Differences between a passport book and passport card. The bahamian government only requires proof of citizenship e. This case is an unfortunate example of what can go wrong if you decide to cruise with just a passport card. You wont be able to use a passport card for air travel to or from the island.
The card may not be used to travel by air outside the united states. This case is an unfortunate example of what can go wrong if you decide to cruise with just a. If you are also applying for a renewal of your passport book and you opt for expedited service by mail, your passport book will arrive in 23 weeks, but your passport card may arrive in a separate envelope several weeks later. When you apply for a passport card, youll spend less money than you would when.
As it turned out, he was the one in for the unpleasant surprise. 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. A passport book or passport card is required if your vessel transits through canadian waters. Can you use the passport card for travel to the bahamas. Jul 27, 2019 after he confirmed that his spouse could cruise with just a passport card, he booked their tropical vacation. Technically you dont need either for that cruise, just a bc and phot id. To start, you will need to know whether you want a passport book, passport card, or both. However, if you are not able to return on the cruise ship for any reason e. Passport requirements for travel to jamaica getaway usa. Using a us passport card on a cruise flyertalk forums. However, before you apply for a new passport card, consider carefully whether or not you might be better off getting a us passport book. Apr 15, 2019 if youre heading on a cruise this season, dont forget about passport requirements. You need a passport for cruises to and from foreign ports.
Even though you are legally only required to have the passport card if the border crossing is by bus, train or boat, an individual provider can still require a passport book. The passport card cannot be used for international travel by air. Canadian permanent residents must travel with a valid passport and a permanent resident card, also known as a prc, to travel outside of canada canadian citizens who are 15 years of age or younger may sail with either an original valid canadian passport or a canadian birth certificate. While the passport card may protect you against certain scenarios and is superior to not having a passport at all, getting a passport book not only provides more coverage such as flying internationally, but it allows you to travel beyond simply cruises. Department of state recommends the passport book as it is more versatile. There are several options when it comes to forms of identification for travel. Americans may enter the unites states from the bahamas by sea using a passport, passport card, or other western hemisphere travel initiative whti compliant document if they are on an officiallydesignated closedloop cruise. It will otherwise carry the rights and privileges of the u. It is valid for 10 years for adults and 5 years for minors under 16. Passport card vs passport book sep 16 cruise forum. To apply for or renew both the book and card, check the appropriate box at the top of the form to indicate that you would like to apply for both products. Mar 18, 2020 the passport card, meanwhile, is both less expensive and less flexible. A us passport card can only be used for land and sea travel to canada, mexico or the caribbean. Carnival cruise lines strongly recommends all of our guests travel with a valid passport.
Passport cards are wallet sized while the passport book is larger and thicker. There is an exception for passengers of closedloop cruises. There are some advantages to traveling with a passport card rather than a passport book, mainly cost and portability. The passport card has benefits, but does not offer the same list of privileges as a traditional passport. 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. For instance, if there is a medical or family emergency, you will not be able to fly out of the country to return home. Disneys panama canal cruises follow the same guidelines as cruises to mexico or the caribbean. If you ever want to fly to another country or even do a cruise outside of the countries where the cards are valid, get the book. Passport books are likely what you think of when you imagine a passport a bookletstyle identification and travel document. 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. Even for the cruise itself there are a number of cruise lines that require all passengers to have a passport with at least 6 months remaining until expiration even if a.
While norwegian does its level best to facilitate the process for its clientele, passengers are subject to u. Passport books are valid for all international travel, no matter what the mode of transit is. If youre traveling by land or sea to canada, mexico, bermuda, and the caribbean, you can bring a u. Closedloop cruises are the primary exceptions to the rule that those arriving in the u. A passport book is valid for any international travel by air, sea or land. While you need a passport for the kind of cruise where you get off the boat, rent a hotel room.
These are cruises that depart from and return to the same u. All international air travel to other uncruise destinations requires a passport book. Passport identification requirements uncruise adventures. May 17, 2011 i want to get my 3 kids passports for our cruise in october. Americans may enter the unites states from the bahamas by sea using a passport, passport card, or other western. 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 book that is valid at least 6 months after your cruise. May, 2019 in this video we explore should you use a passport book or a passport card when you travel. Many foreign countries require nothing more for entry than a u. Find out if you need a passport to go on a cruise celebrity cruises.
