PAssport vs. Birth Certificate

[Augcruise]

We can't decide if it is worth getting passports. How much do they cost? Where do you get them? Also, do you have to take the birth ertificate/passport off the ship with you at ports? We will be in Grand Cayman and Cozumel.

Thanks for any info

[jfritz126]

I highly recommend them. They are much easier to use than worrying about a birth certificate and whether it is the right copy with the raised seal that they require. They are $85.00 and you can go to your local AAA office and have your picture taken. They will give you the application to take to the court house where you apply. Ours were back in 2 weeks but they tell you to allow 6 weeks.

[img]http://escati.linkopp.net/cgi-bin/countdown.cgi?trgb=000000&srgb=00ff00&prgb=000080&cdt=2004;10;22;15;00;00&timezone=GMT-0500[/img]
Until the Legend Party to Nowhere October 22, 2004

[img]http://escati.linkopp.net/cgi-bin/countdown.cgi?trgb=000000&srgb=00ff00&prgb=228b22&cdt=2005;5;13;16;00;00&timezone=GMT-0500[/img]
Until our Legend Cruise to Somewhere May 13, 2005


Holiday May 2, 1987
Imagination Jan 22, 2001
Victory Sept 13, 2003
Miracle May 9, 2004
Legend Oct 22, 2004
Legend May 13, 2005

[g0294]

with all the confusion now about do you have the right birth certificate, does it have a seal, we went with passports last year, they were easy and about 85 dollars, they are good for 10 years, you can print the application off the ins web site and they tell you were to go to have them processed. it took about 3 weeks to get ours

caribbean princess 10/16
[img]http://escati.linkopp.net/cgi-bin/countdown.cgi?trgb=000000&srgb=00ff00&prgb=ff0000&cdt=2004;10;16;17;00;00&timezone=GMT-0500[/img]

[Fooblade]

Just go for the passport. It is much less of a hassle than carrying a birth cert. Good for 10 years and you never know when that spur of the moment trip outside the U.S. will pop up..



[img]http://escati.linkopp.net/cgi-bin/countdown.cgi?trgb=000000&srgb=00ff00&prgb=00bfff&cdt=2004;07;24;16;00;00&timezone=GMT-0500[/img] [B]Carnival Miracle[/B]

[I]A minute from now still isnt soon enough!!!!![/I]

[GroupCruiser]

Most larger Post Offices take Passport applications too.

One thing to think about: Say you're in Cozumel, or any island or country for that matter, with nothing but your Sail & Sign card, and you miss the ship. You spent to much time in Carlos & Charlies.

You left your birth certificate or passport and your drivers license on board in the safe.

What kind of problems do you think you'll have getting a flight to catch up with the ship, or get back in to the U.S.? You've got no ID, no driver's license, nothing but a Sail & Sign, maybe a credit card, and some cash.

You should always take at least a drivers license on shore with you, even if you have no intention on driving. A small wallet-sized birth certificate is a good idea too.

[L2J]

[url="http://travel.state.gov/passport_services.html"]http://travel.state.gov/passport_services.html[/url]

Liv...Winds are 15 knots and holding....the whole world is a drop zone!
[img]http://heathersanimations.com/military/newparach.gif[/img]



[img]http://www.bigotis.com/saintsinners.gif[/img]
[img]http://www.bigotis.com/valorvampires.gif[/img]

NCL Sky 2/02

[imatarb]

GET 'EM! You won't be sorry you invested the time and money into a passport. It expedites everything you do concerning a cruise. It made embarkation a breeze and getting on and off the ship was no big deal when you have your passport. One little booklet, versus a photo ID plus a birth certificate.

Ahhh, the freedom!

Get one, and you won't regret it, and don't forget, they are valid for 10 years...that's a lot of traveling.

