The card may not be used to travel by air outside the united states. This case is an unfortunate example of what can go wrong if you decide to cruise with just a. I always travel with both my passport and my passport card. The us passport book vs passport card salon prive mag. The fee for applying for a passport card is around half the price of the application for a passport book. The passport card, meanwhile, is both less expensive and less flexible. Mar 22, 2010 you should take your photo id with you but you will not need your passport. The passport card is more convenient and less expensive than a passport book. New rules took effect on june 1 that require more standardized id for crossing landsea borders between the u. Celebrity caribbean cruise, but passport card not accepted. The passport book is the regular passport that youve seen before. Mar 18, 2020 the passport card, meanwhile, is both less expensive and less flexible. Differences between a passport book and passport card.
Passport book that is valid at least 6 months after your cruise. Find out if you need a passport to go on a cruise celebrity cruises. 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. As long as you have valid proof of american citizenship, you can ride most closed loop cruises without a passport or whticompliant document.
Mar 09, 2009 on june 1, 2009 all cruise passengers will be required to possess a passport unless on a closed loop cruise see below. Generally speaking, however, for most international cruises youll need. The us passport book vs passport card debate has many of us. Because of public health measures to prevent the spread of covid19, we have extremely limited u. Cruises without passport conditions will still require another type of valid id. Most cruise lines do not require a passport at all if the cruise starts and ends in the same port in the united states however, if you miss the ship, have a death in the family, have a medical emergency, or miss the ship in a port you will need a passport book to fly home or to the next port.
Whether youre driving across the border, taking a cruise ship or flying, you need a current u. For instance, if you are leaving from the port of miami and you go. You may want passport for cruise to alaska the seattle times. Your drivers license or state id card is sufficient for domestic air travel. Both passport books and cards are valid for 10 years. This case is an unfortunate example of what can go wrong if you decide to cruise with just a passport card. You need a passport for cruises to and from foreign ports. Some countries like russia, for example, do not require a visa unless you plan to do your own independent sightseeing separate from the cruise lines own, shiporganized shore excursions. 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. Although not required on closed loop sailings, which call at foreign ports but sail roundtrip from the u.
Will my passport card have the same number as my passport book. Of the internal pages, 17 are blank pages marked visas. Passport card vs passport book for a cruise vacation. Irtpa, in part, required the dhs and dos to develop and implement a plan to. Wouldnt be so bad if child passports lasted 10 years like the. A passport card is more affordable than a passport book. What to do when you lose your passport while traveling abroad.
What is the western hemisphere travel initiative whti. It will otherwise carry the rights and privileges of the u. You can use the passport card to reenter the united states at sea ports of entry from mexico, canada, bermuda, and the caribbean. Passport cards cruisemates cruise community and forums. Using a us passport card on a cruise flyertalk 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. Form ds 82 step 10 most recent passport book or passport card. It can be used for land or sea travel to canada, mexico, and many caribbean islands, but it is not valid for any international travel by air. If youre heading on a cruise this season, dont forget about passport requirements. 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. If you are thinking about applying for or renewing a u. Would like opinions on the difference and if we should go with the passport card.
How a passport card differs from a passport book dmv. Your cruise company may also require you to have a passport even if u. Ensure you have enough of your prescription medications to last a week. 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. Jan 04, 2020 you need a valid passport or passport card with at least 6 months remaining before the expiration date to obtain your fmm tourist visa at the border, and to return to the usa. You cannot use a passport card for air travel outside the us. Given the events over the last few years, having the proper travel documents has been a. The requirements to work on a cruise ship are different for every company but all of the companies will require that you have or be able to obtain a stcw certificate and a peme medical. Cruises that dont require a passport a sunset from the top deck on cruises that you dont need a passport for while we recommend that all guests bring their most recent and valid travel documentation, we do offer some cruises that dont require a passport. Do you always need a passport card or passport booklet to cruise. For instance, if there is a medical or family emergency, you will not be able to fly out of the country to return home. The last part states most recent passport book or passport card. The caribbean is one of the most desired travel destinations for americans.
In many cases, you can complete the entire renewal process online and dont need to. If the ship or a hotels hold your passport, you always have the card as a form of identification and proof of citizenship. All cruises to cuba require a passport book no passport cards or other forms of i. Both the passport book and passport card serve as proof of your u. This item barbie pink passport cruise ship playset barbie 3story townhouse with popup umbrella barbie zipbin 40 doll dream house toy box and playmat, styles may vary. Shipping options, if youre applying for a book, you can select 12 day delivery which.
In general, travelers must have a passport, passport card, an. Note that it cannot be used for international air travel. In general, these are closedloop voyages, or those which travel roundtrip to ports in the united states, such as. Instead of leaving rome with your cruise ship or catching your flight home from barcelona, youre on a train for three hours headed for the nearest u. The passport card cannot be used for international travel by air. You never know when you might need to get off the ship because of an injury or illness, and arranging an unexpected flight home is much easier with a passport in. I told wal mart to ship my goods to my city but it. Rightno passport needed as i would guess you stopped at a foreign port en route to nyc. Passport card vs passport book sep 16 cruise forum. A closed loop voyage means the cruise ship begins and ends at the same u.
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. While you need a passport for the kind of cruise where you get off the boat, rent a hotel room. Passport requirements for us citizens for popular types of cruises cruising is an incredible getaway. The card has the same validity period as a passport book. These are cruises that depart from and return to the same u. The number of the passport card can be found on both the front and the back of the card. While the passport card is permissible for a cruise, you may want to reconsider getting the card over the book. Passport card frequently asked questions with answers. Getting double or saving half on whatever you wish on your vacation is a wonderful option to have. Tis a shame though, for the rules at celebritys own pre cruise faq site, at the us bureau of state consular affairs, and at the us customs and border patrol western hemisphere travel initiative website are all crystal clear all we truly need is a. The passport card will facilitate entry and expedite document processing at u. Turkey required a transit pass which was issued on the ship but not the passport book. However, if you are not able to return on the cruise ship for any reason e. Well apply for new passport books and turn over our passport cards in hopes they arrive.
