Passport Clarification Needed..

[njhorseman]

Originally Posted by map92

The last info I had was if you leave from a U S port you do not need a passport. It would be best to go to your cruise web site and check on documents needed. have a good cruise!

To whom were you responding? There are over 800 posts on this thread prior to yours...asking a variety of questions, with a variety of answers.

Passport requirements are not a simple as you suggest. For some people, on some cruises, a passport isn't required. On others they are required. You can't make a blanket statement without reference to or knowledge of the particulars.

[mapsmith]

Easy way to get your passport processed. The National Passport Day is March 10, 2012. All Passport Offices will be having staff available to help get your passport. (Including many Post Offices). Take your BC and go to the Office and they will help.

[sunflower47]

Thanks for the info on National Passport Day on March 10.
Here is the link in case anyone wants it:
http://travel.state.gov/passport/passport_5535.html

We both do not have passports yet and do realize the importance of having them for emergencies to get off the closed loop cruise, if needed.

We are taking our first cruise next year, a 4 day out of Miami, leaving at 5pm on a Monday and returning 7am on Friday. This is to "test the waters" so to speak to see if we like the cruising experience.

We are contemplating whether or not to get passports. We may not enjoy this experience and not want to take anymore cruises. If we do like cruising, we can get the passports after this short cruise. The expense of 2 passports is a lot if we may not need them again. We have to hope no type of emergency comes up in the 86 hours we are not in the USA. I don't see international air travel in our future.

My question is that my birth certificate has my maiden name on it and my drivers license has my married name on it. I have read several posts back something similar (pertained to a newlywed)and I guess I should check w/ the cruise line and assume I am bringing my marriage license with me?

If you were in my shoes with only 86 hours out of the country, would you invest $270 not knowing if you would ever use the passports again, or just do the Driver License and Birth Certificate.

Just out of curiosity about how many cruisers do only bring their DL & BC?


TIA

[smeyer418]

Originally Posted by sunflower47

Thanks for the info on National Passport Day on March 10.
Here is the link in case anyone wants it:
http://travel.state.gov/passport/passport_5535.html

We both do not have passports yet and do realize the importance of having them for emergencies to get off the closed loop cruise, if needed.

We are taking our first cruise next year, a 4 day out of Miami, leaving at 5pm on a Monday and returning 7am on Friday. This is to "test the waters" so to speak to see if we like the cruising experience.

We are contemplating whether or not to get passports. We may not enjoy this experience and not want to take anymore cruises. If we do like cruising, we can get the passports after this short cruise. The expense of 2 passports is a lot if we may not need them again. We have to hope no type of emergency comes up in the 86 hours we are not in the USA. I don't see international air travel in our future.

My question is that my birth certificate has my maiden name on it and my drivers license has my married name on it. I have read several posts back something similar (pertained to a newlywed)and I guess I should check w/ the cruise line and assume I am bringing my marriage license with me?

If you were in my shoes with only 86 hours out of the country, would you invest $270 not knowing if you would ever use the passports again, or just do the Driver License and Birth Certificate.

Just out of curiosity about how many cruisers do only bring their DL & BC?


TIA

although I am passport pusher for a four day out of Miami as your only cruise I would skip it...

IMO

[cherylandtk]

Originally Posted by sunflower47

...We are contemplating whether or not to get passports. We may not enjoy this experience and not want to take anymore cruises. If we do like cruising, we can get the passports after this short cruise. The expense of 2 passports is a lot if we may not need them again. We have to hope no type of emergency comes up in the 86 hours we are not in the USA. I don't see international air travel in our future.

You already know that if you have an emergency you will be delayed in returning to the US. You know that if you miss the ship, you cannot fly to the first port. As long as you understand and accept those risks, then the decision is yours to make.

Originally Posted by sunflower47

...My question is that my birth certificate has my maiden name on it and my drivers license has my married name on it. I have read several posts back something similar (pertained to a newlywed)and I guess I should check w/ the cruise line and assume I am bringing my marriage license with me? If you were in my shoes with only 86 hours out of the country, would you invest $270 not knowing if you would ever use the passports again, or just do the Driver License and Birth Certificate.

Royal Caribbean has become a stickler on asking for this bridge documentation. Carnival and Princess rarely do. Their assumption is that you had to prove your name change in order to get the DL in your married name anyway. That said, to eliminate any worries, yes you should take a copy of your marriage license, which should be among your important papers and documents anyway

Originally Posted by sunflower47

...Just out of curiosity about how many cruisers do only bring their DL & BC?

Typically about 5-10% of cruisers. More so on the short cruises like yours.

[TPKeller]

Originally Posted by sunflower47

This is to "test the waters" so to speak to see if we like the cruising experience.

I don't see international air travel in our future.

I believe it was the short cruise market that drove the need to keep the BC/DL option available, for the very reason you give, in some cases the cost of a passport approaches half the cost of a short cruise to The Bahamas.

