flagger Posted June 14, 2004 #1 Share Posted June 14, 2004 Went to one post office this morning, there were only two people working the counter and a line out the door. Ok no thanks. Went to the main post office in our little city within the big city and they have set hours for passport collection. I get there and there are two late teens/early twentys who have been waiting for 30 minutes and the light for the passport part of the PO is off. Then some guy comes out and says, "He is on his way, should be just a minute". Five minutes later he comes and the two kids go in and it takes them, I swear I am not making this up, 40 minutes to get their passport applications turned in. They brought CASH!!! So they have to wait until they can get a money order sold to them, (luckily they can cut in line). Then the counter clerk (of which there were also only two) is slower than anyone at the DMV and takes forever to finish the transaction she had been working on. Oh did I mention they have to get photos taken as well? TO top all that off, she forgets to collect the execution fee so they have to go back out with their cash and pay for that. I go in with my form signed by Ms. Flagger, photos I got at Wal-mart, her birth certificate, my passport. The form is all filled out except not signed because I have to sign it after taking the oath that I didn't lie on her application. I write two checks (one to US Department of State for $40 and one to Postmaster for $30 (execution fee). Cocoa and I are in and out in five minutes. Hope this helps someone else who needs to get a passport for their wee one. I printed out all the forms from the website and didn't need Ms. Flagger's consent form notarized. Ms. Flagger is at work so she could not be with me. If you get a passport for a wee one, both parents must be present otherwise a consent to issue a passport to a minor must be filled out. [img]http://escati.linkopp.net/cgi-bin/countdown.cgi?trgb=000000&srgb=00ff00&prgb=0000ff&cdt=2004;9;12;17;00;00&timezone=GMT-1000[/img] Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
happysinglemom Posted June 14, 2004 #2 Share Posted June 14, 2004 I got my son one last month, and other than getting directed to the wrong place, twice, once we finally got there, it was fine. Since I am a single mom, I already knew about the consent form and had it signed and ready. We had our passport photos taken earlier the same day at AAA as a member benefit (it cost $10 for the two of us) so we were good to go. Definitely not something you can do in a hurry though, those people that work in that office are typcial civil service types - slow and plodding!! Adventure of the Seas will be our maiden cruise! [img]http://escati.linkopp.net/cgi-bin/countdown.cgi?trgb=000000&srgb=00ff00&prgb=0000ff&cdt=2004;8;15;22;00;00&timezone=GMT-0500[/img] Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
flagger Posted June 14, 2004 Author #3 Share Posted June 14, 2004 I had to go to Wal-mart because my AAA office was not set up to photograph a one year old. They charge $7.50 in Texas at AAA. Wal-mart was just under $11 with tax but they had the set up for her to sit on with a white background and it worked out fine. [img]http://escati.linkopp.net/cgi-bin/countdown.cgi?trgb=000000&srgb=00ff00&prgb=0000ff&cdt=2004;9;12;17;00;00&timezone=GMT-1000[/img] Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FinelyCruising Posted June 14, 2004 #4 Share Posted June 14, 2004 Sounds like a similar amount of tension and brain damage we have gone through. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TBRay Posted June 14, 2004 #5 Share Posted June 14, 2004 The only saving grace here is they are valid for five or ten years depending on the age of the child. Sounds just like a cruise. You'll always have newbies that don't know squat about the process and then others who are informed and ready to roll. Still worth it IMHO. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
flagger Posted June 14, 2004 Author #6 Share Posted June 14, 2004 I can remember flying back from Seattle on the Red Eye after our honeymoon and going straight the main office in Houston when Ms. Flagger got her first passport. The office was not yet open and the line of people sitting down waiting was almost to the elevators. It took us three hours then. Now Ms. Flagger and I can renew ours by mail. Cocoa is just a year so we will need to do this again in five years and she has to appear in person. [img]http://escati.linkopp.net/cgi-bin/countdown.cgi?trgb=000000&srgb=00ff00&prgb=0000ff&cdt=2004;9;12;17;00;00&timezone=GMT-1000[/img] Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Maria65 Posted June 14, 2004 #7 Share Posted June 14, 2004 Last summer, with four kids in tow, the clerk processing our passport applications looked very disappointed that I had correctly downloaded every necessary form. She really wanted to be able to send us away. At each turn, I kept saying, no, that's right here, got it already off the website. It costs an arm and a leg but I feel better having us all have passports. They just use them for ID purposes though, no chance to get them stamped anywhere on the cruise. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