Lisa [img]http://messages.cruisecritic.com/infopop/emoticons/icon_smile.gif[/img]

[b]Monarch of the Seas - 1994
Royal Majesty - 1996
Carnival Victory - 2004[/b]

<MARQUEE>A day at sea is better than a day at work</MARQUEE>

[tef43]

Plus they make a great piece of id when writing a check at Kroger. [img]http://messages.cruisecritic.com/infopop/emoticons/icon_razz.gif[/img]

[img]http://img64.photobucket.com/albums/v196/tef43/demon2.gif[/img]
[img]http://img64.photobucket.com/albums/v196/tef43/namelogo.png[/img]
Eleven cruises so far. Up next:
Shhhh, it's a surprise!
[img]http://escati.linkopp.net/cgi-bin/countdown.cgi?trgb=000000&srgb=00ff00&prgb=e9967a&cdt=2004;10;9;7;10;00&timezone=GMT-0500[/img]
Followed by:
Carnival Valor 10/30/05 CC Group
[img]http://escati.linkopp.net/cgi-bin/countdown.cgi?trgb=000000&srgb=00ff00&prgb=111111&cdt=2005;10;30;16;00;00&timezone=GMT-0500[/img]
And then:
Carnival Spirit 12/10/05 Mexican Riviera
[img]http://escati.linkopp.net/cgi-bin/countdown.cgi?trgb=000000&srgb=00ff00&prgb=00bfff&cdt=2005;12;10;16;00;00&timezone=GMT-0800[/img]
Perhaps something else as well. Watch this space.

[I]Dance like it hurts, love like you need money, and work when somebody's watching.[/I]

[MrNobody]

We obtained a certified copy of our b/c's that are just a bit larger than a credit card. We have used them on several cruises since and have not had any problems or any delays anywhere. Must be shown w/drivers license or other photo ID. They're cheaper too. $16.00 and they are good forever. Just another opinion.

[L2J]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by MrNobody:
We have used them on several cruises since and have not had any problems or any delays anywhere.

<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

No better form of ID when traveling than a passport.
[url="http://travel.state.gov/passport_services.html"]http://travel.state.gov/passport_services.html[/url]

Liv...Winds are 15 knots and holding....the whole world is a drop zone!
[img]http://heathersanimations.com/military/newparach.gif[/img]



[img]http://www.bigotis.com/saintsinners.gif[/img]
[img]http://www.bigotis.com/valorvampires.gif[/img]

NCL Sky 2/02

[tdms1324]

if you get stuck in a port without your passport, the ship will send your passport to you on a pilot boat.

[img]http://escati.linkopp.net/cgi-bin/countdown.cgi?trgb=000000&srgb=00ff00&prgb=111111&cdt=2004;1;25;16;0;00&timezone=GMT-0500[/img]
1/25/04 Inspiration
4/25/04 Inspiration Part II
[img]http://escati.linkopp.net/cgi-bin/countdown.cgi?trgb=000000&srgb=00ff00&prgb=111111&cdt=2004;4;25;16;0;00&timezone=GMT-0500[/img]

Days til Valor Vampires Cruise
[img]http://escati.linkopp.net/cgi-bin/countdown.cgi?trgb=000000&srgb=00ff00&prgb=111111&cdt=2005;10;30;16;00;00&timezone=GMT-0500[/img]
[img]http://www.bigotis.com/valorvampires.gif[/img]

[L2J]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by tdms1324:
if you get stuck in a port without your passport, the ship will send your passport to you on a pilot boat.

<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

I wouldn't be holding my breath for that!

Liv...Winds are 15 knots and holding....the whole world is a drop zone!
[img]http://heathersanimations.com/military/newparach.gif[/img]



[img]http://www.bigotis.com/saintsinners.gif[/img]
[img]http://www.bigotis.com/valorvampires.gif[/img]

NCL Sky 2/02

[2boyzmom]

Are children's birth certificate's also $85.00 ?

Fantasy 1994
Zenith 1996
Zenith 1997
Zenuth 1998
Mercury 1999
Century 2002
Legend 2005 !!

[tdms1324]

I hope I'm never in a situation where I have to find out. That is supposedly the ships protocol for people truly stuck in a port ie: in jail or in the hospital.

