Passport or pass card?

[MNCruizer1]

We are taking a cruise to Mexico and was just wondering which one we would need? We don't travel much and the card is cheaper but don't want to get to the. Cruise with the wrong one.

 

Thank you

[Scrapnana]

If you should have to fly home (in case of an emergency for example) from Mexico, the passport card is not valid.

http://travel.state.gov/content/passports/english/passports/information/card/Difference-Between-Passport-Book-and-Card.html

[Philob]

Passport book, more options available. While you may not travel much now, there may be an opportunity later that will require one.

 

If your Mexican cruise is a "closed-loop" and you are US citizens you don't even need a passport, just proper ID and proper birth certificates.

Edited March 20, 2015 by Philob

[MNCruizer1]

If you should have to fly home (in case of an emergency for example) from Mexico, the passport card is not valid.

http://travel.state.gov/content/passports/english/passports/information/card/Difference-Between-Passport-Book-and-Card.html

 

Thank you. Passports it is. I have very very bad luck..lol.

[sparks1093]

Passport book, more options available. While you may not travel much now, there may be an opportunity later that will require one.

 

If your Mexican cruise is a "closed-loop" and you are US citizens you don't even need a passport, just proper ID and proper birth certificates.

 

If someone doesn't travel much now and does not plan to do so for the forseeable future then that is what they should plan for as far as documentation goes. If and when the opportunity presents itself later that requires a passport then they may obtain one at that point in time quite easily.

[BlueRiband]

Thank you. Passports it is. I have very very bad luck..lol.

 

Smart move. A passport is good for 10 years. Even if you don't travel much now having it in hand opens a world of travel possibilities. You might see a great deal and won't have to turn it down because it required a passport and you didn't have one.

[Krazy Kruizers]

Thank you. Passports it is. I have very very bad luck..lol.

 

 

Great!!

You never know when an emergency will happen and the passport is the way to go.

[Flatbush Flyer]

Passport book, more options available. While you may not travel much now, there may be an opportunity later that will require one.

 

If your Mexican cruise is a "closed-loop" and you are US citizens you don't even need a passport, just proper ID and proper birth certificates.

 

 

I wish folks would provide complete info.

 

While CBP may not require a passport, the particular cruise line may require it. In fact, most premium and luxury lines require all passengers to have a passport on all itineraries.

[sparks1093]

I wish folks would provide complete info.

 

While CBP may not require a passport, the particular cruise line may require it. In fact, most premium and luxury lines require all passengers to have a passport on all itineraries.

 

But then you'd have nothing to post about;).

[Cuizer2]

We are taking a cruise to Mexico and was just wondering which one we would need? We don't travel much and the card is cheaper but don't want to get to the. Cruise with the wrong one.

 

Thank you

 

If you are taking a round trip (aka closed loop cruise - one where embarkation and debarkation both happen at the same city) then the passport card will be fine. However, you cannot fly internationally with it.

 

If you are going to do any international flying, then you will need the passport book.

[Host Walt]

Just to be sure, the card is intended primarily for folks who frequently cross the border to Canada and Mexico; workers who live in the USA with employment in Canada, for example. The card makes daily border crossings much quicker for everyone.

 

For vacation travel, such as for a 7 day cruise from LA to Mexico or Seattle to Vancouver to Alaska, the card will suffice, but as others have said, it's far better having the passport book, so I agree with your decision.