easternLIers Posted June 14, 2004 #8 Share Posted June 14, 2004 Why whould you take an infant on a cruise anyhow??????????? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
marciemi Posted June 14, 2004 #9 Share Posted June 14, 2004 We had more problems with our Walgreens pictures. Took 3 hyper boys (ages 8-11) right after school for pics, promising them it wouldn't take more than a couple minutes. The first Walgreens was "out of film". So we went to another one. They kept trying, would take the picture, wait 5 minutes for it to dry, then say it wasn't right because the kids were "kind of smiling". They insisted that if there was ANY smile on their face, it would be rejected. I'd just gotten my passport, and I was smiling. When we went to turn in ours at the post office, you could get your pics there and the sign said "Smile". Don't know where Walgreens got their info. Anyway, then a couple times per kid the picture was too close, too far, their eyes were closed, it came out blurry, they cut it wrong (seriously). It took over 2 hours and the kids all look like criminals with horrible mug shots (if I knew how I'd post them and you'd all laugh hysterically!) And now they have to keep them for 5 years! However, we didn't have any problems with the post office. It was quick and painless and we had both parents, all forms and all kids with us. We also brought cash, though, which we were told to do and the clerk just printed and attached the money order. I gathered you had to do it that way because they had an admin fee that you wouldn't know the cost of otherwise. It probably took 15 minutes total which for 3 kids wasn't bad. Most the time was reading and going over the information we'd written and confirming it. Big Red Boat '88, Fair Princess '90, Norway '91, Regal Princess '91, Carnival Fantasy '93, Regent Rainbow '95, Big Red Boat '98, Disney Wonder '00, Grand Princess 11/16/03, Voyager of the Seas 09/10/04 Diamond Princess 12/4/04 <MARQUEE> Voyager of the Seas - 9/10/2004 <MARQUEE> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stretch Posted June 14, 2004 #10 Share Posted June 14, 2004 A further note on passports. Some forms are two sided and do not print off the State Dept website. It's easy just to go down, pick up the application and fill it out at home. Then bring it back with checks or money orders and your pictures cut to size. Like Flagger said, DO NOT SIGN THE DOCUMENT, or you'll have to fill it out all over again so you can get sworn in and sign it in front of the passport clerk. Stretch Barcrawlers on ice, where will we turn up next? Carnival Celebration 08/97 Carnival Fantasy 02/99 RCI Explorer 05/02 RCI Brilliance 04/03 The Barcrawler Legend Begins RCI Brilliance 03/04 The Return of the Barcrawlers Celebrity Summit 06/10/2005 Barcrawlers in Alaska email address: [email]Stretchcrawler@yahoo.com[/email] Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
flagger Posted June 14, 2004 Author #11 Share Posted June 14, 2004 The application and the consent to issue a minor a passport only printed one sided, but were accepted. Sadly both of the local post offices were lacking in their display of the proper forms. At least I knew not to bring cash. [img]http://escati.linkopp.net/cgi-bin/countdown.cgi?trgb=000000&srgb=00ff00&prgb=0000ff&cdt=2004;9;12;17;00;00&timezone=GMT-1000[/img] Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
flagger Posted June 14, 2004 Author #12 Share Posted June 14, 2004 <BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by easternLIers: Why whould you take an infant on a cruise anyhow???????????<HR></BLOCKQUOTE> She is a toddler and not an infant. RCCL is taking my money to bring my toddler. RCCL provides in-cabin babysitting. RCCL markets itself as a family vacation. Have YOU seen their latest adverts? The laws in my state are quite clear with regard to abandoning a child and leaving her at home to go on a 10 day vacation. [img]http://escati.linkopp.net/cgi-bin/countdown.cgi?trgb=000000&srgb=00ff00&prgb=0000ff&cdt=2004;9;12;17;00;00&timezone=GMT-1000[/img] Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
easternLIers Posted June 14, 2004 #13 Share Posted June 14, 2004 Yes...Thats why I've booked my last cruise with this mediocre line!! [img]http://messages.cruisecritic.com/infopop/emoticons/icon_biggrin.gif[/img] Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
