Cruise Trip (no passport required)?

[sparks1093]

On another NOTE:

 

A PASSPORT is the best ID for travel by air to anywhere whether it is required

or not. A passport trumps the Drivers License even the enhanced ones and

also you do not need to take a flimsy certified paper copy of the birth certificate.

If one does a great deal of foreign travel look into the Global Entry Program

which speeds you through the airport TSA check points and also back into

the country after foreign travel - cost $100 for 5 years.

 

Yes there is a modest expense in the first time application for the passport

but when taking a cruise it makes the filling out of the cruise documents a

breeze with no further questions asked.

 

So you don't have one then questions like the title of the this thread happen

resulting in further confusion i.e. the White Pass and Yukon train travel at

Skagway.

 

Once you have a passport good for 10 years the renewal is relatively easy

and almost effortless - photo upgrade and any address or other notable changes.

 

Even if you have Travel Accident insurance the lack of passport may hinder

your timely entry back into the country - you don't need this kind of stress

trying to recover from an unforeseen event.

 

While the passport is certainly king of the travel document world if one does their due diligence using a lesser form of documentation is acceptable. It all boils down to what travel one is likely to undertake, what documentation is needed, assessing the risk and determining if one is comfortable with that risk. The fact is that millions of passengers embark on closed loop cruises every year with something other than a passport and they have no issues at all. While the risk of "something happening" is not zero it is very small for most and good travel insurance would cover much of the cost associated with an unforeseen event (I am talking about an event that is covered by insurance, not being overserved at Senor Frogs and losing track of time).

[paulav99]

If you plan to take the train excursion in Skagway you will need a passport since it goes just across the Canadian border before returning. They will not let you on that train excursion without a passport.

 

You can take the train excursion. We did, but you just can't take the one that takes the train up and then the van back. You have to take the train both ways.

[CRUZIN TOM]

If anything a passport is excellent at the airport. The ease of going thru the gate with your passport makes the lines go faster. I just renewed my passport. Got a picture at Costco. 5.00. Filled out a form downloaded on line for passports and sent in $110.00. So easy now, and then good for another 10 years. For those that fly a lot, apply for a Known Traveler Number. $85.00 for 5 years. You get to go in the preferred lines at the airport. Belts, shoes, laptops and liquids don't need to be shown. Security is a breeze.