Passport Card or Enhanced Driver's License

[The Mexillents]

Has anyone used a passport card or enhanced DI returning through Miami? I've had a issue using my Enhanced DI in Galveston.

[Happy Cruiser 6143]

Don't have or use either one. When I leave the country, I take my passport. Neither of the documents you mentioned will get you on a plane.

 

Edited February 10, 2015 by Happy Cruiser 6143

[davekathy]

Don't have or use either one. When I leave the country, I take my passport. Neither of the documents you mentioned will get you on a plane.

 

 

Agree.

[hvsteve1]

In the past, I've made a photocopy of my passport to carry with me to avoid losing the real one, which I use when necessary. I guess the passport card is handy to keep in your wallet, especially in some place like the Caribbean. My understanding it is really handy if you're someone who floats back and forth across the Canadian border as we used to when living in upstate NY.

[ronews]

Not sure what you mean by passport card but if you are talking about a Nexus card that's all you need. TSA issued and in the drop down box when you register on line with Celebrity. Asks you if you are using Nexus or passport

[cle-guy]

Neither of the documents you mentioned will get you on a plane.

 

 

I'ts a fallacy (relative to domestic air travel anyway, which seems what the OP is enquiring about closed loop cruise via MIA) that one MUST have a Driver License State ID or Passport to get on a plane. Those ARE the EASIEST ways to board a plane however.

 

All that's required is TSA "verifies identity". They can do so even if you arrive without a single piece of paper on you (such as lost wallet while traveling). They do take you aside and ask various questions and verify answers similar to how Credit Bureaus ask you specific pieces of information when traveling.

 

My brother got thru TSA recently with his Federal FireArms permit, and then verifying answers to questions that TSA has access to via multiple databases.

Edited February 10, 2015 by cle-guy

[bryanjaync]

US Passport office offers two choices now: traditional Passport book or Passport card (size of driver's license). The book is $110, the card $30. The card is NOT good for international air travel, but should be okay for sailing to/from US ports (MIA, FLL, etc).

 

My elderly parents (83/86) have passport books expiring next year. If they choose to renew, I am going to recommend the card since they only cruise from the US now.

 

(It is possible that a country in the Caribbean could ask to see your passport documentation when going ashore, but never happened in all of our cruises. Plus my parents usually stay on ship.)

[DinaS]

Has anyone used a passport card or enhanced DI returning through Miami? I've had a issue using my Enhanced DI in Galveston.

 

While you may be able to use various methods of ID for traveling on a Caribbean (or other) cruise that starts and ends in the US, there is a very good reason to always carry a passport.

 

What if something happens while you are out of the country, and you need to fly home? What if you or someone back home gets injured?

 

You will NEED your passport, or you will have to go through tons of red tape and lots of time - which you may not have.

 

I always, and I do mean ALWAYS recommend that people carry a passport when they are going out of the country for ANY reason.

 

Period.

[wwcruisers]

The enhanced drivers' licenses work best in places where they are commonly used. For instance, you see a lot of them on the ferry from Washington State to Victoria, BC. But, even though the enhanced drivers' license is essentially the same as a passport card, I wouldn't want to rely on it someplace (like a cruise port) where the officials are not familiar with it -- or the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative, which authorizes/defines its use. And, as Linda pointed out, neither is accepted as a passport alternative for international air travel.

[Algebralovr]

We've noticed repeatedly that when we produce our US Passports, we are basically waived on through at pretty much every US port. It is always the DL+BC people who they question. I know that EDLs are available, as are passport cards, but that regular PP book makes it fast and easy.

[RocketMan275]

Has anyone used a passport card or enhanced DI returning through Miami? I've had a issue using my Enhanced DI in Galveston.

 

I got both. I use the passport as the mainstay but I leave it on the boat. I carry the card off the ship. Sure, the card is not as good as a passport but it is much better than being stuck with only a DL. I just do not feel comfortable taking the passport off ship.

[ronews]

Obviously no one on this thread has heard of a Nexus card with Global Entry. To issue this they did an iris scan and both hands of finger prints. In many airports around the world your just walk up you a kiosk , it scans your iris and you walk on through. Other airports have TSA PRE (pre approved) no lines, no taking off your, belts, shoes etc...just walk through. Nexus is $85 for 5 years. If I lose my passport, hopefully I still have my eyes.

[Happy Cruiser 6143]

Obviously no one on this thread has heard of a Nexus card with Global Entry. To issue this they did an iris scan and both hands of finger prints. In many airports around the world your just walk up you a kiosk , it scans your iris and you walk on through. Other airports have TSA PRE (pre approved) no lines, no taking off your, belts, shoes etc...just walk through. Nexus is $85 for 5 years. If I lose my passport, hopefully I still have my eyes.

