Denied boarding

[CruzVinnieCruz]

Yes, there are exceptions but it is not like you get on a plane right away. It usually takes several hours to a couple of days for this approval to go through.

 

About the same amount of time it would take to find an available seat on a plane in some of those small islands.

 

I also think that someone who applies for an exception that was on a cruise would have a little easier time getting one. The reason I say that is their proof of citizenship and ID had already been approved and their names have already been checked by Homeland Security. All of this information can be easily verified along with the fact that they did not reboard the ship can be checked with the crusie line.

 

Vinnie

[vacruizer]

Don't need a lecture about having a Passport as it is in process. Does anyone know if they are denying Birth Registration Cards now? I've always used it from the Commonwealth of Virginia. It is a plastic card issued by the state.

 

I grew up using one of those things. Looks like a credit card. Most places here in VA won't take them anymore as they are too easy to counterfeit. 20 years ago you could use them in lieu of a birth certificate and it was fine - I used mine to get my driver's license, enroll for college, start my first job.

 

Seems like about 10 years ago (maybe longer) the state stared issuing paper birth certificates again with watermark. When we booked our first cruise, we used a local TA here in VA and while she advised us to get passports, she specifically said that those plastic cards would NOT get us on the ship if we had them. She had some clients turned away trying to use those.

 

I assume if your passport is in the works they took your paper copy for the application. It will come back to you with the passport. I was a bit shocked whey they did that - I thought they'd just look at it and hand it back to me!

 

If you need a duplicate, the only way to get them in VA is through Richmond either in person or by mail. I know by mail takes forever. Somewhere in the 3-6 week range. There aren't any local offices in Virginia that issue birth certificates - it's all done centrally in Richmond.

[nrdsb4]

Sorry - you just proved Warmbreezes point ! your cruise, you could still be up ****$ creek if they are stolen. Even if you have spent the extra money to obtain passports that were not required for

 

 

Sorry to disappoint you, but I stated in my post that I totally agreed with Warm Breezes point of view.:) And still do. The ONLY point of my example was to address her term "quick" with reference to how fast one can obtain documents to re-enter the country.

[IslandCruz]

I grew up using one of those things. Looks like a credit card. Most places here in VA won't take them anymore as they are too easy to counterfeit. 20 years ago you could use them in lieu of a birth certificate and it was fine - I used mine to get my driver's license, enroll for college, start my first job.

 

Seems like about 10 years ago (maybe longer) the state stared issuing paper birth certificates again with watermark. When we booked our first cruise, we used a local TA here in VA and while she advised us to get passports, she specifically said that those plastic cards would NOT get us on the ship if we had them. She had some clients turned away trying to use those.

 

I assume if your passport is in the works they took your paper copy for the application. It will come back to you with the passport. I was a bit shocked whey they did that - I thought they'd just look at it and hand it back to me!

 

If you need a duplicate, the only way to get them in VA is through Richmond either in person or by mail. I know by mail takes forever. Somewhere in the 3-6 week range. There aren't any local offices in Virginia that issue birth certificates - it's all done centrally in Richmond.

 

Thanks! Yes I sent off to Richmond for a paper one. It says "Certificate of Live Birth" on it with a water mark. I sent it in with the passport application. Anyways, I called Carnival's agent services today. They put me on hold for a couple of minutes and came back and said they would accept the card. I told her I just used it last October without any problem. Hopefully my passport will be back in the next 2 weeks.

[mrsgoofy98]

Not unless you are just married/divorced and your photo ID has a different name than your booking name. Photo ID needs to be the same name as booking name.

 

Your photo ID has to agree with the birth certificate, thus you do need to produce a marriage license to show your birth name, When I didn't have a passport, I always brought 3 documents - bc, dl and ml

[donaldsc]

Are we supposed to feel sorry for you?

 

DON

[sunline2000]

Look sorry they turned them away,but...We have been cruising the oast 3 years last 2 Carnival and they asked for PASSPORTS...as far back as 2002 the word has been out that U.S. Citzens will need passports to leave country and come back.We are in N.E. and going to Cananda now you need your passport.About time someone began checking

[ceight]

Globalization kids.

 

Deal with it. Get a passport.

[mimgan3]

Now my dh and I have birth certificates with a raised seal that we were going to use on the cruise rather than investing in passports. The cruise was a surprise gift for us and we were hoping to use birth certificates than have to spend so much money on 4 passports but maybe we need to. I would hate to get there and be denied!

 

I am soooo sorry that happened to you!

 

If I were you, I would go ahead and get the passport. The directive was supposed to take effect in June 2010, that even closed loop travel in the Caribbean, would require a passport. If the $110.00/person expense is too much, for now just get the passport card, I think they are $45.00 per person, are good for cruising, but not international flights.

 

Just don't take the chance, believe me and OP, THEY WILL DENY YOU BOARDING!!!!!!

