Jump to content

Passport - why so scary


LuckyZ
 Share

Recommended Posts

On this thread, I see so many questions about people asking about the need for a passport when cruising to various destinations.

 

My question is in this day in age, why doesn't everybody have a passport? I mean the US requires foreign visitors to have one when coming to the US, so why is it so hard to understand that US citizens should have one when traveling abroad? And why do people chance it in going to a foreign country without a passport?

 

Opinions?

Edited by LuckyZ
Link to comment
Share on other sites

I agree that everyone should have one, but I think many peoples hesitation may be economy. I guess for some its hard to reconcile spending money for a passport when you can cruise with just a birth certificate or they may not travel enough to justify the cost. Im just making assumptions though and could be completely wrong.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

On this thread, I see so many questions about people asking about the need for a passport when cruising to various destinations.

 

My question is in this day in age, why doesn't everybody have a passport? I mean the US requires foreign visitors to have one when coming to the US, so why is it so hard to understand that US citizens should have one when traveling abroad? And why do people chance it in going to a foreign country without a passport?

 

Opinions?

 

For the type of travel that I am able to do right now neither the US government nor the governments of any of the countries that I visit require me to have a passport, so I don't have one.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Not everyone travels out of the country. And if you are planning to cruise, there are alot of expenses involved. I would guess people pause to see if the trip is doable without one. Passports are not cheap. We contemplated too since our trip would require all 4 of us getting passports. In the end we got them just for the peace of mind. Can't wait till they arrive in the mail.

 

I think it's better to have one and not need it than to need it and not have it. But I also understand the cost is a major factor. Especially if a whole family needs one like in our situation.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I can see why people hesitate to spend that kind of money for small children, but I can't see why you wouldn't just get a passport for yourself as an adult. It's good for 10 years so, although the initial outlay may seem a lot, it really isn't. And you never know when the chance to travel abroad may occur and then you've already got your passport. And heaven forbid you're injured in port or late back to the ship. To me, it's silly not to make sure you have proper identification when traveling outside the US. I'll bet many of those who balk at the cost think nothing of spending much more than that on drinking. It's like the folks who don't purchase insurance and then have an incident where they have to cancel and come here begging, "Is there anything I can do?" Yes, plan wisely when you travel and spend the money on a passport and trip insurance. Not purchasing these items is a gamble and you're gambling on your own safety and finances.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

On this thread, I see so many questions about people asking about the need for a passport when cruising to various destinations.

 

My question is in this day in age, why doesn't everybody have a passport? I mean the US requires foreign visitors to have one when coming to the US, so why is it so hard to understand that US citizens should have one when traveling abroad? And why do people chance it in going to a foreign country without a passport?

 

Opinions?

 

My daughter is 10 and on her 3rd passport already, she had her first one when she was 3 months old. It amuses me too when I see 'middle-aged' Americans pondering whether to get their first one or not.

 

But it is obviously a different situation in the US compared to Europe, you can't leave the UK and go anywhere without a passport, even Ireland or France, whereas there are less strict rules about travelling locally to the countries around the USA. With that said, personally I would always like the peace of mind when I left the country of knowing I had a passport just in case...

Link to comment
Share on other sites

It'$ all about the money.

 

Well, and the timing. My family has passport cards. We only got them because we were driving to Niagara Canada. When we plan a trip or vacation we usually have a budget. It's just not easy to put passports into the budget. At the time we got the cards the price of getting full passports was enough of an increase that we couldn't justify it. Looking back, yeah we probably should have gone full passport. But it's a big difference so we chose not to spend it.

 

When I book a cruise I don't want to spend another $480 so we can have passports when we don't need them. The reason I mention timing is simply this. If we are booking a cruise we don't really have an extra $480. If we aren't booking a cruise it doesn't seem to make sense to spend $480 for no reason.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Not everyone travels out of the country. And if you are planning to cruise, there are alot of expenses involved. I would guess people pause to see if the trip is doable without one. Passports are not cheap. We contemplated too since our trip would require all 4 of us getting passports. In the end we got them just for the peace of mind. Can't wait till they arrive in the mail.

 

I think it's better to have one and not need it than to need it and not have it. But I also understand the cost is a major factor. Especially if a whole family needs one like in our situation.

