Ov vay, what were we thinking? IDs dilemma

bhf108 · #1 (**permalink**) August 14th, 2008, 02:46 AM

We'll be boarding our first cruise this Sunday, hooorah. One minor thing though (among a couple more). All in my party have passports, but not all of us have an additional picture ID. I think I read somewhere that all lines (NCL in our case) requires 2 picture IDs during check-in? Is that true? Some of the kids have college IDs. Do those work just as well?

Whenever I hear picture IDs, all I think of is driver's license and most in my group don't drive, since there's other ways to be crazy in New York.

Thanks for any info. Cruisemates has been awesome in helping with our preparation

Donna · #2 (**permalink**) August 14th, 2008, 05:37 AM

I've never heard that you need 2 pic ID in order to board, there is one on every passport and you mentioned that all have passports. For some ports, they recommend carring a pic ID along with you, I think I had to do that once and never did anyone ask to see any ID, so I couldn't understand that. I never take my passport when visiting a port either, so I think you'll be fine to board.

May want to contact the cruiseline and see what they say.

erikhag · #3 (**permalink**) August 14th, 2008, 06:15 AM

(see my answer on the NCL board)

We have been asked to show ID before getting to the ship and the copy of the passport has been enough then.

green_rd · #4 (**permalink**) August 14th, 2008, 10:45 AM

You may need to carry your passport in certain ports.

A story:
We were leaving for our first cruise, going through the TSA checkpoint at a departure airport. My DW's lisence was expired - after a moment of panic she realized she had passport in hand and all was well.

misguidedangel · #5 (**permalink**) August 14th, 2008, 08:45 PM

I never go anywhere without my passport--port included!!!

I used to bring my ID from my workplace, but I have a freshly voided, but not expired, passport I can use for ID....

Mike M · #6 (**permalink**) August 14th, 2008, 09:27 PM

A Passport is all you will need for check in.

You "may" need to bring the passport with you to get in to certain ports. You can also use a photocopy of your passport and ship's card to gain entry to "certain" ports to reboard the ship.

The best thing about a passport is that it's the best form of ID you can ever have.

Take care,
Mike

brad813 · #7 (**permalink**) September 27th, 2008, 09:21 PM

If you have a passport card in addition to the passport book, the card could be used as a secondary id. Otherwise, just go to the nearest department of motor vehicles and the ones who don't have an ID can simply apply for and recieve a State Issued Photo ID Card right on the spot. It takes about 30-60 minutes per person.