Stupid TA advice

[jeepgirl30]

My parents talk from time to time about finally trying a cruise. I told my mom she and my dad should go ahead and get passports now so when they decide to go they will have them and not need to worry. I explained they were good for 10 years so she was set.

She talked to a TA and mentioned she would be getting a passport. The idiot TA told her not to bother as most the Carb islands don't need them anyway.

So mom calls me asking which do and which do not. I said I had no clue but thought it was better just to get it so you weren't limited.

I also told her to lose the number of that TA and never take advice from her/him ever again.

I'm not a diehard passport supporter, I have one but DH does not. However, my parents like to travel at last minute and have the funds to get a passport so why not is how I explained it to my mom. I just think the TA discouraging it is silly.

Imagination 3/2003

Days until Sensation...
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[tef43]

This *has* to be the dumbest thing ever to come out of the mouth of a TA.

Tom <--- Curmudgeon of the Seas

http://www.curlingzone.com/forums/images/imgcommentary_hackstone.jpg

Eleven cruises so far. Up next:
TBA

[tdms1324]

A smart TA would encourage them to get a passport, and then sell them a trip abroad to break it in!

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1/25/04 Inspiration
4/25/04 Inspiration Part II
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[L2J]

I second what Tef said. *shakes head*

Liv...Winds are 15 knots and holding....the whole world is a drop zone!


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Until the SINsational Cruise from the Bayou


NCL Sky 2/02

[airgirl]

My friend takes one or 2 Caribbean cruises a year and dosn't have a passport for her, hubby or kids. I swear by mine, though and even have them for the kids

maria stallings

[Triguy]

A passport is the BEST identification in the world and will soon be required for ALL countries.

http://smileys.******************/cat/7/7_2_117.gif

[almitra]

I agree with everyone above...and I don't even have a passport as yet!


Militant Breastfeeding & Homebirth Proponent-Sandra Carmichael

Mardi Gras 6/79
Mardi Gras 6/79
(back to back cruises)
Celebration 8/02
Splendour of the Seas 3/03
Jubilee 7/03
Conquest 1/04
Celebration 1/04
Elation 2/04
Elation *coming again* 1/05

[crazy4bears]

I heard the exact opposite from my TA. She suggested we obtain a passport for our next cruise. Sailing in May and probably could not get one in time for this cruise. I will apply for I when I return from this cruise. She says less hassle with passport.

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[Cotton]

My passport is 'way over 10 yrs. old, so thanks to the wise folks here at CC, I also think it will one day be mandatory. So.....that is at the top of my "to do" list for today. Off to the post office, I go! http://messages.cruisecritic.com/infopop/emoticons/icon_smile.gif

Festivale 1987
Carnivale 1988
Mardi Gras 1989
Pacific Princess 1990
Norway 1994
Holiday 2001
Holiday 2002
Holiday 2003

[tef43]

All we need to do is implant the chip in everyone at birth and passports will not be necessary.

Tom <--- Curmudgeon of the Seas

http://www.curlingzone.com/forums/images/imgcommentary_hackstone.jpg

Eleven cruises so far. Up next:
TBA

[Barb C]

I got one finally for our May 2002 cruise. It was EASY! (the photo is actually worse than on my driver's license and I didn't think that possible). But, except for the ugly ID photo, I'm glad I did it.

[imatarb]

My TA suggested we get our passports, too. My DH had to get his brand new, and mine was simply a renewal.

People fail to remember that a passport is a solid citizenship ID, not just for travel, but for every day. You can use it when you fill out I-9 forms for employment, too.

I think having a passport is a very important piece of identification, and I personally wouldn't travel without it (abroad or out of the US).

You were wise telling mom to lose the number of that TA. I'm sure there are much wiser ones who can better serve her needs.

Lisa http://messages.cruisecritic.com/infopop/emoticons/icon_smile.gif

Monarch of the Seas - '94
Royal Majesty - '96

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[denisey]

I have a passport. It's not to get into Caribbean islands, or even other countries. It is to get me back into the US easier!

Like others have said, its they way the world is going, your folks might as well get one now and avoid the rush!

Denise

Denise

Celebrity Zenith March, 2005
Carnival Glory March, 2004
Carnival Pride September, 2003
Carnival Legend Februrary, 2003
Carnival Pride, March 2002
Paradise Back-To-Back May, 2001
Carnival Destiny, March 2000

[jennings]

I agree with all. We are getting our three kids theirs for our Oct Cruise. Our youngest is 3....getting one for her as well.

