Passports????

[CasinoCruzGirl]

My sister and her family have all booked a cruise for this coming November and they do not have passports. Are they mandatory?????

 

 

I have told her to get them. she says she just doesn't have the money to get them for her and her family. From what I understand they don't HAVE to have them just birth certificates and photo ID and if something were to happen (God forbid) they would not be able to fly home. Am I correct wit this assumption? I know it's not a good idea to not have one (my DH and myself have them) but I don't know what to tell her besides what I have been telling her. Has anyone cruised without a passport?

Edited June 12, 2014 by GeriC

[valleyvillage]

We need to know the cruise to give you a proper answer. If closed loop, then they don't need a passport. Personally, I am in favor of always having a passport, needed or not!

There are other variables, too. Is everyone a US citizen? I'm sure other faithful CCers will chime in with more details.

Edited June 12, 2014 by valleyvillage

[jethrojam]

The passports come within a month. This may sound harsh but if you can't afford the passport, you can't afford the cruise. Things happen. Be prepared.

[CasinoCruzGirl]

We need to know the cruise to give you a proper answer. If closed loop, then they don't need a passport. Personally, I am in favor of always having a passport, needed or not!

There are other variables, too. Is everyone a US citizen? I'm sure other faithful CCers will chime in with more details.

 

It's the breakaway from NY to florida and Bahamas. Yes all US citizens. I'm with you on having a passport but she's being thick headed and says she doesn't have the money and doesn't HAVE to have them <shrug>

[CasinoCruzGirl]

The passports come within a month. This may sound harsh but if you can't afford the passport, you can't afford the cruise. Things happen. Be prepared.

 

Well I actually am paying for a portion of her cruise but I can't pay for her passports to. But my question still lingers. Can they actually cruise without a passport?

[cruisin07family]

Well I actually am paying for a portion of her cruise but I can't pay for her passports to. But my question still lingers. Can they actually cruise without a passport?

 

Yes, they can cruise without a Passport. We have Passports now but we didn't for several cruises. With the Fl-Bahamas cruise I personally don't think it's all that important to make a big deal about Passports.

[sdmike]

Well I actually am paying for a portion of her cruise but I can't pay for her passports to. But my question still lingers. Can they actually cruise without a passport?

 

Yes, they can. But if they have an issue in Bermuda and get left behind (medical issue, miss the boat) they won't be able to fly home without jumping through a bunch of hoops with the local consulate, which can take days.

[valleyvillage]

On that cruise, yes. They can cruise with a government issued photo ID and a birth certificate. It has to be a raised seal, holoseal, REAL birth certificate from the Department of Health, not the hospital record of live birth. The names have to match or you need documentation for the name change.

When my Mom didn't want to bother with a passport because she figured her driver's license and birth certificate (with maiden name!) would be enough.

I told her fine, but if there is a problem at the pier, we are all getting on the ship and she is getting in a cab back to the hotel :) She got the passport.

[flucocruiser]

Yes it is an approved documentation WHTI document just make sure you bring the birth certificates and a photo id for anyone 16 and up.

 

 

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[jethrojam]

Well I actually am paying for a portion of her cruise but I can't pay for her passports to. But my question still lingers. Can they actually cruise without a passport?

 

 

Yes, so long as it is closed loop. Use that info at your own risk.

[CasinoCruzGirl]

Yes it is an approved documentation WHTI document just make sure you bring the birth certificates and a photo id for anyone 16 and up.

 

 

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Thank you so much. Forgot to mention 2 of them are kids (12 & 14) do they need photo ID in addition to their birth certificates?

[SissasMomE]

The passports come within a month. This may sound harsh but if you can't afford the passport, you can't afford the cruise. Things happen. Be prepared.

 

My thoughts exactly!

[Turtles06]

If your sister is concerned about the money for the passports, ask her how she would afford a possible multi-day stay in the Bahamas if for some reason she had to fly home and had to wait around to get a passport.

 

Stuff happens. It's just not a great idea to leave the U.S. without a passport, even if you legally can (as on a closed loop cruise).

 

But once you've explained it all to her, it's her risk to run. That's all you can do.

 

Hopefully, nothing will happen, and you will all have a great cruise.

[garycarla]

If your sister is concerned about the money for the passports, ask her how she would afford a possible multi-day stay in the Bahamas if for some reason she had to fly home and had to wait around to get a passport.

...

 

 

And pay for drinks.

And excursions.

And phone calls.

And souvenirs.

And speciality dinners (not required).

And casino.

And food/drinks ashore.

And daily service charge.

 

Make sure she is aware of the costs. I would agree that getting a passport is not required, but....

[CasinoCruzGirl]

And pay for drinks.

And excursions.

And phone calls.

And souvenirs.

And speciality dinners (not required).

And casino.

And food/drinks ashore.

And daily service charge.

 

Make sure she is aware of the costs. I would agree that getting a passport is not required, but....

