travelingfrugal

We just did ours, but we did pay for the overnight. It was 7 days from the time we sent them off until the time they arrived back in the mail. Add another week for normal mail.

That’s fast! I put in a call today to see if I could add on the overnight charge now (I had only expedited) and they allowed me to. So, hopefully it’s worth it.

We just got ours yesterday and it took from Nov 20 - Dec 7, so that included Thanksgiving holiday. We didn't expedite. I am impressed.

 

 

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That gives me hope. Under 3 weeks is a great turn around time without expediting.

I recently renewed my passport and got passports for my kids and got them back in about 2 weeks, not expedited. If you put the travel date on there they will get it back to you. The post office even messed up and didnt sign one of my kids applications and total time was about 3 weeks even after the Passport office sent the application back to us and had to resend.

That’s quick for non-expedited. I hope mine is just as quick. I can’t track it yet so it’s all a waiting game.

It is my understanding that both St Martin and Labadee except cruise ship passengers from the passport requirements. If this were not so passengers could not board any cruise destined for those ports with anything less than a passport.

Good to hear. I thought that was the case.

There's really no more information you need- if your passport doesn't return in time (which it should) your birth cert and govt issued ID will be sufficient to get on your cruise. Millions of people every year travel with something other than a passport on a closed loop cruise and while I don't know what the break down is regarding how many are using BC/Govt ID I'm sure it's a decent percentage.

I’ve seen conflicting things about Saint Martin and whether or not they require a passport (and Labadee as well - but I’m going to assume that’s misinformation because I doubt RCCL would have their private destentation be inaccessible to so many).

I know that generally, BC + IDs work on closed loop cruises. That’s why I ordered a second copy of my BC. Some ports though, as discussed, require a passport, even for closed loop.

Just bumping to say I would still appreciate information from anyone about the BC + ID combo. :)

.....as long as the cruise line does not have its own requirements for a passport.

 

 

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Luckily, RCCL does accept birth certificates and ID. But since some ports (such as Cuba) require a passport, I’m still a bit concerned.

You would have been fine with your BC and DL....assuming you're American. That's all you need for a "closed loop" cruise to the Caribbean.

I am American. I was just getting the passport for good measure. Since there was a chance I might not get it in time, I want to be absolutely sure this documentation is sufficient.

Welcome to Cruise Critic.

You should get your passport in plenty of time to cruise.

Don't know exactly when you sent for it, but you can track the progress of what is happening.

Thank you. I hope so. I just sent the application yesterday, so I’m not able to track it yet.

RCCL does not require passports of all passengers on all itineraries, that's only done by some of the luxury lines (I guess they don't trust their passengers to make up their own minds;)).

That’s what I thought. Glad I didn’t book with a luxury line (nothing against them - it would just make this process a lot more stressful)

I had a my renewed passport in 5 weeks with regular processing. So with expedited processing, it is most likely that you will receive your passport within one month.

 

 

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Thanks for the data point!

I agree that you should have your passport back in time. Unless your cruise line is one of the few that requires passports of all passengers your back up documentation will be sufficient (as long as your state ID has a photo on it).

I don’t think it is? (RCCL) my state ID does have a photo.

You should have your passport back if you have expedited it.

 

I would check with the cruise line on the documentation that you need.

 

Keith

I hope so! I had to submit a bunch of extra documentation because I don’t have a DL. It should be fine, if they don’t ask me for more information.

I will probably inquire with the cruise line too.

Since all of your ports are in the Western Hemisphere, the WHTI (Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative) covers your ability to travel on a cruise using just your birth certificate and your DL (state ID in your case). All of the nations in the Western Hemisphere have agreed to this initiative, so you will be okay. The only problem area is Belize, where due to their sketchy passport controls, ships sometimes get a little more stringent interview when returning to the US.

Good to hear! Thanks.

Hi cruisers,

First time cruiser here. Sailing an Eastern Carribean itinerary (San Juan, Saint Martin, Labadee) in about one month.

I applied for a passport yesterday and paid the extra fee for expedited processing. (No overnight shipping, though)

Since I needed to submit my BC with the application, I’ve already ordered a second copy from the vital statistics office via VitalChek.

I do not have a driver’s license. I do have a state ID.

If there is a delay in processing my passport application, will the BC + my ID be enough to cruise?

Since it is closed loop, I believe so. However, I have read that some of the ports themselves require passports and if your ship is going to one of them, they won’t even let you board with a BC + ID

Thanks!