flyboyswife Posted February 1, 2014 #1 Share Posted February 1, 2014 We leave next Saturday. My mother TODAY just decided to look for her passport. She can't find it. I'm beside myself; trip planned months ago. Can someone refresh me on the rules...she can travel without, right (just not as safe/wise/etc.)? We leave and return to Port Canaveral on the Fantasy (St. Thomas, St. Martin, and Castaway). #OMG #deepbreaths Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shmoo here Posted February 1, 2014 #2 Share Posted February 1, 2014 We leave next Saturday. My mother TODAY just decided to look for her passport. She can't find it. I'm beside myself; trip planned months ago. Can someone refresh me on the rules...she can travel without, right (just not as safe/wise/etc.)? We leave and return to Port Canaveral on the Fantasy (St. Thomas, St. Martin, and Castaway). #OMG #deepbreaths The minimum requirement for a US citizen on a closed loop cruise (beginning and ending in the same US port) is a birth certificate and (for those 16 and over) a government issued photo ID (drivers license/state ID). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Loonbeam Posted February 1, 2014 #3 Share Posted February 1, 2014 Assuming you leave from a return to the same port, its a closed loop cruise and a drivers license and ORIGINAL birth certificate should be ok. The usual caveats about emergencies apply, it seems you understand those. We leave next Saturday. My mother TODAY just decided to look for her passport. She can't find it. I'm beside myself; trip planned months ago. Can someone refresh me on the rules...she can travel without, right (just not as safe/wise/etc.)? We leave and return to Port Canaveral on the Fantasy (St. Thomas, St. Martin, and Castaway). #OMG #deepbreaths Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
moki'smommy Posted February 1, 2014 #4 Share Posted February 1, 2014 There are ways to rush the passport, but it is costly. You can actually hand carry the documentation thru the system if you are close enough to one of the passport offices. As above, minimum requirements are the certified birth certificate and a government issued photo ID. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
flyboyswife Posted February 1, 2014 Author #5 Share Posted February 1, 2014 These boards are awesome. Thank you all. Breathing easier now, though the urge to scream at her is still raging inside! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
homeschoolmama Posted February 1, 2014 #6 Share Posted February 1, 2014 I would still check with the cruise ship as to what they will actually require. If they say only a birth certificate is required, ask them to send you an email stating that. Then print the email and take it with you. This is an issue that in fact isn't as clear as it seems so it may be netter to be safe than sorry. Sent from my SCH-I915 using Forums mobile app Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
boulders Posted February 1, 2014 #7 Share Posted February 1, 2014 I would still check with the cruise ship as to what they will actually require. If they say only a birth certificate is required, ask them to send you an email stating that. Then print the email and take it with you. This is an issue that in fact isn't as clear as it seems so it may be netter to be safe than sorry. Sent from my SCH-I915 using Forums mobile app Here's what the U.S. government has to say: "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. from http://www.getyouhome.gov/html/lang_eng/eng_sa.html Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mapman_2004 Posted February 2, 2014 #8 Share Posted February 2, 2014 I would still check with the cruise ship as to what they will actually require. If they say only a birth certificate is required, ask them to send you an email stating that. Then print the email and take it with you. This is an issue that in fact isn't as clear as it seems so it may be netter to be safe than sorry. Sent from my SCH-I915 using Forums mobile app No, it is clear, no need to print email Sent from my iPhone using Forums mobile app Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
flyboyswife Posted February 2, 2014 Author #9 Share Posted February 2, 2014 Happy to report that after a frantic second, third and fourth search, my mom found the passport. Still taking deep breaths. Thank you all! #exhale Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
moki'smommy Posted February 2, 2014 #10 Share Posted February 2, 2014 YEAH! Have a great trip. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AUDirt Posted February 2, 2014 #11 Share Posted February 2, 2014 Happy to report that after a frantic second, third and fourth search, my mom found the passport. Still taking deep breaths. Thank you all! #exhale Did you check the expiration date? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Capt_BJ Posted February 2, 2014 #12 Share Posted February 2, 2014 for the record OP gives Alexandria VA as home they can go into DC and get a passport the same day or renewal, with proper documentation. There may be a fail amount of waiting involved (there when I did it), but it can be done. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BlueMoon3669 Posted February 2, 2014 #13 Share Posted February 2, 2014 OMG I have been there, am having trouble breathing just listening to your story! Last year, the morning we were to get on a plane for family vacay in Canada, I noticed both DDs passports had expired. After a few phone calls to calming relatives (including one who works for Passport Canada) I learned that 1) traveling by land or or sea, and 2) under 16, we would be good with birth certificates. As luck would have it, we were flying within the US and driving into Canada. I can't count how many times I've checked and rechecked my passport for my upcoming DCL cruise!! Sent from my iPhone using Forums Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
moki'smommy Posted February 2, 2014 #14 Share Posted February 2, 2014 (edited) for the record OP gives Alexandria VA as home they can go into DC and get a passport the same day or renewal, with proper documentation. There may be a fail amount of waiting involved (there when I did it), but it can be done. There are multiple passport offices in the US where this is possible--Chicago is the closest to me. They are listed on the passport web site. Yes, there is waiting and increased cost to do it this way, but it can be done. And you guys win. After all this discussion, I finally pulled out our passports to check expiration dates. As I thought, we are good for the next 3 years. Edited February 2, 2014 by moki'smommy Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TwinPrincessMermaids Posted February 5, 2014 #15 Share Posted February 5, 2014 I'm a passport freak! I check it every few weeks, and then I pack it first thing into my boarding back pack and then leave it in front of my face for a week on the kitchen table, and then I check it 3 times before we drive away and also have someone else as an extra pair of eyes check. I'd rather leave with NO undies or luggage or ANYTHING than not have my passport/docs! That and Rxs are the ONLY things you can buy at port... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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