No matter how you travel to bahamas, you need a valid us passport to arrive there. To start, you will need to know whether you want a passport book, passport card, or both. Either get the passport book or travel with birth certificatedrivers license combo. Question about passport book vs passport card the dis. To apply for or renew both the book and card, check the appropriate box at the top of the form to. Passports must be valid for at least six months after the last day of travel.
Passport the application process is the same for either the passport book or card, even if you want both at the same time. Weve had quite a few memorable cases in recent times. Of the internal pages, 17 are blank pages marked visas. After he confirmed that his spouse could cruise with just a passport card, he booked their tropical vacation. This case is an unfortunate example of what can go wrong if you decide to cruise with just a.
Generally speaking, however, for most international cruises youll need. Cruise passport requirements vary depending on the type of cruise you take as well as where the cruise will be sailing. State department issues two versions of a passport. Ensure you have enough of your prescription medications to last a week. Passport requirements for cruises know before you go.
Passport card vs passport book carnival cruise lines. The passport card will facilitate entry and expedite document processing at u. Our cruise leaves long beach, ca and heading for ensenada mexico then back to long beach. Royal caribbean cruise line adds vegan menu to main dining room options summer cruise deals 2019 virgin voyages to launch craft beer on. Ended up just using the passport card without any issues. Form ds 82 step 10 most recent passport book or passport card.
While there are places to cruise without a passport book such as canada, mexico, bermuda and the caribbean, you do need a passport card at minimum to travel to these areas by sea. Im with lanejudy, the passport card is useless for a cruise. The one thing where it might be an issue is if you need to come home early the card cannot be used for air travel. But, when you refer to a passport for international travel, there is an option besides the booklet.
The passport book is valid for all kind of international travel to include flights. If your ship never sails beyond the islands of hawaii, all you need is a governmentissued. Would like opinions on the difference and if we should go with the passport card. Passports are required for cruise travel to all international destinations not mentioned above, and for cruises that involve air travel that begins or ends outside of the u. Most travelers are familiar with acquiring and using a passport book, as its required for international air travel. Is a passport card sufficient for a us cruise to alaska. In addition to the traditional passport book most folks are familiar with, the agency also offers passport cards for land and sea entry to the u. However, you should be able to use your passport card instead of your book if you arrive on a cruise ship. How to apply for a new passport card rush my passport. A passport card is less expensive and is the size of a drivers license, thus some frequent cruisers prefer it. I thought about getting the passport card in addition to the book the last time i renewed my passport but couldnt think. However, before you apply for a new passport card, consider carefully whether or not you might be better off getting a us passport book. The passport requirements for a united states of america passport are simple for those who are a u.
The passport card is not acceptable for air travel. In this video we explore should you use a passport book or a passport card when you travel. It will otherwise carry the rights and privileges of the u. Both the passport book and passport card serve as proof of your u. You cannot use a passport card on cruises from international homeports. A passport card also could be useful for alaska cruises, as long as all border crossings into canada are done by land or sea.
If you need to obtain an international travel document for your cruise, the passport card offers some important advantages. Find uses and advantages of a passport book and a passport card and figure out which one is best for you, or if you should have both documents. Although cruise passport requirements vary depending on where youll be sailing, you will usually need either a passport card or a passport book. United states citizens can get either a passport book or a. Can we use the card or does it need to be the passport book. The passport book has lots of pages for visas and arrivaldeparture stamps. The passport book is the regular passport that youve seen before.
Find out if you need a passport to go on a cruise celebrity cruises. You can renew your passport by mail if your adult passport expired less than 5 years ago and you currently reside in the united states or canada. The passport card almost looks just like a drivers license but is. Your cruise company may also require you to have a passport even if u. A passport card is cheaper than a passport book, but cant be used for air travel and is only valid in canada, mexico, bermuda, and the. A passport card is more convenient and less expensive than a passport book, but it cannot be used for international travel by air.