[img]http://escati.linkopp.net/cgi-bin/countdown.cgi?trgb=000000&srgb=00ff00&prgb=111111&cdt=2004;1;25;16;0;00&timezone=GMT-0500[/img]
1/25/04 Inspiration
4/25/04 Inspiration Part II
[img]http://escati.linkopp.net/cgi-bin/countdown.cgi?trgb=000000&srgb=00ff00&prgb=111111&cdt=2004;4;25;16;0;00&timezone=GMT-0500[/img]

Days til Valor Vampires Cruise
[img]http://escati.linkopp.net/cgi-bin/countdown.cgi?trgb=000000&srgb=00ff00&prgb=111111&cdt=2005;10;30;16;00;00&timezone=GMT-0500[/img]
[img]http://www.bigotis.com/valorvampires.gif[/img]

[rogersne]

Hi, We just went for our passports and even where we live it was very easy. Took all of 5 minutes at the court house. The hardest part was we had to use a photographer to do the passport photes but, those only took 10 minutes. I guess what decided us to get them was the article about the couple that missed their boat and the saga that happened after.

[L2J]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by 2boyzmom:
Are children's birth certificate's also $85.00 ?

<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

I don't think so, but as for a passport, check the link I posted earlier. Everything you need to know.

Tdms - I've not heard of this before, but of course my experience is limited. I, like you, have no desire to find out so with that said, my passport will be with me at all times when I'm not on the ship.

Liv...Winds are 15 knots and holding....the whole world is a drop zone!
[img]http://heathersanimations.com/military/newparach.gif[/img]



[img]http://www.bigotis.com/saintsinners.gif[/img]
[img]http://www.bigotis.com/valorvampires.gif[/img]

NCL Sky 2/02

[tef43]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by MrNobody:
and they are good forever<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>
Or until *ALL* countries require them for entry. That day is coming. Beat the rush, get yours now.

[img]http://img64.photobucket.com/albums/v196/tef43/demon2.gif[/img]
[img]http://img64.photobucket.com/albums/v196/tef43/namelogo.png[/img]
Eleven cruises so far. Up next:
Shhhh, it's a surprise!
[img]http://escati.linkopp.net/cgi-bin/countdown.cgi?trgb=000000&srgb=00ff00&prgb=e9967a&cdt=2004;10;9;7;10;00&timezone=GMT-0500[/img]
Followed by:
Carnival Valor 10/30/05 CC Group
[img]http://escati.linkopp.net/cgi-bin/countdown.cgi?trgb=000000&srgb=00ff00&prgb=111111&cdt=2005;10;30;16;00;00&timezone=GMT-0500[/img]
And then:
Carnival Spirit 12/10/05 Mexican Riviera
[img]http://escati.linkopp.net/cgi-bin/countdown.cgi?trgb=000000&srgb=00ff00&prgb=00bfff&cdt=2005;12;10;16;00;00&timezone=GMT-0800[/img]
Perhaps something else as well. Watch this space.

[I]Dance like it hurts, love like you need money, and work when somebody's watching.[/I]

[scottp]

Passports definitely. I also photocopy our passports and take copy along. It original is lost or stolen, you have the necessary information to get another one or at least keep you out of trouble.

[img]http://escati.linkopp.net/cgi-bin/countdown.cgi?trgb=000000&srgb=00ff00&prgb=00ffff&cdt=2004;6;19;17;0;00&timezone=GMT-0400[/img] Until the FUN begins!!!!

[wenocancer2]

Let me get this straight...I will have to take my birth certificate off the ship with me at every port? I don't remember taking anything but my D.L. & my Sail & Sign card.

Also, are children's passport cheaper? I can't imagine theirs are good for 10 years, they change too much.

[img]http://escati.linkopp.net/cgi-bin/countdown.cgi?trgb=000000&srgb=00ff00&prgb=ff00ff&cdt=2004;10;30;16;0;00&timezone=GMT-0500[/img]  until we cruise again!!!

[davidaperryman]

You don't HAVE to take anything but your sail & sign to get back on the ship. The problem would be if you miss the ship and are stuck in some foreign country with no ID and no proof of citizenship.

