U.S. citizens are encouraged to carry a passport when cruising, and they are mandatory when sailing out of foreign ports. U.S. travelers now have two options -- the traditional passport book or the newer passport card.
The most critical and important difference between U.S. passport books and passport cards is that passport cards are not valid for international air travel; they're only acceptable for land and sea border crossings between the U.S., Canada, Mexico, Bermuda and the Caribbean. You cannot use a passport card on cruises from international homeports. Even on a closed-loop sailing out of the U.S., if you're forced to disembark unexpectedly, need to fly home from a foreign port and only have a U.S. passport card, you can expect delays getting home. It is highly recommended to go with a passport book, which covers all international travel -- by air, sea or land.
There's also a price difference. See here:
New – U.S. Passport books for 16 years old and above = $135
New – U.S. Passport cards for 16 years old and above = $55
New – U.S. Passport books for children under 16 = $105*
New – U.S. Passport cards for children under 16 = $40*
Renewal – U.S. Passport books for 16 years old and above = $110
Renewal – U.S. Passport cards for 16 years old and above = $30
*The Renewal price for children’s passport books or cards is the same price as the new item.
Comments
Post a Comment