 

Tim

[cruisenow01]

Before you start flaming. I don’t have a passport and don’t travel enough to have one. We cruise maybe every other year and we don’t go out of the country any other time. Now for what happened we were suppose to cruise on the Dream today but when we got to the port we were denied boarding. The Documents we had was my birth cert. and my driver’s license. DH had his driver’s license and a certified birth record which he have used on the other 3 cruises we have been on with Carnival and there was no issue BUT as a 2 weeks ago they no longer except that document. And we weren’t the only ones there were families with children that were refused boarding. I called Carnival and spoke to 3 different people regarding this and was told if we didn’t take the insurance out that Carnival offered we were SOOL this just FYI if you have a certified birth record and have used it before you can’t use it now. You need a birth certificate. We thought since we used it in the past we could still use it. And regular insurance won’t cover them denying you boarding.

 

Thank our current administration. I took a domestic flight where my driver's license should have been enough considering that I was born in the US, but since I married over 15 years ago, my driver's license is not enough (my "given"name or birth name is on the ticket thanks to the state dept., but not my married name). I can enter my married name for a flight and my "given" name shows up regardless. I ended up taking my passport for a domestic flight. Unfortunately, from now on, domestic or not, you better have a passport.

[Warm Breezes]

Your photo ID has to agree with the birth certificate, thus you do need to produce a marriage license to show your birth name, When I didn't have a passport, I always brought 3 documents - bc, dl and ml

 

I disagree. My DL does not match my BC, but has always matched my booking name. I have never been asked to show a ML on my past cruises nor have any of my other married friends without passports. The photo ID needs to match your booking name. (Your BC should have the same birthdate and first name.) The only time you hear of issues needing ML on this board is when the Photo ID does not match the booking name.

[HighSeaslover]

:confused: Huh? Carnival lost absolutely nothing.

 

Day of sailing is obviously the zero refund period, and the "Vacation Protection Plan" operates, and is accounted for, as an insurance policy, so there will always be payouts, but they would be more than offset by premiums collected.

 

On a show on the Travel Channel, they stated that the cost of the cabin only covers the costs and the cruise line makes their profit from purchases on board, like excusions, drinks, casino ect... So by not allowing people to board they are losing money.

[alwayshappytocruise]

OP, I seriously recommend you get a passport. Birth certificates etc won't work for too much longer. Just get it done........it's so much easier.

[mrsgoofy98]

I disagree. My DL does not match my BC, but has always matched my booking name. I have never been asked to show a ML on my past cruises nor have any of my other married friends without passports. The photo ID needs to match your booking name. (Your BC should have the same birthdate and first name.) The only time you hear of issues needing ML on this board is when the Photo ID does not match the booking name.

 

I've been on a lot more cruises than you have, and I showed them my marriage license on every one of them, except for this last one when I had a passport. I am also a travel agent and I always used to tell my clients to bring all 3 documents. You never know who might ask for them. Now that most people bring passports, they are scrutinizing everything more carefully. I wish you luck when you board your next cruise. I hope you don't get denied boarding. I had clients who just returned from a Royal Caribbean cruise. One of them had their dl and bc, the other had a passport. The one with the dl and bc was given a little bit of trouble, and she said she would make sure to have a passport with her if she ever went again.

[Warm Breezes]

OP, I seriously recommend you get a passport. Birth certificates etc won't work for too much longer. SAYS WHO???? Just get it done........it's so much easier.

Never had a problem with BC and DL and I did not spend $540 getting something that was not REQUIRED or NECESSARY.

[Warm Breezes]

I've been on a lot more cruises than you have, Your last Carnival Cruise was before I started cruising. Since your last Carnival Cruise, I have sailed on them 3 times. Carnival does not require a ML unless your Boarding Pass does not match your Photo ID and I showed them my marriage license on every one of them Did they ask to see your ML or did you just bring it along and show it to them with the rest of your paperwork?, except for this last one when I had a passport. I am also a travel agent and I always used to tell my clients to bring all 3 documents You may be a TA but Carnival does not include a ML in the documentation you must bring. They do require your Boarding Pass to match your Photo ID or else prove that linkage with a ML. You never know who might ask for them. Now that most people bring passports, they are scrutinizing everything more carefully. I wish you luck when you board your next cruise. I hope you don't get denied boarding. I had clients who just returned from a Royal Caribbean cruise. One of them had their dl and bc, the other had a passport. The one with the dl and bc was given a little bit of trouble, and she said she would make sure to have a passport with her if she ever went again.

 

I am completely confidate that I will board with my DL and BC as I have all the required documentation. Even my kids BC list both my Married name (mothers name at the time of birth) and my Maiden name on them if by some slim chance someone wants to see the bridge (although that has never been requested of me or anyone I know).

[Cruiser_SG77]

I still don't understand why anyone would travel anywhere without a passport...can someone enlighten me?

[Warm Breezes]

I still don't understand why anyone would travel anywhere without a passport...can someone enlighten me?

