personal ID/documentation for check in

[bridgie04]

My husband does not drive, we live in a city, and he hates it.

 

He uses a passport on occasions he flies. A passport was enough last time we cruised (on another line). I saw on Carnival's site that he needs a passport AND a state issued state I.D. We are cruising on April 5th. He applied for a non driver license today, but they mail it and we will be cutting it close. They issued him a paper temporary pass today.

 

No flames, I know it's our responsibility to have the necessary documentation but I would be grateful for anyone's advice how strict they are at check in without a plastic, hard copy of the non driver ID.

 

Again, he is now holding a paper temporary pass and has a passport.

 

Thank you very much

[GTO-Girl]

My husband does not drive, we live in a city, and he hates it.

 

He uses a passport on occasions he flies. A passport was enough last time we cruised (on another line). I saw on Carnival's site that he needs a passport AND a state issued state I.D. We are cruising on April 5th. He applied for a non driver license today, but they mail it and we will be cutting it close. They issued him a paper temporary pass today.

 

No flames, I know it's our responsibility to have the necessary documentation but I would be grateful for anyone's advice how strict they are at check in without a plastic, hard copy of the non driver ID.

 

Again, he is now holding a paper temporary pass and has a passport.

 

Thank you very much

 

 

His passport would be his photo ID.......

 

Some people will take a driver's license to use as their ID to get back on the ship (along with their ship issued card) when returning from a port. But your husband can take his passport to use as his ID when returning to the ship instead.

 

Never heard of having to have any other ID if you have a passport.....

[Retired_to_Cruise]

I have never had to show Carnival anything more than my Passport. Never have I had to show a Driver's License to board a Carnival Ship; and I have done that a few times. AND, I could not find any place in the documentation on the Carnival website where they state that you have to have both a passport and a state I.D of some sort.

[stargate fan]

My husband does not drive, we live in a city, and he hates it.

 

He uses a passport on occasions he flies. A passport was enough last time we cruised (on another line). I saw on Carnival's site that he needs a passport AND a state issued state I.D. We are cruising on April 5th. He applied for a non driver license today, but they mail it and we will be cutting it close. They issued him a paper temporary pass today.

 

No flames, I know it's our responsibility to have the necessary documentation but I would be grateful for anyone's advice how strict they are at check in without a plastic, hard copy of the non driver ID.

 

Again, he is now holding a paper temporary pass and has a passport.

 

Thank you very much

 

I think you might have misread Carnival's information. Either a passport OR a birth certificate and a valid photo id is required at check in.

 

We have only used our passports since we started cruising in 2000.

 

Have a great cruise.

[bridgie04]

I am reading the line "in addition to proof of citizenship" to mean you need passport AND state issued ID. Sounds like passport will be sufficient based on thread feedback

 

U.S. Citizens

 

Carnival highly recommends all guests travel with a passport. Although a passport is not required for U.S. citizens taking cruises that begin and end in the same or a different U.S. port, travelling with a passport may help to expedite your CBP clearance upon return to the U.S. Additionally, passports are required in the event you need to fly from the U.S. to a foreign port should you miss your scheduled port of embarkation, or need to fly back to the U.S. for emergency reasons.

 

The Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative (WHTI) allows U.S. citizens (including children) sailing on cruises that begin and end in the same U.S. port to travel with one of the WHTI compliant documents, listed below. Additionally, the same document requirements apply when taking a cruise that begins and ends in a different U.S. port

 

• Valid U.S. Passport

• Passport Card

• Original or suitable quality copy of a Birth Certificate (Issued by a government agency: state/county/city) and a government issued photo ID if 16 years of age and older.

• Original Certificate of Naturalization

• Enhanced Tribal Card

• A Consular Report of Birth Abroad

• Enhanced Driver’s License (EDL) – only acceptable at land and sea ports of entry. It cannot be used for air travel outside the U.S. The word ‘Enhanced’ must appear on the driver’s license. The following five states currently issue an EDL: Michigan, Minnesota, New York, Vermont and Washington.

