Carnival cruise question?

Question

Will a certified copy of a birth certificate be enough to identification to board the ship and return to the states?

Answer 1

The simple answer is yes, a certified copy of a birth certificate is an accepted form of indentification to board the ship and return to the states until January, 2008.

Actually it's for returning to the states but cruise lines check them when you board to make sure you have the proper ID when you are checked to enter (return to) the US or enter US teritories (US Virgin Islands in the case of a Southern Caribbean cruise).

It is "encouraged" that you have a Passport because of the possibility (slim at best) that something would happen while on a cruise and you'd have to fly back to the US from somewhere while on a cruise (emergency leave from a port while cruising, etc.) and therefor you'd have to have a Passport for air travel back into the US. You'd still be able to get back in with the birth certificate but you'd have to go through a lot of questioning and checking, etc. and would be delayed quit awhile. (Immigration would understand and allow the fact that you were on a cruise so no Passport requirement, but they'd still make you go through a lot of hoops and checking proof of cruise, etc. to check you out).

One of the big advantages of a Passport over a Birth Certificate is that when they check those while you are on the cruise (they check them on the ship when returning to the US or entering into a US territory port) if you have a Passport you pass quickly through the line simply be holding it up and passing the Immigration agents. But if you have a Birth Certificate, they question you a bit (or simply put, you go through the "let's have a talk" line).

The simple answer is "yes", you can cruise with a certified copy of a birth certificate through January, 2008, but you are "encouraged" to have a Passport.

Answer 2

At this point you will only need a passport if you are flying into the states. If you will be doing all of your traveling by cruise, you don't need to have it (except for some ports). The deadline was moved back until next year, I believe. The cruise lines will just require a birth certificate at this point in time.

I would get a passport if you have the time. Where we set now is that the law can change as any point in time, so if you don't have a passport, you may not be able to sail. Also, if you would have an emergency and need to fly home, you would not be able to unless you had the passport. I have a cruise scheduled for April and May and a passport is still not required for those (though I've had one for many years). I will be going to the Mediterranean on a cruise in a few months, I do have to have a passport for that.

I think that at this point it is a little risky to cruise without one, but you still can. I would verify this with the cruise line as well as the Department of State before you go.

Again, to be on the safe side I would try to get a passport.

Answer 3

I will answer the most important question first. You DO NOT need a passport IF your cruise leaves from California and regardless of where it stop, it ALSO returns to California (OR any part of the US .. any US state) BEFORE December 31, 2007. But, if your cruise returns to the US AFTER December 31, 2007 then you will need a passport. The new passport law requiring ALL who enter the US by car, train, bus, plane or cruise ship to have a passport goes into effect on January 1, 2008. Unless your cruise ends in Ensenada your cruise ship stop there is more than likely a regulatory stop; only to meet a regulatory requirement that all US cruise ships stop in a foreign port. That is usually the case in cruises from the west coast of the US. Carnival and Princess cruise lines are actually owned by the same company; actually Carnival owns Princess. BUT, Carnival is the budget cruise line and the one that most young people ages 21 to about 35 go on, and also the ship that most first time cruiser go on. Its the party cruise line by reputation and actual. People who go say that they have a great time on Carnival ships (for the most part). Princess is a more upscale cruise line and that means the cabins are a little better, the food is a little better and the ship has a more reserved crowd. Now that does not mean that the people, many of whom will be in the 40 to 65 age range, do not have a great time. There will be some young people on the Princess ship but not as many as on Carnival. I have been on three Princess ships and they have great discos and lounges and the people have a great time. You just do not see people staggering down the hall or being loud at the pool areas. If I were making the selection I would go with princess since I absolutely loved all three of their ships that I have been on. We did the cruise to the Mexico Rivera, Cabo, Acapulco, and Puerta Vallarta in October 2004. The weather was great with one exception. The sailing was smooth and the weather was very pleasant but a hurricane came across Mexico and dissipated near one of our planned port stops. Because of that they diverted the ship to a different port. But we never had any bad weather, not even rain and it was sunny and warm enough to sit on the balcony or most anywhere on decks all day long. Since your cruise date is outside the hurricane time frame you should not have to worry about any of that type weather. My bet is that you will have great weather for the whole cruise like we did.

Answer 4

The government told everyone that they would need a passport starting Jan. 07. Then they backtracked a little and said only if you're flying. People who are sailing out of and into a US port do not have to have a passport until 2008. People who are flying to Mexico , Canada or Caribbean do in 2007. I am cruising in/out of Ft Lauderdale this March. I was notified by the cruise line that I do NOT have to have a passport. Just a birth certicate and a picture ID. I also carry my marriage license since my birth certificate has only my maiden name.
Now, having said all that, I still applied for a passport, first I'll need one for next year's cruise anyway and I won't have to carry/ show all the other stuff. It's just easier. Hope this helps. bon Voyage. My first 3 cruises were on Carnival. You will love it.

Answer 5

NO! not any more since Jan 26/27 2007 you have to show a US passport to re-enter to USA. Don't even bother checking with cruise line for conflicting information but with US Dept of State. These days you can get your US passport made in less than 2 weeks also over night if you have confirmed travel itenary else regulare application time takes 6 weeks.

Answer 6

Sorry, no. I just came back from a cruise 3 weeks ago and had to have a passport.

Answer 7

I used that last year, but now, you will need a passport to regain entry into the US

Answer 8

not anymore you must have a passport effective 12/31/06

Answer 9

PASSPORT NOW

EVERYONE SHOULD HAVE ONE ANYWAY, THEY ARE VALID FOR 10 YEARS