The passport card is commonly requested by travelers that are planning to go on a cruise. Passport card is a walletsize travel document that can only be used to reenter the united states at land bordercrossings or sea portsofentry from canada, mexico, the caribbean, and bermuda. Passport cards and passport books are no exception. You cannot use a passport card for air travel outside the us.
The caribbean is one of the worlds most popular cruise destinations, but not all caribbean cruises are created equal. If your ship never sails beyond the islands of hawaii, all you need is a governmentissued photo i. We fly from maryland to florida where we board our ship and sail to the bahamas. Does anyone know if the usa passport card can be used for entry in to the dominican republic or does a visitor need the book. 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.
Passport cards cruisemates cruise community and forums. I want to get my 3 kids passports for our cruise in october. How a passport card differs from a passport book dmv. Aug 18, 2016 one is a passport book, the traditional passport with the pages that get stamped. What are the benefits of the passport book vs passport card.
As it turned out, he was the one in for the unpleasant surprise. More specifically, it can be used when entering the u. This case is an unfortunate example of what can go wrong if you decide to cruise with just a. Whats the difference between a passport book and a passport. Get onboard with my caribbean cruise guide to plan a cruise that best fits your budget, interests, and schedule. The passport card is not acceptable for air travel. 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. 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. I am taking a cruise to mexico and i intend to travel with my passport card because im traveling by sea. Unless otherwise indicated above, all cruise rates are per person, double occupancy, cruiseonly without airfare, do not include government taxes and fees and quoted in in u. Given that the passport card is cheaper and covers the caribbean, many people. Passport book vs passport card difference and comparison. Nn booklets an nns books an nns bookseller ac nn booksellers an nns. For instance, if there is a medical or family emergency, you will not be able to fly out of the country to.
Your passport book allows you to travel by land, by sea, or by air. Regarding costa cruises to destinations in mexico, canada, the caribbean, the bahamas and bermuda, there is a notable exception to this us passport rule. What is a closed loop cruise and do you need a passport. Your drivers license or state id card is sufficient for domestic air travel. A passport book commonly called a passport, is used for travel anywhere in the world by air, land sea. To book your cruise, call 888 9994880 tollfree in us international. If youre heading on a cruise this season, dont forget about passport requirements. After he confirmed that his spouse could cruise with just a passport card, he booked their tropical vacation. Your us passport book must be valid for the full duration of your cruise.
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. Learn more about how a passport card differs from a passport book. I will be on the wonder s caribbean cruise in january 2010. Costa cruises passport requirements for cruises passports are required for all travelers, including citizens of u. Passport card vs passport book sep 16 cruise forum. The local police department told her to get a passport card as an official government photo id, and it has changed her life. Using a us passport card on a cruise flyertalk forums. Both documents are valid for 10 years for adults 16 and older, and 5 years for those under the age of 16. While the passport card is more convenient due to its size, it is far more restricted in use than the passport book. This case is an unfortunate example of what can go wrong if you decide to cruise with just a passport card.
Department of state recommends the passport book as it is more versatile. When applying at a regional passport agency, both fees and the surcharge are combined into one payment to the u. Best cruise deals and discounts sorted by your dream destination. The passport card will facilitate entry and expedite document processing at u. Department of state and may be paid by check personal, certified, travelers, major credit card v, mc, ae, discover, bank draft or cashiers check, money order u. A book allows you to travel anywhere else assuming you have all the other documents, visas etc. This could be an issue if you had to fly home from a cruise. It may often be used as an identity card for purposes other than international travel, such as domestic air travel. 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.
Book for travelers on tight budgets, who cruise roundtrip from the u. Closed loop cruises are a perfect alternative for clients who do not have a passport handy or want a last minute deal on a cruise and dont have time to wait for their passports to be updated. Whats the difference between a passport book and a. The 4 kids need their passports renewed before our fall cruise. Passport card for a reduced fee if you only plan to travel by land or sea to and from canada, mexico, bermuda, or the caribbean nations. While the passport card is permissible for a cruise, you may want to reconsider getting the card over the book. Sometimes its all about the destination and that is certainly true of cruise destinations. Azamara club cruises, crystal, cunard, oceania, paul gauguin, regent, seabourn, silversea, star clippers, voyages of discovery and windstar. What is the difference between a passport book and passport card. Card player cruises 9330 west sahara avenue, suite 230 las vegas, nv 89117.
I declined since it cannot be used for international travel it is really meant for those who cross the border regularly by land or sea from mexico, canada, the caribbean or bermuda. Wouldnt be so bad if child passports lasted 10 years like the adult passport, but renewing them every 5 yea. You are not limited to how or where you travel if you obtain a passport book. If you experience a medical problem and want to fly home, you need the book. The following cruise lines require a passport for all sailings, regardless of destination or port of departure. Passport books are likely what you think of when you imagine a passport a bookletstyle identification and travel document. Mar 01, 2010 you only need a drivers license wphoto and birth certificate if its a closed loop cruise and your a us citizen.
