B+S

HappyCrafter,

Thank you for memorializing (y)our cruise! I enjoyed reading your accounts and appreciate all your effort. I'm reminded of the vast varieties of ways to enjoy a cruise and the multiplicity of reasons to do so as well. While it appears we did not share many of the same activities we did share July birthdays - your birthday on the 6th followed mine on the 5th and preceded my Father In Law's (90th) on the 7th. Glad you had a good time, despite the rocking boat.

As promised, here's what happened upon arriving at check in: Clerk asked for passports and pre-printed boarding passes, we handed her our boarding tickets and passport cards. She quickly provided our room keys and returned our ID to us.

No questions, no issues, and no problems.

In the end Celebrity must have figured out what the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative is and how to properly apply that to our cruise. 

Lastly, while I'd advise everyone to get the passport books, a passport card is absolutely a legal and acceptable form of id for an open loop cruise in the Caribbean.

Bob+Sue

1 hour ago, TeaBag said:

I have never been on a cruise where there was so much pressure to book Sp restaurants.  Often there were two of them going around Oceanview trying to sell.  You could hardly enjoy your lunch without being interrupted.

There are few intrusions as objectionable than a upsell pitch while you're eating.

I wonder if we'll see a lot behavior of that on the Silhouette Nov 22nd? Is this a "Celebrity thing"?

4 hours ago, Langley Cruisers said:

I know, right?

 

OP, I hope you will come back after your cruise and revive this thread with an update. It's grown to many pages and people are invested in what will happen. 😉

Oh my - threads that people never have the simple courtesy to tell you how it all came out. Yes. We PROMISE to respond after the dust has settled and let the helpful folks here know how it all turned out.

Bob+Sue

6 hours ago, hcat said:

Wow.. interesting turn of events

 

 Did you already apply for the Passport?

No, not yet, we're on a "mini-vacation" and not at home, lol.

Firstly, THANK YOU to all of you who provided us with your vast experience - you are a tremendous wealth.

Now with paper in hand, boarding should be very simple. We WILL report back here about our experience. An emergency abroad necessitating a flight stateside would still REQUIRE a Passport BOOK.

It was a very poor decision on my part (Bob here) not to get both. Part of the attraction for me of the CARD was that I have crossed the Mexican / US Border at about a dozen, and it has the RFID Chip that expedites the crossing into the ready/fast lane. We consider the card super handy too - for instance, while on a long sea kayak trip a few years back in the Sea of Cortez a book would have been ruined. We snorkel everywhere - it's waterproof.

However it is a POOR SUBSTITUTE for a Passport Book. Clearly - get a book or in our case, a book and a card - it's only a few dollars more.

Bob+Sue

BIG News!

Celebrity Customer Service provided us a written confirmation that a Passport Card IS acceptable this morning.

-------------------------------

Good Morning -

        Our information does tell us that a passport card is sufficient for this sailing. Please see below and we hope this helps clarify for you.

Thank You!!

Karen
Celebrity Pre-Resolutions
Trade Support and Service - ICT Campus
CelebrityRRS@celebrity.com
Fax (305)603-0045
----- Forwarded by Karen Scaia/RR/WCH/RCL on 09/20/2019 06:57 AM -----

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------

7 minutes ago, dkjretired said:

 

Just curious but why can you only have one or the other.

Not true - you can purchase both.

Link

Quote:

4 hours ago, cruisemom42 said:

 

You have to look at the totality of the information governing the circumstances.

 

Yes, it is no longer a closed-loop cruise and thus you need a passport, not a driver's license/birth certificate combination.

 

HOWEVER, by the US State Department's own website (and I am quoting directly from the link below), the US Passport Card can be used for

 

"Entering the United States at land border crossings and sea ports-of-entry from:

• Canada
• Mexico
• The Caribbean
• Bermuda"

Now if the cruise were headed to somewhere not covered above, the passport card would not be sufficient.

 

At the top of the same page, it also spells out clearly that in these limited cases, "The passport book and passport card are both U.S. passports. If issued for the full validity, they are both proof of your U.S. citizenship and identity."

 

https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/passports/apply-renew-passport/card.html

 

Edited to add: I also just wanted to add that ultimately the cruise lines decide what documentation they will accept as a condition of boarding. There is at least one premium or luxury line that requires all persons to have passports for any cruise, even if it is a closed loop Caribbean one...

Well, it sounds like Celebrity DID decide - they have it in writing on a FAQ page:  Link to page

3 minutes ago, Bo1953 said:

Okay, with the sampling of responses select the one you like or want and go for it. 

 

It is very clear that you do not want to get the book. 

 

The longer the book application is delayed then your options will be limited . 

 

Since most of us here do not work for X what we say or our prior experience may not be applicable to your sailing. 

 

Have you sailed from the US to the Caribbean before using a 'Card' only before? 

 

This is clearly frustrating for you,  I trust a resolution can be had quickly, that is satisfactory. 

 

It would be very very very upsetting arriving at the port and not be able to board over something like this. 

