Can anyone help with difference between a Passport and Passport Card... - PassPorter - A Community of Walt Disney World, Disneyland, Disney Cruise Line, and General Travel Forums
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Can anyone help with difference between a Passport and Passport Card...
I'm driving myself insane trying to find out the difference other than air travel between these 2.
We are going on the Fantasy next May, traveling to Castaway, Tortola, and St Thomas. If we are able to just get the card, I would rather, since we are party of 5. But obviously I don't want to get down there and not be able to get home. Or back on the boat from Tortola.
Does anyone have advice, or suggest some where I can contact for solid advice as to what is really needed. If the only true difference is being able to fly home, I'll go with the card.
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The U.S. Passport Card can be used to enter the United States from Canada, Mexico, the Caribbean, and Bermuda at land border crossings or sea ports-of-entry and is more convenient and less expensive than a passport book. The passport card cannot be used for international travel by air.
If I was going to get one or the other I would do the actual passport. I would much rather have it & not need it than need it & not have it when it comes to something like this. What if someone in your party is seriously injured or becomes seriously ill & ends up being flown to a facility that can take care of them? You'd need an actual passport in order to follow them to wherever they're taken. Even though they're more expensive (okay, they're a lot more expensive) than a card they do it all. A passport will get you on an international flight, in to the U.S & other countries via air, land or water & can be used as id. I have a passport & in a ouple of years will renew it & also get the card. However, I live about an hour & a half to two hours (by car) from the U.S/Canadian border so I do go to Canada quasi regularly. If I didn't live this close to the border or did but didn't go to Canada quasi regularly I wouldn't bother getting the card.
I agree with revral -- the only reason to get a passport card is if you intend to be entering Canada or Mexico by car. If you are taking a cruise that leaves from and returns to the same US port and you don't intend any other international travel, you could use a birth certificate and government-issues photo ID (such as a driver's license) and get the same benefit as a passport card without the additional cost.
In the event of an emergency that requires you to fly home, it might save a small bit of time to have a passport card, but you would still need to get an emergency passport book.
Getting a passport book would cover any other intentional or emergency international travel over the next 10 years. It does cost more, but I'd choose either a passport book or no passport at all rather than a passport card.
You are correct, the main difference is the ability to fly with a Passport Book.
My family has Passport Cards because we live near the Canadian border. I agree with others -- if you are considering getting a Passport for the sole purpose of cruising, get the Passport Book. While the Passport Card is acceptable for cruising, it really is the same as using birth certificate plus driver's license, no other benefit. Usually if people get a Passport for closed loop cruises, it's for the "what if" scenarios that involve emergencies and flying home or flying to meet the cruise ship. A Passport Card won't do any good for those situations.
Either get the full Passport Book, or save your money and use your birth certificates plus driver's license (for ages 16+).
Thanks for the advice all. I know when we did our 4 day with Carnival (in 2011) we just did the birth certificate thing. At least I have time to think about all of it. Thanks again.
What stinks is reading this off the Disney site, I know its for the Dolphin Experience, but my concern is without passports, can we even get off in Tortola "Guests who are U.S. Citizens and ages 16 and up are required to carry a valid passport in order to participate on this tour. Children ages 15 and under who are U.S. Citizens may travel on their valid passport or an original birth certificate (with raised seal). "
Decisions, decisions!
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Planning our FIRST WDW trip!
Last edited by bartzcrew; 04-14-2015 at 12:01 PM..
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What stinks is reading this off the Disney site, I know its for the Dolphin Experience, but my concern is without passports, can we even get off in Tortola "Guests who are U.S. Citizens and ages 16 and up are required to carry a valid passport in order to participate on this tour. Children ages 15 and under who are U.S. Citizens may travel on their valid passport or an original birth certificate (with raised seal). "
From the wording, it would appear that this country requires regular passports to enter, cruise passenger or not.
Also the danger of taking an "original" birth certificate is if you lose it someone can steal your identity or that of your child. It is much more difficult to do that with a lost passport.
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While a passport is not required for some cruises, it may be required for specific excursions. Apparently that excursion does require a passport, so if you want to participate in that excursion anyone age 16+ will need a passport (age 15 and younger may use a birth certificate). I believe the passport card would be acceptable because entry is via water (not by air). I know there is an excursion on the Alaska cruises that requires a passport book because it actually crosses into Canada by helicopter.
Thanks for the advice all. I know when we did our 4 day with Carnival (in 2011) we just did the birth certificate thing. At least I have time to think about all of it. Thanks again.
What stinks is reading this off the Disney site, I know its for the Dolphin Experience, but my concern is without passports, can we even get off in Tortola "Guests who are U.S. Citizens and ages 16 and up are required to carry a valid passport in order to participate on this tour. Children ages 15 and under who are U.S. Citizens may travel on their valid passport or an original birth certificate (with raised seal). "
U.S. citizens must have a valid U.S. passport to enter the British Virgin Islands. For further information, travelers may contact the BVI Tourist Board at (800) 835-8530 or (212) 563-3117, Fax: (212) 563-2263 or visit the BVI Tourist Board online for current entry requirements. U.S. citizens should take special care to secure their passports while traveling as it can be time-consuming and difficult to acquire new proof of citizenship to facilitate return travel should the passport be lost or stolen.
All U.S. citizens traveling outside of the United States are required to present a passport or other valid travel document to enter the United States. This extended to all sea travel (except closed-loop cruises), including ferry service on June 1, 2009. Travelers must now present a Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative (WHTI) compliant document such as a passport or a passport card for entry to the United States. While passport cards and enhanced driver’s licenses are sufficient for entry into the United States, they may not be accepted by the particular country you plan to visit; please be sure to check with your cruise line and countries of destination for any foreign entry requirements. We strongly encourage all U.S. citizen travelers to apply for a U.S. passport or passport card well in advance of anticipated travel. U.S. citizens can call 1-877-4USA-PPT (1-877-487-2778) for information on how to apply for their passports.
Note: Be aware that Caribbean cruises that begin and end in the U.S. (closed loop cruises) do not require that you travel with a valid passport. However, should you need to disembark due to an emergency and you do not have a valid passport, you may encounter difficulties entering or remaining in a foreign country. You may also have difficulty attempting to re-enter the United States by air because many airlines will require a valid passport before allowing you to board the aircraft. As such, we strongly recommend that you always travel abroad with your valid passport.
And from the BVI TOurism website: British Virgin Islands Entry Requirements | BVI Tourism
From North America: U.S. citizens travelling by air to Canada, Mexico, the Caribbean and Bermuda must present a passport or other WHTI-compliant documentation to enter or depart from the United States.
Canadian Citizens: a passport is preferred however you may also use an original birth certificate accompanied by a valid photo ID such as a driver's license.
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