Passport required?

[dinscoe68]

Hi everyone,

Can you cruise to the Eastern Caribbean with only a birth certificate?

Thanks!

Dawn

[gliles]

Hi everyone,

Can you cruise to the Eastern Caribbean with only a birth certificate?

Thanks!

Dawn
You also need a gov't issued photo ID but yes, BC is fine. Just returned and that's all my DD had.

[cruise freak]

Make sure the birth certificate has the raised seal on it. It can't be one given at the hospital but must be issued by the board of health in your area. The Eastern Caribbean is my favority itinerary. Have a great time.

[dinscoe68]

Thanks! So, driver's license and birth certificate with seal is enough?

We can't wait. We are going on the Z 3/26/05. I hope the weather will be beautiful!

[Chris-n-Cheryl]

Hello Dinscoe68,

We'll be traveling on the Zuiderdam on 3/26 also!

Cheryl :)

[marybeach]

Be sure you check with the US Passport Agency for updates. Some county issued birth certificates in New Jersey and possibly other places are not being accepted for passports, even with the raised seals. We were also told by the passport office that they wouldn't be accepted by Customs officers. Unless your birth certificate is issued by the state's Bureau of Vital Statistics, be careful. We were told by the Passport Agency that because of new rules (i.e., Patriot's Act) that my SO's birth certificate he has used for years would not allow him on the ship. In fact, they held the old one until we got the new one from New Jersey Bureau of Vital Statistics.

We have everything done now, costing more money for expedite, etc., and not a little frustration, and the help of a Congressman's staffer, but it is worth checking, IMHO.

Remember, the passport is good for 10 years, and well worth the effort if you are going to travel. Give yourself plenty of time to get it, and don't be afraid to call your Senator or Congressman to help with the red tape. You have to pay the costs, but they can track it for you.

[sail7seas]

Be sure you check with the US Passport Agency for updates. Some county issued birth certificates in New Jersey and possibly other places are not being accepted for passports, even with the raised seals. We were also told by the passport office that they wouldn't be accepted by Customs officers. Unless your birth certificate is issued by the state's Bureau of Vital Statistics, be careful. We were told by the Passport Agency that because of new rules (i.e., Patriot's Act) that my SO's birth certificate he has used for years would not allow him on the ship. In fact, they held the old one until we got the new one from New Jersey Bureau of Vital Statistics.

We have everything done now, costing more money for expedite, etc., and not a little frustration, and the help of a Congressman's staffer, but it is worth checking, IMHO.

Remember, the passport is good for 10 years, and well worth the effort if you are going to travel. Give yourself plenty of time to get it, and don't be afraid to call your Senator or Congressman to help with the red tape. You have to pay the costs, but they can track it for you.


I'm not from New Jersey and have my Passport but am very curious why some New Jersey Birth Certificates are not accepted by Immigration or for use in getting passports.

What is wrong with them?

[marybeach]

We were never given a specific answer. The letter from the U.S. Passport Agency in New Hampshire with the "denial" ("suspension") just said that Hudson County, N.J. birth certificates were no longer accepted for passport purposes and gave a site to go to (or place to call) to get more information and the file would be held open for 90 days.

This list was extensive and included many states when I pulled it up, so that is why I'm offering the warning. That led to having to get a new "certified" bc from the NJ Bureau of Vital Statistics in Trenton which cost another $30+ to "expedite" and three weeks of waiting. Then, the Congressman's office sent a letter along with the new bc, and the up and back FedEx (pre-paid).

They (the US Passport Agency) said it was a new rule (I assume having to do with the Patriot's Act) that was only put into effect the last month. They did send the old and new bc's back with the passport, but held the first one when they sent the denial, and told me over the phone that holding it would keep the file open until a NJ State issued bc was sent. Now, that would have put us in a bind, wouldn't it, if it hadn't come on time. The woman at the Passport Office told us that they wouldn't accept the Hudson County bc at the port (FLL). Whether she was right or wrong, we don't have to find out. But, frankly S7S, I was sweatin' bullets. Of course, he was cool about it, but, I'm the O.C. planner.