Having said that... your post says you are from PA... even if you hate the cruise, but love the beach or whatever you choose to do in your ports of call, a flight to Miami is essentially the same as a flight to The Bahamas... maybe you will be international travelers one day after all!

Theron

[warjo2611]

Ok everyone, do you need(required) a passport for cruise starting in State of Florida, stop in Nassau, cruise line's private island, and back to Florida?
We do plan getting off the ship, and site see Nassau , and private island. Everyone is 19 and older.



I know this question ask 100's of times but like a answer.

[TPKeller]

Originally Posted by warjo2611

Ok everyone, do you need(required) a passport for cruise starting in State of Florida, stop in Nassau, cruise line's private island, and back to Florida?
We do plan getting off the ship, and site see Nassau , and private island. Everyone is 19 and older.



I know this question ask 100's of times but like a answer.

Nothing has changed. The answer is still the same.

By the way, your plans to either get off or remain on the ship have absolutely nothing to do with the type of documentation you are required to have for a cruise. Everyone assumes you will get off the ship at every port. There is no provision to make any exceptions.

Theron

[Mom2Evie]

Originally Posted by dforeigner

Unless you live along the southern or northern borders, you can forget about the passport type card. This is still under debate by Congress and it will only apply to those who live on the border and have to go across rather frequently.

http://travel.state.gov/travel/cis_p...a_tw_2223.html
Per the link to the State Dept. a passport card is good to travel in the Carribean.
Canada, Mexico, Bermuda or the Caribbean Region
Sea
Commercial cruise line, private boat, etc
U.S. Passport Book or Card

nations considered to be "Caribbean"
http://travel.state.gov/travel/cis_p...a_tw_3256.html

Q:Why a Passport Card?
a:The Department of State has developed a Passport Card as a more portable and less expensive alternative to the traditional passport book. The passport card is a basic component of the PASS (People Access Security Service) system announced by Secretaries Rice and Chertoff in January 2006, and will meet the specific requirements of the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative (WHTI) to secure and expedite travel. WHTI is the Administration's plan to implement a provision of the Intelligence Reform Terrorism Prevention Act of 2004, which requires citizens of the United States, Canada, and Bermuda to have a passport or other designated document that establishes the bearer's identity and nationality to enter or re-enter the United States from Mexico, Canada, the Caribbean, and Bermuda. According to the Department of Homeland Security, other documents such as registered traveler cards (NEXUS, SENTRI and FAST cards) will be acceptable under WHTI.

[njhorseman]

Originally Posted by Mom2Evie

http://travel.state.gov/travel/cis_p...a_tw_2223.html
Per the link to the State Dept. a passport card is good to travel in the Carribean.
Canada, Mexico, Bermuda or the Caribbean Region
Sea
Commercial cruise line, private boat, etc
U.S. Passport Book or Card

nations considered to be "Caribbean"
http://travel.state.gov/travel/cis_p...a_tw_3256.html

Q:Why a Passport Card?
a:The Department of State has developed a Passport Card as a more portable and less expensive alternative to the traditional passport book. The passport card is a basic component of the PASS (People Access Security Service) system announced by Secretaries Rice and Chertoff in January 2006, and will meet the specific requirements of the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative (WHTI) to secure and expedite travel. WHTI is the Administration's plan to implement a provision of the Intelligence Reform Terrorism Prevention Act of 2004, which requires citizens of the United States, Canada, and Bermuda to have a passport or other designated document that establishes the bearer's identity and nationality to enter or re-enter the United States from Mexico, Canada, the Caribbean, and Bermuda. According to the Department of Homeland Security, other documents such as registered traveler cards (NEXUS, SENTRI and FAST cards) will be acceptable under WHTI.

Please pay attention to the date of the post you're disputing. It was made in January, 2007, more than 5 years ago, and long before the rule you're citing was put into effect. The first passport cards were issued in mid 2008.

[Mom2Evie]

Originally Posted by njhorseman

Please pay attention to the date of the post you're disputing. It was made in January, 2007, more than 5 years ago, and long before the rule you're citing was put into effect. The first passport cards were issued in mid 2008.

I wasn't "disputing" anything, but adding new, updated information. I provided it because I came to Cruise Critic looking for the answer. I couldn't find any complete, up to date info on the topic. When I located a definitive answer on the Dept. of State website, I shared it here. I was trying to save others the trouble.

[njhorseman]

Originally Posted by Mom2Evie

I wasn't "disputing" anything, but adding new, updated information. I provided it because I came to Cruise Critic looking for the answer. I couldn't find any complete, up to date info on the topic. When I located a definitive answer on the Dept. of State website, I shared it here. I was trying to save others the trouble.

So what was the purpose of quoting a post that was over 5 years old if you weren't disputing it?

If you wanted a question answered all you had to do was ask it directly. If you wanted to cite the latest information all you had to do was post it directly.

