S.A.M.J.R.

I guess, when you look at it, that you can pay monthly, or even daily for it, it won't be that bad. Oh wait, you can't? Is it a good thing to have? Yes. Do I have one? Yes Is it NEEDED? No. And if you go back to the OP's later response, it's not even her(?) kids.

"Several" posts? How many? 10? 20? 50? Compared to the hundreds of thousands that DIDN'T have an issue?

Yup. And I was the first one to ask WHAT she's anxious about (which she hasn't answered). All the others only answered "get them passports".

What other OPTIONAL "small potatoes" should everyone purchase? Specialty restaurants? Coco Cay waterpark passes? The bottom line is passports are NOT required (US Citizens + closed loop cruise).

And an actual Real ID is cheaper, easier to get, quicker to get, and easier to store/travel with.

It's only insurance "for many years" IF you travel out of the country in those years. If you never leave the US, it's basically wasted money.

And if it's not? Yes, it's a gamble. But one where the odds favor NOT needing the passport. How many tens (hundreds?) of thousands of people cruise that DON'T have to fly back mid way? For the record, I have a passport and bring it when we cruise. But I won't tell someone they HAVE to have one when they don't.

Because THEY. ARE. NOT. NEEDED. Some people don't like spending money they don't need to. For the OP... what are you anxious about? That you won't be allowed to board? Assuming they are state issued, official birth certificates, you're fine. If you're anxious about something happening during the cruise and you'll need to fly back from another country, then you might be better with passports. BUT, keep in mind the lead time to get passports (you don't say when your cruise is).

But if you have the digital downloads, you can print at various stores in your area for MUCH cheaper than having them printed on the ship, no? Maybe that's just my "cheapness" showing.

I'm curious, why would you want a mix? Is it just to make sure you have something (in case you never get the link like what happened to PP)?

The only harm it could cause, IMO, is if it gives the user a false sense of security.

They might be for the add ons. Full ships would prevent sales on berths/tickets, not necessarily drink packages/dining/excursions/etc.

If the bolded is true, the grandkids should never leave the house. I'm not sure how well a tracker would even work. Even airpods MIGHT tell you if the tracker is in front, behind, or to either side, but won't tell you above or below. AND that's assuming an iPhone is within range AND connected to the internet. To say nothing about if the ship is moving. Would a tracker "help"? Maybe. If the child is an "escape artist" or a "runner", then I would suggest one of the leash options. Heck, we experimented with a child fanny pack, a D-ring on the belt of the fanny pack, and a retractable pet leash when our oldest was small.

I think, as a general rule, colleges have spring break at some point in March, and elementary/jr/high schools late March through the middle of April. We've had kids in the public school system for over 20 years now and their spring break is usually the 1st or 2nd week in April.

I've taken all but my very first passport photo. White or off white background, then use Photoshop (shh) to crop to the correct size (download the template to make sure everything is within the proper range). You can print six images on a 4x6. The first time I did so for my family, the USPS worker who was working with us took a look at the pictures and said "these won't work". I asked her to get out her template and show where they were off and they were perfectly within bounds.

THAT'S why. It's only US Citizens, traveling on a closed loop cruise, that are not required to have a passport.

Assuming A) They are US Citizens and B) You're on a closed loop cruise, that sounds like bad information. Their own website has the following: Now, I wouldn't be surprised to learn the website is wrong, but I also wouldn't be surprised a CSR gave bad information either.

That's ridiculous. We just returned from the DR and did an excursion. $55 for all of the pictures we were in (61). I think it was $10 more for each person after the first two. Got the download link less than an hour after leaving. 12x8, 300 pixels/inch, each file over 2mb. Royal charges $300 for up to 100 pics? Sorry, no.

Key word being "hope". If it was important to Royal (the hosts), they would enforce a dress code. Since they (the hosts) don't, it's not up to passengers either.

I have a passport myself. I think the ODDS of needing it for a cruise are very slim. I will not fault anyone for deciding not to get one however.

There's another way of looking at it though... $135/how many uses? If you only use it for one trip (whether in 5 years or 10), then it's $135/use. For a family of four, $540. If someone feels better having a passport, no problem. If someone doesn't want to spend the money, no problem. Just like insurance.

Except in the US, it's $135 ($100 application fee + $35 acceptance fee), and a child's passport is only good for 5 years.

Where do you get that information?

Guidelines or "suggestions"? And if they're not going to enforce their SUGGESTION, then why bother having it?

FWIW, I'm currently at an AI in DR. Their usual dress code at a couple of the restaurants is long pants and collared shirt for men. This week at least, they're allowing shorts because of the heat. Hate to think what some of these posters reactions would be if they were staying here.