..and as time progresses more and more demands will be placed on travelers...

The goal is to get everybody with passports. Knowing this is the goal why not do it now rather than later:rolleyes:?

I'm sorry, but I didn't feel like I was being foolish. There will be an additional family of 4 travelling with us and we were trying to look at the most economical way to go for them. Getting 1 or 2 passports is not that bad, but the cost for 4 of them is much more and cost for the Passport Cards is about half of that.

Given the advice given above, I believe we will advise them to get passports in case an emergency arises...but not because we have chosen not to be "foolish".

[Bippie]

Only consider a passport card for trips exclusively to Mexico and Canada. Anywhere else, take a passport. You never know when you're going to need it. Due to recent hurricanes, some cruises have had to change itineraries and passengers without passports could not fly to the port where they needed to catch up with the ship. You won't have to worry about these situations if you have a full passport.

Try thinking of the cost per year and it is very reasonably priced.

[Randyk47]

We're actually thinking, maybe too hard though, of renewing our existing passports to the new version. We don't cruise until next March which leaves us plenty of time so that's not an issue. Also not an issue is that our present passports don't expire until 2014. I was watching a show on things that had changed since 9/11 and of course one of them is all the travel restrictions, security checks, ID requirements, etc. The reporter mentioned that if you'd gotten your passport before 2007 you didn't have one of the new versions and you may want to think about renewing. Present passports have never been an issue in the Caribbean but the reporter remarked that the newer version might make travel to and from Europe quicker and easier. Not sure that's true or just reporter hype.

[kazu]

We're actually thinking, maybe too hard though, of renewing our existing passports to the new version. We don't cruise until next March which leaves us plenty of time so that's not an issue. Also not an issue is that our present passports don't expire until 2014. I was watching a show on things that had changed since 9/11 and of course one of them is all the travel restrictions, security checks, ID requirements, etc. The reporter mentioned that if you'd gotten your passport before 2007 you didn't have one of the new versions and you may want to think about renewing. Present passports have never been an issue in the Caribbean but the reporter remarked that the newer version might make travel to and from Europe quicker and easier. Not sure that's true or just reporter hype.

I'm not sure Randy, but I do know that the Canadian passports were changed in 2008 - they have more chips and things in them now.

[RuthC]

Present passports have never been an issue in the Caribbean but the reporter remarked that the newer version might make travel to and from Europe quicker and easier. Not sure that's true or just reporter hype.
That might just be reporter hype, Randy. I've been back and forth to Europe several times since '07, and so far have never had a problem getting over and back.
Can't predict the future, but as of right now, I'm not renewing until I need to.

[Randyk47]

That might just be reporter hype, Randy. I've been back and forth to Europe several times since '07, and so far have never had a problem getting over and back.
Can't predict the future, but as of right now, I'm not renewing until I need to.

Thanks Ruth for sharing your experience....you're one of my trusted sources. :) Admittedly I'm not too thrilled about shelling out a couple of hundred dollars when it's not needed. Our travel companions for the upcoming cruise are a couple we met on the Maasdam in March and they've just gone through or are going through the passport renewal process but they have to because of expiration dates and name change so they'll have the new version. On the other hand, a couple hundred dollars in view of what the cruise is costing us is kind of a small investment if it really does eliminate or reduce potential problems. As you can see I'm still waffling. Again, your input and experience is helpful and much appreciated.

[Bearnaise]

I had no problems with my 2003 vintage passport going to/from Thailand, Indonesia, Italy, and Belgium last year, nor any problems with the passport going to/from Italy, Belgium, England, and Mexico this year. The only comment I had on it was when returning from Vancouver after our 4-day Oosterdam reposition this May, when the U.S. immigration official based in Vancouver gave us more than the usual interrogation, asking us what we did for a living etc., then with seemingly no other grounds to deny us entry back home to the country where I was born and have resided my entire life, he made a rather snide comment on how I had the old passport and should update it (DW has the new kind). Then he let us through anyway. Just another badge with a power trip, I guess.

Maybe they're trying to drum up revenue for the government by strongly suggesting we all spend the money to update? Too bad. Unless there's some actual law requiring it, I won't renew/update mine until mid-2012.

[fleckle]

Does anyone have experience using a Passport Card for re-entry back into the US after a cruise to the Caribbean?

We have a few people sailing with us that will probably not be doing any other travelling outside of the US that would require a passport, so we were doing some research about passports and saw that the Passport Card can be used for re-entry from the Caribbean at US sea ports. This seems like a much more economical way to go since they will really not have the need for a passport again.

:)Any input would be greatly appreciated. This is an issue that received a lot of attention on recent news reports when many cruise passengers missed their ships.

Those with passports were able to fly to the next port and board the ship there. Those without passports were out of luck and missed the entire cruise.

[djhsolara]

Thank you all for your input. We're going to have them all get passports.

:) :)