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[Clarea]

Are you sure about that? The State Department's website for Passport Cards lists no such restriction.

 

 

 

Source: http://travel.state.gov/content/passports/english/passports/information/card.html

I'll try to find the reference to closed-loop cruises.

[Desert Cruizers]

Although we have never used a Passport Card for travel ID, we prefer the Passport book, according to TSA the Card is accepted forms of ID. http://www.tsa.gov/traveler-information/acceptable-ids%20

Edited June 16, 2015 by Desert Cruizers

[Tunkhannock]

I'll try to find the reference to closed-loop cruises.

 

Thank you much, as I'm curious now myself.

[kstych]

I guess our only issue is deciding whether or not it is worth the extra money for a passport book as "insurance", in case we had a medical issue and needed to fly back to the United States from Cozumel, Mexico or one of the islands we will visit on our cruise. I also know we could just use certified birth certificates and drivers' licenses, instead of even a passport card. (Don't know why I am so indecisive about this!) I do appreciate all the helpful replies - thank you!

Edited June 16, 2015 by kstych

[Clarea]

Thank you much, as I'm curious now myself.

I can find no reference to the passport card being restricted to closed loop cruises. Don't know where I got that idea, but I apologize for the mis-information. Thanks for the catch.

[Tunkhannock]

Other than the extra costs, there really is no downside to taking the passport book with you. In fact, I would recommend it over the passport card.

 

Why? Let's say something Bad happens when you're in the Caribbean. Say you or a loved one is injured to the point of hospitalization and the ship leaves without you. Or, for whatever reason, you need to travel back to the US as soon as possible, and that means flying back.

 

The passport card is not good for international air travel. And I imagine neither is a certified copy of your birth certificate and driver's license.

 

Worst case scenario? Probably. But a possible scenario none the less.

 

Also, a passport book offers you far more travel flexibility than a passport card does. If you want to fly to Cancun next year, you'll know that you can since you already have a passport book, and you don't have to do the song and dance with the State Department again.

[Tunkhannock]

Thanks for the catch.

 

No problems, it's all good. My wife corrects me all the time when I have one of those "I read it on the Internet, it must be true!" moments. ;)