 

But now you have it, and the next time you have the opportunity to travel outside the country with your whole family, you're covered. You are absolutely right about it being better to have one and not need it rather than the other way around. We purchased a passport for our youngest son when he was still in his teens and the whole family cruised. He is trying to be a professional musician and doesn't make much money. This summer he has the possibility of traveling abroad with a band and he doesn't have to pay for a passport because mom and dad covered that for him when we cruised.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Well, and the timing. My family has passport cards. We only got them because we were driving to Niagara Canada. When we plan a trip or vacation we usually have a budget. It's just not easy to put passports into the budget. At the time we got the cards the price of getting full passports was enough of an increase that we couldn't justify it. Looking back, yeah we probably should have gone full passport. But it's a big difference so we chose not to spend it.

 

When I book a cruise I don't want to spend another $480 so we can have passports when we don't need them. The reason I mention timing is simply this. If we are booking a cruise we don't really have an extra $480. If we aren't booking a cruise it doesn't seem to make sense to spend $480 for no reason.

 

It is a pain when you need them all at the same time, like replacing all the tyres (tires!) on your car all at once. The good thing about us getting them when the kids were little is that ours are staggered now, we just changed my daughter before we flew to Antigua at Easter, my son's is due in 2015, my wife in 2017 and then my daughter's will be due again in 2018 and then mine in 2020. So at least the cost is spread out.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I can see why people hesitate to spend that kind of money for small children, but I can't see why you wouldn't just get a passport for yourself as an adult. It's good for 10 years so, although the initial outlay may seem a lot, it really isn't. And you never know when the chance to travel abroad may occur and then you've already got your passport. And heaven forbid you're injured in port or late back to the ship. To me, it's silly not to make sure you have proper identification when traveling outside the US. I'll bet many of those who balk at the cost think nothing of spending much more than that on drinking. It's like the folks who don't purchase insurance and then have an incident where they have to cancel and come here begging, "Is there anything I can do?" Yes, plan wisely when you travel and spend the money on a passport and trip insurance. Not purchasing these items is a gamble and you're gambling on your own safety and finances.

 

To take the bolded sentences in order: if I got a passport now but didn't use it for 5 years then 5 years have been wasted, but if I wait to get it until I need it then I will not have wasted it.

 

Yes, I do know when a chance to travel abroad may occur and for the forseeable future that chance is close to nil (but if the chance did occur there would be time to obtain a passport at that time). It's not like a fairy godmother is going to drop an international trip into my lap;).

 

For me and mine that risk is very low and that's why we do have travel insurance in the event that it does happen.

 

I do have the proper identification for leaving the country.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I don't have one for my kids because their dad lives in Hawaii and I live in Michigan. We either have to go to get a passport together (he doesn't come visit) or he has to send the notarized form (I've only asked about 10 times for that) so I can't get them passports. When my son turns 16 in September I will get him a passport but my daughter will have to wait a few more years.

 

I do have the notarized letter authorizing travel from him, I got that in 2007 and hung on to it. I will bug him a few more times for the passport form but I think he's getting ready to deploy for 6-12 months so he might be distracted.

Edited by michiganredrose
Typo
Link to comment
Share on other sites

It'$ all about the money.

 

I'm sure for many, this best sums it up-the money! I do have a passport and use it every time I fly anywhere. Much easier to flash passport than to dig out drivers license. We are also fortune enough to be able to cruise all over the world and not just the Caribbean, so a passport is required. The cost of a passport and even renewal is, however, high for many individuals and families. :(

Link to comment
Share on other sites

......................... If we are booking a cruise we don't really have an extra $480. If we aren't booking a cruise it doesn't seem to make sense to spend $480 for no reason.

 

Oh the 'Leaky Roof' defense.

 

Don't need to fix the roof when it's dry and who wants to go outside when it's raining?

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I agree. I think it just comes down to money. We each have ours and I'll get one for the baby as soon as I'm able. As mentioned they're good for 10 years so why not. That makes them what 10 or 15 bucks a year? Most of us waste that on coffee or cigarettes in a week, or day depending on your bent.

 

I'm Canadian so mine only lasts 5 years and iirc is no cheaper than a US passport. I have no sympathy for the expense argument ;) don't even get me started on how hard it is to get somebody to take a picture that conforms to Canadian passport requirements in the South! Sears used to do them but now that they're closing their photo studios I guess I'm back to square one.

