Passport or not?

My family is about to go on first cruise. We will be going to Cozumel and Progreso and will be sailing out of Galveston.

We were told if we did not have a passport, so long as we had valid ID and legal birth certificate, we could board the ship. I just saw on the nightly news where it said people traveling to Mexico were required to have passports.

Will the ID and birth certificate get us on to the islands, or will they only get us on the ship and we would need a passport to get off at ports?

My family is about to go on first cruise. We will be going to Cozumel and Progreso and will be sailing out of Galveston.

 

We were told if we did not have a passport, so long as we had valid ID and legal birth certificate, we could board the ship. I just saw on the nightly news where it said people traveling to Mexico were required to have passports.

 

Will the ID and birth certificate get us on to the islands, or will they only get us on the ship and we would need a passport to get off at ports?

What you were told is correct. You are not 'entering' Mexico. You will be 'in transit' passengers from a cruise ship. If you flew to Cozumel or other place in Mexico for a true land vacation, you would need passports.

Now a lot of posters are going to tell you all about why passports are a good idea, especially if you break a leg or your dog dies while you are gone, but the fact is, if you are a US citizen, your birth certificate and a photo ID will enable you to have a wonderful trip.

No need to spend that money. You will get home, should something happen...it will just be a hassle. 99% of the time, nothing happens!

I'd risk it....your mileage may vary!

My family is about to go on first cruise. We will be going to Cozumel and Progreso and will be sailing out of Galveston.

 

We were told if we did not have a passport, so long as we had valid ID and legal birth certificate, we could board the ship. I just saw on the nightly news where it said people traveling to Mexico were required to have passports.

 

Will the ID and birth certificate get us on to the islands, or will they only get us on the ship and we would need a passport to get off at ports?

Welcome to Cruise Critic.

You do not need a passport if you are on a closed end (starts and ends at the same US port) cruise. It's always a good idea to have a passport when leaving the country, but it's not required in this case.

If you were driving or flying into Mexico, then you would need a passport. They would take the passport card if you were driving.

Thank you all for the information and the suggestions. I appreciate it. :)

No need to spend that money. You will get home, should something happen...it will just be a hassle. 99% of the time, nothing happens!

 

I'd risk it....your mileage may vary!

We do know you are an experienced cruiser/traveler and are somewhat surprised at your attitude on this issue. So lets clear the air and talk real facts as opposed to "hopes." Let us suppose you miss the ship in a Caribbean Port for any of a multitude of reasons. You are now "illegally" trapped on an island without a Passport. The only way home is via the airlines, but no airline flying to the USA or Canada will even allow you to board unless you have a valid Passport in hand. So you are stuck on the island (contrary to local laws). You must deal with the local Consulate or representative and obtain a valid Passport. If you already have a Passport (but left it behind) you can usually get a replacement within a couple of days (but you are responsible fie all your own costs). And if this happens on a weekend or holiday things may be delayed several extra days. But if you do not even have a Passport you then have to throw yourself on the mercy of your own consulate. Yes, eventually you will be accommodated. But you may find yourself stuck on that island for several days while the Consul (or representative) works to verify your identify and get you the necessary travel documents. This process can cost hundreds of dollars plus you will also have to pay the costs of staying on whatever island (or country) you happen to be stuck! And if you have ever had to buy a last minute airline ticket you are probably aware that the cost can be a real shocker! Just the facts.

About 3 years ago, while on a Celebrity cruise in Europe, a fellow shipmate (who was a NYC Police Officer) had their Passports stolen while they were on the beach in Tel Aviv, Israel, The good news for them was that the ship was moving to another Israeli port (and overnighting). This couple spent most of the next 2 days working to get replacement Passports (and keep in mind they both had current Passports in existence which makes things easier) and missed their Israeli tours...not to mention having nearly 2 full port days messed up by waiting at a Consulate, getting new Passport Photos, etc. This Police Officer later told me if he had any clue there is no way he would have taken their Passports off the ship (another story).

Hank

We do know you are an experienced cruiser/traveler and are somewhat surprised at your attitude on this issue. So lets clear the air and talk real facts as opposed to "hopes." Let us suppose you miss the ship in a Caribbean Port for any of a multitude of reasons. You are now "illegally" trapped on an island without a Passport. The only way home is via the airlines, but no airline flying to the USA or Canada will even allow you to board unless you have a valid Passport in hand. So you are stuck on the island (contrary to local laws). You must deal with the local Consulate or representative and obtain a valid Passport. If you already have a Passport (but left it behind) you can usually get a replacement within a couple of days (but you are responsible fie all your own costs). And if this happens on a weekend or holiday things may be delayed several extra days. But if you do not even have a Passport you then have to throw yourself on the mercy of your own consulate. Yes, eventually you will be accommodated. But you may find yourself stuck on that island for several days while the Consul (or representative) works to verify your identify and get you the necessary travel documents. This process can cost hundreds of dollars plus you will also have to pay the costs of staying on whatever island (or country) you happen to be stuck! And if you have ever had to buy a last minute airline ticket you are probably aware that the cost can be a real shocker! Just the facts.

 

About 3 years ago, while on a Celebrity cruise in Europe, a fellow shipmate (who was a NYC Police Officer) had their Passports stolen while they were on the beach in Tel Aviv, Israel, The good news for them was that the ship was moving to another Israeli port (and overnighting). This couple spent most of the next 2 days working to get replacement Passports (and keep in mind they both had current Passports in existence which makes things easier) and missed their Israeli tours...not to mention having nearly 2 full port days messed up by waiting at a Consulate, getting new Passport Photos, etc. This Police Officer later told me if he had any clue there is no way he would have taken their Passports off the ship (another story).

 

Hank

As an experienced traveler I know that millions of people travel every year without a passport and they have no issues whatsoever. Your talk of being in a country illegally is puffery and scare tactics, just because something happens to keep a traveler behind doesn't make them in the country illegally- they were admitted legally under the laws of the country they are visiting and the fact that they had a medical emergency/missed the ship doesn't change that.

The only risk someone is facing is, as you mention, a delay in getting the requisite documentation and it doesn't need to be a passport- the State Department has the authority to waive the passport requirements for an emergency or for humanitarian reasons so it could be something as simple as a letter. Bottom line is if someone is willing to accept the small risk of a delay then traveling without a passport is a legitimate choice that doesn't affect anyone else (unless of course one is traveling on one of the premium/luxury lines that requires passports of everyone). (And even if one has a passport one will still likely face delays.)

If/when you get a passport NEVER take it off the ship. If you miss the ship in a port, security can open your safe and get your passports. Stolen passports are worth a ton of $$$ for thieves. We have over 100 cruises in 30 years and always leave our passports in the safe. Safest thing is to watch the clock and make sure you are back on the ship at least an hour before it is supposed to leave any port.

Wow. Some strong opinions on this thread.

DW ended up in the hospital in St. Lucia for three days over Christmas. That, talking with trying to arrange transportation home before the New Years holiday weekend, was hassle enough without having to deal with getting passports issued on top of that.

FWIW we purchase travel insurance for each trip as well.

Wow. Some strong opinions on this thread.

 

DW ended up in the hospital in St. Lucia for three days over Christmas. That, talking with trying to arrange transportation home before the New Years holiday weekend, was hassle enough without having to deal with getting passports issued on top of that.

 

FWIW we purchase travel insurance for each trip as well.

Hope she's feeling better. Yes, there is the risk of needing to make those arrangements if you don't have a passport but the risk for most people is very low and as long as they are comfortable with that risk it's really up to them (and we also obtain travel insurance, but that too is a personal decision).