 

Yes, I've heard of it, I even have friends who have it, but I choose not to pay $85 for it. I have TSA Pre Check free courtesy of my credit card. Don't see the need to pay more. When I travel internationally, I go business or first, and that gets you through the lines fast.

 

[Big_G]

I'ts a fallacy (relative to domestic air travel anyway, which seems what the OP is enquiring about closed loop cruise via MIA) that one MUST have a Driver License State ID or Passport to get on a plane. Those ARE the EASIEST ways to board a plane however.

 

 

I don't think she was referring to domestic travel. My guess is she was referring to getting left behind in another country.

[blindrid]

While you may be able to use various methods of ID for traveling on a Caribbean (or other) cruise that starts and ends in the US, there is a very good reason to always carry a passport.

 

What if something happens while you are out of the country, and you need to fly home? What if you or someone back home gets injured?

 

You will NEED your passport, or you will have to go through tons of red tape and lots of time - which you may not have.

 

I always, and I do mean ALWAYS recommend that people carry a passport when they are going out of the country for ANY reason.

 

Period.

 

Nah. I'll play the odds. I enjoy those that cry wolf. Travel with what you feel comfortable with.

[DinaS]

Nah. I'll play the odds. I enjoy those that cry wolf. Travel with what you feel comfortable with.

 

Cry wolf? Seriously?

 

Good luck with your gambling, darling....LOL

[az_tchr]

Obviously no one on this thread has heard of a Nexus card with Global Entry. To issue this they did an iris scan and both hands of finger prints. In many airports around the world your just walk up you a kiosk , it scans your iris and you walk on through. Other airports have TSA PRE (pre approved) no lines, no taking off your, belts, shoes etc...just walk through. Nexus is $85 for 5 years. If I lose my passport, hopefully I still have my eyes.

 

I have a Nexus card. Also set up for entry and exit from Canada (Sentri). FWIW - Canada immigration was not set up to use either enhanced DL or Global entry in Vancouver and US Immigration would NOT take it coming back on a NOLA to NOLA cruise. Also no drivers licenses in NOLA when we were there.

 

TAKE YOUR PASSPORT. In an emergency in say Jamaica you are in a world of hurt without it!

[cle-guy]

I have a Nexus card. Also set up for entry and exit from Canada (Sentri). FWIW - Canada immigration was not set up to use either enhanced DL or Global entry in Vancouver and US Immigration would NOT take it coming back on a NOLA to NOLA cruise. Also no drivers licenses in NOLA when we were there.

 

TAKE YOUR PASSPORT. In an emergency in say Jamaica you are in a world of hurt without it!

 

It's a fact that Global Entry is not allowed for use on cruses yet - for now it's an Airline program. The Global Entry FAQ page states this specifically, though leaves room for allowing its use in Crusie ports in the future.

 

Any crusie that started and ended in NOLA, would rewrite proof of residency and citizenship, a driver license AND ANOTHER piece of ID verifying Citizenship would be required, but a passport would not be essential.

[blindrid]

Cry wolf? Seriously?

 

Good luck with your gambling, darling....LOL

 

Not much of a gamble. I wish I could get those odds in the casino. Everyone in here thinks worse case with the isolated problems, thus my cry wolf comment. Not like we're traveling to Afghanistan (thank God).

[AZbeachboy]

It's a fact that Global Entry is not allowed for use on cruses yet - for now it's an Airline program. The Global Entry FAQ page states this specifically, though leaves room for allowing its use in Crusie ports in the future.

 

Any crusie that started and ended in NOLA, would rewrite proof of residency and citizenship, a driver license AND ANOTHER piece of ID verifying Citizenship would be required, but a passport would not be essential.

 

If you read the regulations by the Department of State, the cards are not permissable for any thing but land travel or closed Lp crusies. They are no good for international Air Travel. If you should have an emergency in another country you may not be allowed to board an airliner without extensive red tape. I, like someone else mentionad, and the cruise lines recommend, take a copy of my passport and leave everything on the ship. I do not even take my drivers license off.

 

If you have questions the better place to start is with the cruise lines and the US Department of State. That way you get the exact answers. That way there is no gambling or trying to hedge the system and you can be sure your ducks are in order. Do not, I repeat, DO NOT, relay on the answers on a Cruise Critic thread for the authorative answer to these important questions.

[labates629]

According to the Govt website, and Celebrity website, for a 'closed loop' cruise visiting Caribbean/Mexico countries, a govt issued ID and proof of citizenship (or birth certificate) is required. Of course it makes sense to take a valid passport as well in case there are issues at any port (miss the ship/get sick etc) but the rules do state a passport is not required.