imsulin Posted June 14, 2004 #14 Share Posted June 14, 2004 Passsports for children under 16 (I think) are good for five years. 16 and older are good for 10 years. I could be wrong on that age...it might be 18. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cruisingnewyorkers Posted June 14, 2004 #15 Share Posted June 14, 2004 Imsulin, You are correct, passports for anyone under 16 is good for 5 years and anyone 16 and above is 10 years. Donna/Post Office Passport Clerk Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shirleygr Posted June 14, 2004 #16 Share Posted June 14, 2004 I'm sorry, but I'm getting very tired of all the negative posts regarding children on cruises, not just here but on many of the other boards as well. We get to spend such little time together during the year that I want my children to enjoy the fun of a family vacation. If certain people do not want to cruise with children on board, they should consider the cruiselines that offer adults only cruises or those that do not offer amenities for children. I've vented, I feel better, back to our regular programming. Shirley cruising-courtesy-kindness Surprise! 4 Night to Canada on the Victory . . . July 22, 2004 3-Night Anniversary Cruise on Majesty of the Seas . . . January 7, 2005 Family spring break cruise on the Dawn . . . April 17, 2005 NCL Majesty 11/98 CCL Ecstasy 1/01 CCL Fascination 11/01 CCL Fascination 4/03 RCI Majesty of the Seas 8/03 CCL Imagination 12/03 CCL Fascination 5/04 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cofgren Posted June 14, 2004 #17 Share Posted June 14, 2004 easternLIars,hurry,maybe you can get your money back.this mediocre line just might not be for you.there are so many excellant cruise lines to choose from,how on earth did you manage to select this one.run,as fast as you can.go to a better cruise line,I'm sure you will be missed! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
flagger Posted June 15, 2004 Author #18 Share Posted June 15, 2004 <BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by easternLIers: Yes...Thats why I've booked my last cruise with this mediocre line!! [img]http://messages.cruisecritic.com/infopop/emoticons/icon_biggrin.gif[/img]<HR></BLOCKQUOTE> I am sure that RCCL is just quaking in their boots over this "threat". When they change their marketing to not focus on families, we might look at another line, but for now they do and driving to the pier will be soooo convenient. [img]http://escati.linkopp.net/cgi-bin/countdown.cgi?trgb=000000&srgb=00ff00&prgb=0000ff&cdt=2004;9;12;17;00;00&timezone=GMT-1000[/img] Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AZ Boomer Posted June 15, 2004 #19 Share Posted June 15, 2004 I received my first passport (Military Dependent type-green cover) when I was 10. I picked up my son’s four years ago (pre-9/11) when he was 6 and renewed my wife’s without difficulty. We used them when traveling to Canada (a lot easier than bringing the birth certificate) and our last cruise. I was required to sign the signature line on the passport page for my son before our first international flight (first-graders can't sign very well [img]http://messages.cruisecritic.com/infopop/emoticons/icon_rolleyes.gif[/img]; of course my doctor’s scrawl is not much better [img]http://messages.cruisecritic.com/infopop/emoticons/icon_wink.gif[/img]). Left room for him to sign it himself as he gets older. As a pediatrician, I too am tired of all the negative posts about children and cruises. [img]http://messages.cruisecritic.com/infopop/emoticons/icon_mad.gif[/img] Remember we were all children once. My son traveled with us since the age of four months and very often is far more mature than many adults on jets, hotels, and ship are. [img]http://messages.cruisecritic.com/infopop/emoticons/icon_smile.gif[/img] He is also upset at children who kick the seats in jets and who run around corridors. Travel is an excellent experience for children to see and appreciate other cultures. I also teach him how to NOT be an “ugly-American†when abroad. There will always be kids who don't behave. Mostly this is because some parents take a "vacation from parenting" when on a cruise with their kids. [img]http://messages.cruisecritic.com/infopop/emoticons/icon_rolleyes.gif[/img] I agree with Shirley that if certain people do not want to cruise with children on board, they should consider the cruise lines that offer adults only cruises or take land vacations that cater to adults-only. <MARQUEE direction=left width=100%>[B] Jewel of the Seas - Scandanavia/Russia - July 15, 2004 [/B] [img]http://escati.linkopp.net/cgi-bin/countdown.cgi?trgb=000000&srgb=00ff00&prgb=000080&cdt=2004;7;15;17;00;00&timezone=GMT+0000[/img] </MARQUEE> <MARQUEE direction=left width=100%> 2/95 Mardi Gras, 3/96 Tropicale, 7/02 Adventure of the Seas </MARQUEE> [This message was edited by AZ Boomer on 06-15-04 at 02:32 PM.] Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pieshops Posted June 15, 2004 #20 Share Posted June 15, 2004 a birth certificate with a raised seal is identification enough for infants and toddlers. A passport is not necessary Until our Cruise Critic Group Alaska Cruise [img]http://escati.linkopp.net/cgi-bin/countdown.cgi?trgb=000000&srgb=00ff00&prgb=111111&cdt=2004;08;06;17;00;00&timezone=GMT-1000[/img] Come check out the links below for our Cruise Critic group cruise to Alaska - August 2004 [url="http://messages.cruisecritic.com/2/OpenTopic?a=frm&s=927093444&f=9693034447"]http://messages.cruisecritic.com/2/OpenTopic?a=frm&s=927093444&f=9693034447[/url] [url="http://www.cruisecritic.com/interests/groups.cfm?ID=43"]http://www.cruisecritic.com/interests/groups.cfm?ID=43[/url] Carnival Holiday 1991 Norwegian Sea August 2001 Carnival Triumph August 2003 Celebrity Horizon October 2003 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NJGRANNY Posted June 15, 2004 #21 Share Posted June 15, 2004 The last cruise we were on, I met a man who had brought his 6 month old twins with him. His wife and he took turns babysitting and were keeping the boys on their routine. I really admired them. I, personally, enjoy seeing children on the cruises. <font color=#FF0000> Jan from New Jersey Celebrity - Caribbean - Twice RCCL - Alaska, Caribbean, Canada Holland America - Panama Canal and South America Future: Celebrity - Back to back Caribbean - Oct. 2004 Princess - Back to back Caribbean - Feb. 2005 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare Cruise Junky Posted June 16, 2004 #22 Share Posted June 16, 2004 <BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by pieshops: a birth certificate with a raised seal is identification enough for infants and toddlers. A passport is not necessary <HR></BLOCKQUOTE> Not here it isn't... you need a passport if you're flying out of the country. Some Ship, Some Itinerary, Somewhere in the Med. [img]http://escati.linkopp.net/cgi-bin/countdown.cgi?trgb=000000&srgb=00ff00&prgb=008000&cdt=2006;5;12;17;0;00&timezone=GMT+0100[/img] Mexican Riviera - Rhapsody of the Seas 11 Day Circle the Caribbean - Splendour of the Seas Alaska - Dawn Princess Coastal - Island Princess Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pieshops Posted June 16, 2004 #23 Share Posted June 16, 2004 cruise junky, This was directed towards the op, who lives in the US. Obviously every country is differant. Until our Cruise Critic Group Alaska Cruise [img]http://escati.linkopp.net/cgi-bin/countdown.cgi?trgb=000000&srgb=00ff00&prgb=111111&cdt=2004;08;06;17;00;00&timezone=GMT-1000[/img] Come check out the links below for our Cruise Critic group cruise to Alaska - August 2004 [url="http://messages.cruisecritic.com/2/OpenTopic?a=frm&s=927093444&f=9693034447"]http://messages.cruisecritic.com/2/OpenTopic?a=frm&s=927093444&f=9693034447[/url] [url="http://www.cruisecritic.com/interests/groups.cfm?ID=43"]http://www.cruisecritic.com/interests/groups.cfm?ID=43[/url] Carnival Holiday 1991 Norwegian Sea August 2001 Carnival Triumph August 2003 Celebrity Horizon October 2003 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Candleonwater Posted June 16, 2004 #24 Share Posted June 16, 2004 As a parent of a 7 yo (who has been traveling internationally since she was 3) I feel better having the passport for travel as it has a picture of my child. When her passport expired in November we had a moment of panic as I wasn't going to be able to get a new one very easily. It's that darned parental consent form... but now, I have paperwork from the courts showing full custody that was established due to the fact that her father can't be found... so please keep your fingers crossed for us! <MARQUEE>Navigator of the Seas March 26, 2005</MARQUEE> Mariner of the Seas 4/11/04 Disney Magic 12/01/01 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kfleming Posted June 16, 2004 #25 Share Posted June 16, 2004 I'm glad to hear others say they are tired of the child bashing posts too. We are getting ready to book the Enchantment and will be taking our 13 month old (at the time) with us. I have wanted to ask for advice or tips but haven't because I know it will start a riot. Actually me just posting that she is going and that she is *gasp* a 1 year old will probably get me flamed! Karen Fantasy 3/98 Enchantment of the Seas 6/00 Explorer of the Seas 9/01 Victory 5/02 Imagination 7/02 Paradise 5/03 Fascination 5/28/04 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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