Passport card or no passport card?

[Califor6]

I was told by a Carnival Rep (when I called to ask some questions), that we do not NEED a Passport Card for the 4night Imagination Cruise out of Long Beach to Mexico. I was totally surprised....no passport required for a foreign trip? She said that just need our birth certificates and id cards....

 

true? anyone go without a Passport Card? I'm little concerned that when in port, if something happens, that we don't have a verification....

 

Anyone traveled without on this Mexico cruise? comments?

[vwrestler171]

She is correct, the passport cards are only good for driving across the border. We did the same cruise in October and my kids just had birth certificates. If you are considering passports, I would get the book.

[Waterloomarc]

Make sure it's an official birth certificate. Not just a copy or the souvenir type from the hospital.

 

But yes she's correct.

 

 

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[Califor6]

THANKS for your verifications....was concerned about making enough time to apply for passport cards in time for a potential June cruise. I see those passport lines at the post office whenever I go in there, and they are hours upon hours to wait....and of course, that's money that I can save too. :)

[highlandcruiz]

It was explained to me that the only reason you really need a passport, is if something happened and you needed to FLY home. In which case, you would need the book - not the card. But for just normal cruise activities, just the birth certificate is fine.

[SadieN]

It was explained to me that the only reason you really need a passport, is if something happened and you needed to FLY home. In which case, you would need the book - not the card. But for just normal cruise activities, just the birth certificate is fine.

 

OP can drive home from Ensenada if she has to.;) (Ensenada is less than 100 miles south of the border.)

But you would need a passport card or full passport to do that.

 

Need the official Gov't issued BC and DL or State ID for everyone over the age of 16. HS ID's won't work.

CA ID are processed thru the DMV.

Edited February 26, 2014 by SadieN

[vwrestler171]

THANKS for your verifications....was concerned about making enough time to apply for passport cards in time for a potential June cruise. I see those passport lines at the post office whenever I go in there, and they are hours upon hours to wait....and of course, that's money that I can save too. :)

 

It took my parents 2 weeks to get their passport, they just sent it in the beginning of Feb and got it back already so June should be no problem.

[Swampbaby]

When we applied for our passports all we did was go to our County Courthouse with the proper papers, pictures and money. Took well under 3 weeks from start to receiving them in the mail.

[OCruisers]

You need the Passport BOOK which takes care of everything. :)

 

While the Passport CARD is nice to also have (we do) and convenient as a government ID in most ports on cruises and crossing by car form the US to Canada or Mexico, the most important and needed is the Passport BOOK.

 

LuLu

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[hftmrock]

You need the Passport BOOK which takes care of everything. :)

 

While the Passport CARD is nice to also have (we do) and convenient as a government ID in most ports on cruises and crossing by car form the US to Canada or Mexico, the most important and needed is the Passport BOOK.

 

LuLu

~~~~

 

you dont NEED it... you should have it and I recommend it but you dont NEED it.

[xitappers2bx]

You need the Passport BOOK which takes care of everything. :)

 

While the Passport CARD is nice to also have (we do) and convenient as a government ID in most ports on cruises and crossing by car form the US to Canada or Mexico, the most important and needed is the Passport BOOK.

 

LuLu

~~~~

 

YESSSSSS

 

get the passport book!! save yourself the worry and possible trouble heaven forbid there is a reason you need to be home.

[vols_159]

THANKS for your verifications....was concerned about making enough time to apply for passport cards in time for a potential June cruise. I see those passport lines at the post office whenever I go in there, and they are hours upon hours to wait....and of course, that's money that I can save too. :)

 

 

A lot of post offices here take appointments .. I would get a passport book just to be safe

 

 

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[mickide]

She is correct, the passport cards are only good for driving across the border. We did the same cruise in October and my kids just had birth certificates. If you are considering passports, I would get the book.

 

 

Actually the passport card is good for land AND sea travel. My husband and I both have the card and we will be paying to get the book before our next cruise. Even though you can still sail without a passport, the older I get the more nervous I am that I may have to fly home at some point and won't want to deal with the red tape involved in getting an emergency passport. Our mothers are getting older, we have kids & grandkids and I want to be able to get to them as quick as possible if something arises.

For the 4 day, I wouldn't bother but if you are planning any more trips out of the U.S. I would go for it :).

[hftmrock]

Actually the passport card is good for land AND sea travel. My husband and I both have the card and we will be paying to get the book before our next cruise. Even though you can still sail without a passport, the older I get the more nervous I am that I may have to fly home at some point and won't want to deal with the red tape involved in getting an emergency passport. Our mothers are getting older, we have kids & grandkids and I want to be able to get to them as quick as possible if something arises.

 

For the 4 day, I wouldn't bother but if you are planning any more trips out of the U.S. I would go for it :).

 

I dont think you can use a passport card to fly. Only drive so if you have to fly back home, it wont do you any good

[LexynWes]

get a passport book so u can leave ur legal documents at home for safe keeping

 

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[TruckerDave]

never mind..i was looking at the renewal requirements and didn't understand why one needed to do anything in person. thus the reason for the edit of mu post

Edited February 27, 2014 by TruckerDave

[mickide]

I dont think you can use a passport card to fly. Only drive so if you have to fly back home, it wont do you any good

 

That's why I said we are getting the actual passport books before our next trip :). We have the card and know that it is good for land & sea only so we are going to get the full book.