Copies of U.S. passports and naturalization papers, hospital and baptismal certificates are not WHTI compliant documents, therefore, are NOT acceptable.

Birth certificates from Puerto Rico issued prior to July 1, 2010 are not valid forms of proof of citizenship that is accepted by U.S. Customs and Border Protection. Guests from Puerto Rico either need to present a WHTI-compliant document or a government-issued photo identification with a validated birth certificate issued after July 1, 2010.

*If you need to obtain a passport quickly, Carnival recommends that you contact VisaCentral at http://www.visacentral.com/carnival or by phone: 1-866-788-1100. Callers should mention that they are sailing on Carnival to receive discounted service fees.

Photo Identification

 

In addition to proof of citizenship, a non-expired government-issued photo I.D is required of all guests 16 years of age and older. The following are acceptable:

• Driver’s License

• Driver’s Permit

• School/Student I.D (acceptable ONLY for guests under 19 years of age)

• Government-Issued identification card (city/state/federal)

Edited March 13, 2015 by bridgie04

[firemanbobswife]

Just a Passport for check in is fine. It trumps a State issued ID by itself.

 

Some people are uncomfortable taking their Passports with them off the ship, so also bring a picture ID. It may be needed when getting back through the gated area leading up to the ship along with your S&S card from a port.

[dettlja]

A passport is proof of citizenship and proof of identity. It's all you need.

[bridgie04]

thanks all!

[Elaine5715]

For those under 30, a govt issued photo ID would be needed on board to enter the dance bar. You don't want to be using your passport, too easy to lose. And the warnings are for those who inevitable complain that "no one told me"

[riffatsea]

A US Passport IS a government issued photo ID.

It is proof of citizenship AND a photo ID at the same time.

As usual it is the Carnival web site that makes it sound like you need something besides a passport!

NO worries! It is just written in a confusing way!

[Jenhem31]

We cruised 3 weeks ago and only provided our passports upon check in.

[TheTexans]

I'm, I'm not trying to be Debbie Downer... but on my August 2014 cruise out of Port Canaveral... I presented my passport and was then asked to produce my state issued ID. Again, in December 2014 in Galveston... same situation. So, I guess there's always a problem child with the norm. I have also been asked for a secondary ID Galveston in 2012 as well as New Orleans in 2010. Maybe I just look suspicious since I travel with my daughter and parents... or I'm just a one of the lucky ones who needs two IDs to get on the ship.

[GTO-Girl]

I'm, I'm not trying to be Debbie Downer... but on my August 2014 cruise out of Port Canaveral... I presented my passport and was then asked to produce my state issued ID. Again, in December 2014 in Galveston... same situation. So, I guess there's always a problem child with the norm. I have also been asked for a secondary ID Galveston in 2012 as well as New Orleans in 2010. Maybe I just look suspicious since I travel with my daughter and parents... or I'm just a one of the lucky ones who needs two IDs to get on the ship.

 

Wow, this is weird!

 

Not doubting you one bit......but since I got my first passport in 2005 I have never been asked for anything else.....ever.

[NCMtnBoys]

I'm, I'm not trying to be Debbie Downer... but on my August 2014 cruise out of Port Canaveral... I presented my passport and was then asked to produce my state issued ID. Again, in December 2014 in Galveston... same situation. So, I guess there's always a problem child with the norm. I have also been asked for a secondary ID Galveston in 2012 as well as New Orleans in 2010. Maybe I just look suspicious since I travel with my daughter and parents... or I'm just a one of the lucky ones who needs two IDs to get on the ship.

 

Could it be that you had booked a resident discount rate and needed to prove your state of residency in order to be eligible for that rate? A passport proves your citizenship but not your residency. Just wondering, as I don't believe I've ever had to show my driver's license in addition to my passport unless I was using a resident rate.

[TheTexans]

Could it be that you had booked a resident discount rate and needed to prove your state of residency in order to be eligible for that rate? A passport proves your citizenship but not your residency. Just wondering, as I don't believe I've ever had to show my driver's license in addition to my passport unless I was using a resident rate.