How a passport card differs from a passport book dmv. But, the passport card can only be used for international travel by land and sea. Copyright 19992020 passports and all rights reserved. Feb 11, 2020 the passport card is good to get into canada or mexico the passport book is used to get into all countries. Disney cruise passport requirements for the panama canal. After he confirmed that his spouse could cruise with just a passport card, he booked their tropical vacation. Passport and travel documentation disney cruise line. What travel documents do i need to board a royal caribbean cruise ship nonu. Of the internal pages, 17 are blank pages marked visas. 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. The passport card is good to get into canada or mexico the passport book is used to get into all countries. 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.
Does a passport card work to go to canada by train. The passport card is an option the united states government provides that is a lower cost alternative to the passport book. A passport card will not allow you to fly internationally to catch up with your missed princess cruise. If you fly to jamaica, a passport book is the only acceptable form of identification, despite jamaicas membership of the western hemisphere travel initiative. Passport book vs passport card for kids the dis disney. I just air on the side of caution and keep a booklet, even if they are more expensive. Valid us passport cards will be accepted in place of the passport book at land and sea points of entry between the united states and canada, mexico and the caribbean. Applying for a passport card by mail will take up to 8 weeks. A passport card fits in your wallet, making it a more convenient form of id to carry on certain trips. Now you are on a cruise, get hurt and have to fly home from a foreign country. The passport book is the regular passport that youve seen before. The passports for cruises faq page provides american citizens with answers to the most frequently asked questions about passport requirements related to cruising.
However, depending on your itinerary, you may only need a passport card instead of a full passport book that is valid beyond six weeks from your. We have been even using our passports for domestic travel the last few yrs. Should i get a passport book, card, or both for a cruise. As long as you have valid proof of american citizenship, you can ride most closed loop cruises without a passport or whticompliant document. A passport card is more convenient and less expensive than a passport book, but it cannot be used for international travel by air. Most us passports have a dark blue cover, and contain 28 pages. To apply for or renew both the book and card, check the appropriate box at the top of the form to. 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. Passport book vs passport card difference and comparison. The passport book is valid for all kind of international travel to include flights.
Excellent form of official identification for children or nondrivers. While the passport card is permissible for a cruise, you may want to reconsider getting the card over the book. The passport card is good for land border crossing between the us, canada, and mexico and sea cruise border crossings in. Otherwise a passport card 1 makes it easier small than bringing a birth certificate etc if doing a round trip cruise, but 2 is deficient compared to a passport for any form of international air travel planned or emergency. Also, contacted the charter company out of st thomas and they said the passport card would work fine. The passport card will facilitate entry and expedite document processing at u. 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. I heard you can get a passport card instead of a passport book for a cruise, is that true. It is my understanding that it is better to have them in case of emergency. If your cruise itinerary takes you outside of the u.
Passport cards requested by mail are always shipped back. You cant use a passport card for flying, but you can use one to enter the united states by sea and land from canada, mexico, the caribbean and bermuda. The passport card, meanwhile, is both less expensive and less flexible. However, depending on your itinerary, you may only need a passport card. If youre heading on a cruise this season, dont forget about passport requirements. A passport card is valid for travel to and from canada, mexico, the caribbean and bermuda at land border crossings and sea portsofentry. Passport card vs passport book carnival cruise lines. Alaska the bahamas, caribbean, pacific coast, bermuda or canada round trip cruises caribbean oneway cruises pacific coast, canada or hawaii oneway cruises europe panama canal transatlantic crossing. Do you need a passport to go on a cruise to the bahamas. How to apply for a new passport card rush my passport. Passport cards cannot be used on cruises from international homeports. What travel documents do i need to board a royal caribbean cruise ship non u. The card has the same validity period as a passport book. Guests may also sail with their official birth certificate and a supporting government issued photo id, like a driver.
Passport requirements cruise to the edge march 27 april 1, 2020. Governmentissued photo id and a birth certificate or other. You can use the passport card to reenter the united states at sea ports of entry from mexico, canada, bermuda, and the caribbean. 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. The following guidelines are based on government regulations, which are subject to change at any time. Nassau, bahamas if you are cruising to the bahamas from the u. Find out if you need a passport to go on a cruise celebrity. 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. Canada, the caribbean, or mexico must have a valid passport book or passport card. The passport card can be used only to reenter the u.
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