All's well that ends well. Now, when do we leave!?!:)

[cruise freak]

What countries were you going to visit? Maybe it was somewhere that requires a passport. I have been to the Caribbean many times without a passport. I have one now because I am traveling to Europe but never needed one before.

[marybeach]

We, too, have been to the Caribbean many times, in the past. I have travelled there on business, also. I have travelled over most of Europe on pleasure and business, and am on my third edition passport. He did not have one and because we are travelling more now, decided to get one. There are new requirements that have been put into effect that may or may not effect particular people and their birth certificates. Again, I refer you to the Patriot Act and the Homeland Security Act. It effected us, and I am just sharing the information. Unless you have "learned by experience", you may not have found out either. We sure did not expect the hang up, we just had to get it fixed. I'm just glad it wasn't at the port and we were left at the pier, unknowing and unable to solve the problem in a timely fashion. I am just trying to help. For those of you who may want to check, the number for the US Department of State, National Passport Center in Portsmouth, NH is 1-877-487-2778. The letter referred us to www.vitalchek.com (http://www.vitalchek.com/).

[jazzsea]

Why would you want to travel at all outside the country without a passport. Get one now. Who knows what the rules may be by next Spring.

[gliles]

Be sure you check with the US Passport Agency for updates. Some county issued birth certificates in New Jersey and possibly other places are not being accepted for passports, even with the raised seals. We were also told by the passport office that they wouldn't be accepted by Customs officers. Unless your birth certificate is issued by the state's Bureau of Vital Statistics, be careful. We were told by the Passport Agency that because of new rules (i.e., Patriot's Act) that my SO's birth certificate he has used for years would not allow him on the ship. In fact, they held the old one until we got the new one from New Jersey Bureau of Vital Statistics.

We have everything done now, costing more money for expedite, etc., and not a little frustration, and the help of a Congressman's staffer, but it is worth checking, IMHO.

Remember, the passport is good for 10 years, and well worth the effort if you are going to travel. Give yourself plenty of time to get it, and don't be afraid to call your Senator or Congressman to help with the red tape. You have to pay the costs, but they can track it for you.
I was born in NJ and never had a problem traveling with mine or getting a passport. Something else must have been wrong with it, maybe no raised seal or not properly issued.

Who held the one he had?

What would a Senator or Congressman have to do with issuing a passport?

I am sorry, none of this really makes sense but the bottom line is the OP asked if a BC were enough, yes it is with drivers license. Is getting a passport a good idea? Absolutely.

[Kayelache]

As of last winter, Barbados required a passport if you embarked or disembarked there.

[peaches from georgia]

It may be, with the Patriot Act and Homeland Security changes and tightening of regulations for entry into the U.S., that county issued bc's are no longer being honored, and not just from NJ. It's a lot harder with thousands of counties in the U.S. to insure that county-issued ones are valid than it is to verify those issued from each state's Bureau of Vital Statistics. So rules and regs change. What was done yesterday may not be able to be done today.

Senators and Congressmen help to get all kinds of things expedited for their constituents. They are not issuing passports themselves, just trying to help get problems straightened out.

[marybeach]

Thank you, Peaches, for reading the entire post. You obviously understood it and possible issues involved with the new regs. Hopefully, it will help people who need it. If there are those who doubt what I have reported, so be it.

[catlib55]

Here is a link to a website which lists each country in the world. If you click on the country, it will tell you whether or not you need a passport to get in. We found this last year when our daughter was going to Costa Rica and needed a new passport. We had assumed she didn't need a passport, so we waited until the last minute to find out that not only did she need a passport to get in, her passport had expired so we had to get her a new one. Hers had been issued when she was only 14. So we couldn't just renew it.

http://www.expressvisa.com/cf-dbm/countryinfo/countryinfo.cfm

Happy sailing!
Mary Ellen

[KSCnCA]

If anyone is in doubt of needing a passport the story in this link illustrates the benefit of always traveling with a passport. (and a few other lessons inexperienced travelers may not be aware of)

http://cruise-addicts.com/forums/read.php?9,710955,page=1

[doone]

There's been a rumor that as of January 1, 2005, passports will be required for all travel outside the US. I haven't heard of any announcements on this, but at AAA where my friends booked their cruise for March, they are highly recommending to their clients to get a passport.