The passports for cruises faq page provides american citizens with answers to the most frequently asked questions about passport requirements related to cruising. The 4 kids need their passports renewed before our fall cruise. When traveling by plane overseas, its a nobrainer that this requires a valid passport. What is a passport card, and what should you know when youre considering a passport. The passport card cannot be used for international travel by air. Do i need need my passport card or even the book for it. Your passport book can be used in any situation where a passport card could be used, but you may find that it is convenient for you to also have a passport card. Gold country is a us state, so you neednt bother with an international id to enter. 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 has been updated to reflect the most current information. Although us and canadian passport holders are not currently required to sail with a passport on most domestic or closedloop itineraries including alaska, bermuda, canada, caribbean, hawaii, and mexico and panama canal, princess cruises highly recommends they are carried. Do you always need a passport card or passport booklet to cruise.
Why choose a passport card as your cruise travel document. The third space says, most recent passport book or passport card. A passport card can be used for land and sea border crossings between the u. 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. Wouldnt be so bad if child passports lasted 10 years like the. Minors if you are reporting a lost or stolen passport for a minor persons under the age of 16, a parent or guardian must sign and mailin a paper ds64 statement regarding lost or stolen passport. Differences between a passport book and passport card. But for your cruise you could certainly use the passport card. Apart from the usual form, one may use when applying for a passport, others may need additional passport application forms. Passport books are likely what you think of when you imagine a passport a bookletstyle identification and travel document. The card may not be used to travel by air outside the united states. The card has the same validity period as a passport book. Getting double or saving half on whatever you wish on your vacation is a wonderful option to have.
A us passport card can only be used for land and sea travel to canada, mexico or the caribbean. Passport cards are good for land and sea travel to and from mexico, canada, caribbean, bahamas, and bermuda. On the other hand, cruise ships are floating cities that function as both the vessel and the destination. So right then and there i decided i was going to get a passport for my family and i. 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. However, it is technically a territory of the united kingdom. It can also be used for domestic air travel in the usa. My entire familyextended family is going on a cruise in august. A passport card is also available for certain travel situations. Home faqs what about documentation visas and passports. However, the standard passport book is always the most secure identification to bring. What is the passport card good for and what is its limitations. Passport card frequently asked questions with answers.
The requirements vary depending on the age of the applicant and which type of passport is being applied for passport book and or passport card. In some instances, travelers may be eligible to use a passport card or other document to return from the island. A passport card serves as official identification and proof of your us citizenship. However, if you are not able to return on the cruise ship for any reason e. Start today by applying for or renewing your passport.
You can use the passport card to reenter the united states at sea ports of entry from mexico, canada, bermuda, and the caribbean. Should i get a passport book, card, or both for a cruise. Youll need the passport book to return home whether youre flying in from europe, asia, latin or south. Using a us passport card on a cruise flyertalk forums. 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. Most us passports have a dark blue cover, and contain 28 pages. Passport book vs passport card norwegian cruise line.
Passport cards are a cardsized version of a us passport. Will my passport card have the same number as my passport book. As it turned out, he was the one in for the unpleasant surprise. Passport book vs passport card i f youve wondered what the difference is between a passport book and a passport card, youve come to the right place. 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. Because although you can cruise with just a passport card, you cant fly anywhere. Passport cards are particularly useful for some people. Celebrity caribbean cruise, but passport card not accepted. Getting a passport isnt that difficult, but it can be a bit of a hassle as there are several steps to take. Cruises using a us passport card on a cruise anyone know for sure if a passport card may be used for a cruise. Passports celebrity cruises, celebrity cruise, cruises.
Theres no need for a passport when you sail on any hawaii interisland cruise. Follow the instructions on page 2 for detailed information to completion and submission of this form. Travelers should also remember that they must have passport books to visit bahamas if they arrive by plane. Passport card the standard passport book covers all the bases.
113 1373 1429 197 141 1115 111 299 313 1057 1619 1497 917 1556 648 1621 186 103 953 1431 1168 82 1453 1642 438 190 1270 1413 421 708 1221 622 1047 785