The official answer is …. If you are sailing from a US port and returning to the same US port (assuming you are a US Citizen) you can travel with a government certified birth certificate and government issued photo ID. We always strongly recommend guests travel with them as it makes traveling easier and can actually protect you from losing your complete vacation cost. Some top reasons to get a passport:
Hassle free travel: Travel can get complicated if using a birth certificate and photo ID. First you need to be 100% sure your documents are valid and certified. You also need ensure that your birth certificate name matches your photo ID. If it does not you must bring a ‘bridging document’ showing your name change, a marriage certificate is a great example. Having a passport eliminates the paperwork hassles and worries of having the right documentation and being denied boarding.
They cancelled my flight! Airlines have finally learned their lessons from years past. Capacity now is in line with demand so flights are flying full. If the airline cancels your flight due to a mechanical issue and the airline cannot get you to the port in time, without a passport you cannot fly to the next port of call to catch the ship. Most travel insurance will only cover your missed trip if the cancellation is due to a weather delay. So if you miss the ship due to the fault of the airline and cannot get to the port then you lose your vacation investment. At a minimum to safeguard against this we always recommend flying in the day before your cruise … especially if you do not have passports.
I’ve fallen and I can’t get up: Emergencies on board are rare and unanticipated. During your cruise you might have the need to travel home from one of your ports of call. It could be a family emergency at home or perhaps you fell and broke your leg on board and need to fly home. With no passport you would need to go to the local consulate and have them issue you one in order to get home. This could take a few days and in an emergency those few days could be critical.
What a great deal! Lastly having a passport opens up the world. You can take advantage of offers that might require a quick departure. That last minute invitation to an all-inclusive resort in Mexico. Or maybe you find a great airfare to Europe for a specific date so you can cruise the Mediterranean.
When you calculate the cost of a passport it comes out to roughly $14 per year and worth the small investment.
Happy Cruising!
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