Passports for member cruise

[skelster]

We apparently received our info package from Disney for the members only cruise a couple days ago, or so my wife tells me (I am on an extended business trip). She reports the info packet saying passports are needed for all passengers, including our infant daughter. This is not in accordance with the State Department's current policy, which doesn't require them until January 08. It is possible Disney has gone ahead and jacked up their requirements in advance of the deadline.

I feel silly getting a passport for a nine month old infant, but we are doing it to be in the safe side. Our 4 year old DS really doesn't look anything like he did at the age of 1; so I am sure my DD will look nothing like her picture in a few years. The passports for kids don't expire for 5 years; so I will truly enjoy showing a passport for someone who officially stays 2' 1" until late 2012. I guess someone at State got whacked a few time with the stupid stick before deciding this one.

[Blue&Gold]

It is possible Disney has gone ahead and jacked up their requirements in advance of the deadline..

Maybe, but it is also possible that Disney and other cruise lines printed their materials before the State Department delayed the implementation of the passport requirements.

I feel silly getting a passport for a nine month old infant, but we are doing it to be in the safe side. Our 4 year old DS really doesn't look anything like he did at the age of 1; so I am sure my DD will look nothing like her picture in a few years. The passports for kids don't expire for 5 years; so I will truly enjoy showing a passport for someone who officially stays 2' 1" until late 2012. I guess someone at State got whacked a few time with the stupid stick before deciding this one.

My oldest son was born at the U.S. Naval Hospital in Naples, Italy. We got him a passport when he was 6 weeks old. (So we could bring him home to the U.S. when I transferred.) Actually, it was a great relief to get his passport because it is a document indicating proof and acknowledgement that he was a U.S. Citizen---and was our son and not some baby we bought off the internet.

You can always update an existing passport with a new photograph if it concerns you---what's $40 compared to peace of mind?

I guess we can argue the efficacy of requiring small children to have proof of citizenship---but in an era of human smuggling and "trafficking in persons," I can't say this bothers me too much, and hope the stupid stick gets passed around.

[Stimpy]

I think B&G is correct in saying DCL already printed up most materials before the official word from the State Dept extending the passport deadline until next year. All of our paperwork for our November cruise also states we must have a passport. But after verifying with our travel agent and calling DCL myself, a passport is NOT required (but strongly recommended).

We're still debating whether or not to get them for our kids. It is good to have, especially if for some unforeseen reason we have to fly home from the Caribbean for an emergency. Without a passport, everything is held up since flying into & out of the country definately requires a passport. Plus my kids are a little bit older so they won't change as much as an infant :)

[greenban]

I think B&G is correct in saying DCL already printed up most materials before the official word from the State Dept extending the passport deadline until next year. All of our paperwork for our November cruise also states we must have a passport. But after verifying with our travel agent and calling DCL myself, a passport is NOT required (but strongly recommended).

We're still debating whether or not to get them for our kids. It is good to have, especially if for some unforeseen reason we have to fly home from the Caribbean for an emergency. Without a passport, everything is held up since flying into & out of the country definately requires a passport. Plus my kids are a little bit older so they won't change as much as an infant :)

Unless you are (cough) a Lawyer with a Deadly form of (cough) TB (cough). Then passports, or holds placed upon them don't seem to matter (cough).

-Tony

[Blue&Gold]

Unless you are (cough) a Lawyer with a Deadly form of (cough) TB (cough). Then passports, or holds placed upon them don't seem to matter (cough).

-Tony

Frankly, that little piece of idiocy only supports the requirement... Unless kids can't get sick.

All I'm saying is that just because something is inconvenient doesn't automatically mean it is stupid.

[greenban]

Frankly, that little piece of idiocy only supports the requirement... Unless kids can't get sick.

All I'm saying is that just because something is inconvenient doesn't automatically mean it is stupid.

B&G I happen to agree with you. If one child is not kidnaped because of this, it is worth the cost and inconvience, but I was remarking about how useless our border security really is.

We all have passports, my 2 youngest have never used them (yet).

The idiot who let the TB lawyer in was stupid, not the system, although it's implementation has major concerns.......

-Tony

[cobbler]

Well if you really do need them, as I am sure you know, then get them NOW.

Today is offically week 9 since we applied for them and the website still says processing.

Good think I applied them 6.5 months before actually needing them. Because we all know the gov't is timely. :rolleyes: :Pokepoke:

[tiggerguy2000]

We got our five passports last year when you still did not need them but it helped alot at check-in last November on the Disney Cruise.Our check-in was about 10 to 15 minutes but others with birth certificates much longer.
Im in a Cat 10 room again because I was a 2nd chance booker.My choices where cat 8,9,and 10 so just coming off the Disney Cruise in 2 ajoining cat 10 rooms a few weeks before I went with saving some points with the Cat 10.The porthole water view that friends had did not excite us and my wife was spooked with how close to the water it was.I wish I could have a cat 5 or 6 room but it was not available.
Word to the wise if you have never been on the Disney Cruise they offer you a nice discounted booking for your next cruise and im still kicking myself with not taking advantage of it.The discount was 20% I think and they gave you a room onboard credit.

tiggerguy :cool2: