Passport/Cruise

[Beta84]

You dont require a passport if your cruise only hits one place and leaves & returns from an american port.

An example would be leaving from New Jersey going to Bermuda and then arriving back in New Jersey.

I have been on a cruise that didnt require one but I did purchase one just to be safe. I got my picture taken at CVS and then went to the post office to complete everything else. I received my birth certificate back in about a week and the passport in 3 weeks.

Are you sure? Bermuda didn't require one? Any time you step on foreign soil now you need one now, when it used to be just a driver's license for some of those locations and Canada/Mexico. I just checked on Bermuda and it sounds like you do now -- Passports Required for Bermuda Cruises

If the cruise only hits the U.S. Virgin Islands then you don't need one (like St. Thomas), but if you're visiting anything that isn't a US Territory then you need one. The Bahamas, for example, requires one now.

 

[lovinmaryland]

Are you sure? Bermuda didn't require one? Any time you step on foreign soil now you need one now, when it used to be just a driver's license for some of those locations and Canada/Mexico. I just checked on Bermuda and it sounds like you do now -- Passports Required for Bermuda Cruises

If the cruise only hits the U.S. Virgin Islands then you don't need one (like St. Thomas), but if you're visiting anything that isn't a US Territory then you need one. The Bahamas, for example, requires one now.

Yup the kids went in May w/ only Birth Certificates. Like I said I got the passport cards and they wouldnt accept those. I am so lucky I brought the BC otherwise I would have had to drive all the way back to get them.

 

[my-thyme]

Not all post offices accept passport applications, and most that do have begun an appointment system. It's much easier for a customer to know they will be helped at noon, rather than walk in at noon and have to wait an hour behind the 6 people already there.

Last I knew, Lex Pk, Callaway, St Marys City, Pax River, and Dowell accept applications. PLEASE call your local office for more info.

$110 check or money order to the US Department of State for the passport

$25 check, cash, card to the USPS for the application fee

$15 check, cash, card to the USPS if you need photos taken there

Lots of rules for passports for minors, check with your local agent.

Cards were originally intended for people living in border states who travel into Canada or Mexico by car or foot regularly, cheaper and easier to carry. If you're going to Niagra Falls, the card is OK. If you're going on a cruise, get the book. Like someone else posted, if you fall ill and have to be transported out by air, you will be SOL with the card.

 

[daylily]

Hmmmm, so now I'm confused. We booked a Canadian cruise out of NY for September and were told that birth certificates would be fine, no passports would be necessary. I guess I better double check. Hubby & I have passports but our little man does not, nor do my Mom or brother.

Lovin, how did the kids like the cruise? My little man will be 3.5 when we go, hoping he has fun. My Mom and brother (who both live out of state) will love having the time to spend with him........as long as he's happy lol.

 

[lovinmaryland]

Hmmmm, so now I'm confused. We booked a Canadian cruise out of NY for September and were told that birth certificates would be fine, no passports would be necessary. I guess I better double check. Hubby & I have passports but our little man does not, nor do my Mom or brother.

Lovin, how did the kids like the cruise? My little man will be 3.5 when we go, hoping he has fun. My Mom and brother (who both live out of state) will love having the time to spend with him........as long as he's happy lol.

My parents took us last year and they had a blast! They loved it. My little guy was 4 and he just loved their fun center. We had to literally drag him out of there

 

[b23hqb]

Hmmmm, so now I'm confused. We booked a Canadian cruise out of NY for September and were told that birth certificates would be fine, no passports would be necessary. I guess I better double check. Hubby & I have passports but our little man does not, nor do my Mom or brother.

Lovin, how did the kids like the cruise? My little man will be 3.5 when we go, hoping he has fun. My Mom and brother (who both live out of state) will love having the time to spend with him........as long as he's happy lol.

Passports would be a safe bet. As per my post #15, we took a ferry from Wa state to Vancouver Island, BC, and passports were required for US citizens, both going and returning.

I would also check and see if your tyke should have one as well.

 

[daylily]

My parents took us last year and they had a blast! They loved it. My little guy was 4 and he just loved their fun center. We had to literally drag him out of there

That's exactly what I was hoping to hear, it sounds/looks like the kids really enjoy being in there. Not that I plan to leave him constantly, all day every day...if that was the case, I'd ask my inlaws to just come here and stay with him instead of bringing him. But for a little while, it's all good.

Passports would be a safe bet. As per my post #15, we took a ferry from Wa state to Vancouver Island, BC, and passports were required for US citizens, both going and returning.

I would also check and see if your tyke should have one as well.

Yeah, it was actually your post that really made me wonder. It was the cruise line who told us birth certificates would be sufficient but why take the chance? Figured I'd save my Mom and brother the money because they'll likely never need the passports again, especially my Mom. Guess I'll advise them to get in touch with their local post offices and I'll get one for little man too. Thanks for the info!

 

[awpitt]

I got mine about 2 years ago. Your cost might be right - I don't really remember, but I do remember it wasn't all that much.

The Post Office does charge a processing fee on top of the regular State Dept fees.

 

[awpitt]

Went to Bremuda a few month's ago and a passport is needed to get back on the ship.

That's odd. The cruises I've been on, the only thing needed to get back on the ship is your ship's cabin key card.

