galimeyer Posted August 20, 2012 #1 Share Posted August 20, 2012 I am on going on another cruise after a 6 year break. We are leaving from Charleston and going to Nassau and Freeport and then back to Charleston. Does my DH need a passport card or will a BC and DL do for this trip? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BaumD Posted August 20, 2012 #2 Share Posted August 20, 2012 A DL and a STATE birth certificate will work (not the hospital certificate) provided he is a US citizen. If you have an emergency and need to fly back to the USA, you will have a problem without a passport. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cruising Golfer Posted August 20, 2012 #3 Share Posted August 20, 2012 No passport needed, just D.L. & B.C.. Enjoy... C.G. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
galimeyer Posted August 20, 2012 Author #4 Share Posted August 20, 2012 Thank you! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare Keith1010 Posted August 20, 2012 #5 Share Posted August 20, 2012 This question comes up often. As noted no passport is required. However, if you need to fly home due to a family or medical emergency you would require a passport. Just keep that in mind. Keith Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
galimeyer Posted August 20, 2012 Author #6 Share Posted August 20, 2012 The reason I asked was because the State Departments website indicates that you do need a passport book or card from the caribbean region from a cruise. He would only be getting a passport card and we wouldn't be able to fly with it anyway. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
serene56 Posted August 20, 2012 #7 Share Posted August 20, 2012 The reason I asked was because the State Departments website indicates that you do need a passport book or card from the caribbean region from a cruise. He would only be getting a passport card and we wouldn't be able to fly with it anyway. the passport card works the same way as a DL & Birth certificate save your money. a passport is needed if your cruise is one way- going from one port to another and not returning to your home port Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
njhorseman Posted August 20, 2012 #8 Share Posted August 20, 2012 The reason I asked was because the State Departments website indicates that you do need a passport book or card from the caribbean region from a cruise. He would only be getting a passport card and we wouldn't be able to fly with it anyway. Unfortunately, the State Department web site is incorrect as it fails to account for the closed loop cruise exception to the passport requirement, issued by the Department of Homeland Security. DHS, not State, is the department responsible for writing these rules. Here's a link to the DHS page explaining the rule: http://getyouhome.gov/html/lang_eng/eng_sa.html , and the explanation of the rule itself, from that page. "Closed Loop" Cruises: U.S. citizens who board a cruise ship at a port within the United States, travel only within the Western Hemisphere, and return to the same U.S. port on the same ship may present a government issued photo identification, along with proof of citizenship (an original or copy of his or her birth certificate, a Consular report of Birth Abroad, or a Certificate of Naturalization). Please be aware that you may still be required to present a passport to enter the foreign countries your cruise ship is visiting. Check with your cruise line to ensure you have the appropriate documents. Please note that the Bahamas does not require cruise passengers to have a passport. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Krazy Kruizers Posted August 21, 2012 #9 Share Posted August 21, 2012 JMO -- if an emergency comes up -- family at home or even you on the cruise -- to fly home you need a passport. Get one. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare sparks1093 Posted August 21, 2012 #10 Share Posted August 21, 2012 the passport card works the same way as a DL & Birth certificate save your money. a passport is needed if your cruise is one way- going from one port to another and not returning to your home port According to the State Dept's website a passport card is good for sea port of entry in Canada, Bermuda, Mexico and the Caribbean, which means that it is good even if the cruise is one way. A passport card cannot be used for international flights. JMO -- if an emergency comes up -- family at home or even you on the cruise -- to fly home you need a passport. Get one. Don't be so bossy;), a traveler is well within their rights to choose their documentation for a closed loop cruise whether you agree with the choice or not. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
galimeyer Posted August 21, 2012 Author #11 Share Posted August 21, 2012 JMO -- if an emergency comes up -- family at home or even you on the cruise -- to fly home you need a passport. Get one. I'm well aware of the fact that we would need a passport to fly home. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
negc Posted August 21, 2012 #12 Share Posted August 21, 2012 A DL and a STATE birth certificate will work (not the hospital certificate) provided he is a US citizen. If you have an emergency and need to fly back to the USA, you will have a problem without a passport. But not an insurmountable problem. It may be more of a hassle and there might be a delay but the US government has alternative means for travelers to prove their citizenship should they not have a passport when they need to fly back to the US from a foreign country. A passport is certainly preferable in the event of an emergency, but even without one, no one will be stranded in a foreign land forever. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sept10dsm Posted August 21, 2012 #13 Share Posted August 21, 2012 But not an insurmountable problem. It may be more of a hassle and there might be a delay but the US government has alternative means for travelers to prove their citizenship should they not have a passport when they need to fly back to the US from a foreign country. A passport is certainly preferable in the event of an emergency, but even without one, no one will be stranded in a foreign land forever. Good to know. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Archived
This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.