Mar 12, 2008 the new us passport card the size of a credit card and on sale now is half the cost of a regular passport and gives you access to canada, mexico, the caribbean and bermuda. Also you can not use the passport card to fly into the us. The passport card is a cheaper alternative to the passport book. However, the passport book is valid for all forms of travel. Passport requirements for us citizens for popular types of cruises cruising is an incredible getaway. Mar 16, 2014 hello, i was wondering whether you need a passport to book a cruise. If your ship had to end the cruise at a foreign port due to a mechanical issue or if you had an emergency need to fly home, a passport book would have been required for reentry into the us from a foreign port. Can you use the passport card for travel to the bahamas. After he confirmed that his spouse could cruise with just a passport card, he booked their tropical vacation. Oct 03, 2012 this month the government began to produce u. Most us passports have a dark blue cover, and contain 28 pages. Passport card vs passport book sep 16 cruise forum. To start, you will need to know whether you want a passport book, passport card, or both. Department of state recommends the passport book as it is more versatile.
While less expensive than a passport book, the passport card is only accepted at land border crossings and sea ports when arriving from canada, mexico, the caribbean and bermuda. Passport card vs passport book americas central america. Excellent form of official identification for children or nondrivers. It will otherwise carry the rights and privileges of the u. Youll need the passport book to return home whether youre flying in from europe, asia, latin or south america, africa or either of the poles. Passport card can be used to enter the united states from canada, mexico, the caribbean, and bermuda at land border crossings or sea portsofentry and is more convenient and less expensive than a passport book. A passport card also could be useful for alaska cruises, as long as all border crossings into canada are done by land or sea. If a cruise traveler had to return home due to an emergency either at home or in a foreign country, heshe would not be able to fly back to the usa without a passport book. The department of state is issuing the passport card in response to the needs of border resident communities for a less expensive and more portable alternative to the traditional passport book.
Wouldnt be so bad if child passports lasted 10 years like the adult passport, but renewing them every 5 yea. The passport card is more convenient and less expensive than a passport book. You need a passport for cruises to and from foreign ports. Because of public health measures to prevent the spread of covid19, we have extremely limited u. Im not very familiar with the card but there is a decent price difference between the 2. For complete instructions and a link to download the form, click the link below. Passport card or book the dis disney discussion forums. There are many more cruise lines for which you do not require a passport if taking a closed loop cruise.
United states citizens can use an official passport card to enter canada if driving across the border or entering from the sea. To apply for or renew both the book and card, check the appropriate box at the top of the form to. Guests may also sail with their official birth certificate and a supporting government issued photo id, like a driver. The passport card, meanwhile, is both less expensive and less flexible. If the name does not match, its important you contact your travel agent or the. Using a us passport card on a cruise flyertalk forums. A us passport card can only be used for land and sea travel to canada, mexico or the caribbean.
The passport book is more expensive, but meets more of the cruise passport requirements for a larger set of destinations and circumstances, including air travel in case of an emergency. If youre on a cruise that requires a passport, the card wont help. They have been available to us citizens since 2008, and are meant to be a convenient way to prove your identity and citizenship. Would like opinions on the difference and if we should go with the passport card. Americans may enter the unites states from the bahamas by sea using a passport, passport card, or other western. Can only be used in land and sea travels, not by air. The documentation requirements are the same, so travelers. The passport card is good for land border crossing between the us, canada, and mexico and sea cruise border crossings in. Passport cards are particularly handy for people who live close to the border and cross frequently or people who rarely travel but have decided to go on a cruise in mexico or the caribbean. Applications for a passport or passport card may be submitted at any of 9,300 passport application acceptance facilities, which typically include u. The form for renewing a passport or passport card is ds82. Even closed loop cruises often require passengers to have a valid passport. So theres really just no reason to get the card for a cruise.
Do i need a passport book, passport card, or passport book. For instance, if there is a medical or family emergency, you will not be able to fly out of the country to return home. If you have plans to travel to cuba by cruise ship, check your reservation, check with the u. We are a nationally recognized us passport and visa service by the washington post, new york times and usa today. It can also be used for domestic air travel in the usa. Because international cruises in europe and asia require air travel, these vacations also demand a passport. Because of its small size, the passport card will fit in your wallet, as opposed to a passport book which can be impractical to carry around with you. Passport card cannot be used for international air travel. But, the passport card can only be used for international travel by land and sea. The 4 kids need their passports renewed before our fall cruise.