CELEBRATION 11/00
RHAPSODY 11/01
RHAPSODY 04/02
SPLENDOUR 11/02
RHAPSODY 04/03
RHAPSODY 09/03
ELATION 05/04

[StaceyM]

Children's passports are good for 5 years and they are slighly cheaper, maybe 65.00 instead of 85.00. i just got one for my 12 year old daughter to be on the safe side. My DH and I got them lst year. I learned from my neighbor last year when she went on a cruise out of Galveston and had the wrong birth certificate. They wouldn't let her on the ship. Not a pleaseant experience for her.

[tef43]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by davidaperryman:
You don't HAVE to take anything but your sail & sign to get back on the ship.<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>
Correct, however certain ports require photo id *and* your S&S card to re-enter the pier area. San Juan, for example.

[img]http://img64.photobucket.com/albums/v196/tef43/demon2.gif[/img]
[img]http://img64.photobucket.com/albums/v196/tef43/namelogo.png[/img]
Eleven cruises so far. Up next:
Shhhh, it's a surprise!
[img]http://escati.linkopp.net/cgi-bin/countdown.cgi?trgb=000000&srgb=00ff00&prgb=e9967a&cdt=2004;10;9;7;10;00&timezone=GMT-0500[/img]
Followed by:
Carnival Valor 10/30/05 CC Group
[img]http://escati.linkopp.net/cgi-bin/countdown.cgi?trgb=000000&srgb=00ff00&prgb=111111&cdt=2005;10;30;16;00;00&timezone=GMT-0500[/img]
And then:
Carnival Spirit 12/10/05 Mexican Riviera
[img]http://escati.linkopp.net/cgi-bin/countdown.cgi?trgb=000000&srgb=00ff00&prgb=00bfff&cdt=2005;12;10;16;00;00&timezone=GMT-0800[/img]
Perhaps something else as well. Watch this space.

[I]Dance like it hurts, love like you need money, and work when somebody's watching.[/I]

[mikeymars]

Passport:

Negatives: slightly more effort to get than a replacement birth certificate (BC), costs more, and has to be renewed

Positives:

- 100% ironclad, inarguable travel I.D. Unlike a BC, no cruise check in staff, immigration official or anyone else is EVER going to argue with you about whether your travel I.D. is legal and compliant
- Designed specifically to be portable for travel, UNLIKE a BC
- In many cases, will expedite you through the fast line at immigration (those without them -- ergo those with just a BC -- stand in the slow line)

Birth Certificate:

Negatives:

- not designed for travel
- vary so much in design from locality to locality that they are almost always arguable
- don't contain married names, which often requires women to carry additional I.D.
- won't do SQUAT for you if you are stuck in a foreign port without a passport (only the latter certifies citizenship, and you CANNOT get on a plane in a foreign country without one).

Positives:

they are less expensive than a passport.

Bottom line:

[B]YOU GET WHAT YOU PAY FOR.[/B]

French Line, S.S. France, Trans-Atlantic crossing, (NY to LeHarve, France) 7/65; the first voyage on a ship ever for a very excited 7 year old
Italian Line, S.S. Michelangelo, Trans-Atlantic crossing (Genoa, Italy to NY) 8/66
HAL, S.S. Rotterdam (V), Eastern Caribbean 8/77
Celebrity, Zenith, Bermuda, 7/97
Carnival, Inspiration, Southern Caribbean, New Years Millenium cruise, 12/99-0/00
Disney, Magic, Eastern Caribbean, 3/02

[savdoc2]

We are taking our daughter who will 15 months on a cruise in November. I did not hesitate to spend the money to get her a passport. It was $65, is good for 5 years and took 4 weeks to get. I will feel much better having it. DH & I already have passports. I would not travel out of the United States without having a passport in hand.

[crzndeb]

According to the application I just printed online a couple of days ago for my daughter, the fee is, 16 and over $55 ($30 extra if you need it immediately), good for 10yrs...15 and younger $40 ($30 more if immediate), good for 5 years. I think passports are the way to go...you never know when you might win that around the world cruise..LOL! And I agree with Scottp...take photo copies and give them to friends and relatives and carry that off the ship with you.