If you get stranded at a port and need to fly home, you may encounter difficulty with a pp card. Citizens you will need a valid passport and, in some cases, a visa. A current medicare card can also be used for passengers under the age of 18. You can use the passport card to reenter the united states at sea ports of entry from mexico, canada, bermuda, and the caribbean. The passport card cannot be used for international travel by air. I think on all of the cruises at one time or another the cruise ship took the passports for a few days. Places to cruise without a passport ncl travel blog. Passport card vs passport book carnival cruise lines.
You may want to call disney and verify the passport requirement. On a cruise that begins and ends in the us, us citizens can travel with a drivers license and a birth certificate, no passport book or card required. So theres really just no reason to get the card for a cruise. The card was designed for land travel between the us and mexicocanada. Department of state recommends the passport book as it is more versatile. Daniel sellers decided to surprise his wife with a princess cruise to the caribbean.
Passport card basically a limiteduse passport enhanced drivers licenseacts both as a driver license and a travel document, but also with limits well walk you through the basic differences of each of these documents, and help you determine which one is right for you. Oct 15, 2006 cruise lines do encourage all passengers to carry a passport. While norwegian does its level best to facilitate the process for its clientele, passengers are subject to u. During your cruise, keep your passport card or book in your cabin safe, and simply carry a photocopy of it when walking around in port, in case of an emergency. Card player cruises 9330 west sahara avenue, suite 230 las vegas, nv 89117.
If your cruise itinerary takes you outside of the u. In the event that you are traveling to canada to start your journey, you totally should. This case is an unfortunate example of what can go wrong if you decide to cruise with just a passport card. Oct 03, 2012 this month the government began to produce u. This could be an issue if you had to fly home from a cruise. We fly from maryland to florida where we board our ship and sail to the bahamas. Your drivers license or state id card is sufficient for domestic air travel. Even if your cruise does not involve air travel outside the us, should you be required to unexpectedly depart a vessel prior to the end of the sailing, a passport would be required to reenter the us by air. Cruise travel requirements carnival cruise line australia. For instance, if there is a medical or family emergency, you will not be able to fly out of the country to return home. It only possibly gets stamped when you go thru customs at the end, if youre entering a country other than your own.
You can apply for both a passport book and passport card at the same time using either form ds11 apply in person or form ds82 renew by mail must be eligible. Valid for driving across border between canada or mexico. Book for travelers on tight budgets, who cruise roundtrip from the u. The passports for cruises faq page provides american citizens with answers to the most frequently asked questions about passport requirements related to cruising. Apr 21, 2016 a passport card only applies to land or sea travel to certain locations internationally, which is noted on the back of the card. The card may not be used to travel by air outside the united states. Passport requirements cruise to the edge march 27 april. If your ship had to end the cruise at a foreign port due to a mechanical issue or if you had an emergency need to fly home, a passport book would have been required for reentry into the us from a foreign port.
It will otherwise carry the rights and privileges of the u. The form for renewing a passport or passport card is ds82. One cruise took the passports for the whole cruise. Rightno passport needed as i would guess you stopped at a foreign port en route to nyc. Americans may enter the unites states from the bahamas by sea using a passport, passport card, or other western hemisphere travel initiative whti compliant document if they are on an officiallydesignated closedloop cruise. Applications for a passport or passport card may be submitted at any of 9,300 passport application acceptance facilities, which typically include u. Also valid on closed cruises starting and ending in us in caribbean. If youre thinking of going on a cruise, the passport card might be nice when you need a from of identification to get on and off the ship.
Passport requirements for travel to jamaica getaway usa. However the three above are the only ones i could find that has a direct reference to needing a passport. For example, if something happens on your cruise and you need to fly back, the passport card does no good. When you apply for a passport card, youll spend less money than you would when. Dream vacations story our name says it all, dream vacations start here because your dream vacation begins from the moment you start planning.
Note that it cannot be used for international air travel. You dont get your passport stamped when you get onoff a cruise ship in other countries anyway, so that wouldnt matter. Technically, united states citizens can travel on closed loop cruises using official proof of citizenship such as a birth certificate, but many cruise operators require passengers to hold a valid passport, so customs. Caribbean nations that require cruise passengers to have a passport include. As such, princess cruises continues to strongly recommend that all guests are in possession of a valid passport. Can you use the passport card for travel to the bahamas. Nov 10, 2017 while you need a passport for the kind of cruise where you get off the boat, rent a hotel room. The passport card is not valid for air travel except domestically within the u. If your ship never sails beyond the islands of hawaii, all you need is a governmentissued photo i. After he confirmed that his spouse could cruise with just a passport card, he booked their tropical vacation. But, no one wants their supposedtobefun vacation planning to be mindnumbing and stressful. It is each guests responsibility to identify and obtain all the necessary visas. It is an alternative to carrying a conventional passport book and is valid for land and sea travel to and from mexico, canada, bermuda, and the caribbean. Do you need a passport to take a cruise from the u.
