get a passport or save the money

jamie6969 · January 2013

We are going on a carribean cruize for our hm. Our travel agent said since we are leaving from a us port and returning to a us port we do not need passports. Nice that will save us a bunch of money. I have never been on a cruize before and am wondering if i should just be happy about saving the money or get one just in case?

danielm18 · January 2013

Passports are good for "just in case". A medical emergency could cause you to get stuck on a island or need to be flown out, and the Ship will leave you if you're not on it by the time they give you.

However, I've been on quite a few cruises, and the only people that I know of who have been left behind were drinking and missed the ship because of that. So, if you are a responsible adult when you're off the ship you should be fine without a passport.

Also, isn't three like a cheap passport that only works in the Caribbean? Like I think it's just a piece of paper instead of the book.

hoffse · January 2013

I would get one. They are good for 10 years, and now is the time to do it. If you get stuck on the island or if the ship has to suddenly reroute you may need it - plus then you have it in case you ever go out of the country in the next decade.

They are also very useful for other things - for instance a few months ago my purse was literally snatched out of my arms in midtown Atlanta, and it had all my ID in there, including my social security card (I was carrying it because I had just started a new job a week or so before). My passport was in a safe deposit box at my bank, and I was able to get everything reissued without a hassle because I had one. The feds consider it to be the ultimate proof of identity.

They are a bit expensive out the gate, but they aren't as expensive to renew once they expire. I would do it.

Jells2dot0 · January 2013

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_honeymoon_get-a-passport-or-save-the-money?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding BoardsForum:11Discussion:2c49e1c0-9fb0-40aa-8933-98fccdbf481ePost:f45a8bad-67b2-4d59-b494-4e2bbd6cd34a">Re: get a passport or save the money</a>:
[QUOTE]I would get one. They are good for 10 years, and now is the time to do it. If you get stuck on the island or if the ship has to suddenly reroute you may need it - plus then you have it in case you ever go out of the country in the next decade. They are also very useful for other things - for instance a few months ago my purse was literally snatched out of my arms in midtown Atlanta, and it had all my ID in there, including my social security card (I was carrying it because I had just started a new job a week or so before). My passport was in a safe deposit box at my bank, and I was able to get everything reissued without a hassle because I had one. The feds consider it to be the ultimate proof of identity. <strong>They are a bit expensive out the gate, but they aren't as expensive to renew once they expire. I would do it.
</strong>Posted by hoffse[/QUOTE]

I'm renewing my passport right now and just wrote a check for $110! It must have gone up in price. That being said, they do have a thing called a passport card that is used for entry into Canada, Mexico, Bermuda, and the Caribbean. I believe it's a bit cheaper. I would still get the passport, though. I can't imagine my life without one!

Maggie0829 · January 2013

I would just get a passport. You never know when you will need one and if you get one now you won't have to worry about getting one in a year or two when you decide to go somewhere else outside of US.

SuMmErKuTiE · January 2013

Ditto pp's definitely get a passport, it opens up the door to the entire world. What if you guys are ever spontaneous and jump on an airfare sale to Europe or to the South Pacific? I can't imagine not having a passport, I love knowing we can travel anywhere in the world. It's an expense up front, but is worth every penny.

FWIW, whenever we're standing in line to check in for a cruise, every single person I see standing in line is holding a passport. It's highly recommended that you travel with one and they discourage only using your birth certificate to board a cruise. And if you go the birth certificate route, make sure you bring an official copy that has the raised stamp on it. That's also the same one you'll need to use to obtain your passport at the post office.

lnf616 · January 2013

I'm confused!! I sailed on a disney cruise in August leaving from NY up to Canada and back to NY and a passport was a must!

We are leaving for our honeymoon on a cruise from NY down to the Bahamas and back and a passport is a must for that cruise too! This time on Royal Caribbean!

I would do a quick double check with the cruise line to be sure as I could not "check in" to our cruise online without our passport numbers.

Are you not stopping at any ports? One of the ports gave me a hard time because my daughter and I have different last names, we both had passports and I had her birth certificate, all to get back on the boat!!!

amymaysa · January 2013

I don't know why anyone would not have a passport.
Like PPs have said, it's useful as a form of photo ID incase you lose yours or it gets stolen, plus, what if you win a trip from the radio station, but can't go b/c you don't have a passport.

I also thought you needed them for cruises now, no matter where you left from, so I would double check that

lnf616 · January 2013

I guess you don't HAVE to have it for all cruises from what I read. However, if you miss the boat, you will have problems getting on a plane to either meet up with the boat or go home. If you need to fly home from anywhere for any type of emergency, you will need a passport to fly.
I'm not sure if I would take that chance! Better to be safe than sorry!!

cwaggoner07 · February 2013

There is the issue if you plan to change your name after your honeymoon, you will have to get another one. I have not changed the name on my passport yet, is the fee still 110 just for a name change even if it's not expired?

miranda holly · February 2013

The Western Hemisphere Travel Intitive (WHTI) is an "law" that was passed, stating US citizens and residents require a travel document (passport, nexus card, enhanced driver's licence) for travel by land and sea. Any flight travel out of the US requires a passport or nexus card (when travelling to Canada). However; by LAW, if you are a US citizen (and even have NO documents), once an interview/examination is done, and they are satisfied you are who you say you are, you are LEGALLY allowed to enter back into the country. A passport makes it much easier, and offers less hassel at any border.

Passports are just over a hundred dollars. Not small change for some. But figure in, it's valid for 10 years. Over that period, it's about $10 a year. Like other PP's, it also serves as a great backup ID should you lose a DL or birth certificate. *trust me*

I say get one, use it for convience, and then tuck it away in a safe spot in your home!

jamie6969 · February 2013

all good advice and i will take it into consideration. Thanks for all the feed back

get a passport or save the money

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