first timer has 2 questions

[aj13]

Hey everyone,

I've been reading these board for the past couple of weeks and love all the detailed information over here.

I signed up because I have 2 questions that I thought some of you could help me with.

 

1- I'm planning our cruise for december to go to the western caribbean. We plan to fly in to florida, non-stop, with our flight landing at 10:30 (short 2 and half hour flight) and our cruise leaves at 4:00. does anyone think there's a problem with this timing arangement?? should we come in a day early?? The reason we're doing this is to save some money on a hotel.

 

2-My girlfriend doesn't have a passport. I read that for cruises you don't need one till Jan. 2008 when leaving and entering the country. However, we have port days at Cozumel and Belize and for cozumel they just need a birth certificate, but belize needs a US passport. Can we just stay on the ship on the day at belize and not need the passport?? again, we're trying to save money on getting a new passport.

 

thanks for your help everyone

[ymann]

We always go a day before because what if something went wrong with the flight. I don't know where you are starting your flight from but December and snow...i would go a day early. I don't know the answer to the passport question, we all travel with our passports on every cruise.

[CLQ]

Except under odd circumstances, you should be able to do fine with that schedule if it's Miami you're coming into. We did a similar flight schedule this week and it worked out fine for a 5pm departure on Majesty. I'm sure people do this all the time. But, we normally try to come in a day early. Lost baggage, bad weather, etc. make it preferrable to get yourself in a day early just so a delay doesn't end up causing you to miss the ship. Besides, we like to get to the port early and board early. We've eaten lunch aboard the ship every time and we like to start the cruise as soon as they'll let us.

[Gonzo70]

I would strongly recommend going in the day before; just pick an inexensive hotel. These days flights are delayed almost as often as they are on time. Way too many possibilities for flights to get significantly delayed and/or canceled, i.e. weather in city of origin, weather in destination city, weather in city plane is arriving from, mechanical problems, computer glitches, crew shortage etc. To me it is not worth it to risk missing the ship in order to save $100 or so.

 

There are other ways to save money (i.e. take public transportation from airport to hotel).

 

Not sure about the passport issue.

 

Have a great trip :)

[lori450]

I agree with the previous posters. However, I would contact your travel agent about the passport issue. I'm not sure it matters whether you get on or off in Belize. It may just be that the ship docks there (you don't take your passports with you when you go into a port). Please check on this ASAP, if it is a problem, you will need to address it ASAP.

 

Or you could start a new thread with the title, " Help, are there any TA's out there?!". Then ask about the passports in your first post. There are a lot of TA's on these boards.

[aj13]

thanks for the quick responses everyone. Yeah I guess it doesn't make sense to risk missing the ship for $100. We're coming from D.C. to fort lauderdale with JetBlue airlines.

So if anyone has any experience with hotels/motels near airport/port that are about $100 that would be really helpful.

 

As for the passport I'm going to def. ask travelocity when I call to book the trip tomorrow but just wanted to see if anyone had any similar experiences.

[cb at sea]

Since it's December, weather could be an issue with your flight--you don't say where you're flying from! If the flight isn't delayed, the timing will be just fine. I wasn't aware that Belize required a passport for cruisers. You won't need one to cruise to the Caribbean until 2008.

[Dockman123]

Hey everyone,

I've been reading these board for the past couple of weeks and love all the detailed information over here.

I signed up because I have 2 questions that I thought some of you could help me with.

 

1- I'm planning our cruise for december to go to the western caribbean. We plan to fly in to florida, non-stop, with our flight landing at 10:30 (short 2 and half hour flight) and our cruise leaves at 4:00. does anyone think there's a problem with this timing arangement?? should we come in a day early?? The reason we're doing this is to save some money on a hotel.

 

2-My girlfriend doesn't have a passport. I read that for cruises you don't need one till Jan. 2008 when leaving and entering the country. However, we have port days at Cozumel and Belize and for cozumel they just need a birth certificate, but belize needs a US passport. Can we just stay on the ship on the day at belize and not need the passport?? again, we're trying to save money on getting a new passport.

 

thanks for your help everyone

Since you are arriving on a cruise ship and will only be there a few hours I do not think that a passport is required. The passport requirement is for visitors that are staying in Belize. If I am wrong I am sure someone will correct me. The best thing to do is contact RCI and ask them.

 

As far as your first question goes, the time is fine as long as there are no problems. As mentioned not knowing what time of year you are traveling don't know if weather will be a factor. Even if it is not there could be equipment malfunctions that could affect your plane, missing luggage at your destination etc. After our first two cruises we started flying in the day before and found that we were onboard earlier and more rested to enjoy our first day. When we flew in the day of the cruise we were exhausted by dinner time due to getting up to catch that early flight.