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Edited by Waterloomarc
Link to comment
Share on other sites

But now you have it, and the next time you have the opportunity to travel outside the country with your whole family, you're covered. You are absolutely right about it being better to have one and not need it rather than the other way around. We purchased a passport for our youngest son when he was still in his teens and the whole family cruised. He is trying to be a professional musician and doesn't make much money. This summer he has the possibility of traveling abroad with a band and he doesn't have to pay for a passport because mom and dad covered that for him when we cruised.

 

My children are both under 10 and they were so excited to get them. Not that I think they even understand. All they know is it coincides with their trip to Disney and the "big ship" they are getting on. lol. It was $480 so a hefty load. I can totally see why families can't afford them all at once. My advice is to foks is to plan ahead and get them one at a time.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I can see why people hesitate to spend that kind of money for small children, but I can't see why you wouldn't just get a passport for yourself as an adult. It's good for 10 years so, although the initial outlay may seem a lot, it really isn't. And you never know when the chance to travel abroad may occur and then you've already got your passport. And heaven forbid you're injured in port or late back to the ship. To me, it's silly not to make sure you have proper identification when traveling outside the US. I'll bet many of those who balk at the cost think nothing of spending much more than that on drinking. It's like the folks who don't purchase insurance and then have an incident where they have to cancel and come here begging, "Is there anything I can do?" Yes, plan wisely when you travel and spend the money on a passport and trip insurance. Not purchasing these items is a gamble and you're gambling on your own safety and finances.

 

I agree. For me, being a single mother, it's important that I think ahead for both of us. When DD was a union, I decided to take her to Ireland for Spring Break. Fortunately, I'd already gotten a passport for her or it would have been difficult since her father had moved to another state and wasn't exactly always cooperative.

 

I've had passports since my first international trip when I was 18. About 5 years ago, I transferred to a new group where I work and one of the first things my new manager said was, "Do you have a passport?" When I said I did, she was really pleased. We left a week later for a business trip to Malaysia and India. :D

Link to comment
Share on other sites

To take the bolded sentences in order: if I got a passport now but didn't use it for 5 years then 5 years have been wasted, but if I wait to get it until I need it then I will not have wasted it.

 

Yes, I do know when a chance to travel abroad may occur and for the forseeable future that chance is close to nil (but if the chance did occur there would be time to obtain a passport at that time). It's not like a fairy godmother is going to drop an international trip into my lap;).

 

For me and mine that risk is very low and that's why we do have travel insurance in the event that it does happen.

 

I do have the proper identification for leaving the country.

 

Do you have the proper identification to re-enter by any means? If you have the necessity of flying home you need a passport.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

My hubby and I were actually duped into getting the passport cards back in 2008. But we have used them for every cruise we've been on, #5 is next month so I feel we've got plenty of use. They really do make customs a whole lot easier. When we have to renew (unless circumstances require us to fly abroad before then) we will upgrade to passport books. At that time I plan to get my kiddos their books also. DD will be 12 then and DS will be 8. Since minor books are only valid for 5 years, DD will get an adult book with her first renewal and then DS will get it on his 2nd renewal. But like I said, if the chance to go abroad comes up we will get them sooner.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

The reason people don't get passports is the cost.

 

The reason people don't take passports on a cruise is that they either don't think anything will happen to them or they are willing to risk that nothing will happen to them.

 

While I may or may not make these same decisions, people have a right to do so and I respect that. They just must be willing to accept the consequences of their decisions.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Oh the 'Leaky Roof' defense.

 

Don't need to fix the roof when it's dry and who wants to go outside when it's raining?

 

Oh yeah, I'm not denying it. I know it's not a great excuse. We constantly say that we will get our passports one at a time so that it won't hurt so much financially. But then as usual there always seems to be something else to spend the money on that is more important (or more fun. :) )

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Please sign in to comment

You will be able to leave a comment after signing in



Sign In Now
 Share

  • Forum Jump
    • Categories
      • Welcome to Cruise Critic
      • New Cruisers
      • Cruise Lines “A – O”
      • Cruise Lines “P – Z”
      • River Cruising
      • ROLL CALLS
      • Digital Photography & Cruise Technology
      • Special Interest Cruising
      • Cruise Discussion Topics
      • UK Cruising
      • Australia & New Zealand Cruisers
      • Canadian Cruisers
      • North American Homeports
      • Ports of Call
      • Cruise Conversations
×
×
  • Create New...