Booking online is a safe, convenient way to reserve your cruise vacation. If a cruise traveler had to return home due to an emergency either at home or in a foreign country, heshe would not be able to fly back to the usa without a passport book. From the minute you board all you need to do is go to your muster station and then only ponder where and when youll have your next feast, and you can appreciate evening excitement just strides far from your room. In this video we explore should you use a passport book or a passport card when you travel. The card is only valid for land crossings in and out of mexico and canada. Do we need a passport book or can we use a passport card. To apply for or renew both the book and card, check the appropriate box at the top of the form to indicate that you would like to apply for both products. Youll need the passport book to return home whether youre flying in from europe, asia, latin or south america, africa or either of the poles. If this is the case, without a passport booklet you will not be allowed to cruise or go ashore on those islands.
Its cheaper, but not as versatile as a traditional passport. Passport book that is valid at least 6 months after your cruise. While the passport card is permissible for a cruise, you may want to reconsider getting the card over the book. There are many more cruise lines for which you do not require a passport if taking a closed loop cruise. Passport cards cruisemates cruise community and forums. The passport card is good for land border crossing between the us, canada, and mexico and sea cruise border crossings in the caribbean and bermuda. Both passport books and cards are valid for 10 years. For that reason, i get the book even though a card would be sufficient for my plans. If you are flying into seattle and driving to vancouver, the card is fine. So, if you decide to research, plan and book your own cruise vacation there are some costly mistakes you should try to avoid when booking a cruise online. Gold country is a us state, so you neednt bother with an international id to enter. Please ensure that you bring this form of id to checkin on the day of your cruise.
However, if you are not able to return on the cruise ship for any reason e. Using a passport book is the easiest, especially if due to unforeseen circumstances you do need to fly home, but if you dont have a passport book, it isnt like they arent going to let you in. A passport card fits in your wallet, making it a more convenient form of id to carry on certain trips. Passport card is a travel document that can be used to enter the united states from canada, mexico, the caribbean, and bermuda at land border crossings or sea portsofentry. Discover if a passport is required to go on a cruise, when to obtain one, where to get it and how quickly you can acquire your travel document. You need a passport for cruises to and from foreign ports. Passport card vs passport book sep 16 cruise forum. Clearing up confusion on passports houston chronicle. You did not indicate where your cruise is going to so i would check the locations in which the passport card is good for as from what i read they are only good for 34 places. More specifically, it can be used when entering the u. Guests may also sail with their official birth certificate and a supporting government issued photo id, like a driver. Although not required on closed loop sailings, which call at foreign ports but sail roundtrip from the u.
The passport book has lots of pages for visas and arrivaldeparture stamps. This cruise calls at ports in ireland and the united kingdom, and based on your nationality, you may be required to obtain a multipleentry visa for ireland, andor the united kingdom. Apr 05, 2010 the card would be nice for taking into port with you. Passport cards when i renewed my passport, i was offered the opportunity to additionally get a passport card.
They have been available to us citizens since 2008, and are meant to be a convenient way to prove your identity and citizenship. Differences between a passport book and passport card. You dont need a passport to reenter the united states if youre traveling on a closed loop cruise, which begins and ends at the same u. Passport card or book for my kids to go to the bahamas via. International guests on a domestic cruise must have a passport that is valid for 6 months after the date of the cruise return. Apr 15, 2019 if youre heading on a cruise this season, dont forget about passport requirements. But, the passport card can only be used for international travel by land and sea. How much does getting a passport for a cruise cost. These are cruises that depart from and return to the same u. I dont this the cruise line is playing parent to prevent you from losing your passport. Passports are not required for reentry to the united states when traveling on a closedloop cruise. Both forms are available for download on the state departments passport website.