 

[awpitt]

Ive never been on a cruise, but planning one for our 40th anniversary. Is a passport needed for locations in the Carribbean, Ive heard some places you dont need one, but that doesnt sound right unless its the Virgin Islands. I understand you can get your passport photo at some post offices? Is it best to go to a travel agent and have him arrange everything and what do the fee's cost for using him, or call these places you see in the travel sections in the paper that just has a phone number.
Im looking to go around late March or April and leave from Baltimore.

Any help with my questions would be greatly appreciated.

Just be on the safe side so there's no guessing and go get your passports.

 

[FromTexas]

That's odd. The cruises I've been on, the only thing needed to get back on the ship is your ship's cabin key card.

It varies from port to port. Some are consistent, others don't matter, and some do it on occasion. The ones that check normally only require a state ID and the room card. However, I still have my passport with me in non-US territories in case something happens and I can not get back to the ship.

 

[awpitt]

It varies from port to port. Some are consistent, others don't matter, and some do it on occasion. The ones that check normally only require a state ID and the room card. However, I still have my passport with me in non-US territories in case something happens and I can not get back to the ship.

We've been to several ports across the eastern and western Caribbean along with Mexico and never needed our passports. We always have our passports with us, just in case, but have never had to use them except when re-entering CONUS.

 

[OldHillcrestGuy]

Thanks everyone for all the info. Our cruise is booked, its changed a little bit, instead of leaving from Baltimore, we will be flying into Miami and leaving from there and the first stop will be Key West, then the Caymen Islands and then Jamaica, it will be a 6 day cruise and will be on Carnival.

We are just going to go ahead and get passports just to be on the safe side.

Good thing I was born in DC many moons ago, because we have no idea where my birth certificate might be and to speed things up, Im going into DC Thursday to get a copy.

 

[Dakota]

Thanks everyone for all the info. Our cruise is booked, its changed a little bit, instead of leaving from Baltimore, we will be flying into Miami and leaving from there and the first stop will be Key West, then the Caymen Islands and then Jamaica, it will be a 6 day cruise and will be on Carnival.

We are just going to go ahead and get passports just to be on the safe side.

Good thing I was born in DC many moons ago, because we have no idea where my birth certificate might be and to speed things up, Im going into DC Thursday to get a copy.

Congratulations on getting your plans together and for 40 years together.

 

[awpitt]

Are you sure? Bermuda didn't require one? Any time you step on foreign soil now you need one now, when it used to be just a driver's license for some of those locations and Canada/Mexico. I just checked on Bermuda and it sounds like you do now -- Passports Required for Bermuda Cruises

If the cruise only hits the U.S. Virgin Islands then you don't need one (like St. Thomas), but if you're visiting anything that isn't a US Territory then you need one. The Bahamas, for example, requires one now.

Only if you fly to the Bahamas. If you're there on a port visit as part of a cruise, your ship's room key card is enough. In the last 8 months, I've been to The Bahamas via both modes of transportation. On the port visit, no passport was needed but we did have them with us. When we flew in, we needed our passports for customs at the airport.

 

[awpitt]

Thanks everyone for all the info. Our cruise is booked, its changed a little bit, instead of leaving from Baltimore, we will be flying into Miami and leaving from there and the first stop will be Key West, then the Caymen Islands and then Jamaica, it will be a 6 day cruise and will be on Carnival.

We are just going to go ahead and get passports just to be on the safe side.

Good thing I was born in DC many moons ago, because we have no idea where my birth certificate might be and to speed things up, Im going into DC Thursday to get a copy.

Congrats! You'll have a great time. I've been to the Caymen Islands and Jamaica as part of a cruise and did not need passports to go ashore. You will need your room card to get back on the ship and it's best to have passports for reentering the U.S.

 

[Beta84]

Only if you fly to the Bahamas. If you're there on a port visit as part of a cruise, your ship's room key card is enough. In the last 8 months, I've been to The Bahamas via both modes of transportation. On the port visit, no passport was needed but we did have them with us. When we flew in, we needed our passports for customs at the airport.

And if you get sick and stay in the Bahamas for some reason and need to be flown home, you're stuck. If you go abroad, you should ALWAYS have your passport! It's a good thing you keep them on you.

I just stumbled on this link, which has some useful information in it: Cruisers: The new passport rules what you must know | ExpertCruiser.com

Back to something lovin commented on earlier: It sounds like children under 16 can use a birth certificate for some locations, which may work for all locations you would cruise to.

When it's all said and done, the initial cost of the passport is a little pricey, but renewal isn't bad and overall, it alleviates any potential travel concerns.

 

[awpitt]

And if you get sick and stay in the Bahamas for some reason and need to be flown home, you're stuck. If you go abroad, you should ALWAYS have your passport! It's a good thing you keep them on you.

Exactly!

 

[lovinmaryland]

That's odd. The cruises I've been on, the only thing needed to get back on the ship is your ship's cabin key card.

I've been on 5 cruises and never had to show my passport. Just my sea pass card.

Love that bing noise...I miss it

 

[lovinmaryland]

Thanks everyone for all the info. Our cruise is booked, its changed a little bit, instead of leaving from Baltimore, we will be flying into Miami and leaving from there and the first stop will be Key West, then the Caymen Islands and then Jamaica, it will be a 6 day cruise and will be on Carnival.

We are just going to go ahead and get passports just to be on the safe side.

Good thing I was born in DC many moons ago, because we have no idea where my birth certificate might be and to speed things up, Im going into DC Thursday to get a copy.

Congrats!!! What an awesome way to spend your 40th anniversary. You are going to have so much fun. I love cruises.