This is my first families cruise-Carnival Triumph 5 day Caribbean cruise, Will my kids need passports? Departing from Galveston TX returning back to Galveston TX. Cruise told me when I booked that they will only need a valid id and birth certificate. Is this accurate? I'm reading some say yes others no. What is the true real deal!
In the US. I would check with the local Immigration office or the equiv. I would take passports. From Canada, Passports are required all the time.
From the US State Department:
U.S. citizen children under age 16 arriving by sea from Canada, Mexico, Bermuda, or the Caribbean may present an original or certified copy of his or her birth certificate, Consular Report of Birth Abroad, or Certificate of Citizenship.
Although it's not required, having a passport for all members of your traveling party is highly recommended.
Hope that helps.
When in doubt, go to the primary source for this kind of critical information. Also, assume you are U.S. citizens but if not please check this out with your countries responsible passport agency.
http://travel.state.gov/content/passports/english/passports/under-16.html
http://travel.state.gov/content/passports/english/passports/16-and-17.html
You didn't say when you were traveling. Assuming you have plenty of time to get the passports for the kids then:
I would get passports for everybody in the party. You, don't need them but having passports will maybe speed things up from time to time and if a problem does arise with immigrations somewhere, it could save you a lot of grief.
Hi CrystalRoy! For the itinerary you’re going on, US citizens can cruise with ID and birth certificate as you’ve been told. The concern is if you somehow missed the ship in a foreign port or an emergency required you to return home mid-trip a passport is needed to fly or drive across borders. Plenty of people cruise without passports every week, but it’s certainly recommended to get passports if you can.
Have a great cruise!
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