Bob Boag

We're taking the Explorer-class Octanis from Santiago Chile to Ft. Lauderdale next March 2024.

I didn't catch on that this was a new, smaller specialized vessel until recently; the price seemed pretty typical relative to our other Viking ocean trips.

It seems to me this is a repositioning trip from their Antarctic season to their Great Lakes season. What does an ice exploration ship offer for a trip up the coast of South America? Do they even use the equipment like the subs and the expedition vehicles? I suppose no boots and parkas.

Is the entertainment paltry? No shows or bands? Is it hard to get reservations to the specialty restaurants since they don't have a main dining room? I like the science stuff but we're not really exploring anything.

Got our passport today; we sail tomorrow!

Hat tip to @agabbymama

Why mess around with all this stuff. It is possible in Los Angeles (anyway) to go and stand in line and get a passport the same day.

 

Driver's license and/or ID is going to take around 10 weeks in California.

 

Not sure where OP is, but I sure wouldn't take a chance with documentation as there have been folks on this board that were denied boarding for not having proper documentation.

Well you were right. We made the first available appointment for emergency 1-day turnaround - 7:30AM at the Federal Building April 2nd. We depart on April 3rd.

OP here - I called customs in DC and they said that the government is only concerned with re-entry into the US (and they will not refuse re-entry of a US citizen), and that embarkation is at the discretion of the cruise line. She thought that the consequence of inadequate documentation would likely be a delay in boarding while his ID is confirmed (fingerprints maybe). She recommended that I ask for a Princess supervisor and tell them what customs said.

Thanks y'all for the input. I welcome more.

Forgive me if this question is buried somewhere in the passport sticky thread.

My wife, 16yo, and I are booked on the April 4 seven-day Crown Princess California coastal cruise (LA, SF, Santa Barbara, San Diego, Ensenada, LA).

My wife and I have valid passports; my 16yo's is expired. I called Princess about a month ago and they told me that since it's a "closed loop" trip, my minor child could get by with just his birth certificate.

Then three days ago I found a reference on the Princess site indicating that while 15yo's and under need only the BC, 16yo's and older need the BC *and* a government photo ID.

I called Princess back and this time they said they couldn't ensure that his documents would suffice at embarkation.

He has his birth certificate, his expired passport (he was 10yo in the picture but it's recognizably the same kid as he current 16yo self), a public high school ID with his name and current picture, his SS card, and a California DMV learner's permit (no photo).

We don't have cancellation insurance. The DMV says there's no way he can get a California picture ID in 10 days. Ditto a new passport.

In anyone's experience will they flat-out decline his boarding? I'm kind of irritated that Princess can't give me an unequivocal answer - it sounds like it depends on the mood of the embarkation staff.