[Dockman123]

thanks for the quick responses everyone. Yeah I guess it doesn't make sense to risk missing the ship for $100. We're coming from D.C. to fort lauderdale with JetBlue airlines.

So if anyone has any experience with hotels/motels near airport/port that are about $100 that would be really helpful.

 

As for the passport I'm going to def. ask travelocity when I call to book the trip tomorrow but just wanted to see if anyone had any similar experiences.

Here is a link to North American home ports I would ask your question there regarding hotels in Lauderdale. http://boards.cruisecritic.com/forumdisplay.php?f=415

[time4agetaway]

I think it's worth the money to get the passport. Soon enough, you'll need it to go anywhere out of the country anyway. Plus, it's another form of ID for you in case of a problem. I would apply now, because they are really backlogged....it took 13 weeks to get our kids' passports.

 

Definitely go the day before...there could be bad weather in December. My sister in law and her husband missed their honeymoon because they booked the flight the morning of the cruise. Wouldn't you know, we got hit with snow in the middle of the night and all the flights were cancelled. (It was December)

 

Also, buy trip insurance....just in case! You won't be reimbursed if you don't have it and someone suddenly gets sick.

 

Have fun on your trip!

[lori450]

There are a number of hotels on 17th St Causeway which is the street bordering the port. Since I live here, I have never had cause to stay in a hotel prior to a cruise. I will suggest again that you start a thread regarding hotels near Pt EVerglades. I have seen many comments on the different hotels. There are plenty of restaurants within walking distance and there are some fun things to do on Ft. Lauderdale beach or even taking the water taxi. I didn't realize (read - didn't read closely) that your cruise is in December. You have plenty of time to get that passport now (the lag time is 12 weeks now) if you start right away.

If I can help with any details about Ft. L. please feel free to ask.

[alphakitty]

I've gone in the day of for both my short RC trips and although we were late leaving once due to weather, we made the ship without incident. The time line seems fine, but no one can guarantee it.

 

At this time you don't need a passport to travel by sea and so won't need it to visit Belize by cruise ship.

[KeywestK]

thanks for the quick responses everyone. Yeah I guess it doesn't make sense to risk missing the ship for $100. We're coming from D.C. to fort lauderdale with JetBlue airlines.

So if anyone has any experience with hotels/motels near airport/port that are about $100 that would be really helpful.

 

As for the passport I'm going to def. ask travelocity when I call to book the trip tomorrow but just wanted to see if anyone had any similar experiences.

 

You should definitely fly down the day before. You can go on Priceline.com and bid for a hotel in Ft. Lauderdale. You will easily get something for less than $100 for the night. Flying these days is so stressful and unpredictable that you just can't assume that your flight will leave D.C. on time. Why put yourselves through that? Just fly down the day before, get yourselves into vacation mode and enjoy the anticipation. You will be able to get on the ship really early (usually around 11:15'ish), have lunch on board, and relax on board, hopefully by the pool. Don't forget to pack your bathing suits in your carry-ons.

 

You will eventually need passports anyway, so just go ahead and get them now. If you apply immediately, you should have them in plentyof time for your cruise in December. Have a great cruise!!!

 

Karen

[TNT]

Originally posted by aj13 thanks for the quick responses everyone. Yeah I guess it doesn't make sense to risk missing the ship for $100. We're coming from D.C. to fort lauderdale with JetBlue airlines.

So if anyone has any experience with hotels/motels near airport/port that are about $100 that would be really helpful.

We use Priceline and always have very good luck. Got Renaissance near port for $98. Nice hotel with lots of restaurants within walking distance.

 

I agree with going the day before. Even with flying in the day before we had some problems. The plane we were to fly on was hit by lightening. They had to change our plane, wait out a storm, reroute air traffic, etc. We were hours late arriving. If it had been the day of...:eek:

[Travelitis]

I used to work for an airline doing check-in. I worked both with charter and regularly scheduled air. Please go down a day earlier. Even major airlines who have agreements with other airlines don't absolutely have to put you on another airline's flight should they have delays. (They probably would since you're catching a cruise, but you're not talking about a major carrier) I doubt that if Jet Blue had a delay, or worse, a creeping delay, that they'd put you on another airline. Don't risk missing the cruise. I've worked creeping delays, and I've been on the passenger side. I've seen the worst-case scenario.

[aj13]

thanks for all the responses everyone. We made our reservations and are going down a day early.

Also, just so everyone knows, I asked when I booked the cruise and Belize does require a US passport to enter the country but I was told that we can just choose to stay on board when we are at Belize and would only need a birth certificate.

 

thanks again

[Sue L]

thanks for all the responses everyone. We made our reservations and are going down a day early.

Also, just so everyone knows, I asked when I booked the cruise and Belize does require a US passport to enter the country but I was told that we can just choose to stay on board when we are at Belize and would only need a birth certificate.

