Birth Certificate, Passport Card, or Passport?

[SMN73]

Hi all! My 19 year old daughter and I will be taking our first cruise on RCI Enchantment in May. I am doing this sans TA so this board has been invaluable.

 

We are booked in an aft junior suite.

 

We are cruising to Nassau and Cococay. I haven't had a true vacation in years so I'm looking for peace and relaxation! Oh, and the casinos since I love slots! I am open to any and all tips, tricks and advice regarding Enchantment, ports and cruising in general. Thank you all!!

Edited January 26, 2014 by SMN73

[sparks1093]

Hi all! My 19 year old daughter and I will be taking our first cruise on RCI Enchantment in May. I am doing this sans TA so this board has been invaluable.

 

Our Bahamas cruise is "closed loop" so I know we can use our birth certificates & picture ID. Is that what most do or do you get a passport? Will a passport card work? It's 1/3 of the regular passport price so it's appealing. I am just not comfortable using paper BCs. Thanks for the info!

 

The passport cards would certainly work but using the birth certificate costs you nothing extra, and you may also use the passport card for land border crossings and sea ports of entry (which means you could also use it on an open jaw sailing in the western hemisphere). Of course if you had to fly home it could not be used and if you are worried about having to fly home early then the best bet is a passport. What discomfits you about using the birth certificate?

Edited January 26, 2014 by sparks1093

[nana541]

The passport is good for 10 yrs, in the day and age I think this is the best thing to do. Bit the bullet and just order one, takes all the guess work out of it!

 

Enjoy your daughter and your cruise :)

 

 

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[paul929207]

The passport car will work, but it will give you no benefits for the cost. It will not allow her to fly in an emergency

[Hydrokitty]

The passport is good for 10 yrs, in the day and age I think this is the best thing to do. Bit the bullet and just order one, takes all the guess work out of it!

 

Enjoy your daughter and your cruise :)

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Forums mobile app

 

I agree with Nana, once you have it, you never have to worry about getting it in time to go somewhere. The card is only good for driving into Canada or Mexico or a Caribbean cruise, it's cheaper but unless you cross over to Canada frequently it's probably not worth it because you CANNOT use it to fly into Canada, Mexico, Caribbean or anywhere else. FYI, I just renewed mine and got it in less than 3 weeks! Of course, that could be because it was a renewal, but this time of year is a good time apparently.

 

Have a wonderful cruise.:D

[Hydrokitty]

One other thing: check with your cruise line, they will tell you what they will require to board the ship....after you get their answer consult the FAQ page and recheck the information you were given. Apparently some cruise line personnel are not consistent with their answers to questions.

[cherylandtk]

Most people use a full passport, even on closed loop cruises. About 87% in a survey done a couple of years ago. Peace of mind is the most often stated reason, specifically in case of an emergency and they need to fly home from a foreign port.

 

The passport card, while convenient, does not get you anything more than using your BC/ID on a cruise. If you are going to spend money on anything, just get the full passport IMO. (If you live near one of the borders AND you cross it often, the passport card will have some utility, but if you did that sort of crossing you would already have the card or the book, so I suspect that usage is not part of your decision.)

 

You are an adult, make your own decision given the facts and your comfort level.

[SMN73]

Dont you love newbies that dont know crap about cruising or how to use these forums??? Lol I found a thread about passports and will read the advise there. I didn't want to clutter the forum with duplicate posts but I had no clue how to delete my post I edited it for general tips. I already appreciate the hospitality shown on this site.....bear with me!!!

[SMN73]

Thank you all for answering my original question. I think I am going to get full passports. I am a "just in case" kinda gal and want to know my daughter or I could fly home in an emergency.

[sparky-elpaso]

Thank you all for answering my original question. I think I am going to get full passports. I am a "just in case" kinda gal and want to know my daughter or I could fly home in an emergency.

 

Plus you're good for 10 years and could go anywhere at the "drop of a hat". :D I tell people our passports are our ticket to the world.

[Hydrokitty]

Plus you're good for 10 years and could go anywhere at the "drop of a hat". :D I tell people our passports are our ticket to the world.

 

They are indeed and I'm on my third renewal already!!:D You just never know when an opportunity will arise that could hinge on whether or not you have a passport or can get one in time.

[dkjretired]

Get the passports, your daughter will need it in a couple of years when she hits you up for a semester overseas.

[griffy116]

Do the passport. While a BC, passcard or passport will work for this cruise, you will want to go on more cruises, you'll want to fly to get to some of the ports and the passport will be best bet for the future.