You can use the passport card to reenter the united states at sea ports of entry from mexico, canada, bermuda, and the caribbean. Wouldnt be so bad if child passports lasted 10 years like the adult passport. If you have a passport card, you can also use it to drive across the canadian border and to. Passport requirements for cruises in the western hemisphere. I know that when boarding and reentering the us, you might need it. Passport card is a travel document that can be used to enter the united states from canada, mexico, the caribbean, and bermuda at land border crossings or sea portsofentry.
A passport book functions in all ways a passport card is used and there is no need to obtain a passport card if you already have a passport book. Carnival cruise lines strongly recommends all of our guests travel with a valid passport. However, if you get a passport card, it cannot be used for travel by air. How a passport card differs from a passport book dmv. Getting a passport isnt that difficult, but it can be a bit of a hassle as there are several steps to take. Feb 12, 2019 the passport card is the size of a drivers license and is used for convenience as it is smaller and cheaper than the passport book. They can be used for land or sea travel to canada, mexico, bermuda. Us citizens on a closedloop cruise, one that begins and ends at the same us port, can use a drivers license or governmentissued id card and a birth certificate, certificate of naturalization or certificate of citizenship.
How to apply for a new passport card rush my passport. Passport cards are wallet sized while the passport book is larger and thicker. It is my understanding that it is better to have them in case of emergency. It is each guests responsibility to identify and obtain all the necessary visas. We are traveling with a 4 and 2yearold on a disney cruise. All cruises to cuba require a passport book no passport cards or other forms of i. The passport card will facilitate entry and expedite document processing at u. This case is an unfortunate example of what can go wrong if you decide to cruise with just a passport card.
Passport cards are a form of us passport that are the size of a credit card or drivers license. Rushmypassport can help you get or renew your passport quickly, in as little as 24 hours. Although princess cruises strongly recommends passengers travel with a passport, its terms and conditions clarify that it is possible to cruise with just a passport card with considerations. Passport book vs passport card norwegian cruise line.
I want to get my 3 kids passports for our cruise in october. While norwegian does its level best to facilitate the process for its clientele, passengers are subject to u. The card gives you nothing that the bc plus id for an adult does, and costs money. Rightno passport needed as i would guess you stopped at a foreign port en route to nyc. Passport book that is valid at least 6 months after your cruise. Both forms are available for download on the state departments passport website. On a cruise that begins and ends in the us, us citizens can travel with a drivers license and a birth certificate, no passport book or card required. Passport books are likely what you think of when you imagine a passport a bookletstyle identification and travel document. You either need the book or a bcid combo will work just fine. A passport card fits in your wallet, making it a more convenient form of id to carry on certain trips. Apr 21, 2016 a passport card only applies to land or sea travel to certain locations internationally, which is noted on the back of the card. You are not limited to how or where you travel if you obtain a passport book. If you are thinking about applying for or renewing a u.
The passport card is only for land and sea travel, which means there is no way travelers can use the passport card to board a plane. You only need a drivers license wphoto and birth certificate if its a closed loop cruise and your a us citizen. This cruise calls at ports in ireland and the united kingdom, and based on your nationality, you may be required to obtain a multipleentry visa for ireland, andor the united kingdom. The bahamian government only requires proof of citizenship e. In this video we explore should you use a passport book or a passport card when you travel. If you are planning a cruise to mexico, make sure you bring one of the following documents. Citizens you will need a valid passport and, in some cases, a visa. Do you need a passport to take a cruise from the u. The passports for cruises faq page provides american citizens with answers to the most frequently asked questions about passport requirements related to cruising. Using a passport book is the easiest, especially if due to unforeseen circumstances you do need to fly home, but if you dont have a passport book, it isnt like they arent going to let you in. If youre thinking of going on a cruise, the passport card might be nice when you need a from of identification to get on and off the ship. As it turned out, he was the one in for the unpleasant surprise. Passport card vs passport book cruise, cost, airline, 747. As long as you book a closed loop cruise, you can travel to certain destinations without a passport.