[dinscoe68]

I don't mean to sound dumb, but hate to assume, should we get a passport for our son as well? He is 10.


Thanks for everyone's replies. I'm definitely going to get one now, just to be on the safe side!!
:p

[peaches from georgia]

There's been a rumor that as of January 1, 2005, passports will be required for all travel outside the US....
If this were true it would have had to been announced before now in order for everyone to have their passport by 1/1/05. They can't just suddenly one day tell people they can't travel to countries where a passport wasn't needed before with no warning of some kind- maybe 3 to 6 months?

[dinscoe68]

Hello Dinscoe68,

We'll be traveling on the Zuiderdam on 3/26 also!

Cheryl :)
Hi Chris-n-Cheryl,

That is great you'll be on the same cruise as we are. We are very excited. This is only our 2nd cruise and we have gone all out and booked a deluxe verandah suite on the Rotterdam Deck, a few steps down from the Neptune Lounge, which should come in handy.

Are you meeting other people when you go? Any kids? Our 10 yo son will be with us. I think he will enjoy Club HAL and since it is spring break week, there should be lots of other kids for him to meet and hang out with.

These boards have been a wealth of information. I have become addicted and I had never been on one before I started looking to book this cruise. It was very helpful.

:) Dawn

[doone]

I agree, Peaches, I would have assumed it would have been announced before now, but you never know. I just say get the passport and eliminate any worry.

[peaches from georgia]

...... I just say get the passport and eliminate any worry.
Absolutely! It is really unbelievable that we still hear the same old questions about bc and drivers license.

[dinscoe68]

It made sense that a passport may not be needed since our itinerary is only to the "US" Virgin Islands and the Bahamas. Why go to the extra expense if it isn't needed? I'd much rather save that $200 for my trip.

Sorry, I didn't mean to ask an unbelievable question. Thanks for your help!

[peaches from georgia]

As far as I know the Bahamas is still not a U.S. territory or state, so a passport might well be needed by the time of your cruise.

[BCEagle78]

Check out http://travel.state.gov/passport/index.html

This is the U.S. State Department web page describing the passport process. It appears to cost $85 to get your initial passport and $55 for a renewal. It lasts for 10 years so the cost on a yearly basis is very low. You will probably spend much more than that on your first couple of days at sea in incidental costs.

I expect security for travel between countries, even our closest neighbors to continue to get tighter. The trend among many countries is to be more stringent with those without passports. Having a valid passport makes the transition very simple.

I have several times traveled to Canada on business. In the past, having a birth certificate was all that was needed. Today that is still the case, however, having a passport with me has saved me time and effort when going through Canadian customs.

Anybody that thinks they will be traveling outside the U.S. would be well advised to take the step to get the passport and then not have to worry about it for 10 years.

If you don't have one, you should.

[marybeach]

HAL's private island is also in the Bahamas, as are many of the other cruise lines' private islands. Don't forget a passport would be required there also, if they do put the new stipulations into effect. This is a changing world. We sure had no warning when his birth certificate was held and cited as "unacceptable", even though it was used on many cruises for years in the Caribbean, multi-colored, raised seals and all. This is a changed world, folks. And, they do not have to give you any warning if some situation arises in this world that warrants US Dept. of State action. If you don't get a passport, I'd suggest travel insurance protection for not being able to get on the ship. The cruise lines will follow any State Department directives, just read your docs.

It may seem silly right now when we suggest getting a passport and giving yourself plenty of time to get it processed, especially if you are not a frequent traveller/cruiser. But with what some of us are telling you, it could be important. I just lived through six weeks of pins and needles and had time to get it fixed. But, we can only pray that no other event like "9/11" happens. But, this is a crazy world. Just food for thought.

[BCEagle78]

Marybeach,

I noticed you are on the Volendam on 11/26.

So am I... My bride of 26+ years and I will be there with you!