Carnival Tropicale 94'
Carnival Inspiration 96'
Royal Caribbean Majesty of the Seas 01'
Carnival Triumph 03'
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[eerbeek]

Mom always told me: ALWAYS be sure to have a current passport... you never know when a handsome man will invite you to join him for lunch in Paris!

Lido Deck Linda



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Fantasy 2/6/2000
Victory 3/23/2003
Destiny 4/25/2004

[Tybug]

Hmmm, pretty stupid advise. Tell your mom to get passports and then get a new TA.

--Tybug--

10-01 Imagination
02-02 Sovereign of the Seas
10-02 Inspiration
01-03 Majesty of the Seas
04-03 Inspiration
10-03 NCL Dawn
02-04 Rhapsody of the Seas
05-04 Majesty of the Seas
10-04 Mariner of the Seas

[M. St. Louis]

Okaaaay. Our travel agent also told us the same thing, we didn't need them. We have our official birth certificates.

We're Canadian, flying to Galveston, cruising on Celebration to Cozumel etc. Is this going to be a problem?

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[phabric]

Being Canadian also, I have a passport I wouldn't travel outside Canada without it. Why take the chance. With all the changes in the travel regulations, why take the chance.

[halos]

Linda, I don't know your Mom, but I LIKE that woman!!!

I just filled out a passport application this week! Don't really need it for my Bahama cruise, but figured, if I had one, I'd be more likely to travel. It gets me one step closer to leaving the country for a nice vacation in Venice!!

I believe in Miracles
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MIRACLE JUNE 19, 2004
Calm Seas, Good Friends

[Cotton]

[QUOTE]Originally posted by M. St. Louis:
.....Is this going to be a problem?[QUOTE]

No, don't get panicky. It won't be a problem if you have your photo ID and the specified type of birth certificate.

I think most everybody is just thinking into the future - that one day passports will be mandatory, but you'll be just fine.

-------

Linda ~ I like your mom's way of thinking! http://messages.cruisecritic.com/infopop/emoticons/icon_biggrin.gif

Festivale 1987
Carnivale 1988
Mardi Gras 1989
Pacific Princess 1990
Norway 1994
Holiday 2001
Holiday 2002
Holiday 2003

[serene56]

At the present time you dont need a passport for cruising. A stte isssued birth certificate is all that is needed. The travel agent did not give you misinformation. They are NOT needed NOW.. Maybe in the future.

Going NOWHERE
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Miracle, February 13, 2005
Legend, October 22,2004
Voyager August 31,2003
Victory September 22,2002
Regal Empress,June 2001
Sensation,August 2000

[CruiseFever]

Serene is right, they are not needed.

But we sure are glad we got ours before our first cruise.

Going through customs or immigration, for example, has been much easier and quicker for us with a passport.

We've breezed through Embarkation with a quick glance of our passports while people with "other" ID are scrutinized.

If someone is planning one and only one cruise or trip traveling outside of the continental United States they probably should not get a passport but they should get a life.

...too sassy?

Happy Cruising

Chris

www.LifeIsCruising.com (http://www.LifeIsCruising.com)

Next up:
Caribbean Princess 06/04
Star Princess 10/04
Carnival Spirit 12/04

[tef43]

In defense of getting a passport, above and beyond how much easier it makes travel, it's a great piece of ID for writing a check at the grocery.

Tom <--- Curmudgeon of the Seas

http://www.curlingzone.com/forums/images/imgcommentary_hackstone.jpg

Eleven cruises so far. Up next:
TBA

[stripes]

your travel agent isn't an idiot. You don't need a passport to get into or out of an island. I have traveled each of my cruises with a passport and my friend has only had a picture id and birth certificate. We were both processed through customs the exact same way ... in the exact same amount of time.

since my cruise!!!!! i'm bummed!
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[Orcrone]

I have to agree with stripes. I have always just used a birth certificate and photo ID, and have never had a problem. What I don't understand is why is everyone getting ready to tar and feather a TA for giving advice that would save a couple well over $100 on passports? I don't think that "one day we may all need them" is justification.