I declined since it cannot be used for international travel it is really meant for those who cross the border regularly by land or sea from mexico, canada, the caribbean or bermuda. Carnival cruise lines strongly recommends all of our guests travel with a valid passport. However, depending on your itinerary, you may only need a. What if you are on a cruise to cancun or cozumel, mexico, and get a phone call that there is an. And what better way to begin than with a team of professionals who have most likely been there, done that, and definitely know how to get you the best experience for your budget. Passport cards are wallet sized while the passport book is larger and thicker. You either need the book or a bcid combo will work just fine.
A passport card is only good for land crossings from usmexico, uscanada and closed loop cruises. To book your cruise, call 888 9994880 tollfree in us international. Passport and travel documentation disney cruise line. If you are flying to canada for the alaskan cruise and flying home, you have to have a passport book. Also you can not use the passport card to fly into the us. Passport card can be used to enter the united states from canada, mexico, the caribbean, and bermuda at land border crossings or sea portsofentry and is more convenient and less expensive than a passport book. My family and i will be sailing on the adventure of the seas out of bayonne, nj in may. Im not very familiar with the card but there is a decent price difference between the 2. Passport books or passport cards are both valid for 10 years after issue for adults, and five years for travelers under age 16. Voted to be the best hawaii cruise itinerary, the pride of america sails roundtrip from honolulu while offering 4 islands during her 7day cruise, including 2 overnight stays, which means youll be able to maximize your island time in port while visiting the big island, kauai, maui, and oahu.
Mar 12, 2008 the new us passport card the size of a credit card and on sale now is half the cost of a regular passport and gives you access to canada, mexico, the caribbean and bermuda. From what i understand, the pp card is only good on land port of entries between mexico or canada and the us, or on closed loop tours. They can be used for land or sea travel to canada, mexico, bermuda. Air travel passports are required for air travel to or from canada, mexico, central and south america, the caribbean, the bahamas and bermuda. Passport card or book the dis disney discussion forums.
Us citizens on closedloop cruises cruises that begin and end in the same u. In any case, if your journey schedule makes them leave from vancouver or going to some other canadian port, you should have a valid passport book or card. A passport card also could be useful for alaska cruises, as long as all border crossings into canada are done by land or sea. Jul 27, 2019 after he confirmed that his spouse could cruise with just a passport card, he booked their tropical vacation. The card will have the same validity period as a passport book. Acceptable proof of citizenship includes an original or certified. Passport cards are a form of us passport that are the size of a credit card or drivers license. Passport requirements the moodies cruise jan 27, 2018.
There are several options when it comes to forms of identification for travel. Amount will be credited to card used for purchase 4 6 weeks after the online redemption form, found on your invoice, has been submitted form must be submitted post cruise and no later than 60 days from the date on which you return. If youre on a cruise that requires a passport, the card wont help. Aug 10, 2012 a passport book is bigger than a passport card.
Passport card or book for my kids to go to the bahamas via cruise. As it turned out, he was the one in for the unpleasant surprise. Cash back amount for cruise bookings may not exceed 10% of total value of cruise. We are traveling with a 4 and 2yearold on a disney cruise. Using a us passport card on a cruise flyertalk forums. Cruises fit the definition however if you have an emergency and need to fly back the card wont cover it.
In other words, you require either a valid passport, a u. How a passport card differs from a passport book dmv. Passport card can be used to enter the united states from canada, mexico, the caribbean, and bermuda at land border crossings or sea portsofentry and is more convenient and less. The passport card will facilitate entry and expedite document processing at u. Passport requirements for us citizens for popular types of cruises cruising is an incredible getaway. All cruises to cuba require a passport book no passport cards or other forms of i. Children age 15 and under arriving by land or sea from a contiguous territory may present an original or certified copy of his or her birth certificate. Youll have to find an embassy and get a passport done. Do you have to have a passport card and book to go on a. If youre doing any international air travel to get to your cruise, then you are required to bring a valid u. Passport book vs passport card cruise critic community. Theres no need for a passport when you sail on any hawaii interisland cruise. As mentioned you can use a birth certificate equally as a passport card on a cruise.
That cruise was primarily in the agean greece, turkey. As long as you have valid proof of american citizenship, you can ride most closed loop cruises without a passport or whticompliant document. The state departments website offers complete details and an online. But if you have the money to spare or anticipate traveling more frequently and internationally, a passport book is always the best choice. We were told that either would work, but that the passport card is only good for travel by land in the united states canada, mexico and for a cruise. As previously mentioned, both the passport book and the passport card are passports. You cannot use a passport card for air travel outside the us. Can the passport card be used on a cruise to and from.
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