Passport

[smash81]

Does RCI now require you to have a passport to go on a cruise? Last time we just used our birth certificates but we read somewhere that you now have to have a passport.

Also if we need a passport when do we need to send in the applications if we are sailing in Jan 2005?

Thanks in advance.

1/12/03 Voyager of the Seas
1/?/05 Voyager or Mariner

[cruisinfanatic]

Not required yet, but someday most likely. If you decide to spend the $85, allow at least 3-4 months.

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[dougp26364]

I know they tell you 3-4 mnths on the aplications but ours arrived in about 4 weeks. Earlier is better so you're not waiting and worrying about them.

Keep in mind they're good for 10 years. That's only $8.50 per year and you never have to worry about, "Do I need a passport?" again!

We got ours last year. We were only going to Canada but it just seemed easier having to keep track of our passport rather than having to worry about losing our birth certificates.

They also work great as a secone form of government issued ID. If you ever lose you DL while on vacation, you have another form of acceptable ID to get past security to your plane if you flew to our destination.

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Explorer OTS - Eastern Caribbean 11/04

Past cruises
Vision OTS - Alaska 7/03
Legend OTS - Alaska 7/02

[hstrybuf]

A passport is one of the best purchases you will ever make! To be on the safe side, apply for them a couple of months before your cruise. It only took two weeks for my DH to get his once I convinced him it was the way to go.

Foreign governments could at any time decide to start requiring passports. If their country is on your itinerary and you don't have the passport, you wouldn't even be allowed to board the ship and there goes your cruise!

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Navigator OTS 10/04
Legend 04/04
Grand Princess 09/03
Dawn Princess 01/03
Enchantment OTS 10/02
Destiny 01/02
Sensation 08/99

[billylen]

I'd like to add that on some cruises there are dedicated lines for cruisers who have a passport. Makes debarking a breeze (relatively so)

When we applied for our with standard delivery, we received them in about 10 days!

But don't chance it, get the apps in as soon as possible...

Bill in Monrovia

"Everyone has some good in them. Sometimes you just have to look a little harder to find it..."

6/27 Serenade of the Seas
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[birdyhunter]

It doesn't take 3-4 months to get a passport! It takes about 4-5 weeks. [img]http://messages.cruisecritic.com/infopop/emoticons/icon_cool.gif[/img]

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Win Pistons 4 Bucks 1 On to round 2
Pistons 2 Nets 1

[pcur]

I agree completely with the above posters. A passport is such a security to have when you're out of country. EVERYONE likes them better as a form of ID, because they are standard. You'll get through check-in / out / in , etc faster with one, too. Birth certificates can be variable, and they seem to spend more time looking them over for the info they want.

Passport, for sure!

Peggy - RCI since 1973

[JFS0043]

True story. We were in Cozumel last year. After lounging most of the day at Player Sol them parting the last 3 hours of our stop at Carlos and Charlie’s; we were dropped off at the wrong pier. I decided the shortest distance to the correct pier was to jump the fence and walk across water line. The armed guard at the entrance didn't think that was a good idea. I found his submachine gun kind of leveled in our direction and he was yelling something I couldn't understand. My only defense was to immediately pull out my passport and waved over my head. It worked! We were allowed to pass. Ah, the power of the little blue book.

[cruisingnewyorkers]

Passports take up to 6 weeks you have plenty of time.

[justcruzin85374]

Worth every penny...just do it, you won't be sorry. Best 10 year investment we ever made!

Soveriegn 92 E. Caribbean
Majesty 95 W. Caribbean
Granduer 97 E. Caribbean
Rhapsody 00 Mexico
Vision 02 Alaska
Radiance 03 Panama Canal
Brilliance 3/29/04



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My bags are always packed!
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