 

Good Luck and Bon voyage 

Hey Bo1953,

I noticed we've both been here on CruiseCritic about 15 years. I want to thank you and all the others who help us work through our little issues.

It's nice of you. Nice of all of you, and it's appreciated.

Thanks,

Bob+Sue

1 hour ago, Oville said:

And it doesn’t take anywhere 2 months to get, so expedited is not necessary if the cruise is November 22nd.

Well, their own web site says 6-8 weeks. And I've had a passport application rejected (delayed) for the most minor of reasons. (A photo 1/8th of an inch off.)

We'll spend the extra to expedite them since we have to turn over our passport Cards to get them.

Thanks to everyone who saw the forest for the trees and suggested winning the war not just the battle.

We'll apply for new passport books and turn over our passport cards in hopes they arrive.

Tis a shame though, for the rules at Celebrity's own Pre-cruise FAQ site, at the US Bureau of State - Consular Affairs, and at the US Customs and Border Patrol Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative website are all crystal clear - all we truly need is a Passport CARD, open loop or otherwise.

We should not have to do this for fear of Celebrity's own incompetence or ignorance at check-in. But we will.

Bob+Sue

33 minutes ago, dkjretired said:

FRom Celebrity's web site, 

 

U.S. citizens on closed-loop cruises (cruises that begin and end at the same port in the U.S.) will be able to enter or depart the country with proof of citizenship, such as a government-issued birth certificate and laminated government issued picture ID, denoting photo, name and date of birth. A U.S. citizen under the age of 16 will be able to present either an original or notarized or certified copy of his or her birth certificate, a Consular Report of Birth Abroad issues by DOS, or Certificate of Naturalization issued by U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services.

 

This is quite simple and Celebrity is correct, you are not on a closed loop cruise by definition therefore need a passport.    

Wait a sec Don, You've quoted the Celebrity web site reference to a CLOSED-LOOP cruise. That does not equate to anything about an open-loop Caribbean cruise, in fact, I've above quoted their own web site stating the acceptability of a Passport Card.

Here's that link again.

So please don't say "This is quite simple..." unless you have specific facts to share for this specific case.

Bob+Sue

Just now, Robinsoncruiseso said:

Making the assumption this is your first Passport Book. Since you will need to appear in person, can you use your birth certificate and ID instead of your passport card? Then you can hold on to your card.  I did not research this at all and passport cards are not my specialty, so if I am off base, someone kindly let me know.

 

A FWIW, I have passport book, Nexus and WA EDL. Coming off a cruise in Los Angeles they were insisting on a Passport book. Did not even know what the NEXUS or EDL was. Pretty sad as this was Federal employees, not the cruise line.

No, and no.

We have expired passport books. You MUST submit your most current passport (either book or card) with the application.

We'll be sending in our current cards to get expedited books - IF Celebrity can't figure out what their own FAQ's and the Law says about the validity of Passport cards pretty soon.

Bob+Sue

3 minutes ago, jelayne said:

 

There is no need to take a passport off the ship in the Caribbean & many other places around the world.  Should you not be able to return to the ship, your passports and other documents/ possessions are left with the Port Agent so you can rejoin the ship. 

 

 

That's "new news".

You get off the ship, in a foreign country without your passport? Do you take any ID at all (besides your ship card) with you?

Thanks - there's a lot we still need to learn.

B+S

5 minutes ago, MarLieb said:

I would seriously consider getting the passport book.  On our last sailing with Celebrity, we were told one thing by shoreside and another when we got onboard (not about passports, but about amenities offered in the suite and connecting stateroom we booked).  They finally worked it out, but it took about 24 hours for shoreside and the onboard staff to figure it out.  You are getting different answers left and right and, though Celebrity may be technically wrong, getting to check-in and being denied boarding would not be fun.  They could very well let you right on with the passport card, but you won't know until you get there.  I, personally, would be a nervous wreck!  

Yes. We're leaning toward getting Passport BOOKS, two months out now, and we agree with all the advice given up-thread as stated, but we're also hesitant to give up our cards and HOPE that a government agency does what they say they will and HOPE a second government agency doesn't loose our paperwork in the mail. A bird in the hand...

Bob+Sue

2 minutes ago, 39august said:

We expedited our passport renewals and got them in 10 days. I was shocked. Get the book. I can't imagine the angst of waiting around and hoping to board. However, if you want to pursue other avenues, the phone for One Touch is 844-418-6824. I use them for all my questions.

Thank you!

We've written them and are hoping for an answer... in writing. It is amazing how Celebrity will say "Should be ok" or "We thin it's ok" and others there say Passport BOOK only. Never seen such a thing!

12 minutes ago, CoconutOne said:

I would echo the others to get a passport book. Even with it in writing I would be nervous. What prompted them to tell you about having a book in the first place?

We actually heard it first here at CruiseCritic as a supposition, and began asking the question to my T/A and to various CSR's at Celebrity. It will be mind-blowing at departure if the current position remains un-communicated to the other passengers.

We like the Passport card. It's been accepted at nearly a dozen land ports of entry and worked on a couple other Caribbean cruises. It and a credit card are frequently all we take ashore. It is waterproof too - try snorkeling with a Passport book.

