FrenchieMama79 Posted August 7, 2022 Report Share Posted August 7, 2022 We have our first cruise booked for November… we’ve never done anything like this and none of us (husband, myself, & two kids) have passports. I was told by a Royal Caribbean rep that we did not NEED them… we deport out of Ft. Lauderdale, sail to Cozumel and Costa Maya, and return to Ft. Lauderdale… and that all we needed was our birth certificates. Just wondering if anyone else has been in this same situation and did you have any issues at all with using just your birth certificate? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SpeedNoodles Posted August 7, 2022 Report Share Posted August 7, 2022 Birth certificates are fine.....unless and until something happens in one of the ports that would cause you to have to fly home from that country. You cannot return to the US without a passport (meaning you'd have to find your way to a US Embassy, which is very far away from Coz or Costa Maya). Things like: medical issues or injuries that could occur on shore, problems with the ship that would cause passengers to not be able to continue sailing from a port of call (hasn't happened on Royal, but has happened to passengers on an NCL ship - those with passports could fly home the next day, those without had an absolute headache). That being said, I'm not personally aware of what the new passport application turn around time is, so at this point it might be risky to try. Enjoy your first cruise! Chances are you will want more, and you might as well get a passport at some point in the near future! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wordell1 Posted August 7, 2022 Report Share Posted August 7, 2022 You can cruise with ID and Birth Certificates. If it were me, I would get the passport. They are good for 10 years (Adult- 5 years for kids). As stated above there are potential issues that could make you wish you had a passport. You have plenty of time to get them before November. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pooch Posted August 7, 2022 Report Share Posted August 7, 2022 If you go the BC route, be aware you and husband will also need a Government issued photo ID and, assuming your surname is different on the 2 documents, you will also need a copy of your marriage license. So it is not JUST your “certified” birth certificate. You may want to read the FAQs section of the Royal Caribbean website concerning this to be sure you have everything you need. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Traveling Mike Posted August 7, 2022 Report Share Posted August 7, 2022 There will be lots of people give you different answers. I can tell you there are lots of people that cruise out of America with just a birth certificate (original). I can also tell you there have been some that had issues when something happened, and they had to get back without the ship. The first time me and my son (8 years old at the time) cruised we got passports. It makes me feel secure when traveling and we have used them lots of time when on flights and cruises. Hopefully your family loves the trip so much that you want to do it more. Note: If you like the ship, you might look at a trans-Atlantic cruise for your family. It gives lots of sea days to take real advantage of the ship and exposes your kids to Europe. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paid4c4 Posted August 7, 2022 Report Share Posted August 7, 2022 You have plenty of time to obtain passports. I highly recommend traveling with passports. Should you decide to travel with a birth certificate and a government issued ID that will work fine. Remember the birth certificate should be a government issued birth certificate with a raised seal. As others have said the BC and ID method works well unless you get stranded in a foreign country for some reason. Good luck which ever you decide to go with. Bill Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
berkeleykel Posted August 7, 2022 Report Share Posted August 7, 2022 I just want to note that you do have time to obtain passports but I would get on it soon as processing times are up to 8-11 weeks at the moment and I know several people who have been on the upper end of that. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tjcruisers Posted August 7, 2022 Report Share Posted August 7, 2022 As many have said while you can cruise on a BC, would highly recommended going with a passport. Think of it as an insurance policy that's good to 10 years Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Keiffer-b Posted August 15, 2022 Report Share Posted August 15, 2022 Timing update - I had to renew my passport. I reside in Florida, sent it Texas via USPS Priority to obtain a signature. It arrived on July 7 and I received it back today also via USPS Priority. So currently turnaround time for standard processing is/was 42 total days from the date they received it. They have a simple, functional website where you can track the progress and after it was completed, they even included the tracking number. ChessE4 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lugnut Posted August 26, 2022 Report Share Posted August 26, 2022 A Birth Certificate along with a state-issued Photo ID (Driver's License) works, but the BC MUST be a long-form certificate with a raised/embossed seal. Many (if not all) states also issue 'short-form' birth certificates that are not acceptable for obtaining a passport nor for traveling outside the USA. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bluer101 Posted August 27, 2022 Report Share Posted August 27, 2022 We as a family of 3 have done all our cruises with just a BC and ID without any issues. Just recently though we got our passports to make it more convenient and in case of emergency. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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