 

thanks again

 

 

there is no need to miss Belize, which is a beautiful country. You check in with your birth certificate when you arrive at the ship. They will issue you a seapass card. That and a drivers license is ALL you will need to get off the ship at any of these ports. A passport is NOT needed until next year. We have passports but they go in the safe upon arrival on the ship and we don't take them out until we get off the ship at the end of the cruise.

 

I know others will come on here and confirm what I am saying. Cruise travel has different regulations then flying to a place. Make you your friends birth certificate is the certified kind, not the hospital one and she has a driver's license or official picture ID and you are good to go.

 

You should go cave tubing in Belize as it is a really fun time.

[cruisinfanatic]

thanks for all the responses everyone. We made our reservations and are going down a day early.

Also, just so everyone knows, I asked when I booked the cruise and Belize does require a US passport to enter the country but I was told that we can just choose to stay on board when we are at Belize and would only need a birth certificate.

 

thanks again

You do not need a passport if you are arriving on a ship.

[Bell Ringer]

On our last cruise in the winter, some of our tablemates flew in on Jet Blue. Arrival was too late for the cruise from Miami,(many delays) and they had to fly to meet the ship at our first port which was Nassau. I think we will be going a day early from now on, although we never saw that need in the past. Airlines are becoming less dependable rather than more dependable in the last few years.

[piercetc4]

you will be glad that you are coming in the day before-

 

we are also looking for a decent hotel in fll in dec- 17th street area is where we hope to be- good luck in your search for hotels-

[aj13]

there is no need to miss Belize, which is a beautiful country. You check in with your birth certificate when you arrive at the ship. They will issue you a seapass card. That and a drivers license is ALL you will need to get off the ship at any of these ports. A passport is NOT needed until next year. We have passports but they go in the safe upon arrival on the ship and we don't take them out until we get off the ship at the end of the cruise.

 

I know others will come on here and confirm what I am saying. Cruise travel has different regulations then flying to a place. Make you your friends birth certificate is the certified kind, not the hospital one and she has a driver's license or official picture ID and you are good to go.

 

You should go cave tubing in Belize as it is a really fun time.

 

 

You are right, passports are not required to leave or enter the US, but other countries have their own documentation requirements. I asked specifically and was told Cozumel is not a problem but we would need to present a passport when we got into Belize.

Either way we'll make up our minds in a couple of days about this. I have a passport so that's not a problem, but my girlfriend does not and she doesn't really want to spend the money for one. But I just checked and since she has an old passport she can get a new one for $67 instead of $97, so hopefully she'll be up for it.

[Sue L]

You are right, passports are not required to leave or enter the US, but other countries have their own documentation requirements. I asked specifically and was told Cozumel is not a problem but we would need to present a passport when we got into Belize.

Either way we'll make up our minds in a couple of days about this. I have a passport so that's not a problem, but my girlfriend does not and she doesn't really want to spend the money for one. But I just checked and since she has an old passport she can get a new one for $67 instead of $97, so hopefully she'll be up for it.

 

I am sorry but whomever you asked is WRONG, WRONG, WRONG. They are giving you the regulations for FLYING into the country not arriving by cruiseship. You do NOT have to show anything but your seapass when getting off in Belize or any of your other ports. I have been to Belize 4 times and on 12 cruises. I leave my passport safely tucked in the cabin safe.

[aj13]

hmmmmm, well I need to call back travelocity because they got my name spelled wrong so at the same time I'll ask them again and see if I get the same answer.

Can any TAs reading this confirm what Sue L is saying??

 

thanks Sue L

[dcgeoffrey]

we usually travel one day in advance, for peace of mind, we leave from national reagan washington dc, we have stayed at the Bahia mar (bahiamarhotel.com) great location, a little old, but very comfortable, very convenient to the port, you can see the ships from there, and across the beach, it has its own private bridge to beach. when you are in a caribbean country/island all you need to board the ship or get to the port area is an ID (us government issued) and your seapass, check this site for passport info,http://travel.state.gov/travel/travel_1744.html

[gnparend]

aj13

 

The only port I would not fly into the day before and stay at a hotel is Tampa because we live in Tampa Bay. There are such things as lost luggage which happened to us once in the early years and we ended up have to sail without our Suitbag. The advantage of arriving one day early is any lost luggage will usually arrive by the next day, if your flight is cancelled chances are you will get out that day sometime but maybe not in time to sail. If you flight is delayed and it does not have a bunch of folks on a flight arranged by RCCL the ship won't wait. I'm guessing for a 7 day cruise with cruise, flying travel insurance, taxes you got $2,000 - $3,000 invested. I would suggest you take the $100 in your Casino fund and spend it on a hotel. Don't stay at a hotel downtown or near the beach stay at a cheaper chain hotel (Comfort, Holiday, etc) http://hotel-guides.us/usa-cruise-port-hotels.html