Firsttime passport card applicants who do not have a passport book traditional passport must go in person to a passport application facility, such as a post office or courthouse, and submit a completed passport application form, proof of us citizenship, one passport photo and the required fee. Passport cards are particularly handy for people who live close to the border and cross frequently or people who rarely travel but have decided to go on a cruise in mexico or the caribbean. 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. There is an exception for passengers of closedloop cruises. How to apply for a new passport card rush my passport. These are cruises that depart from and return to the same u. However, before you apply for a new passport card, consider carefully whether or not you might be better off getting a us passport book.
Both passport books and cards are valid for 10 years, so if it fits your travel plans, the passport card can be a cheaper alternative. Passport books are generally more convenient than passport cards, because they allow you to travel internationally without any worry of. Also you can not use the passport card to fly into the us. Although some cruise destinations, such as bermuda, allow entry with a us passport card, cruise lines highly recommend that you travel with a passport book. Would like opinions on the difference and if we should go with the passport card.
Learn more about how a passport card differs from a passport book. Passport book vs passport card difference and comparison. We are traveling with a 4 and 2yearold on a disney cruise. The passport book is valid for all kind of international travel to include flights. Passport book vs passport card cruise critic community. Normally, when a person obtains a passport, this is what he or she will receive. As others have said, the card is useless if you need an emergency flight. Like the book, passport cards are good for 10 years if you are 16 or older. Passport requirements for cruises know before you go. Note that it cannot be used for international air travel. The passport card is also commonly used for travelers that wish to take a cruise but do not plan on ever traveling by plane. Although cruise passport requirements vary depending on where youll be sailing, you will usually need either a passport card or a passport book. The card has the same validity period as a passport book.
But if something happened while you were on the cruise and you had to fly back or something, that you needed the passport book. I want to get my 3 kids passports for our cruise in october. 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. For most forms of international travel which you might wish to do in the future, a passport book is required. You can now apply for a passport book and a passport card. Using a us passport card on a cruise flyertalk forums. 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. A passport book is the official book style document that allows a us citizen to travel internationally by land, sea or air.
Passport requirements for us citizens for popular types of cruises cruising is an incredible getaway. The purpose of the passport book is to allow entry and exit to any country in the world. Passport card or book for my kids to go to the bahamas via cruise. The passport book is valid for all international travel. Passport book vs passport card norwegian cruise line. How a passport card differs from a passport book dmv.
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. Unless you have a lifeordeath emergency, please consider waiting to apply until we resume normal operations. For domestic travel, the passport card is easier to carry because its walletsized. Whats the difference between a us passport book and card. I just renewed by passport and since it was only a few extra dollars, i went ahead and got both a book and a card. Below are valid proof of travel accepted when applying for an expedited passport. While norwegian does its level best to facilitate the process for its clientele, passengers are subject to u. However, i read on cruise critic that they recommend taking along your book in case there is a problem emergency and you.
The us passport card allows you to enter the united states from canada, mexico, the caribbean, and bermuda at sea ports of entry, land border crossings and is more convenient and cheaper than a passport book. A passport card is less expensive and is the size of a drivers license, thus some frequent cruisers prefer it. A passport card can be used for land and sea border crossings between the u. Even closed loop cruises often require passengers to have a valid passport. We fly from maryland to florida where we board our ship and sail to the bahamas. The passport card is only valid for land and sea travel to. Did you know the term passport can actually refer to two different documents a passport book and a passport card.
You cannot use a passport card when traveling by air internationally. The card provides a smaller, more convenient, and less expensive alternative to the passport book for those who travel frequently to these destinations by land or sea. Differences between a passport book and passport card. If you find yourself frequently traveling to canada or mexico but not so much the rest of the world, a passport card is one way to help pinch some pennies. Passport the application process is the same for either the passport book or card, even if you want both at the same time. To be able to rush a passport application, you need to present proof why you need it fast. Technically you dont need either for that cruise, just a bc and phot id. So, in essence, you need to have confirmed travel plans. To apply for or renew both the book and card, check the appropriate box at the top of the form to indicate that you would like to apply for both products. You have to show the flight details specificing your departure with your complete name listed. Cruise line operators recommend that all passengers should hold a valid passport. My understanding is that the card works for sea ports.
If for some reason while your on a cruise and you need to disembark unexpectedly and need to fly home from a foreign port only having a u. So passport card land travel or only on a cruise leaving and arriving in the same us port, passport book overseas, or air travel. It can also be used for domestic air travel in the usa. What are the benefits of the passport book vs passport card. The passport card is commonly requested by travelers that are planning to go on a cruise. A passport card is more convenient and less expensive than a passport book, but it cannot be used for international travel by air. A passport is an essential item that you cannot afford to leave behind when going on an international trip. In this video we explore should you use a passport book or a passport card when you travel. As it turned out, he was the one in for the unpleasant surprise.
Us passport card how well do you protect your personally. The 4 kids need their passports renewed before our fall cruise. Passport card the standard passport book covers all the bases. Passport card vs passport book carnival cruise lines. This is important in case you have an emergency and need to be transported back to the us by air. There are several options when it comes to forms of identification for travel. Wouldnt be so bad if child passports lasted 10 years like the adult passport, but renewing them every 5 yea. Because of its small size, the passport card will fit in your wallet, as opposed to a passport book which can be impractical to carry around with you.
This case is an unfortunate example of what can go wrong if you decide to cruise with just a passport card. The passport card is more convenient and less expensive than a passport book. The card is designed for people who regularly drive across borders. If you plan to travel then get a passport not a passcard that is the correct name, there is no such thing a a passport book, there is a passport and a passcard. Difference between a passport book and passport card. I am taking a cruise to mexico and i intend to travel with my passport card because im traveling by sea. A us passport card can only be used for land and sea travel to canada, mexico or the caribbean. I use my passport card frequently within the usa, anytime i am required to provide a picture id medical office, hotels, etc. A passport book provides valid identification for any national or international travel. Your passport book allows you to travel by land, by sea, or by air. April 15, 2020 update because of public health measures to prevent the spread of covid19, effective march 20, we have limited u.
After he confirmed that his spouse could cruise with just a passport card, he booked their tropical vacation. However, the passport book is valid for all forms of travel. Everyone who cruises should have a real passport book. An adult applying for a us passport renewal or firsttime passport can receive a card valid for ten years. If youre heading on a cruise this season, dont forget about passport requirements.
You should take your photo id with you but you will not need your passport. You must have the original copies of all required documents. From the minute you board all you need to do is go to your muster station and then only ponder where and when youll have your next feast, and you can appreciate. While the passport card is permissible for a cruise. The passport book is the most common passport to carry. Citizens can be issued with two types of passports. S citizens are encouraged to carry passports when sailing out of foreign ports. Minors under 16 will need to renew their passport every 5 years. The passport card is a walletsize travel document that can only be used to reenter the united states at land bordercrossings or portsofentry by sea from canada, mexico, the caribbean, and bermuda.
It is my understanding that it is better to have them in case of emergency. 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. The passcard is designed for one purpose and one purpose alone, though it can be used to cruise, and that is for people who cross the border between the us and canada or us and mexico on a regular meaning almost daily basis. Passport cards and passport books are no exception. When a passport card might be just what you need for travel there are few travelers in this world who arent interested in trying to save money while on vacation. 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. If you have a passport book and you are eligible to use form ds82, you may apply for a passport card as a renewal by mail even if it is your first passport card. What is a us passport card, and how can you get one.
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