Mexican Riviera Excursions on a Birth Certificate?

[MT Cruiser]

My girlfriend and I have passports but her 7 year old daughter does not. She just received complete custody of her girl but we have to file a name change and then get a passport but that won't happen in time for a cruise in April from Long Beach to Mexico. I see "Closed Loop" routes do not need a passport only a birth certificate to board but what about getting off of the ships in port? It'd be a bummer to be stuck on the ship looking at Cabo or Mazatlan etc. And yes I'm aware we won't be able to fly home in an emergency but the ship has doctors short of some freak accident.  

[DallasGuy75219]

1 hour ago, MT Cruiser said:

My girlfriend and I have passports but her 7 year old daughter does not. She just received complete custody of her girl but we have to file a name change and then get a passport but that won't happen in time for a cruise in April from Long Beach to Mexico. I see "Closed Loop" routes do not need a passport only a birth certificate to board but what about getting off of the ships in port? It'd be a bummer to be stuck on the ship looking at Cabo or Mazatlan etc. And yes I'm aware we won't be able to fly home in an emergency but the ship has doctors short of some freak accident.  

No difference between the documentation required to sail and to get off the ship in ports.

 

It would however be a good idea to bring a copy of the legal paperwork giving your GF sole custody, especially if her ex is the vindictive type who might claim she is taking (or even abducting) the daughter to Mexico without his consent.

[jsglow]

You're going to be perfectly fine on that itinerary but DO have copies of legal documentation. Make it easy for any port/immigration workers. Enjoy. 

[sparks1093]

If your documentation is sufficient to board then it will be sufficient to go ashore. There are some excursions that do require more than a birth certificate but those are usually ones that require one to cross a border (such as the railroad excursion in Alaska), but I don't think there are any such on your itinerary. Since this might get moved I will also add that some cruise lines require a passport for all passengers, but Carnival is not one of those lines (and some lines require a child traveling with only one parent to have a passport).