The passport card is good to get into canada or mexico the passport book is used to get into all countries. This new travel document can be used to enter the united states from canada, mexico, the caribbean, and bermuda at land border crossings or sea portsofentry. There are several options when it comes to forms of identification for travel. Jun 23, 2009 the walletsize passport card is convenient and less expensive than the passport book. We have been even using our passports for domestic travel the last few yrs. Passport and travel documentation disney cruise line. The passport card is designed to be a less expensive and more portable alternative to the passport book. United states citizens entering canada via airplane must have a passport book issued by the u. A passport book commonly called a passport, is used for travel anywhere in the world by air, land sea. These are cruises that depart from and return to the same u. Technically you dont need either for that cruise, just a bc and phot id. To apply directly online, please visit covingtons cibt visas partner portal and automatically get a 20% discount. Mar 22, 2010 you should take your photo id with you but you will not need your passport. The passport book is the regular passport that youve seen before.
My boyfriend of one month asked me if i would go on a cruise with him and his family in december and i thought sure, itd be a nice way getting to know him more and meet his family. Application form ds11 can be used in order to apply for a passport book, passport card or both. Passport card or book for my kids to go to the bahamas via. You did not indicate where your cruise is going to so i would check the locations in which the passport card is good for as from what i read they are only good for 34 places. However, the passport card cannot be used for travel by plane. Note that it cannot be used for international air travel. If you plan to travel then get a passport not a passcard that is the correct name, there is no such thing a a passport book, there is a passport and a passcard. From the minute you board all you need to do is go to your muster station and then only ponder where and when youll have your next feast, and you can appreciate evening excitement just strides far from your room. Jun 03, 2014 for more information on applying for a new passport book or card, a renewal or other passport questions, please contact covingtons helpful business travel advisors. More specifically, it can be used when entering the u. State department, and check with the cuban embassy on updated rules. Apr 15, 2019 if youre heading on a cruise this season, dont forget about passport requirements. Places to cruise without a passport carnival cruise line. However, before you apply for a new passport card, consider carefully whether or not you might be better off getting a us passport book.
The passport card can be used only to reenter the u. Of the internal pages, 17 are blank pages marked visas. The passport card is good for land border crossing between the us, canada, and mexico and sea cruise border crossings in the caribbean and bermuda. Whether you are looking for a cruise booking tool for customers to use on your website or an agent productivity tool so your agents and independent contractors can research and book in one central location, tandem has the booking solution for you.
Passport card vs passport book carnival cruise lines. The difference between a passport book or card getaway usa. Do we need a passport book or can we use a passport card. International sailings cruises that begin outside the united states, u. Differences between a passport book and passport card. Discover if a passport is required to go on a cruise, when to obtain one, where to get it and how quickly you can acquire your travel document.
I applied to renew my passport this past summer, and i had the option of applying for a just a passport book, or b both a passport book and also a passport card, which can be used in certain intercountry travel situations cant remember what situations either, but doesnt really matter as it is irrelevant to my question. My family and i will be sailing on the adventure of the seas out of bayonne, nj in may. The passport card is commonly requested by travelers that are planning to go on a cruise. The card may not be used to travel by air outside the united states. The passport book is the traditional multipage document that border agents stamp as you travel through. Any us citizen wishing to travel internationally via air must have a passport book. However, if you are not able to return on the cruise ship for any reason e. You can apply for both a passport book and passport card at the same time using either form ds11 apply in person or form ds82 renew by mail must be eligible.
For these sailings, passengers can board by showing an official government birth certificate and for anyone 16 or older a governmentissued photo id. As previously mentioned, both the passport book and the passport card are passports. While the passport card is permissible for a cruise, you may want to reconsider getting the card over the book. Passport books or passport cards are both valid for 10 years after issue for adults, and five years for travelers under age 16. The card has the same validity period as a passport book. We fly from maryland to florida where we board our ship and sail to the bahamas. However the three above are the only ones i could find that has a direct reference to needing a passport on their website. Passport card or book for my kids to go to the bahamas via cruise. Should i get a passport book, card, or both for a cruise.
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