 

We have a passport issue - my husband is taking his Citizenship Oath ceremony tomorrow (2/11) (we are British, living in Chicago) and we are leaving for Miami on Sat 21st for a business trip, then taking a cruise on 2/28 (Reflection). There's not enough time to mail the application to receive his new US passport before we leave for Miami and the emergency passport office in Chicago won't let him make an appt until he is within 2 weeks of travel! So we are hoping there will be an appt available next week that will give him his US passport on the same day, or next day.

Worst case, he can try to get an appt in Miami the week before the cruise but that is not ideal due to business committments. He will have Certificate of Citizenship/Drivers License, and of course his British passport (but not Green Card as you hand that in at the Citizenship ceremony).

 

I am a little concerned but the rules do say you can cruise with the docs he will have. I think the biggest issue will be when we return to the Port of Miami after the cruise as we have found that sometimes the immigration officers don't know their own rules pertaining to Green cards/visas etc.

[cle-guy]

We have a passport issue - my husband is taking his Citizenship Oath ceremony tomorrow (2/11) (we are British, living in Chicago) and we are leaving for Miami on Sat 21st for a business trip, then taking a cruise on 2/28 (Reflection). There's not enough time to mail the application to receive his new US passport before we leave for Miami and the emergency passport office in Chicago won't let him make an appt until he is within 2 weeks of travel! So we are hoping there will be an appt available next week that will give him his US passport on the same day, or next day.

Worst case, he can try to get an appt in Miami the week before the cruise but that is not ideal due to business committments. He will have Certificate of Citizenship/Drivers License, and of course his British passport (but not Green Card as you hand that in at the Citizenship ceremony).

 

 

You can use a service such as Travisa to expedite the passport issuance. I've used them for many passport issues - renewals, adding pages, VISA to China, Hong Kong, Egypt and others.

 

Basically you send all the paperwork to them, with checks for the fees and another for their service, they do all the waiting join line etc. for you and fedex your passport whoever you tell them. Their website is quite clear and concise and includes all the forms to fill on on it, and they are generally "fill-in-able" forms as well.

 

Check it out, gather all necessary documents, and likely right after your ceremony you can send it all out that day to be handled for you, and delivered to your hotel in Miami if you want.

 

Highly reliable, and will make your circumstance stress free.

[DinaS]

Not much of a gamble. I wish I could get those odds in the casino. Everyone in here thinks worse case with the isolated problems, thus my cry wolf comment. Not like we're traveling to Afghanistan (thank God).

 

Gambling is usually done when there is a chance of winning something. In this case, "winning" only means whatever the cost of getting a passport would have been.

 

In THAT case, gambling is simply not worth it.

 

It isn't just "worst case" or "isolated" problems. On each cruise I have been on, there has been at least ONE passenger who has needed to fly somewhere, after getting ill, or finding out someone in their family became ill (or died).

 

For the price of a passport, it simply isn't worth being unprepared.

[labates629]

You can use a service such as Travisa to expedite the passport issuance. I've used them for many passport issues - renewals, adding pages, VISA to China, Hong Kong, Egypt and others.

 

Basically you send all the paperwork to them, with checks for the fees and another for their service, they do all the waiting join line etc. for you and fedex your passport whoever you tell them. Their website is quite clear and concise and includes all the forms to fill on on it, and they are generally "fill-in-able" forms as well.

 

Check it out, gather all necessary documents, and likely right after your ceremony you can send it all out that day to be handled for you, and delivered to your hotel in Miami if you want.

 

Highly reliable, and will make your circumstance stress free.

 

Thanks for this, I will look into it! A little bit nervous about sending off the Naturalization certificate, but there is enough time for it to be Fedexed to our Miami hotel. Have to trust Fedex though I guess :)

[cle-guy]

Thanks for this, I will look into it! A little bit nervous about sending off the Naturalization certificate, but there is enough time for it to be Fedexed to our Miami hotel. Have to trust Fedex though I guess :)

 

Definitely make photocopies of EVERYTHING. perhaps you can ask for a second certified copy of the certificate as well when you get it, like getting a certified copy of a birth certificate.

 

And read the requirements carefully, some documents may be able to be copies, but I doubt this one can be.

 

I have never had anything lost with my dealings with this company, though of course anything can happen especially in shipping, but it's very, very, rare.

 

If you do have it delivered to hotel, be sure to have your confirmation number and arrival date written on the envelope so when the hotel receives it, they know exactly what to do with it. Travisa allows you to send your own addressed return envelope if you want to, I always do so I know I was the one who addressed it and it has all the pertinent info on it, so if it's a problem I can only blame myself!