Cruise ID?

[teachingmyown]

Are passports recommended for cruise travel when departure and return are both US ports? Specifically, we are considering a Caribbean trip with children and are wondering if we would need to have valid passports for any/all of us?

[gmarine]

Originally Posted by teachingmyown

Are passports recommended for cruise travel when departure and return are both US ports? Specifically, we are considering a Caribbean trip with children and are wondering if we would need to have valid passports for any/all of us?

It depends on what islands you are going to. Some require passports, though most do not.

[Dave M]

Necessary? Probably not. Recommended? Yes.

The issue is less of a problem with other governments in the Caribbean than in returning to the U.S. As an example of a recommendation, Royal Caribbean includes the following language in its Caribbean cruise brochure:

U.S. citizens: A U.S. passport (valid or expired) is highly recommended, as it will speed up your embarkation check-in as well as your disembarkation formalities with government officials.

[debraxh]

I agree with Dave, probably not required but recommended.

I don't know how many children you have, but the passport cost is not cheap and they're only valid for 5 years for children. If you don't plan on traveling outside the U.S. again in the next few years, I would probably wait if they're not required for the countries you'll be visiting on the cruise.

I also think it's a good idea for the adults to have valid passports for a variety of reasons.

[charford]

Here's the info from travel.state.gov regarding your question. "The Intelligence Reform and Terrorism Prevention Act of 2004 requires that by January 1, 2008, travelers to and from the Caribbean, Bermuda, Panama, Mexico and Canada have a passport or other secure, accepted document to enter or re-enter the United States."

When I cruised to the Caribbean a few weeks ago, I took my passport in addition to other documentation. You will have to present documentation to local authorities to get back on the ship at each port. A passport will definitely help in reimbarkation. The passport application process for children is very simple. I applied for one last week, cost was $82.

[Dave M]

Originally Posted by charford

You will have to present documentation to local authorities to get back on the ship at each port.

The only documentation generally required to get back on cruise ships in the Caribbean is the cruise ship I.D. card issued by the cruise line.

Generally, the only need for documentation (passport preferred) after sailing from the U.S. is when returning to the U.S.

[Luanne]

I can only relate an experience I had when traveling on a cruise to Mexico (originated and terminated in the U.S.). At the time I didn't have a passport and was planning on bringing my birth certificate. Unfortunately, I forgot to bring it! My mom and my sister, who were also traveling with me forgot their documents as well. We weren't even planning on getting off of the ship, but were still required to have some kind of proof of citizenship. Long story short, we were finally allowed to board, had to sign all kinds of documents claiming we were citizens of the U.S.

I would strongly recommend traveling with a passport if you own one.

[geekette]

I wouldn't risk it.

We booked a Carribean cruise back in the mid-to-late 90s. Due to flight problems, we missed departure and (skipping the endless details of that first day and night from hell) were flown to the first port, in Nassau. I almost wasn't allowed in because the lady in customs had never seen a Hoosier birth certificate and wasn't sure it was legit.

I will never again leave the states without a passport, I don't care when what rules go into effect. Pay for the peace of mind and use the hell out of those kiddie passports over the next 5 years!!

[Dave M]

Originally Posted by geekette

I will never again leave the states without a passport, I don't care when what rules go into effect. Pay for the peace of mind and use the hell out of those kiddie passports over the next 5 years!!

Great advice!

There are so many stories of people without passports having problems that having a passport seems like the cheapest type of travel insurance around.

[Kathy]

Our 11 year old daughter is on her second passport and believe me, I think it is the best form of identification. She has been to Aruba six times, SXM twice,Cancun once and we will be using it again in April cruising to Cayman Islands and Cozumel. Her passports have been worth every penny we paid for them. Their real value is that we live only 5 miles from the Canadian border and use the passport MANY times each year crossing into Canada. Our favorite movie theater, indoor swimming pool and casual eating out spots are in Canada (and most of them are closer in distance) than those facilities in the US. When we take her friends along it always takes much longer at the border if they don't have passports. We definately get our money's worth out of the passport and wouldn't be without it.

[dougp26364]

The current debate on Cruise Critic is at this link http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=316696

The general concensus is that begining Jan. 1, 2007, all cruise ship passengers will be required to hold a valid passport to cruise the Caribbean, Mexico and Canada.

It's not just the countries you're visiting, but that the US state dept. requires proof of citizenship upon re-entry to the USA. In the past, a photo ID and birth certificate were good enough for Mexico, Canada and the Caribbean. Soon US imigration will require US citizens to present a passport as proof of citizenship before you're allowed back into the country.

[teachingmyown]

Thanks, everyone. I assume that expired ones aren't as good as current ones so it looks like new passports for everyone.