passport for kids?

[bronson168]

My family and I are U.S. citizens who will be going to Alaska on the Disney Wonder in August, round-trip from Vancouver BC. We are planning a land crossing from Washington State to BC two days before cruise departure. The kids will be 13 and 11. My wife and I have passports. Our kids have only birth certificates.

I would like to hear from any US citizens who have already gone on a Disney Wonder cruise departing from Vancouver BC with their kids under 16 who did not have a passport, just birth certificates.

Did you have any trouble when embarking the ship, with just birth certificates for your children? Thanks.

[Mike M]

It makes no difference if it's a Disney cruise or any other cruise, your kids will need passports. You will need a passport to get to Vancouver and also to board the ship. A passport or passport card is required to cross the border.


"US citizens cruising to Alaska on a ship that departs from or ends in Canada (e.g. Vancouver) will require a valid passport card or passport if they enter Canada by land or sea. US citizens cruising to Alaska that enter or depart Canada by air need a valid passport."


Go and get passports for the kids.


Take care,
Mike

[storybookcruises.com]

I'm really surprised your agent didn't tell you this when you booked it! As Mike stated, passports are mandatory and that should have been one of the first things your agent told you.

Luckily, in your case, you have plenty of time and it's not a big deal, but those who book later could encounter a problem if they're not aware of this.

I always suggest passports for all cruises even when they're not required as it's easier and should you ever need to fly back from a foreign port, it'll save you alot of time, hassle, and money.

Pete

[Donna]

Even if it wasn't a requirement for traveling, I would still get passports. Just remember, they are good for 10 years, so hopefully there will be more travel plans in your families future....Happy cruising.

[Mike M]

Originally Posted by Donna

Even if it wasn't a requirement for traveling, I would still get passports. Just remember, they are good for 10 years, so hopefully there will be more travel plans in your families future....Happy cruising.

Only good for five years for kids. Even with that they still need, and should have, the passports.


Take care,
Mike

[felix_the_cat]

They will need passports to get into Canada. Actually, even more important, they will need passports to get back into the states.


The passport rule is not Canadian, it is an American government rule.

[bronson168]

Thank you for all your feedback. I've decided that we'll fly to Vancouver BC and we'll get passports for the kids a few months before that. We're planning to go to Europe within the 5-year timeframe for children's passports anyway. I do hope that in the future, the United States and Canada make an agreement like the Schengen agreement that the Europeans have. Canada is such a wonderful country and it's right next door, which makes the passport requirement seem ridiculous to me.

[nandu]

Passport is always necessary to cross the border whether you are going for holiday trip or for any business tour.It is necessary for children/elders and all.Without passport you will not be allowed to cross any border.

[storybookcruises.com]

Originally Posted by nandu

Passport is always necessary to cross the border whether you are going for holiday trip or for any business tour.It is necessary for children/elders and all.Without passport you will not be allowed to cross any border.

Definitely not true.

If you're going from the USA to Canada or Mexico via car or train, you can use Passport Cards and don't need a Passport.

If cruising, often a Passport or Passport card is NOT required, but then you must have an original birth certificate along with a government issued photo ID, such as a driver's license, unless you're a minor travel with your parents, in which case you'll still need the original birth certificate.

However, when cruising to Canada or cruising out of Canada, then passports are required.

Each specific situation is different and what applies in one situation is not necessarily true for another situation, which is why it's important to talk to your travel agent and NEVER assume the type of documentation you'll need.

Pete

[hellenxe]

Before reading this post, I thought children under 5 years old don't need passport. Thanks

[Queen of Oakville]

My son was 6 months when he got his first passport. Taking his picture was fun. I had to stand behind him and hold him, and could not be visible in the picture.