Absolutely agree! My passport costed me $10/year (now $13/year I think) and well worth it along with Global Entry (free when using my Chase Visa card!).
I want convenience at this stage in life, not hassles whether a document will be valid.
On our recent cruise, two situations where one was trying to use the hospital certificate or Baptismal Certificate, never which is considered as an official Birth Certificate. Sadly both were not allowed to board and then caused a small raucous as they didn't want other family or friends, who seemingly had the correct documents to board!