[halos]

I don't think anyone meant to trash the TA...it's just surprising that a TA would discourage a passport...You'd think they would encourage a passport and then encourage a trip to Europe (booked through them, of course!! http://messages.cruisecritic.com/infopop/emoticons/icon_biggrin.gif)

It's weird...in other countries, like any in Europe, having a passport is something that most people just take for granted...it seems only we Americans are hesitant to get them.....guess we just don't leave 'home' as much as other folks do.

I believe in Miracles
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MIRACLE JUNE 19, 2004
Calm Seas, Good Friends

[twinkletoes4445]

A couple of years ago, a woman posted her story about the death of her husband (while cruising) and what a total nightmare it was trying to get his body brought back to the US because she didn't have a passport for him. For whatever reason, this country (I think it was Belize) would not let her make arrangements to take him home. She spent quite a bit of time working with the US Embassy and finally got it worked out.

The thing with Belize is, they require a passport if you are not arriving on a cruise ship. I don't know how many other countries have one set of guidelines for cruiseship passengers, and another for people who fly into their country. It seems once the ship left them behind, she was hosed without the passport. They didn't give a hoot about the birth certificate. It cost her way more than it would have cost her had she just purchased the passports. I can't imagine how agonizing this must have been on her.


I read her sad story, and went out and got our family their passports the following week.

As it turned out, we needed them anyway. Our middle son is interning in Paris this summer and we hope to visit him. If we decide to go at the last minute, this won't be a problem.


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[This message was edited by twinkletoes4445 on 04-02-04 at 05:16 PM.]

[Huey]

I think it should be a matter of personal opinion. If you're uncomfortable traveling without a passport, you have that right. This issue is always a hot topic.

Why should someone drop a TA for telling them the truth? Isn't that her job?

Laura

Carnival Fantasy - 04/90 - Honeymoon! * Imagination * Victory * Destiny * Triumph * Golden Princess 04/02 * RCCL Brilliance 04/03 * Carnival Legend 04/13/04

[QueensChick]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by eerbeek:
Mom always told me: ALWAYS be sure to have a current passport... you never know when a handsome man will invite you to join him for lunch in Paris!
<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

LOL Linda. Your mom is a very wise woman http://messages.cruisecritic.com/infopop/emoticons/icon_wink.gif .

Passport at the ready... waiting for Jean Claude to whisk me away.


"Very little is needed to make a happy life; it is all within yourself, in your way of thinking."
-Marcus Aurelius Antonius

1. June 2001 Celebrity ZENITH (Bermuda)
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[hisblond1]

Grew up in the travel business as my parents owned a travel agency. My mom always said you could never be too prepared when traveling, and always recommended passports when cruising.

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[cwpsy]

We just jumped off of the NCL Dawn. I did see a difference in how fast we were processed through port locations since we had the passports. Much Faster. I think if you look like a prepared traveler, then they don't give you a second glance, or search...lol. If you want to give off the image that your stuff is in order and no one needs to search you, then get the passports and have them in your hand ready.

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NCL Dawn: 3/21/04

[moxie99]

Loose the TA QUICKLY. As for having a passport - go quickly.... we got ours a couple of years ago for our first cruise - just because I felt safer - I knew with 9/11 and customs it would make getting back into the US a breeze. BUT, more importantly, having a passport ready to go gave me the surprise of a lifetime. DH works from home and loves to cruise, imagine my surprise coming home from work one afternoon to discover he had found a maiden voyage Royal Carribean cruise and BOOKED it that afternoon as a surprise. We would not have had time to get passports which we would have needed to go to Amsterdam. BUT having the passports in the ready simply meant - PACK OUR BAGS! We're cruising.

Faye, Ken and Brianna
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Till the Legend Begins


Carnival Victory - 2/2003
Serenade of the Seas - 8/2003
Carnival Victory - 1/2004
Carnival Legend - 10/2004

[halos]

Basically, you don't NEED it, but it sure as heck is $100 well spent!! http://messages.cruisecritic.com/infopop/emoticons/icon_biggrin.gif http://messages.cruisecritic.com/infopop/emoticons/icon_biggrin.gif http://messages.cruisecritic.com/infopop/emoticons/icon_biggrin.gif especially since they are good for 10 years (correct?)

I believe in Miracles
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Calm Seas, Good Friends

[halos]

Hey Moxie...nice to see another Mainer on board!!

I believe in Miracles
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