[vjmatty]

Originally Posted by njhorseman

So what was the purpose of quoting a post that was over 5 years old if you weren't disputing it?

From what I gathered reading her post, the purpose was to provide updated information since as you say the prior post as five years old.

[njhorseman]

Originally Posted by vjmatty

From what I gathered reading her post, the purpose was to provide updated information since as you say the prior post as five years old.

And as I said, if all the intent was to provide updated information they could have just posted it.

The information they posted isn't new anyway...the passport card was put into use in mid 2008...and the information has been posted here innumerable times in innumerable ways since then.

I have no doubt that the poster's intentions were good...but it looks like they had no idea they were quoting a post that was more than 5 years old and made before passport cards existed. If I'm wrong about this I apologize.

[Henryanne]

We have a friend who would like to join us on a cruise to the Bahamas later this fall (closed loop). She is not yet a citizen, but will be taking the naturalization oath about two weeks before we are set to sail. So at the time of the cruise, she will be a citizen with her naturalization certificate in hand. It looks like this will not be enough time to obtain a US passport, though she plans to file for one as soon as she takes the oath.

My question is: will the naturalization certificate be enough for her? (We know that it's best if she has a passport with her, but it just doesn't look it will work out in time). We've found conflicting information, with some sites stating ithe certificate will be enough, and others omitting the certificate on the list of acceptable documents.

Thanks in advance and my apolgies if this has recently been asked and answered.

[njhorseman]

Originally Posted by Henryanne

We have a friend who would like to join us on a cruise to the Bahamas later this fall (closed loop). She is not yet a citizen, but will be taking the naturalization oath about two weeks before we are set to sail. So at the time of the cruise, she will be a citizen with her naturalization certificate in hand. It looks like this will not be enough time to obtain a US passport, though she plans to file for one as soon as she takes the oath.

My question is: will the naturalization certificate be enough for her? (We know that it's best if she has a passport with her, but it just doesn't look it will work out in time). We've found conflicting information, with some sites stating ithe certificate will be enough, and others omitting the certificate on the list of acceptable documents.

Thanks in advance and my apolgies if this has recently been asked and answered.

The Certificate of Naturalization is accepted as proof of citizenship for a closed loop cruise. Here is the explanation from the Department of Homeland Security: http://getyouhome.gov/html/lang_eng/eng_sa.html

"Closed Loop" Cruises: U.S. citizens who board a cruise ship at a port within the United States, travel only within the Western Hemisphere, and return to the same U.S. port on the same ship may present a government issued photo identification, along with proof of citizenship (an original or copy of his or her birth certificate, a Consular report of Birth Abroad, or a Certificate of Naturalization). Please be aware that you may still be required to present a passport to enter the foreign countries your cruise ship is visiting. Check with your cruise line to ensure you have the appropriate documents.

Please make sure your friend brings the original Certificate of Naturalization, as well as a government-issued photo ID such as a drivers license.

[lberbe]

I have a passport question but not the typical "is it needed".
I'm wondering if we'll get the passport stamped in each of the countries on the cruise assuming we get off the boat? Mexico, Belize, Honduras (Roatan), Grand Cayman.
If we're going to have a passport, I want it to look well used.

[njhorseman]

Originally Posted by lberbe

I have a passport question but not the typical "is it needed".
I'm wondering if we'll get the passport stamped in each of the countries on the cruise assuming we get off the boat? Mexico, Belize, Honduras (Roatan), Grand Cayman.
If we're going to have a passport, I want it to look well used.

No, you won't routinely get your passport stamped in the Caribbean, nor in most other places.

In some ports there may be a nearby customs office that will stamp passports upon request.

[luvdisney2010]

I know I am going to get flamed for asking this question. There is a dispute among family members over whether SIL needs a passport. We are cruising from San Juan on RCI on a Southern Caribbean itinerary and back to San Juan. She is a U.S. citizen. SIL claims she only needs a DL. My DH, her brother, thinks she needs DL and BC (but wants her to get passport). She doesn't want to renew her passport right now (which has expired). What does she need? As an aside, I think she is being ridiculous and should just get her passport rened personally. Thanks.

[njhorseman]

Originally Posted by luvdisney2010

I know I am going to get flamed for asking this question. There is a dispute among family members over whether SIL needs a passport. We are cruising from San Juan on RCI on a Southern Caribbean itinerary and back to San Juan. She is a U.S. citizen. SIL claims she only needs a DL. My DH, her brother, thinks she needs DL and BC (but wants her to get passport). She doesn't want to renew her passport right now (which has expired). What does she need? As an aside, I think she is being ridiculous and should just get her passport rened personally. Thanks.

At a minimum for a closed loop cruise she needs an official government agency issued birth certificate (a hospital-issued BC is not acceptable) plus her drivers license. She will not be permitted to cruise with just a drivers license.

It would be preferable for her to have a passport, as should she need to take an international airline flight due to an emergency or some unplanned circumstance, a passport would be required.