 

Trust me I have told her all the costs that they could incur. Her DH does not drink all all and she may have 1 or 2 like me a day they are bringing their own soda and water they are not making phone calls we are not doing any excursions aside From going to the beach we are not (well at least they are not) planning any specialty restaurants and they plan on paying for DSC before the cruise. She plans on giving the boys $50 cash each for their sail & sign cards for what they want to buy (and those lucky boys have their uncle who loves them and will not deny them anything on the ship with them. It is possible to not have to spend much money once you are on the cruise. Believe it or not people do do that (not me I'm out of control lol) but there are people who can get away with a zero bill at the end of their cruise. It can be done.

 

I get it I have told her over and over to just get the passports but you don't know my sister lol. I'm paying $1,000 towards their cruise because she's my sister and I love her and they have had a rough time over the last couple of years, you have no idea and I really want her to just get away on this cruise with us.

 

My question which has been answered was if they CAN go on the cruise without a passport.

[dwjoe]

Thank you so much. Forgot to mention 2 of them are kids (12 & 14) do they need photo ID in addition to their birth certificates?

They do not. Under 16, a birth certificate is the only document needed for a cruise to Canada, Mexico, Bermuda, or the Caribbean.

 

A few caveats - the children must be born in the US, and also, Puerto Rican birth certificates issued prior to 7/1/2010 are not acceptable.

Edited June 12, 2014 by dwjoe

[aimish]

You hit on a really divisive topic here on CC. People get really passionate on the NCL board about passports. I will never understand why since, as far as I can tell, my having or not having a passport has absolutely no impact on anyone else's life. That said, I do have a passport now, though in the past I have cruised without one.

 

It's no ones' business what your sister chooses to spend her money on. You asked if your sister and her children CAN go, and the answer is "absolutely!"

 

BTW, it is very nice of you to pay for part of your sister's cruise. What a sweet sister you are!

[Agr8RN]

It's very nice that you are helping your sister to get away.

Just ignore those who say if you can't afford a passport - you can't afford to cruise. Some people save for years just to take a vacation - I think many of us are spoiled to go multiple times a year and we forget a cruise might be a once in a lifetime vacation they've saved a long time for; adding 600 for passports just might be something they can't afford on top of the vacation.

 

You got your answer - but just make sure if your sister is traveling with her birth certificate - if her current name doesn't match the name on the BC - she must bring all supporting paperwork to show transition of the name change - so marriage certificate / divorce papers etc.

 

Have fun!!!

 

 

 

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[Lynda59]

I recommend you call NCL. Their 2013-2015 brochure says proof of citizenship including an original or state certified copy of the birth certificate along with a government-issued photo ID (such as a driver's license IF you are departing and ending from the same port).

 

The brochure does recommend a passport though for reasons that the others in this thread have stated. (and yes, I do have one)

[sparks1093]

Well I actually am paying for a portion of her cruise but I can't pay for her passports to. But my question still lingers. Can they actually cruise without a passport?

 

All of our cruises have been without a passport. The vast majority of people who leave on a cruise return on the same ship on which they left.

[CasinoCruzGirl]

You hit on a really divisive topic here on CC. People get really passionate on the NCL board about passports. I will never understand why since, as far as I can tell, my having or not having a passport has absolutely no impact on anyone else's life. That said, I do have a passport now, though in the past I have cruised without one.

 

It's no ones' business what your sister chooses to spend her money on. You asked if your sister and her children CAN go, and the answer is "absolutely!"

 

BTW, it is very nice of you to pay for part of your sister's cruise. What a sweet sister you are!

 

Thank you so much. I was wondering why I was getting a lecture on expenses when all I asked was CAN they go without a passport.

[CasinoCruzGirl]

It's very nice that you are helping your sister to get away.

Just ignore those who say if you can't afford a passport - you can't afford to cruise. Some people save for years just to take a vacation - I think many of us are spoiled to go multiple times a year and we forget a cruise might be a once in a lifetime vacation they've saved a long time for; adding 600 for passports just might be something they can't afford on top of the vacation.

 

You got your answer - but just make sure if your sister is traveling with her birth certificate - if her current name doesn't match the name on the BC - she must bring all supporting paperwork to show transition of the name change - so marriage certificate / divorce papers etc.

 

Have fun!!!

 

 

 

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Thank you good advice about names matching. She will need her marriage license/certificate?

[sparks1093]

Thank you good advice about names matching. She will need her marriage license/certificate?

 

It's a good idea to bring it but we've never been asked for it on any of our cruises (you don't need to tell her that part;)).

[LrgPizza]

There is always such debate on this topic. Personally, I couldn't care less what NCL's rules state, because neither myself nor my child is going to travel to a foreign country without a passport. You just never know.

[dwjoe]

Thank you so much. I was wondering why I was getting a lecture on expenses when all I asked was CAN they go without a passport.

Don't worry about it. In many passport threads you get posters who believe you should automatically get a passport and lecture others about it.