Should I get passports for a 4 night Bahamas cruise? The website says I can use birth certificates and or passcards, but I thought I read somewhere that you can't get off the sship in the Bahamas without one. Is this true?
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passports for bahamas
- Thread starter princessmommy
- Start date
5thGenTexan
Well-Known Member
Even though a birth certificate and picture ID is typically okie dokie for a cruise, we decided to go ahead and get passports. Mainly if there is a medical emergency it woul make life alot easier to get back to the US if not on the ship. We went ahead and got passports for out 4 year old and 2 year old. I just think its better to have and not need it.....
Figgy1
Well-Known Member
I agree with @5thGenTexan bettere safe than sorry! Have a magical cruise!!!
@5thGenTexan is correct. You do not need a passport until you have to get on something other than the cruise ship which would only occur if you have a medical emergency, miss the boat, etc.
sweetpee_1993
Well-Known Member
I'm also wondering about all the people on the Carnival Triumph (link in case you haven't heard about it). What about all the people on that ship who didn't get a passport and sailed on a birth certificate? Are they going to have any difficulty clearing customs to return to the US? I'm assuming they'll all be flying to their respective homes from Progresso.
I guess it's not the most obvious of reasons to get a passport but, really, I don't think anyone who has something come up that separates them from their planned itinerary anticipated those things happening. To me, better safe than sorry.
I would also like to mention that I've recently become aware of just how much passports cost nowadays. Holy smokes! Just 3 years ago I think we paid in the ballpark of $50 each. My brother is getting passports for him and his girls and they're over $100 each now. WTH is the government thinking more than doubling that fee?! It's not like wages have doubled in the past 3 years...or the cost to produce a frickin' passport has doubled. I know all those government workers prob'ly didn't get a 100% pay increase. I'm not aware of any other major changes that have taken place that would justify doubling the cost to US citizens. Can't be the "new" passports with the microchip in them because we have those. $50. What gives???
I guess it's not the most obvious of reasons to get a passport but, really, I don't think anyone who has something come up that separates them from their planned itinerary anticipated those things happening. To me, better safe than sorry.
I would also like to mention that I've recently become aware of just how much passports cost nowadays. Holy smokes! Just 3 years ago I think we paid in the ballpark of $50 each. My brother is getting passports for him and his girls and they're over $100 each now. WTH is the government thinking more than doubling that fee?! It's not like wages have doubled in the past 3 years...or the cost to produce a frickin' passport has doubled. I know all those government workers prob'ly didn't get a 100% pay increase. I'm not aware of any other major changes that have taken place that would justify doubling the cost to US citizens. Can't be the "new" passports with the microchip in them because we have those. $50. What gives???
From my understanding the state department and local governments will make exceptions with situations like the fire on the Carnival ship. It is still a hassle though.
sweetpee_1993
Well-Known Member
Cool. I'm glad. Still, had I been in those peoples' shoes & not had a passport I'm sure I'd have been worrying myself sick about the possibility of that being another thing to go wrong and become a major problem. I think for peace of mind, bite the bullet and do it. We invested in ours (@ $50-ish each) when hubby was out of work 3 years ago and he was really trying to find something out of the country. Once we had them it was one less thing to worry with when planning travel.
Phonedave
Well-Known Member
My understanding is the "reason" is because of the enhanced security checks they do now. That is also the "reason" that it now takes forever to get a passport.
-dave
sweetpee_1993
Well-Known Member
I'd love to know what's $50-enhanced. I hear about current turnaround times & it took the same amount if not longer when we got ours. Still kinda perplexed...and ready to call BS on Uncle Sam...LOL
sweetpee_1993
Well-Known Member
Too late UNLESS you pay more money for express service which miraculously makes the impossible possible. Funny how that works!
5thGenTexan
Well-Known Member
In addition to have our passports, I also made copies to take with us off the ship as a just in case... Also left a set of copies at home with our other information about the trip. I am a little goofy about getting caught out of the country without proper "papers". 
Disneyfalcon
Well-Known Member
I have a few things to add.
1. You don't need a passport to get off the ship. If you had the correct documentation to board, you are allowed on and off in ports.
2. Last time the passport laws changed there was a 6 month warning if I remember correctly, so they do give you some time.
3. Passports are ridiculously expensive.
4. Passport cards are stupid and not worth spending money on in my opinion. Get the full book.
5. Oh my word, the Carnival ship.
That is all.
1. You don't need a passport to get off the ship. If you had the correct documentation to board, you are allowed on and off in ports.
2. Last time the passport laws changed there was a 6 month warning if I remember correctly, so they do give you some time.
3. Passports are ridiculously expensive.
4. Passport cards are stupid and not worth spending money on in my opinion. Get the full book.
5. Oh my word, the Carnival ship.
That is all.
LuvsTheMouse
Active Member
We got our passports about 5/6yrs. ago and had paid $100ish then
. We had gotten them as we have family that live out of the states, then they changed their mind and said the passports cards were good. I agree passports are expensive, but good to have just in case.
. We had gotten them as we have family that live out of the states, then they changed their mind and said the passports cards were good. I agree passports are expensive, but good to have just in case.
flynnibus
Premium Member
We did passport cards just to save money... I didn't know birth certs were still acceptable at the border crossings. The problem with passports for teens is they have such a limited lifespan (must renew at age 16). We just did the cards because we knew we wouldn't be flying anywhere anytime soon and doing the passports would just be spending even more..
LuvsTheMouse
Active Member
Valid point as cards are much lower in price. My daughter was 17 when we got hers, just in case she needed it.
Disneyfalcon
Well-Known Member
Cards are much lower in price, and if you won't be flying anywhere, they work. But the reality is, if you are worried about getting stuck in another country because you missed the ship, medical emergency, etc. They won't do you any more good than a birth certificate would have.
So you could have saved even more by not buying them.
So you could have saved even more by not buying them.
sweetpee_1993
Well-Known Member
Holy crap! This just totally scared the bejeezus outta me! Chandler will be turning 17 in the next month, had never heard this, and we sail in less than 4 months. Yikes! Whipped out Chandler's passport to check. It expires 5 years to the day from the issue date in 2010. He'll actually be just shy of 19 then. Brian's is the exact same; 5 years from the issue date which would make him 17. Unless something has changed with the expiration of kids passports, it looks like they are good for a flat 5 years while adults (mine & Tracey's) are good for 10. Is something changed for kids passport books?
flynnibus
Premium Member
Sorry, I had it wrong. It's 5 years (vs the 10 years for adults).