 

1. Because it is not required for US Citizens on a closed loop cruise. Since this is the only foreign travel I am currently planning then I do not need it.

 

2. For a family of 4 it costs $540 for something that is not required.

 

3. The chances of something happening during the brief time I am in a foreign port and need a passport to get home are extremely slim. If that slim chance were to happen then I would not be stuck in some foriegn country. I will be able to get home. I am willing to take the chance and pay the price if it happens. The cost of the passport vs the risk involved leads me to a the decision not to purchase at this time.

 

It is a personal decision for US Citizens taking a closed loop cruise. I don't understand why some people are so adament that everyone must have when one, when the traveling they are doing does not require it, the chances of needing one are slim, and the problems encountered from not having one, if that slim chance happened, are not insurmountable. There is a reason why the government allows the closed loop exception. There are a lot more people like me out there than many of you want to admit.

[dan40]

I still don't understand why anyone would travel anywhere without a passport...can someone enlighten me?

 

Americanizing an old English saying,

"Penny wise and Dollar foolish."

 

OR

 

"Swallow elephants and choke on gnats!"

 

But each of us gets to make our own choice, that's the law. Nothing in the law says the choice will be the smart choice.

[anamanxs]

The cost of getting a passport is not sometimes possible. If you add that in the cost maybe you can not afford the cruise. I am going to scatter my son's ashes at sea, if I add the cost to get them passports vs the Birth Certif. (for probably a one time use) I could not take his wife and stepchildren and give my son his wish. I have a passport, but this is not a trip I could do alone. There are always reasons!

 

I don't know what I will do if Carnival does not follow there own stated policy that I have called on many times to check. I am going for an appointment this afternoon to get my SIL a passport which will probably cost me $250, since the lovely commonweath will not issue a state photo id and she lost her last one. The secondardy requirements are insane, since when should a passport be easier than a state photo ID.

[gmkmetz]

1. Because it is not required for US Citizens on a closed loop cruise. Since this is the only foreign travel I am currently planning then I do not need it.

 

2. For a family of 4 it costs $540 for something that is not required.

 

3. The chances of something happening during the brief time I am in a foreign port and need a passport to get home are extremely slim. If that slim chance were to happen then I would not be stuck in some foriegn country. I will be able to get home. I am willing to take the chance and pay the price if it happens. The cost of the passport vs the risk involved leads me to a the decision not to purchase at this time.

 

It is a personal decision for US Citizens taking a closed loop cruise. I don't understand why some people are so adament that everyone must have when one, when the traveling they are doing does not require it, the chances of needing one are slim, and the problems encountered from not having one, if that slim chance happened, are not insurmountable. There is a reason why the government allows the closed loop exception. There are a lot more people like me out there than many of you want to admit.

 

 

 

It is my understanding, and granted my cruise in 8 days is my first in about 7 years, if you are in another country on a cruise ship without a passport and someone in your party ie: wife, hubby, kids ect gets sick and has to be flown back to the US with out a passport YOU the parents or spouse have to ride the boat back home. You would not be able to travel with your sick child??

I wouldn't want to take that chance myself...

[Cruise, J.D.]

OP, I seriously recommend you get a passport. Birth certificates etc won't work for too much longer. Just get it done........it's so much easier.

 

There are no published plans to change the WHTI. It is a final agency rule and it cannot be changed on a whim. There is a whole rule-making and amendment process that must followed by federal agencies.

 

If you are aware of proposed changes, then please cite your sources. Otherwise, please avoid spreading misinformation.

[Warm Breezes]

It is my understanding, and granted my cruise in 8 days is my first in about 7 years, if you are in another country on a cruise ship without a passport and someone in your party ie: wife, hubby, kids ect gets sick and has to be flown back to the US with out a passport YOU the parents or spouse have to ride the boat back home. You would not be able to travel with your sick child??

I wouldn't want to take that chance myself...

 

And your understanding is based on ???? Anyone experience this or actually heard of this happening/have links to it happening? I can't seem to get any real examples of people getting stranded in an emergency. This makes me believe that it rarely (if ever happens). I'll take the odds that seem to be hugely in my favor of this not being a problem during the few hours I am in a foreign port on a closed loop cruise.

[gmkmetz]

And your understanding is based on ???? Anyone experience this or actually heard of this happening/have links to it happening? I can't seem to get any real examples of people getting stranded in an emergency. This makes me believe that it rarely (if ever happens). I'll take the odds that seem to be hugely in my favor of this not being a problem during the few hours I am in a foreign port on a closed loop cruise.

 

The travel agent advised me of this I also read this somewhere just cant remember where

[2SeaWithMe]

For those not wanting to bother taking a marriage license if you birth certificate/DL do not match....I would. It was required on two cruises we took after being married and I was fortunate enough to have the foresight to have brought mine alone.

 

Personally...I bring a passport. I agree with the poster who said "penny wise and pound foolish".