Passport for AK.?

[chris2597]

We are booked on the Golden for AK. We are traveling with 3 other couples that are all first time cruisers. They were all told that they do not need passports for this cruise. Just a picture ID and certified birth certificate. Is this the case? I haven't found anything info on this.

[caribill]

Yes, that is accurate for this cruise.

[LARGIN]

If you are doing a round trip from Seattle, that is correct..

[sherryf]

It is true that they don't need a passport for the cruise itself, BUT if they plan to do any of the excursions in Skagway that go into Canada, they WILL need the passport. This includes all White Pass Rail trips except the round trip summit, where you don't actually get off the train. Any of the rail/bus combo trips DO require passports. I think all of the bus-only trips that cross into Canada also require passports. If you book through the cruise line, it should state clearly whether a passport is required. If you book independently, be sure to check with the vendor to see if passports are required.

 

Not having a passport severely limits your touring options in Skagway!

[alaskagirl2010]

This is said on other threads, but it's probably always a good idea to have a passport. In light of the carnival problem, what if there's a breakdown and the ship gets towed to Vancouver?

I think it's wise to plan for the unexpected.

[Northender]

This is said on other threads, but it's probably always a good idea to have a passport. In light of the carnival problem, what if there's a breakdown and the ship gets towed to Vancouver?

I think it's wise to plan for the unexpected.

 

Excellent advice.;)

[paul929207]

One other point that wasn't mentioned - the use of the BC and DL is only for US citizens. Anyone else needs a passport.

[sherryf]

This is said on other threads, but it's probably always a good idea to have a passport. In light of the carnival problem, what if there's a breakdown and the ship gets towed to Vancouver?

I think it's wise to plan for the unexpected.

 

This isn't as much of an issue here as it would be in the Caribbean. If they towed to Vancouver, then they'd just bus everyone back to Seattle. It's only a few hours. Since the Golden sails from Seattle, it would get everyone back to where they started with no issues.

[Colo Cruiser]

I agree, take a passport.

[BEAV]

How is the port stop in Victoria handled for those without passports?

 

I thought the law changed a few years back that now requires a passport (rather than only a birth certificate) for entrance into Canada. ????

[Cruisin' Chick]

Makes it easier to have a passport. When we were on an excursion that went into the Yukon, the border officials looked at everyone's ID. With passports, they just needed to look at that. With DL and BC, they would need to compare the names.

[runnerodb83]

How is the port stop in Victoria handled for those without passports?

 

I thought the law changed a few years back that now requires a passport (rather than only a birth certificate) for entrance into Canada. ????

 

Children under 16 can use a birth certif copy (Certified)

http://www.getyouhome.gov/html/eng_map.html

 

This works on the cruise as well, UNLESS, the child is travelling with only 1 of their legal parents, then they must have a passport, regardless of age.

[juniper berries]

The princess web site listing the train excursions that enter Canada from Skagway it says you need a passport. Also I would think you need on for Victoria because that is part of Canada. Also children need them as well.

I think it is far better to have a passport with you as you never know what can happen while traveling. Not sure you can even fly home from Canada without one. The rules change all of the time best to have it with you to avoid any problems. Hope you have a great cruse.:)

[dwjoe]

From Princess' web site:

 

US citizens traveling on U.S. roundtrip or “closed-loop” voyages may also travel with an original certified birth certificate presented together with a valid government-issued photo identification. These voyages include:

 

• Alaska roundtrip from San Francisco or Seattle (roundtrip Seattle cruisetours excluded)
  

http://www.princess.com/learn/faq_answer/pre_cruise/prepare.jsp

 

You do not need a passport to get off the ship in Victoria for the day. Generally, whatever you will use to re-enter the US is valid for entering Canada.

 

You do not need a passport, strictly speaking, to go on an excursion that crosses the Canadian border. A passport card or Washington state enhanced driver's license will also work, but a BC will not. Excerpt from Princess' web site:

Since this tour enters Canada, all guests must carry a passport or other WHTI compliant document. For U.S. citizens these documents include: U.S. Passport, U.S. Passport Card, Enhanced Driver's License, Trusted Traveler Card and Military ID Card (for U.S. armed forces members on offical orders).

http://www.princess.com/find/excursion/exDetails.do?tourCode=SGY-170&t=A&exType=S

 

Government rules do not change frequently. However, Princess recently imposed a special requirement on all parties where children are traveling with only one adult. The entire party must have passports.

[dwjoe]

This is said on other threads, but it's probably always a good idea to have a passport. In light of the carnival problem, what if there's a breakdown and the ship gets towed to Vancouver?

I think it's wise to plan for the unexpected.

On the Carnival Dream, every passenger received a special letter from US CBP authorizing them to fly without a passport.

 

The risk of traveling without a passport on an Alaska cruise is less than a Caribbean cruise. From Alaska you can fly home on a domestic flight (no passport required). From Canada, if you can get to the border you will be allowed into the US even with just a BC and DL.

[BEAV]

From Princess' web site:

 

US citizens traveling on U.S. roundtrip or “closed-loop” voyages may also travel with an original certified birth certificate presented together with a valid government-issued photo identification. These voyages include:

 

• Alaska roundtrip from San Francisco or Seattle (roundtrip Seattle cruisetours excluded)
  

http://www.princess.com/learn/faq_answer/pre_cruise/prepare.jsp

 

You do not need a passport to get off the ship in Victoria for the day. Generally, whatever you will use to re-enter the US is valid for entering Canada.

 

You do not need a passport, strictly speaking, to go on an excursion that crosses the Canadian border. A passport card or Washington state enhanced driver's license will also work, but a BC will not. Excerpt from Princess' web site:

Since this tour enters Canada, all guests must carry a passport or other WHTI compliant document. For U.S. citizens these documents include: U.S. Passport, U.S. Passport Card, Enhanced Driver's License, Trusted Traveler Card and Military ID Card (for U.S. armed forces members on offical orders).

http://www.princess.com/find/excursion/exDetails.do?tourCode=SGY-170&t=A&exType=S

 

Government rules do not change frequently. However, Princess recently imposed a special requirement on all parties where children are traveling with only one adult. The entire party must have passports.

 

Thank you!