lizi116 Posted July 18, 2007 #1 Share Posted July 18, 2007 We are cruising the Caribbean (out of Florida) in August and my children don't have passports. I know that they don't need them, and I have their birth certificates. Has anybody encountered any problems? I may get them state issued picture ID cards, but not sure if I want to spend the money, or more importantly - the long wait at the DMV!!!:D Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mommyof2 Posted July 18, 2007 #2 Share Posted July 18, 2007 They may need them in August. There was another post about this that had a link to the government website. It said that they may need them sometime this summer. It said they would make an announcement 60 days prior to that taking effect. We are getting passports for the 6 kids traveling in our group to Alaska/Canada next June based on the recommendation of our TA. I would rather have them than face a time crunch just before we cruise, but that's just me! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kerry's Girls Posted July 18, 2007 #3 Share Posted July 18, 2007 You'd have to pay the huge expedite fees in order to try to get passports before you go (which is within the 60 days the previous poster mentioned, right?). I don't know anything about photo ids from the DMV - I don't know how that would be helpful. But make sure the birth certificates you have are certified. Of course, having passports would be the best, but I've taken my twins on three cruises with birth certificates only. Best, Mia Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lizi116 Posted July 18, 2007 Author #4 Share Posted July 18, 2007 I am leaving this Aug. 12, and I know I don't need them. Just wondering if anyone has encountered any problems. I am just crossing my fingers that everything goes well because I am not planning on expidating them. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
2112 Posted July 18, 2007 #5 Share Posted July 18, 2007 The passport rule is delayed till next year due to the big backlog of passport applications, so you are right - they do NOT need a passport for this year. As for an ID, we cruised with our then 7 month old last December without anything other than a birth certificate. You didn't give the age of your children, but I would call the cruise line to be sure. Also, I have found that when you call cruise lines for information, many of them don't know the answers but will guess or make up an answer if they are not sure - so ask them for their name - which I find keeps them from guessing and will make them double check with their higher ups if they don't know for sure. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tanker4 Posted July 19, 2007 #6 Share Posted July 19, 2007 According to the current information posted on RCCL's web site, "Children below the age of 16 only need a birth certificate for ID and do not require a photo ID." Tanker 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mjmalino Posted July 21, 2007 #7 Share Posted July 21, 2007 Honestly, I think that you should have a passport for the kids, that way there won't be any problems. The 2007 change to passport laws which requires passports for reentering the US via car or plane has been amended because of the huge wait for passports that the new requirement has caused. In order to reenter the US without a valid passport, for the time being, you need to have a receipt for a passport showing that you have applied for it. From what I have heard, as of January, all travel (plane, train, automobile) will require passports. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
crusinmama06 Posted July 21, 2007 #8 Share Posted July 21, 2007 You won't have any problems. None at all. We traveled with and without passports this year for our children. There was no difference, both were accepted. And in August, we are traveling with a group of our friends and there will be 6 children, only 2 will have passports...MINE. The other 4 are using birth certificates. The rules are clear....birth certificates are good for now and the latest pp info shows that the deadline will be extended till NEXT Summer 2008 and even then there will be 60 days notice. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
karenh1127 Posted July 21, 2007 #9 Share Posted July 21, 2007 The date for mandatory pp for cruising has been delayed until Summer 2008. For kids, we just used their certified bc's and it was no problem. Happy Sailing! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GApeachcruiser Posted July 23, 2007 #10 Share Posted July 23, 2007 We just finished cruising and we did fine with a birth certificate. They did not really even look at my son's birth certificate, but he is only 13 months! My brother recommended we get a passport before we leave for our son because if anything were to happen while we were at a port we would need a passport to fly, but all of us hubby and I and our son were fine on our cruise with our birth certs.! :) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dkjretired Posted July 27, 2007 #11 Share Posted July 27, 2007 port the airlines usually require photo idea for 16 and above even though the cruise line does not. Also, check on requirements if necessary for traveling with kids and only one parent going. Some places are very restrictive of entering the country without paperwork from both parents... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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