 

 

No, I've only booked Past Guest and Casino rates. It's weird. Oh well. I don't mind- whatever it takes to get me on the ship.

[Havingfun2010]

I have never had to show Carnival anything more than my Passport. Never have I had to show a Driver's License to board a Carnival Ship; and I have done that a few times. AND, I could not find any place in the documentation on the Carnival website where they state that you have to have both a passport and a state I.D of some sort.

 

This is not about Carnival! You only need your ship card because when they scan it, they see your picture. However, you need a government issued ID which could be a DL or a Passport to enter some port areas. The local port police do not have access to scan your ship's card. Canada and Bahamas were very strict on showing ID.

 

In Nassau, I saw one Carnival cruiser moved to the side because they could not prove who they were. Did not know what happened after since I had my photo ID, and went to my non-carnival ship.

[firemanbobswife]

This is not about Carnival! You only need your ship card because when they scan it, they see your picture. However, you need a government issued ID which could be a DL or a Passport to enter some port areas. The local port police do not have access to scan your ship's card. Canada and Bahamas were very strict on showing ID.

 

 

 

In Nassau, I saw one Carnival cruiser moved to the side because they could not prove who they were. Did not know what happened after since I had my photo ID, and went to my non-carnival ship.

 

 

Whoa! Calm down!

 

I believe they are referring to checking in at the Port. Which means they haven't received their S&S card yet. But yes the part about getting BACK on the ship is correct. You will need your S&S card plus photo ID whether a Passport or other government issued card ie Drivers License.

[dmdiver]

I use my passport for checkin, flying, etc. I take my driver license in case I do an excursion that requires driving a vehicle. It is quicker going through customs after disembarkation with a passport - at least that's been our experience in both Miami & Galveston.

[helicopter]

Some ports, Cozumel for example, require ID and S&S card to get past security check at entrance to pier to board ship. If you don't have ID card take your Passport.

[stargate fan]

I'm, I'm not trying to be Debbie Downer... but on my August 2014 cruise out of Port Canaveral... I presented my passport and was then asked to produce my state issued ID. Again, in December 2014 in Galveston... same situation. So, I guess there's always a problem child with the norm. I have also been asked for a secondary ID Galveston in 2012 as well as New Orleans in 2010. Maybe I just look suspicious since I travel with my daughter and parents... or I'm just a one of the lucky ones who needs two IDs to get on the ship.

 

I think you were one of the "lucky" ones. ;)

We sailed Dream out of Port Canaveral in 2012 and Magic out of Galveston in 2014 and only used out passports.

[clanlemar]

What about children? My daughter will be 13, does she need id?

[riffatsea]

The regs listed in the post on the first page said that everyone needs to show they are citizens so you need an original birth certificate for your daughter.

It also says that everyone OVER 16 needs photo ID.

Your daughter is 13 so that doesn't count for her.

It was outrageous for anyone to ask for 2nd ID as described above in Texas and New Orleans. I'd have asked for a supervisor as Passport is all one needs to travel anywhere!

[ray98]

How in the world did he get by this far without a state issued ID at least? I have to show ID for stuff all the time.

[MarcelLucSell]

I will say to bring an ID to the ports. We arrived to one port at 7 am and it was too early to make announcements. We brought wallet with anyway. They checked Sign&Sail card AND photo ID returning to ship at each port.

 

I can imagine someone not bringing one off the ship.

[WLHyatt]

The only times I have had to show photo ID when returning to the ship were times when we did non-ship ran/sponsored excursions. Any time I have done ship excursions I have not had to show ID other than the sail and sign card.

One time in Cozumel we did not have to show ID, just our sail and sign cards when coming back from Nachi Cocom. The other times we've been to Cozumel we had to show ID. We've docked at all three Cozumel Piers, and the one did not have to show ID at was Puerta Maya. When we docked at TMM/International and Langosta we had to show ID.