Getting a card only allows you to visit canada and mexico. Most us passports have a dark blue cover, and contain 28 pages. Differences between a passport book and passport card. State department you dont absolutely need to have a passport for this type of cruise.
What is the difference between a passport book and. Cant see a reason youd need both other than another form of id that fits in your wallet. Aug 10, 2012 passport cards and passport books are no exception. A passport card only applies to land or sea travel to certain locations internationally, which is noted on the back of the card. 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. Passport book vs passport card for kids the dis disney. The passport card contains a radio frequency identification chip as well as the traditional photograph and personal information found in a passport book. 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.
Theres no need for a passport when you sail on any hawaii interisland cruise. It was designed for people who travel frequently between the u. Passport card or book for my kids to go to the bahamas via. Alternatives to earning cash back and using points on norwegian cruise are suggested. From what i understand, the pp card is only good on land port of entries between mexico or canada and the us, or on closed loop tours. Passport card the standard passport book covers all the bases. Passport requirements for visiting popular countries. The cruise port you depart from and the amazing cruise ports you visit define your experience as much as what cruise line or cruise ship you sail on. You need a passport for cruises to and from foreign ports. Note that it cannot be used for international air travel. Jul 27, 2019 after he confirmed that his spouse could cruise with just a passport card, he booked their tropical vacation.
Postal, international, currency exchange, or if abroad. 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. Passports and visas world cruises world cruise world. Although many caribbean cruise destinations allow us citizens to enter using a passport card, most cruise lines require that passengers have a passport book in case of an emergency that would require flying you back home. Passport card or book for my kids to go to the bahamas via cruise. In light of us president trumps new executive order concerning travel restrictions on citizens from seven specific countries iran, iraq, libya, somalia, sudan, syria and yemen, all guests who may be affected by the executive order should check with their local consulate, the state department, department of homeland security, andor customs and border protection for further information on. The other is the passport card, which is just like a drivers license. Any us citizen wishing to travel internationally via air must have a passport book. For that reason, i get the book even though a card would be sufficient for my plans. The passport card is a cheaper alternative to the passport book.
While norwegian does its level best to facilitate the process for its clientele, passengers are subject to u. 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. Nnnnprb cruise bi nnvbp cruising bp vbg cruisingspeed ac nn crumb. Caribbean cruise travel, vacation and holiday guide. Apr 15, 2019 if youre heading on a cruise this season, dont forget about passport requirements. Jun 23, 2009 i will be on the wonder s caribbean cruise in january 2010. Of the internal pages, 17 are blank pages marked visas that are meant for travel visas and country entry and exit stamps. Can only be used in land and sea travels, not by air. Passport book for reentry into the united states from any country. One is a passport book, the traditional passport with the pages that get stamped. We are traveling with a 4 and 2yearold on a disney cruise. A passport book is valid for all types of travel land, sea or air to any destination.
What is a us passport card, and how can you get one. If you get stranded at a port and need to fly home, you may encounter difficulty with a pp card. Full text of international herald tribune, 1987, france, english. Passport cards when i renewed my passport, i was offered the opportunity to additionally get a passport card. A passport book provides valid identification for any national or international travel. Even closed loop cruises often require passengers to have a valid passport. I am in the process of getting passports for my kids and wondering if i should just get the card since it is cheaper. The us passport card is a credit card sized identification document.
For instance, if there is a medical or family emergency, you will not be able to fly out of the country to return home. Do i need a passport book, passport card, or passport book. The card may not be used to travel by air outside the united states. If i have the passport card does that slow things down. During your cruise, keep your passport card or book in your cabin safe, and simply carry a photocopy of it when walking around in port, in case of an emergency. 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. Tg agas aaagiagg ssasssssasssr tsssesd cm cmfitcard. Passport book vs passport card norwegian cruise line. It is my understanding that it is better to have them in case of emergency. The difference between a passport book or card getaway usa.
But, as many others have already stated, they are useless for crossing borders outside of north america and are allowed only for land crossings and caribbean cruise ships. A passport card is only good for land crossings from usmexico, uscanada and closed loop cruises. While the book is valid for entering most countries by any means of travel air, sea, or land, the passport card is only valid for only return to the u. Also you can not use the passport card to fly into the us. Passport requirements the moodies cruise jan 27, 2018. Here is a table showing the principal differences between a passport book and a passport card.
You only need a drivers license wphoto and birth certificate if its a closed loop cruise and your a us citizen. These are cruises that depart from and return to the same u. 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. May 17, 2011 i want to get my 3 kids passports for our cruise in october.
The united states passport card is an official identity and limited travel document issued by the united states federal government in the size of a credit card. Card is for surface travel, drive or boat border crossings only. It will otherwise carry the rights and privileges of the u. Would like opinions on the difference and if we should go with the passport card. The us passport card is a credit cardsized identification document.
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