B+S

18 minutes ago, tallnthensome said:

U.S. Customs: 

 

I'm taking a "Closed Loop" cruise, do I need a passport?

Most cruises beginning and ending in the U.S. are considered "Closed Loop," vessels that depart a U.S. port and return to the same U.S. port upon completion of the voyage. For instance, if you board a cruise ship at Fort Lauderdale, Florida, and after visiting at least one foreign port of call, such as Bermuda, or Cancun, and return back to Fort Lauderdale, you have taken a closed loop cruise.

If, on the other hand, you - say - board a cruise ship in San Diego, California, sail through the Panama Canal (stopping at a foreign port during the cruise), and end the cruise in Miami, Florida, you have not taken a closed loop cruise. As of June 1, 2009 the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative (WHTI) requires you to travel with a valid passport (including infants).

 

Your cruise is an open loop no matter how you look at it. You are leaving one American port, stopping at a foreign port, and ending in another American port ...... If you're confident that you're not and that you're right then so be it ....... 

No. We understand it's become an open loop because it IS an open loop - we're not disputing that.

It says right there in back and white on the web link you just provided that a passport Card is an acceptable form documentation.

And now we have it in black and white on Celebrity's own web site.

And yet, we just had a manager at Celebrity tell our T/A (2 minutes ago) that we need a Passport BOOK.

-------------------------------------------------------------------

What types of documents are accepted for entry into the United States via land and sea?

• U.S. citizens can present a valid: U.S. Passport; Passport Card; Enhanced Driver’s License; Trusted Traveler Program card (NEXUS, SENTRI or FAST); U.S. Military identification card when traveling on official orders; U.S. Merchant Mariner document when traveling in conjunction with official maritime business; or Form I-872 American Indian Card, or (when available) Enhanced Tribal Card.

New info - From the Celebrity Website:  Link to FAQ Page

9 minutes ago, hcat said:

Lots of opinions, speculation, and  interesting  commentary,  but OP should have gotten the passport  once cruise was booked...now it's a costly expenditure and time critical. 

 

As one of my professors once wisely said about test questions and answers:  "Wishing doesn't make it so..."

 

Your comment is ignorant of the fact that they just changed the return port due to an error on their part. As originally booked it was closed loop. In fact, we've used the Passport card on a couple of previous cruises.

B&S

1 hour ago, jesrestin said:

Don't know if this will help.

on the Travel.state.gov web site it says:

Customs and Border Protection does not.

I heard you can get a passport card instead of a passport book for a cruise, is that true? 03/28/2018 - https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/international-travel/before-you-go/travelers-with-special-considerations/cruise-ship-passengers.html You can use the passport card to reenter the United States at sea ports of entry from Mexico, Canada, Bermuda, and the Caribbean. However, if you are not able to return on the cruise ship for any reason (e.g., for an emergency evacuation, you will need a passport book to fly back to the United States.Additional Resources:   Caribbean is the key. The Passenger Vessel Services Act of 1886 defines Caribbean. Note the Exception in bullet # 2   The Passenger Vessel Services Act, however, does not prohibit foreign-flagged ships departing from and returning to the same U.S. port, provided the ship visits any foreign port; does not prohibit foreign-flagged ships departing from a U.S. port, visiting a distant foreign port, and then continuing to a second U.S. port. However, in order to embark in a U.S. port and disembark in a second U.S. port, the vessel must visit a distant foreign port outside of North America (Central America, Bermuda, the Bahamas, and all of the Caribbean except Aruba, Bonaire, and Curaçao, count as part of North America);

Whoa! That's a new angle. Not even sure we can interpret what this means, seems to be speaking about the ship itself more so than passengers. We want to especially thank you for the insight though.

Bob & Sue

2 minutes ago, Fouremco said:

They don't have both, only passport cards.

Correct. Passport cards are passports, same issue process, same photo, but they are not passport books.

1 hour ago, Georgia_Peaches said:

CelebrityOneTouch@celebrity.com  

You can e-mail this address with questions and it will be filtered to the appropriate person for ship and sailing.  I e-mailed them last week regarding the elimination of free movies in the stateroom and was contacted by the shore side concierge for Silhouette.  Not sure with whom your issue will land but you will get a response from someone.

Thanks!!!

We just wrote them. Here's hoping for a written answer.

We do NOT want to send our Passport Cards off (for obtaining passport Books) and risk being in double jeopardy (if lost or delayed) when some clear information from Celebrity could easily clear this up.

Bob & Sue

2 minutes ago, hcat said:

I'd do whatever is needed to get myself on the ship and argue over the extra expense later.  Otherwise there might be great unhappiness at attempted check in.  I do know folks who have been denied!

 

You can try the Celebrity  One Touch e mail and try to have them green light you or credit you for what you have to lay out... esp because  a) they changed the route,  and  b) said you need the Passport Book.

You have such vast expertise, we're sort of in awe! But we don't know what "Celebrity One Touch e mail" is - this is our first ever cruise with them. Please, tell us a smidge more?