Passports -- it is really necessary?

[TxDiamondCruiser]

Me and my 16 yoa are going on our first cruise soon. We both have drivers licenses and certified birth certificates. Really considering foregoing the expense of passports. Has anyone ever sailed without a passport before? Is this really too risky?

[johneeo]

Originally Posted by TxDiamondCruiser

Me and my 16 yoa are going on our first cruise soon. We both have drivers licenses and certified birth certificates. Really considering foregoing the expense of passports. Has anyone ever sailed without a passport before? Is this really too risky?

Been there done it.

You will be fine.

You will get the following replies:

But, in an emergency you will not be able to fly home.

But, in an emergency you will not be able to fly home.

But, in an emergency you will not be able to fly home.

But, in an emergency you will not be able to fly home.

But, in an emergency you will not be able to fly home.

[cruzeluver]

Where are you going? Is it a "closed-loop cruise"? Not enough info provided to answer your query. Personally, I would never leave the contry without a passport, but in certain circumstances they are not required.

[runnerandme]

As long as it is a closed loop cruise, meaning leaving from and coming back to the same US port. Also make sure the certified copies of your birth certificate have all the required information on them. Some cruisers have stated that they needed the long form with parents name on them.

[beachbum53]

If you are on what is referred to as a "closed loop" cruise (you depart from and return to the same U.S. port, such as Miami), then no, you don't need a passport. However, there is a certain element of risk. If, during the course of the cruise, you miss the departure time of your ship, or have to leave part way through the cruise due to an emergency and have to return home, then you would need a passport, since you would have to deal with a Customs agent prior to leaving the country. So is it a necessity? No, but it is highly recommended.

[sunluva7]

Depends on where you're going. Driving to and from Canada works with a birth certificate. Flying in and out of a foreign country requires a passport. If it's a closed-loop cruise to Mexico, however, embarking and disembarking from the same U.S. port, you can get by with a birth certificate. Even then, though, if you need to fly home from a port in a foreign country for emergency reasons, you will need a passport. Everything you need to know is here:

http://travel.state.gov/passport/passport_1738.html

The best thing to do is follow the advice of your cruise line, airline, and country you are visiting.

Personally, in this day and age, I wouldn't travel out of the country without one, and I think it's well worth the expense. At least you know you're prepared for anything.

[RoofingPrincess]

Originally Posted by sunluva7

Driving to and from Canada works with a birth certificate.

Actually, no, it doesn't...
It will work to get you into Canada. It will not work coming home.
"For entry into the United States via land and sea borders, U.S. citizens must present either a U.S. passport, passport card, NEXUS card, Enhanced Drivers License, or other Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative (WHTI)-compliant document. "
http://travel.state.gov/travel/cis_p.../cis_1082.html

[cb at sea]

We never sail with a passport (Caribbean closed loops!)....your BC and DL will be just fine. In the event of some emergency, you WILL get home...no fear. It may be a bit of a hassle, but none of those countries will allow you to stay...so home you will go.

[mikehn]

I believe a passport is good for like 10 years. So although there is a cost to getting a passport, you wont have to deal with any of these type of issues for a decade.

[donaldsc]

Originally Posted by cb at sea

We never sail with a passport (Caribbean closed loops!)....your BC and DL will be just fine. In the event of some emergency, you WILL get home...no fear. It may be a bit of a hassle, but none of those countries will allow you to stay...so home you will go.

If you choose not to have a passport and do have an emergency, the embassy people should take at least 2 - 3 weeks before they get around to even thinking about your problem. You made the choice - you should suffer the severe consequences.

DON

[sparks1093]

Originally Posted by donaldsc

If you choose not to have a passport and do have an emergency, the embassy people should take at least 2 - 3 weeks before they get around to even thinking about your problem. You made the choice - you should suffer the severe consequences.

DON

In that case just stay on the ship and finish the cruise, you'll get home quicker (supposing of course that your emergency isn't that you missed the ship). And why oh why Don must there be severe consequences for doing something that is perfectly legal?