Before you book that caribbean cruise, take a moment to familiarize yourself with the new passport. Nov 10, 2017 while you need a passport for the kind of cruise where you get off the boat, rent a hotel room. The card provides a smaller, more convenient, and less expensive alternative to the passport book for those who travel frequently to these destinations by land or sea. At the consulate that day we met a cleveland native who was mugged walking home from dinner in florence, after he sent his dad ahead in a cab. What is the passport card good for and what is its limitations. 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. However, the destinations where you can use this card are limited. As it turned out, he was the one in for the unpleasant surprise. Fastport passport the sooner you need to be there, the. There are many more cruise lines for which you do not require a passport if taking a closed loop cruise.
Whether you are looking for a cruise booking tool for customers to use on your website or an agent productivity tool so your agents and independent contractors can research and book in one central location, tandem has the booking solution for you. 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. While norwegian does its level best to facilitate the process for its clientele, passengers are subject to u. Clearing up confusion on passports houston chronicle. You never know when you might need to get off the ship because of an injury or. What are the requirements to work on a cruise ship. Cruises that dont require a passport cruise without a. A passport card serves as official identification and proof of your us citizenship. 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. Cruise passport requirements vary depending on the type of cruise you take as well as where the cruise will be sailing. Whti is the joint department of state dos and department of homeland security dhs plan to implement a key 911 commission recommendation and the statutory mandates of the intelligence reform and terrorism prevention act of 2004 irtpa. Government issued photo id, like a drivers license or an identity card.
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. A passport card is only good for land crossings from usmexico, uscanada and closed loop cruises. Yes, a current and valid passport card can be used if your cruise. International sailings cruises that begin outside the united states, u. While we recommend that all guests bring their most recent and valid travel documentation, we do offer some cruises that dont require a passport.
Even most cruiselines now highly recommend a valid passport, even if its a closedloop cruise. While the book is valid for entering most countries by any means of travel air, sea, or land, the passport card is only valid for only return to the u. Usa whats the most secure way to ship a us passport to a family member who is overseas. Cruises that take port at any foreign destination will often require you have a passport to even board or register on the ship.
However, in recent years, passports are required for most travel to the caribbean. Wouldnt be so bad if child passports lasted 10 years like the adult passport, but renewing them every 5 yea. At the consulate that day we met a cleveland native who was mugged walking home from dinner. However the three above are the only ones i could find that has a direct reference to needing a passport on their website. On the other hand, cruise ships are floating cities that function as both the vessel and the destination. The passport card can be used only to reenter the u. Passport cards are a cardsized version of a us passport. If your passport is expired for more than 5 years you will need to apply for a new adult passport. 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. It replaces the need for a passport for travel to canada, the caribbean and i think mexico.
The 4 kids need their passports renewed before our fall cruise. Nassau requires ship seapass card and government issued photo id. Jun 17, 2019 whether youre driving across the border, taking a cruise ship or flying, you need a current u. First of all, for those of you who are going on a cruise that starts and ends in the united states, you may not need a passport. Prior to that date if you are only traveling to and from canada, mexico, the caribbean and bermuda you only need documentation as indicated in the closed loop rules below. Passport requirements royal caribbean discussion royal. Applying for a passport card is also more costeffective than passport books.
S travelers who will need a new passport in 2018 can potentially save themselves a few dollars if they avoid waiting until the last minute to apply. When traveling by plane overseas, its a nobrainer that this requires a valid passport. Citizens to have a visa to travel if they are arriving by cruise ship. Ive used a dl with my passport in the safe on the ship, ive used a passport card with my passport book in the safe on the ship and ive used a twic card for id. The passport card is a walletsize travel document that can only be used to reenter the united states at land bordercrossings or portsofentry by sea from canada, mexico, the caribbean, and bermuda. Tips on making copies of your passport before your cruise.
Passport books are likely what you think of when you imagine a passport a bookletstyle identification and travel document. The passports for cruises faq page provides american citizens with answers to the most frequently asked questions about passport requirements related to cruising. What travel documents do i need to board a royal caribbean cruise ship. Feb 14, 2020 cruise passport requirements vary depending on the type of cruise you take as well as where the cruise will be sailing. This could be an issue if you had to fly home from a cruise. In a passport book, this can be found at the top of the personal information page. Most us passports have a dark blue cover, and contain 28 pages. This includes driving to canada and mexico and also cruises. Passport book vs passport card norwegian cruise line. If you dont make it back to your cruise ship on time after visiting a port, or if a family. In previous years, the passport requirements to the caribbean were nonexistent.
Jul 27, 2019 after he confirmed that his spouse could cruise with just a passport card, he booked their tropical vacation. Do you need a passport to take a cruise from the u. In weighing the cost savings of a passport card vs. Can the passport card be used on a cruise to and from florida. Jun 16, 2016 passport cards are a card sized version of a us passport. Oct 24, 2011 instead of leaving rome with your cruise ship or catching your flight home from barcelona, youre on a train for three hours headed for the nearest u. After he confirmed that his spouse could cruise with just a passport card, he booked their tropical vacation. Of the internal pages, 17 are blank pages marked visas that are meant for travel visas and country entry and exit stamps. It has pages in the back that are stamped upon arrival in a country.