[TxDiamondCruiser]

Originally Posted by cb at sea

We never sail with a passport (Caribbean closed loops!)....your BC and DL will be just fine. In the event of some emergency, you WILL get home...no fear. It may be a bit of a hassle, but none of those countries will allow you to stay...so home you will go.

FINALLY...a voice of reason.
Thank you for being kind and not assuming that I was just being cheap. I realize if something happens it will be a pain in the butt to get home but I am confident we will be fine and will get home.

[calliopecruiser]

Originally Posted by TxDiamondCruiser

FINALLY...a voice of reason.

LOL! Most posters have offered voices of reason.....they just didn't tell you what you wanted to hear so you thought they were unreasonable!

[sunluva7]

Originally Posted by RoofingPrincess

Actually, no, it doesn't...
It will work to get you into Canada. It will not work coming home.
"For entry into the United States via land and sea borders, U.S. citizens must present either a U.S. passport, passport card, NEXUS card, Enhanced Drivers License, or other Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative (WHTI)-compliant document. "
http://travel.state.gov/travel/cis_p.../cis_1082.html

I stand corrected. Thanks!

[Kamloops50]

Originally Posted by sunluva7

Depends on where you're going. Driving to and from Canada works with a birth certificate. Flying in and out of a foreign country requires a passport. If it's a closed-loop cruise to Mexico, however, embarking and disembarking from the same U.S. port, you can get by with a birth certificate. Even then, though, if you need to fly home from a port in a foreign country for emergency reasons, you will need a passport. Everything you need to know is here:

http://travel.state.gov/passport/passport_1738.html

The best thing to do is follow the advice of your cruise line, airline, and country you are visiting.

Personally, in this day and age, I wouldn't travel out of the country without one, and I think it's well worth the expense. At least you know you're prepared for anything.

Currently you might be requested to produce a passport when you drive back into the US from Canada . We have friends that live in the US near Portland Or . They are asked for there passports every time the cross the border back to the US. Passports are recommended for travel to and from Canada but are not required. Now if you fly out of Canada into the US you will be required to produce a passport to board the plane.
NOT AN OPTION FOR FLYING.

[njhorseman]

Originally Posted by Kamloops50

Currently you might be requested to produce a passport when you drive back into the US from Canada . We have friends that live in the US near Portland Or . They are asked for there passports every time the cross the border back to the US. Passports are recommended for travel to and from Canada but are not required. Now if you fly out of Canada into the US you will be required to produce a passport to board the plane.
NOT AN OPTION FOR FLYING.

Not "might". You will be requested to produce a passport, or WHTI compliant document such as a passport card or Enhanced Drivers License when driving between the US and Canada in either direction. A birth certificate has not been acceptable for several years. The misinformation provided by the poster you are quoting was corrected immediately after the post was originally made days ago...and the poster even subsequently acknowledged they were wrong.

[chipmaster]

IMHO I'd spend a few dollars and get the passort, its a seperate and different debate as to you take it with you into port or leave it in the safe

Originally Posted by TxDiamondCruiser

Me and my 16 yoa are going on our first cruise soon. We both have drivers licenses and certified birth certificates. Really considering foregoing the expense of passports. Has anyone ever sailed without a passport before? Is this really too risky?

[janice2348]

Resounding yes! That's the first thing they ask you. It really is easier.

[I_heart_vaca]

Originally Posted by TxDiamondCruiser

Me and my 16 yoa are going on our first cruise soon. We both have drivers licenses and certified birth certificates. Really considering foregoing the expense of passports. Has anyone ever sailed without a passport before? Is this really too risky?

As stated above if you are on a closed loop cruise - you don't need passport. I assume you are and have already checked with your cruise line and know you don't but are interested in people's opinion of risk so here is my opinion....its up to you. My sis and her hubs cruise about once a year - always closed loop - always the Caribbean. She has passport, he doesn't. They never have had any problems. They don't feel the risk of missing the ship or the chance of an emergency is worth it. On the other hand, I never travel without mine. Again. its your preference.

[chickadee1]

I believe that Royal Caribbean requires your passport number when filling out online paperwork - also, had to show it when boarding cruise ship in NJ. Sure save a lot of hassle to have it!